by Richard Galdieri, Board Chair, Boulder Jewish Day School

On Thursday, June 2, 2011, the Boulder Jewish Day School (BJDS) proudly celebrated its final graduating class. Jake Slack, the sole graduate and a student at BJDS since kindergarten, was honored by teachers, staff and classmates. Letters to Jake from past teachers and former Head of School Shoshi Bilvaski were read. It was an emotional ceremony attended by family, friends and members of the community.

Jake delivered a touching speech thanking his past and present teachers and his peers at the school. The other members of his class, who were in the fourth grade, spoke about Jake as well. The entire school sang “Bashana Haba’ah” and “Ha’chagiga Nigmeret” and enjoyed a slideshow of Jake through the years.

On the following day, June 3, 2011, the last day of school, all of the BJDS students enjoyed ice cream and a bouncy castle after school, thanks to funds raised from their Purim Store in March. The students and teachers had an opportunity to sign yearbooks and say good-bye.

Following the 2011 school year, BJDS has now closed its doors after 16 years serving the Boulder Jewish community.

It was a difficult year”, says Board President Richard Galdieri, “but we got through it by working together. Many thanks to donors – and especially to the Allied Jewish Federation – for making this possible.”

The board was thankful to announce that the school was able to meet all of its financial obligations.