15.2.2001

Dear friends,
I have received a number of calls from teachers "vis a vis the meitzav test". A number of our schools (and others from all the machozot) were randomly picked to take the test. There were problems especially with the
testing of the students orally.

I have pasted below a message which I received from Judy Steiner (Mafmarit) which is to be shown to your principal (If your school is taking the test).

Message from Judy: I just spoke with Dr. Gili Schild, Head of the Evaluation Dept. in the Ministry of Education.  She informed me that at last night's meeting with Shlomit Amichai and the Irgun Morim it was decided that there will be NO oral exam on the Meitzav exam for all levels.  If schools ask you, you can inform them of this decision.  Sometime next week Dr. Schild will send an official letter to schools, updating them about decisions made.

Shabbat Shalom
Avi

30.1.2001

Dear REEDers, Shalom
As you have already been informed, the "shibbutz" is already at the Testing Department in Jerusalem and we now await the Ktav Minui.

1. Please note that you are not allowed to test until you have signed    the official papers (contract/ktav minui) with the Ministry .
2. We have a number of schools exchanging testers one with the other because of the tense security situation.
3. The shibbutz is final.
4. You are reminded to abide by the new instructions that were sent to the schools by the Ministry (Jerusalem) two months ago.

There are no changes for the contents of the 3 point exam. These students will be tested on their reading files and short stories as in the past.

5. You are requested to inform me as to when your students will be tested.

Wishing you and your students all the very best.

                                       Yours sincerely,

                        Avi Tsur and "tzevet ha-hadracha"

30.1.2001

The final shibutz for the oral bagrut 2001 has been sent in to the testing department.

If you would like to know who is testing at your school, please contact your madrichim OR email Gail (gail@kfar-olami.org.il) - remember to include the
name of your school in your email (in Hebrew and English).

Please note that you cannot test until you receive the official testing contract from the Ministry.

18.1.2001

Dear colleagues,

The next session at Dror will take place on January 23, 2001 at 3:30 pm as usual. Avi Tsur will be giving a session on Literature.

CHANGES:    Due to Election Day, the session that was supposed to take place
on February 6 has been postponed to February 13th, 2001.   This session will
be given by Dov Gotdiener on Projects on Computers.  The session will take place in one of the computer rooms at Dror.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Miriam Greif

16.1.2001

Dear Teachers, Shalom
We have completed marking the essays submitted for 11th graders to receive approval to take the exam. The official letters will be sent out next week. The instructions set by the Ministry are very clear - Native English speakers (or talented Israeli's at Native speaker level) and average grade of over 90. Some schools submitted essays below these standards under the assumption that someone else can make the decision/s for them. This is not fair on us and more so, not fair on your students. It is you who should face them and tell them straight that they do not fit the criteria. I prefer to deal with angry parents than to deal with misled students! Another year of English is in their benefit. Many do not know what a paragraph looks like and with more practise could do much better.

The shibbutz for the Oral bagrut will be sent to Jerusalem at the end of this week. Schools who didn't send in the necessary information will have to care for themselves (and their students). Initially 35 schools did not return the forms. These schools ALL received a fax from my office. Some schools returned the forms without the school details filled in and so they remain a "mystery".

With all that said and done, wishing you all the best.

Avi Tsur and Tzevet Hahadracha

5.12.2000

Welcome to all the new members of REED.

The following form: http://reed.kfar-olami.org.il/info/docs/oralbag.doc
is to be filled in and the information sent to my office no later than December 18th. You have already sent in a form with addresses,
id numbers, etc. so all we need now is the relevant information. This ATTACHMENT is to be brought to the knowledge of the principal.

Avi Tsur and the "A" team (hadracha)

8.11.2000

This notification is to be brought to the knowledge of your principal who is ultimately responsible for "bagrut foul ups." I in turn will be notifying the general inspector of each school that is listed on this note.

The following are schools whose bagrut teacher forms are STILL incomplete and if not put straight immediately will find themselves having to deal directly with the testing department as I intend to send them the requested details next week and WILL NOT bother to help schools who have not given all the information as requested.

1.= incomplete "teudat zehut" number (must have 8 digits)
2.= incomplete address (kibbutz Hasollelim is not enough,   nor is Eilat)
3.= problem with tel. number (no kidomet)

even shmuel (2) amit kfar batia (1) ofek (no form at all???) beer tuvia (2)  beit yehuda (no form ???) dror (2) kfar hayarok (1)  haemek hamaaravi (1;2)   har vegai (1) herzog (2)           hispin (no form???)   kaduri (2)
mevuot hanegev (2)   maayan shachar (2)       maale habsor (2) maale shacharut (2)  nahallal (2)  sulam tzor (1) azata banot (1'2)    ayanot (no form???)  ein gedi (no form???) ein karem (no form?) emek hachula (no form??) emek harod (2) amakim/ tavor (2)    pardes hana (1)  tzfira (1)
rama (1)  sde eliyahu (2) shittim (2) shaar hanegev (2;3)  shafir (2)  shafririm (2) tom (no form???)

I want to thank the schools who rechecked their forms, corrected and emailed me.

Avi Tsur
English Inspector

4.11.00

Dear REEDers  shalom,

Last week was the final date to get your forms of BAGRUT teachers in to me.
On Wednesday the English Inspectorate met with the Testing Dept. and with the people responsible for sending out the information to the schools and the testers. Till now I was convinced that they are a group of incompetent non professionals however I know now that they are not to blame. They showed us where the mistakes lie and I for one am much the wiser. If for example you leave out the "sifrat bikoret" from the ID number the computer doesn't
accept the information. Letters to testers were returned to the Min. as the addresses were to say the least a sad joke (and I will explain!). I have been battling these past few days to put ALL your names on computer with all the information and YES, IT IS MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. The number of forms that have come in with all the information as requested can be counted on one hand. YOU ARE ALL REQUESTED TO CHECK AND RECHECK THE INFORMATION YOU SENT ME.
1. Do I have all the digits to the ID number?
2. Do I have the full address? Not for example: Kibbutz Hasolellim,  or   Achva,   or   Moshav Gitit
The address must be in full with zip-code!!
3. I have forms with no telephone numbers, without the schools code, and some that came without the name of the school which put me to playing detective for which I do NOT have the time.
The following schools have not sent in their forms:
Ganenot;  Gvanim;  Chispin;  Chefetz Chayim;  Yohana J.;  Kfar Hanoar Hadati;  Mevuot Yam;  Mikveh Dati;  Mikveh Klally;  Merchavim;  Nachlat
Yehuda;  Ayanot;  Ein Gedi;  Ein Karem; Emek Hachula; Tzafit;  Ramot Cheffer;  Shaar hanegev;  Tom.  

Some of these schools may not have a 12th
grade class this year, please let me know!!
All the forms must be typed. Forms not typed are as good as forms not received. The following schools sent in hand written forms even though the instructions were very, very clear, in BOLD letters;
Ort Ashdod, Habsor;  Haddasim;  Haemek Hamaarvi;  Yamah;  Kadoory;  Kanot; Kfar Gallim;  Carmel Zvulun;  Mevuot Iron;  Maale Shacharut;  Neve Hana; Sulam Tzur;  Azata Banot; Ulpanat Tzviah;  Shittim;  Shafririm. 

The information needs to be typed out, not necessarily in my form sent to the schools. I NEED the information. I will be at the office on Monday. My fax number is 03-6898793. My fax at Moledet is; For AVi Tsur 06-6531231.  This is the final week I will be working on these lists. Schools who do NOT get their forms to me can deal directly with Machleket Bchinot as I will not add them to my Shibbutzim.

