Back-to-School Bison Bash T he Back-to-School Bison Bash, sponsored by the Beachwood Athletic Boosters and chaired by Robert Marks and Julie Felder, was a class act. More than 250 friends of the Beachwood Boosters filled Fairmount Temple’s social hall for an evening of fabulous food, fun and frivolity. athletes,” says Mitchell Luxenburg, Beachwood School Board president. “Everyone who came to the event or made a donation to Boosters has caught the Bison team spirit and we are grateful for their backing. We are only as vibrant and strong as our supporters. I also thank Beachwood Boosters president Scott Spero and his executive committee for all the hard work they have done on behalf of our Beachwood school athletes.” Pictured, opposite page, top row from left: Mitchell Luxenburg and Julie Shaw; Laurie and Robert Marks; Scott and Jody Spero. Second row: Julie and Todd Felder; Grace Perryman, Lisa Gaines and Cynthia Brewer-Knight; Michael Friedman and Linda Blumenthal. Pictured left: Varsity football coach and BMS physical education teacher Damion Creel, BMS football head coach and BMS science teacher Robb Ristau, varsity defensive line coach Gerald Moore, varsity defensive coordinator William Mills, and linebackers and tight ends coach Jim Basha. Does Middle School Have to Be So Tough? If you’re a parent of a soon-to-be or newly-minted middle schooler, then you’ve heard about how tough this stage can be. But here’s what experts want you to know. If you take the time to learn about normal adolescent development, then middle school will be easier for you and your child. For example, here are three things that parents should expect in middle school. 1. Changing Friendships You may assume that your adolescent’s elementary school friends will simply become his middle school friends. But in middle school, friendships can really change. Your middle schooler will make new friends, while some friendships from elementary school will fizzle out. 2. Homework Crises Middle school demands a lot of organizational skills, which the typical adolescent is only beginning to acquire. It’s not unusual for middle schoolers to struggle with getting assignments done and handed in on time. 3. Increasing Independence Parents are often surprised – and even heart broken – when their middle schooler rejects hanging out with them in favor of spending time with their friends. But this is also completely normal. Want to learn more about what to expect in middle school? Join Your Teen Magazine and University School at their November 1 event, Tweens and the New Rules of Parenting. It’s free and open to the public. Learn more and register at yourteenmag.com/middle-schoolUS-2016. “Our second annual Bison Bash helps support Beachwood schools’ athletes by providing team clinics and camps, athlete-of-the-week recognition, athletic achievements awards and scholarships to graduating Mandel JCC Cleveland Jewish FilmFest A special 10th-anniversary celebration of the Mandel Jewish Community Cleveland Jewish FilmFest was held at the Peter B. Lewis Theatre at the stunning, new Cleveland Institute of Art. This year’s FilmFest committee chairs Anat Nurko and Cathy Stamler, along with Mandel JCC board chair Alan Semel, and the J’s president and CEO Michael Hyman, welcomed the 165 guests who viewed the film “In Search of Israeli Cuisine,” and then, with their appetites whetted, feasted on an array of delicious Israeli food. The Film & Party event kicked off the screening of 19 outstanding full-length international Jewish films, plus shorts, that were shown during the tenday FilmFest. Pictured, opposite page, third row: Susan and Andrew Berman; Carol Paull, Amy Garnitz and Bonnie Marks. Bottom row: Susan and Michael Hyman and Jesse Rosen; Erica-Hartman Horvitz, Fran Belkin and Richard Horvitz; Anat Nurko and Cathy Stamler. Pictured left: Jessica and Alan Semel, and Bennett and Lina Rubin. October 2016 n Beachwood Buzz 53