As the leaves change colour and the air grows crisp, fall reminds us of something profound: everything in life is in motion. The world around us is shifting, shedding, preparing. And within the walls of Tamim Academy, the same is happening on a human level. Our students, too, are changing. Quietly, gradually, and beautifully.
The month of October has been a time of incredible growth. After the excitement and energy of September and the High Holidays, this time of year offers a chance to pause, reflect, and reset. Like nature itself, our classrooms settle into a rhythm. Children become more rooted in their routines, relationships deepen, and the emotional groundwork laid in the early weeks of school starts to bear fruit.
The Gift of Change
One of the most powerful messages we teach at Tamim is that change is not something to fear—it is something to embrace. In Jewish tradition, the concept of hishtanut (transformation) is woven through everything we do. Teshuvah, the process of returning to our truest selves, is not reserved for the month of Elul. It continues throughout the year, in both quiet and visible ways.
We see this in our students. A child who was hesitant to speak up in September is now leading morning tefillah with confidence. Another who struggled with transitions now moves through the day with calm and clarity. These are not just behavioural shifts. They are signs of inner development.
Fall is the perfect season to talk with children about change. The trees do not resist their leaves turning. They trust the process. So do we.
Building Resilience Through Routine
As we approach the end of October, we notice that students are beginning to take more ownership of their day. They know the schedule. They understand expectations. They start to remind each other of classroom responsibilities. With that sense of security comes something essential: resilience.
We use this time of year to deepen students’ capacity for:
- Emotional flexibility when something unexpected happens
- Perseverance when learning gets hard
- Collaboration when working with others who think differently
Our teachers model resilience by narrating their own challenges and problem-solving processes. Children learn that it’s okay to feel frustrated or uncertain. What matters is how we respond.
This is not just character education. It is academic preparation. Resilient students are better learners, better friends, and better future leaders.
Lessons from the Parsha
October also brings us a powerful string of parshiyot that align with the theme of change: from the story of Noach and the flood, to the journey of Avraham and Sarah into new territory. These stories are more than biblical narratives. They are mirrors for our students.
We ask:
- What does it mean to take a leap of faith like Avraham?
- How can we prepare for challenges like Noach did?
- What can we learn from Sarah’s ability to trust the unknown?
Students explore these ideas not just through discussion, but through art, writing, and hands-on activities. Torah learning becomes a tool for understanding themselves.
Letting Go, Just Like the Trees
One of the most beautiful metaphors of fall is the shedding of leaves. Trees let go of what they no longer need in order to conserve energy for winter and prepare for spring growth. We talk to our students about this concept: what habits, thoughts, or worries might they be ready to let go of? What might they make room for instead?
Through journaling, reflective drawing, and class conversations, students are invited to explore the idea that letting go is part of becoming. It’s a lesson many adults still work on—and one we believe is worth starting early.
Moving Into November With Intention
As we transition into November, we carry with us the lessons of October. The pace will quicken, the curriculum will deepen, and the calendar will fill with new milestones. But the heart of the Tamim experience will stay the same: slow, intentional, values-based growth.
Fall may be fleeting, but its lessons are lasting.