Wishing you all a good week,    Avi Tsur

10.10.00
Dear REEDers, Shalom!
I want to draw your attention to a document (Chozer Hamenahel Haklali, May 2000) dealing with ways of testing Students With Special Needs that has been sent to all schools.

The document is available on-line at:
http://reed.kfar-olami.org.il/info/H1100544.htm

For students to receive their rights (be it time extension or the 1 hour oral exam) they must have an official assessment. This is as of this year.

Page 31, section 4.1 of the document states that students who have already begun their preparing for their bagrut exams, the school can still abide by the previous instructions (Chozer Daled) which enables the school to decide for the minor adjustments - extension of time and allowing for spelling mistakes.

Please read through the document and highlight the parts pertaining to English. For any clarifications please use the Dear Avi forum.

Chag Sameach,   Avi

Dear REEDers
This year we are holding REGIONAL in-service programs organized by your madrichim. The programs are connected to the New Curriculum and it is compulsory to attend the sessions in your respective areas. Areas that are not covered by madrichim are to ATTEND the sessions given at the teacher centres. 

e-mail: matemm@netvision.net.il

website:  www.education.gov.il/mm

The New Curriculum from now to be called THE CURRICULUM is obligatory as of this year. On my visits to schools and classes I and the madrichim will want to see you working in accordance to the C.

Miriam Greif's program begins November 7 and the schools who should be attending are those from Miriam and Jaye's area. Please note that my session at Zavit Rechava (near Nahariya) will be on Tuesdays as advertised starting
time 14:00 and NOT 13:00.

Some schools have still not sent in their forms, due date was September 29.
The bagrut tester forms MUST be typed out. Hand written forms will not be accepted!!

To all our colleagues who are going through tough times, we are with you all along. Please let us know if we can help in any way. Friends, remember that these are tough and bamboozling times for our students. Be considerate and
extra warm and understanding. Bring newspaper articles to class or better still enable the students to bring articles, pictures, ... and use it as a
trigger for discussion. You can ask questions in English and hopefully the presentations, talks, ... will also be in English but accept those who
need to open up and can only do so in L1.

Chatima Tova        

Avi

September 25, 2000

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday you were informed about the hishtalmut.  I had no idea that REED does not take attachments.  So here I am again with the programme for the course.

The course will take place at Kiryat Hinuch "Dror" on Route #4 at the junction of  Bnei Dror (Even Yehuda - Tel Mond) on Tuesdays from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm every second week. We will be having 7 sessions and it will qualify for a 28 hour gmul.

The programme is similar to that of the coordinators' last year and is aimed at all staff members.  Kindly notify the teachers on your staff
and let me know who can participate.

The teachers can register:
 by phone:   09-7424794
 by fax: 09-7429424
 by e-mail: miryamg@mail.dror.hasharon.k12.il

It is very important to let me know as soon as possible so that I can make proper arrangements for the hishtalmut.

IMPLEMENTING THE CURRICULUM IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE


1.  November 7, 2000

INTRODUCTION:  A Taste of the New Curriculum , Miriam Kaluska & her
madrichot

2.  November 21, 2000

Meta-cognition and Rubrics, Gail Mann                                        


3. December 5, 2000

Projects on Computers                                                   
Dov Gotdiener

4.  December 19, 2000  

Performance Based Tasks                                           
Lynn Timna

5.  January 9, 2001

Alternative Assessment                                                
Jaye Shlayer

6. January 23, 2001

Appreciation of Literature                                             
Avi Tsur
  
7.  February 6, 2001

Adapting  Textbooks                                                     
 Terry Benor

The programme is subject to change.

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year,

                                                                        
                   Miriam Greif

25.9.00
Dear REEDers,  Shalom

We take this opportunity to wish all of our colleagues a Shana Tova and everything of the best.

I have received multiple copies of the following Ministry publications:
ETJ 49 / ETJ 50 / ETJ 51 / TEECH / Communicative Methodology / and
Landmarks (activities for Israel studies - The Holocaust, Yom Yerushalaim, Yom Ha'atzmaut, ...) These are a MUST for every school and teachers who wish to receive a personal copy can send their school rep. who comes to the
office on Mondays to me for direct delivery. I will hand out the copies first come, first served.

