October 23, 2015 10 Cheshvan 5776

Parashat Lech Lecha

Candle Lighting 6:26 p.m.
Akiba Volleyball A Team is off to the Playoffs!!!  Go Cougars! We lost both sets but played with great spirit.  So proud of this team!!!

Last week, the Noach story was followed by the  epic  construction failure of the Tower of Babel.  There are many questions about why the T ower G eneration was unsuccessful with its engineering feat. Many point to the intention that the architects had for building the tower.  They proclaimed that they wanted to build an impressive edifice so they could create a name for themselves.  Clearly, that intention for self - aggrandizement contributed significantly to their ultimate demise.   This week, Avram enters the picture and he also builds.  But his building is for a different purpose.  After learning that God promised the Land of Israel to his descendants,  Avram begins an expedition over the length and breadth of the land. At every location, Avram merely erects a tent for himself, a temporary structure, and he also builds an alt a r to Hashem.  The Torah states Avram's explicit purpose is constructing an alt a r : to make a name for Hashem!  Avram's objectives to broadcast Hashem's grandeur across the land, not to declare his own greatness , stand in stark contrast to the Tower Generation . Avram's dedication to Hashem and his selfless sharing of his monotheistic belief s are the perfect antidote to the self-centeredness, violent, and self-important behavior exhibited by earlier generations. Avram's example is what guides us at Akiba to teach our students about looking outward and being shining examples in their faith and relationship to God.  Shabbat Shalom!


School starts at 8:00 AM

Friendly reminder for parents: Our school begins at 8:00am. If we experience bad weather, to the extent possible, please plan to leave your house earlier to allow for any traffic delays. We look forward to seeing your children each morning for a full day of learning!
Mid-Trimester 1 Comments are on My BackPack

Click on Marking Period Grades and Comments under Academic Info to see comments from the teachers.  
JCC Offers Akiba Parents "Day Camp" When Akiba is Closed

The J is trying to provide programs this year on all of the days that Akiba is out of school. Children in grades K-6 grade can come to the J for a day of games, sports, art, swimming and more! The first day coming up is for the Conference Day on November 9. Cost per day is $55 for JCC Members and $65 for JCC Non-Members - there must be a minimum of 8 registrants for the program to happen. To register please contact Abbi Cook at  [email protected]
. