DJDS Moves to Improve Upper Division Campus 

With a new principle comes many new changes. Since the current DJDS Upper Division Principle, Dr. Jeremy Golubcow Teglasi, also known as Dr. G.T., took office there have been many new changes coming to Denver Jewish Day School. 

One of the many changes coming to DJDS next year is an intercom. Along with this change, comes a new front gate and book nook. 

The intercom system will be installed as soon as DJDS gets the final approval for the project from Homeland Security. According to Head of School and CEO Avi Halzel, “That should be soon.” Along with that, the intercom system does have the ability to replace the bells. 

The new intercom system will improve communication throughout the school. Announcements can be made school-wide or by division. The new system will also have speakers outside of the buildings so that people can hear announcements outside.  

“This is a huge improvement over the phone speaker system we are using now,” Halzel said

 Megan Zitron, DJDS middle school science teacher, who also happens to teach a school beautification course on Wednesday has various insights into what these new changes mean for the student body. 

“I think that the book nook is very cool and fun and the intercom and front gate are good safety measures,’’ Zitron said. 

The new security gate is being installed at the school's main entrance and exit and it will help make the entire campus more secure. Currently, the entrance and exit to the school are the only part of the DJDS campus that is not closed off with a fence or gate. 

“The ability to have all areas closed off is a significant security upgrade,” Halzel said.

The plan for the gate is that it will be installed this summer. A front gate brings many students relief especially with the conflict overseas in Israel resulting in an increased amount of antisemitism across the U.S.A. 

“I will feel so much more safe when they put the gate up and I am so grateful for it,” said Maya Karlitz, a DJDS 8th grader. 

Along with that, the book nook is a new place for all students to enjoy a place to read a book. This book nook will function as a functional library for the DJDS Upper Division.

The Idea of having a book nook all started when a student asked Dr. G.T. why the school didn't have a library. Dr. G.T. responded by saying that we didn’t have space for it until he looked under the stairs and got the idea of a library in the wasted space. 

These past few months, the area under the stairs has been dug out, shelves have been put in place, and books and seating have already been added. 

While some worry that this space will turn into a wasted space and will become dirty, Dr. G.T. hopes that that will not be the case. “I am hoping that we will keep them clean because it’s a new space,” Dr. G.T. said. 

Now that the ‘book nook’ is up and running, Dr. G.T. hopes that people will donate books so that others have the opportunity to read.