Oral bagrut information will be sent early November, in the meantime please send in the forms. Note - the bagrut testers form is to be TYPED in Hebrew.
                         

CHAG SAMEACH
Terry, Lynn, Miriam, Carla, Dov, Pircha, Gail - the A(vi) team

September 24,  2000

Dear Colleagues,

We are happy to inform you that we will be having a 28 hour in-service
training course on "Implementing the Curriculum, (with gmul - of course)
at
Kiryat Hinuch "Dror".  The sessions will take place on Tuesdays, every
second week beginning
November 7, 2000 from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.  There will be seven sessions in
all.

The programme is similar to that of the coordinators' last year and is
aimed
at all staff members.  Kindly notify the teachers on your staff and let me
know who can participate.

The teachers can register:
 by phone:   09-7424794
 by fax: 09-7429424
 by e-mail: miryamg@mail.dror.hasharon.k12.il

It is very important to let me know as soon as possible so that I can make
proper arrangements for the hishtalmut.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon,

Miriam Greif

10.9.2000

Dear REEDers,

Our REED site has finally been fully reconstructed.

On the front page you will find links to:

1) The New Dear Avi Forum - feel free to post your questions and queries on
the forum.

2) Download forms and documents - click here to find the new forms for
co-ordinators for the beginning of the school year as well as a detailed
list of the in-service courses this year. Please remember to click the
ignore button if you are prompted for a password.

3) Search REED - a powerful search engine that will bring you resources on
ETNI as well.

4) REED message board - if you've missed any of the messages to this list,
you'll find them here.

As always, your comments, suggestions, input and queries are welcome.

Shana Tova to you all,
Gail

5.9.00
Dear REEDers Shalom
A short note to wish you all a good year.

The Rural Administration and Aliyat Hanoar
Rechov Hashlosha 2,

P.B. 9419
Yad Eliyahu,    61094
Tel Aviv

Phone: 03 6898794  

Fax: 03 6898793

Shalom for now,      Avi

3.7.00
Shalom to you all. Hope you are resting between our Hishtalmut
(last week) and ETAI coming up next week.

The turn out was wonderful and we hope that we managed to promote the four
domains to your liking (a bit of access to information, some culture, a
lot
of presentation, not forgetting social interaction,
...  Those who are waiting for their copies of handouts please be patient.
We are moving to another building and I am busy packing like mad.
Hopefully
you will receive your pack towards the end of August.
Those of you who did not return the feedback form, please do so as we need
the information. We enjoyed being with you and look forward to sharing
many
more sessions together.

Please make sure that you find out about Hishtalmuyot for next year given
at
"Merkazei Morim". There have been severe cuts in hadracha and most of the
hours have been given to the centres. Your Madrichim will be giving
sessions
on Sunday afternoons and they will inform their schools as to the program.

I will be giving a 112 hour hishtalmut with gmul at Kfar Silver School.
The course - "Teaching Students with Special Needs" will be on Wednesday
afternoons from 14:30 - 17:30 The dates have not as yet been set but will
begin from mid September 1 session every other week.

I take this opportunity to thank the madrichim for the splendid work that
they have done and are doing. They are a wonderful group to work with.

REED is now our official pipe-line of information and all announcements,
forms, etc will be transferred on REED. A very special thank you to
gail@kfar-olami.org.il

Have a wonderful vacation.

Avi Tsur

5.6.00
To the School Principal and Head of the English Department

Please see to the attachment regarding hiring new teachers.

Yours sincerely,
Avi Tsur 

5.6.00
Dear Reeders, Shalom

Click here to see the "Summer In-service Program" for the 28th June.
The program is not complete. You will receive updated
information in a couple of weeks time.

All the very best to you and your students for the 13th.

