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DANBURY — Cory Chargo’s pink shirt, purple alef-bet tie, winning smile, and open office door welcome teachers, parents, visitors and the 80 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grades, to the Maimonides Academy of Western Connecticut.

Chargo, an experienced Jewish educator and social worker/therapist, and now father of a nine-month-old daughter (who attends the Early Explorations class at Maimonides), recently moved (with wife, Abby) to Danbury to head the Jewish day school.

Though Chargo only took over as principal in July, he is clearly on top of things and well-known in the school. As he takes a visitor for a tour around the school, Chargo has a conversation with an office staffer in fluent Hebrew, then offers his visitor coffee. Each morning Chargo makes a pot of what he calls “coffee botz,” Hebrew for “mud”-- his very strong blend of coffee. Another teacher engages Chargo in an impromptu case conference about a child who is experiencing some learning and behavioral difficulties in her classroom.

Chargo sets up a meeting for later in the day and acknowledges that there are always opportunities to use his dual social worker and educator assessment and treatment skills. He says proudly, “Because of the smallness of our school, we can individualize a child’s educational program.”

The tour continues: On stage are five older students, rehearsing a song for an upcoming assembly on drug prevention.

A worried first grader asks what he should do about the field trip money which he left home ("talk to your teacher directlyI’m sure the two of you can work out an agreement”). The children in the pre-school classroom are excited to see their principal in their part of the school, a wing added in 1995 to accommodate Maimonides’ growing nursery and pre-kindergarten program. One girl lifts up a project she is painting, while another brings him some “goop” and encourages Chargo to try bouncing it on the floor.
Dual masters

The eclectic Chargo brings to Western Connecticut a wealth of experience gained all around the country.

Born in Minnesota, he attended the University of Minnesota, where he received his bachelors degree in social welfare and Jewish Studies. He received his first masters degree in social work (from Virginia Commonwealth University) in 1986 and a second masters degree in religious education from the Hebrew Union College in 1999.

Most recently, Chargo served as principal of Jewish Studies at Cincinnati’s 400- student Yavneh School.

At Maimonides, Chargo has inherited a stable school, founded in 1978. He is quick to praise his active PTO, board of directors, and a dedicated group of teachers. Maimonides is proud of teachers who grow as educators and return from year to year.

Teachers and parents are open to Chargo’s new initiatives.

Chargo has helped change the Jewish Studies program. He is particularly pleased with the modern Hebrew language program and the high level of Hebrew communication skills of his students. He is also proud of the ten new computers in the library/computer center, and he notes that computers (keyboarding, programming, etc.) has been added to the curriculum.

Chargo, a trumpet player who has also learned to play the guitar, hopes to add an instrumental music program to the school. All students already learn to play the recorder. Chargo hopes students will play instruments in school ensembles.

Students currently enjoy a comprehensive after-school program, which includes such programs as art, gymnastics, basketball, baseball, chess club, figure it out (problem solving), magic and more. Some students are currently working to perform the play “Kazablan.”

The busy principal is planning to expand the social action program. One such initiative, Dor L’dor, will match up senior citizens with each classroom. And Maimonides students may soon have the opportunity to participate in chesed activities with students from nearby schools.

For more information about Maimonides Academy, call (203) 748-7129 or visit http://www.mawschool.org