Avi and the Madrichim

6/2/2000

Dear Participants of the New Curriculum Course for coordinators!!

I feel like this is a bit of deja vu, but we will try again...

You are cordially invited to the next session, Sunday February 13, 2000 at the usual place.
Please remember to bring with you:

1.  A copy of MOSAIC

2.  Your copy of the NC

3.  Notes you have from the session with Lily.

We will notify you soon about the date to make up for the one we missed due to the strike.

See you all next week!!!

Jaye Shlayer & Terry Benor
Avi, too

22/1/2000

Dear REEDers,

At the Western Galilee Regional High School
on Thursday 3/2/2000
at 13:30
in the English Center

Avi Tsur will be discussing Mabar classes.

All teachers in the Rural Administration are invited.

For further details/ questions or queries please contact Lynn Timna: 04 9574260

19/1/2000

Dear Reeders,

We have been informed by some teachers that the Histadrut HaMorim is informing teachers not to go to hishtalmuot.  As we don't want to "break the strike", the hishtalmut this coming Sunday will be cancelled and the next one will be on 13th February as planned.  Everything will be moved up a session.
Please inform your coordinators or school representative if they don't get this message and anyone else who you know comes to the hishtalmut.
Looking forward to seeing you on 13th.
All the best,
Terry and Jaye

16/1/2000

Dear Participants in the New Curriculum Course:

Our next meeting will take place Sunday, January 23, 2000.  Please bring
with you the following:

1.  Your copy of the New Curriculum, I promise we will use it this time.
2.  A copy of Mosaic, the textbook, if you have one.
3.  Your notes and pages from the last session we had with Lily Orland.

If you have quesitons or comments, please contact either myself or Jaye.
See you soon, have a great week!

Terry Benor and Jaye Shlayer

14.1.00
Dear REEDers, Shalom!
This is your friendly inspector once again!! I hope that you are all well (and happy of course).

Some information about the bagrut. A number of schools sent me a request to
enable 11th grade students take the exam this year. There are schools who
are still asking for information - what needs to be done? etc. Please! The
information has been given time and again on my Forum in REED and I do not
feel the need or will to repeat myself time and again. You are requested to
check the Dear Avi Forum.

The essays that were sent in for approval are presently being checked
according to the official Bagrut criteria for the written task. The results
will be forwarded to the schools in a couple of weeks time.

Wishing you all Shabbat Shalom.            

Yours sincerely,
Avi

30.12.99

Dear Coordinators and Teachers who are taking the course about the Curriculum!!!

Our next sesison is with Lily Orland, January 2, 2000.  Will the bed (bad) bugs bite?

A REMINDER!!!!!!!
It is very important that you remember to bring your copies of the New Curriculum in order to ensure full participations by all teachers in the activities.
If there are any questions, feel free to ask. Hoping to see all of you there. 

Jaye Shlayer & Terry Benor
Avi Tsur

9/12/99

Dear REEDers,

We have just posted a letter sent to your schools regarding alternative programs for pupils who take the 5 point bagrut exam before the twelth grade.

You can access the document from here:
http://www.kfar-olami.org.il/english/info/docs/bagishur.doc

Hag Sameach,
Gail

16/11/99

Hi again,

The literature and oral bagrut forms can be downloaded from:
http://www.kfar-olami.org.il/english/info/docs/bagrut%20lit.doc

or follow the link from the front page of REED.

Gail

16/11/99

Hi REEDers,

I am pleased to inform you that we have opened a new forum on the REED site -
the "Dear Avi" forum:
Your opportunity to get free and fast advice and answers to your questions -
just post them on the forum.

You can also use the search function to check if your questions has already been
asked.

Schools using snail-mail or faxing for information that is "general" are
requested to check the Forum for replies.

Check out the forum at:
http://www.kfar-olami.org.il/english/disc6_frm.htm

or follow the link from the first page.

14/11/99

Dear Coordinators,
The next meeting is on 21st November with Ofra Inbar.  The topic is Grammar and the N/C.  Ofra asks all participants to bring a copy of Mosaic and /or Trends as she will be working directly with the text books.  If you don't use either of these books or don't have copies at home, bring any other Het/Yud book.  We will also try to bring some extra copies.  Please don't forget your copy of the N/C.
We start promptly at 10.00am.
If this is read by the school contact person for REED please pass this
information onto the coordinator.
Thanks,
Jaye Shlayer

21.10.99

Dear colleagues,

Attached you will find an updated program for the course on "Teaching Weak
Learners" at Hakfar Hayarok.

The next session  (2) will take place on Thursday, November 4, 1999  at 3:30
pm.

All  other sessions will be on Mondays at 3:30 pm. (Note the time!)

We look forward to seeing you there.

Miriam Greif

11.10.99

Details of the in-service course for Coordinators: “The Curriculum”

Visit the new page "school webs"

26.9.99
Dear REEDers Shalom and Chag Sameach
Please note - the first session of our inservice program for coordinators IS
October 31 and not as you were previously informed. You will be notified as to the exact location after the chagim.

The first session of the 56 hour NORTHERN course - "Teaching Low Level
Students" is to be held on Tuesday, October 5 at the Amal School in Givat
Hamoreh 15:00 - 19:00
(This course is parallel to the one that has been advertised at Kfar
Hayarok)

Shalom for now,    

Avi

September 21, 1999

Dear English teachers,

Re:  In-service Program for Teachers
      Teaching Low Level Classes

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very successful
teaching year and a healthy and peaceful year in all.

We are happy to inform you that the In-service Training Course for teachers
of  Weak Learners  will take place at Hakfar Hayarok and is intended for all
teachers in the central area, north or south, who are teaching weak learners
in Junior High and High School and can participate regularly.

The course will begin  after Succot on October 18, 1999 and will take place
every second week, on Mondays, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm until Pesach.
Teachers participating in this hishtalmut will be entitled to a 56 hour Gmul
Hishtalmut.

The course will deal with topics such as:  problem and issue identification;
the role of the foreign language teacher;  identifying PHD's (pupils having
difficulties); identifying non-readers;  teaching heterogeneously; adapting
materials; using the coursebook; lesson plans; preparing the students for
Bagrut.

Kindly pass this information on to your colleagues and let us know as soon
as possible who, on your staff, will be participating.
Please inform  Miriam Greif at
Tel. 09-7424794;   FAX  09-7429424; or email:

miryamg@mail.dror.hasharon.k12.il


Avi Tsur

9.9.99

Deer Reeders,

You are all invited to visit the new and updated REED website.

http://www.kfar-olami.org.il/english/

You are invited to help us "test run" the forums - click on "forums" and follow the instructions.

In the what's new section (on the opening page), click on the "download forms and documents" link to download the following:

7.9.99

Dear REEDers, Shalom and welcome home!

I sincerely hope that you enjoyed your holidays and returned refreshed and
ready to take on the wonderful job of being a meaningful someone to so many.

You are all invited to take a look and take part in our new REED site:
http://www.kfar-olami.org.il/english/

I want to draw your attention to a site that hopefully will be of interest
to you all - www.ed.gov/pubs/helpingstudents/
Start with *Lay out expectations
... *Create assignments ...
*Match assignments  and
*Show respect
but don't miss out on the others.  SHARE them with your colleagues and use
them as a trigger for your upcoming staff meeting.

And finally - from your madrichim and myself - SHANA TOVA

Yours sincerely

Avi Tsur

27.6.99
Dear REEDers, Shalom!
So, tell me the truth. What's it like to be on holiday????

Some information that needs to be passed on to your representative/s to our 
"Hishtalmut" on Tuesday. REGISTRATION begins at 9:00. Please come on time!!
Teachers who have not pre-registered will be turned away as we are very 
limited to space.
A repeat of the workshops will be given for those not able to attend this 
time round. It will be during the Hanuka vacation - more details will be 
sent at the start of the school year.

Enjoy! Enjoy!! Enjoy!!!         Yours sincerely,   Avi

17.6.99
Dear REEDers, Shalom
On Sunday I will be sending all the schools that registered for our 
Hishtalmut in Netanya a fax stipulating how many teachers each school can 
send and confirming if they have a room or not. Unfortunately, we have been 
limited to the number of participants (150) and rooms (40).
Participation is for teachers who will attend both days. The decision of who 
represents the school is an internal decision.

The hotel can be reached by Sherut taxi service 6 which passes not far from 
the hotel or by bus (line 29) from the central bus station. A taxi from the 
city to the hotel costs 13 Shekel.

On behalf of the madrichim and myself we wish you all a restful and well 
deserved holiday.

Shalom, take care,
       Avi

1.6.99
For schools who have not as yet received the form about our upcoming 
"hishtalmut", here is the file attached.

30.5.99
Dear REEDers, Shalom

Please note that I have just received confirmation that our Summer Inservice 
Program will be held at * Blue Bay Hotel, Netanya
and NOT in Tel Aviv. It is scheduled for the * 29th and 30th
and NOT 28th / 29th.
Please inform all the English teachers at your school.
If you have already submitted your forms and you have no problem with the 
changes, fine.  If you cannot attend because of the changes please inform 
me. There will be a 10 shekel participation charge.

Shalom, and T.G. for REED!! 
Avi

28.5.99
Dear REEDers Shabbat Shalom!
I am receiving frantic e-mails, phone calls from schools and parent bodies 
about the letter sent out by Haya Horovitz stating -
... for ENGLISH only 2 cassettes would be sent, that copying of these tapes 
is strictly forbidden and that all the students requiring this way of being 
tested be seated in one room and are allowed to hear the tape twice.

This is a ridiculous situation counter to what we have been telling the 
schools. The students have been practising for at least two years in the 
manner that was set by the Inspectorate "Special Testing Conditions for 
Pupils Taking the Bagrut Examinations in English" January, 1999.
I quote:
Listening to a recording of the Examination
This dispensation is for pupils who have difficulties reading, but no 
problems writing. The pupil listens to a pre-recorded tape of the Bagrut 
Examination and writes his/her answers in the examination booklet. Two 
pre-recorded tapes of each level of the Bagrut examination are sent out to 
each school from the Ministry of Education. If the school requires a larger 
number of tapes, then they should contact Haya Horovitz in the Testing 
Department at least one month before the exam.

The English Inspectorate is dealing with the misleading informative letter 
sent out by Haya.

Unless informed otherwise by me, your students are to be tested in the same 
manner as in the past. They are to come with their walkman, the school makes 
extra copies of the tapes if necessary and I as we say in Hebrew "yihyeh 
tov". I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY. Please do not panic, don't let the kids 
feel there is a problem and ....  Shabbat Shalom!
Yours sincerely, 
Avi Tsur

Dear REEDers, Shalom!    24.5.99
The forms and tentative program for the Summer In-service program will be 
posted to all the schools today. The two days will be held in Tel Aviv and 
we have limited places for those wishing to sleep over. The forms MUST be 
returned by June 10 to enable us to make all necessary arrangements. Make 
sure that the forms reach you and your staff and let us know if you intend 
to attend (Monday June 28 - Tuesday June 29).
Shalom for now,
Yours sincerely,
Avi Tsur

Dear REEDers, Shalom                                   26.4.99

I am still waiting for schools to send in their forms informing me as to how many teachers you need/are looking for, for next year. I have 36 forms to date and must have the form post haste as I must report to Judy Steiner. 
My fax number is 03-6922845
Some schools sent their forms without filling in Name of School, etc.
What can I say ......

Oral Bagrut - many of you have had the exam and I hope all went well. Three testers gave in-between grades which is NOT in line with the instructions sent out. Please abide by the rules and regulations so that I don't have to deal with these problems.

Tomorrow 2 forms will be posted to your schools.
    1. A form dealing with book list (Click here to download the form)
    2. A form relating to intake of 6th graders. (Click here to download the form)

Make sure that your principal hands them over, fill them in and see that I get them on time ( or download them .

I hope that you are all working hard, surviving and planning for the summer vac. (In-service programs, staff meetings, holidaying, ...)

Shalom for now,                                             Avi Tsur

April 8, 1999

Dear Colleagues,

Pesach vacation is almost over.  We hope you had a good rest and are ready
for  the last stretch of the year.  As we sit together at our monthly
meeting, here are some points we have discussed and wish to share with you.

1.  The 2-day summer Inservice Course is planned for the following days:
Monday and Tuesday, June 28th and 29th, in the Tel Aviv area.  Please mark
your calendars.  More information will follow.

2.  Congratulations to those of you who have completed and presented your
projects for the Computer Course.  We are all looking forward to seeing them
on REED.

3.  At this point, most of you have received your Letter of Intent (Ktav
Minu'i) from the Ministry and are in the process of testing for the Oral
Bagrut.

We wish you all good luck!  Don't forget to feed your testers and treat your
testees with kindness and understanding.

4.  Please be sure to continue updating your English Staff File (minutes of
meetings, tests, projects, etc.)  as we will be discussing them at a later
date.

5.  This is a good time to start meeting with the representatives of the
primary schools and get yourselves organised for next year.

6.  At this time of the year many of us may find ourselves with the dilemma
of what textbooks to order for the coming year.  REED is an excellent place
to express your opinions and ask for recommendations.  Please use this list.

We wish you all a successful finale to this year,

The English Inspector and Counsellors
Avi Tsur, Jaye, Miriam, Carla, Dov, Terry and Lynn

8.3.99
Dear REEDers,   Shalom 

The official forms for testing have been sent to the schools. U must 
still wait till U have received  your papers from Jerusalem / contract 
as a tester, before you can test. 

In-service programs are being given Regionally. It is essential that 
Bagrut teachers attend any one of theses sessions. I will be giving a 
session at "Havat Hanoar Hatzioni"  Jerusalem on Tuesday March 16 from 
15:00 - 17:00   For details of how to get to the school, please contact 
Edna 02-6763135

This is the time of year when you should be in touch with the Elementary 
school teachers. 

Please inform me if you need teachers for next year.

Shalom and all the best,                                  Avi Tsur

Monday 22/2/99

Dear REEDers,  Shalom!
1. Oral Bagrut:
   Schools can NOT test till they have received the necessary forms 
from Jerusalem. (The new grading grid can be found on ETNI under Bagrut Info.)
* The 4/7 will be announced before the Pesach vacation.
* Students who have not completed all their reading tasks (Extensive 
Reading Section) get a zero for that part of the oral exam.
* In-service programs will be held with your madrichim.

2. Bagrut Information:
   The translation exam will be sometime in the beginning of May
    Schools who have students taking the exam must apply to Judy 
Steiner's office in Jerusalem (fax 02-5603596). They must register!!
    One copy of of the exam will be sent to the school, is photocopied 
for the ammount of testees.
* Upgrading from 3 to 4 points
  This exam can be taken by students who wrote the 3 point exam up to 
and including Summer 1995. Request form must be sent to Judy Steiner 
(fax 02-5603596)

On behalf of the Madrichim - - have a great PURIM 

Shalom, 
Avi Tsur
 

Monday 22/2/99

In July, Talpiot College in Tel Aviv is giving an intensive 2 week 
proficiency course (56 hours) for English teachers, called "Brush Up 
Your English".

Interested teachers are to contact Elaine Hoter at   - - 
elaine@macam98.ac.il

or leave a message at Talpiot 03-5128512/55
for Elaine to call them back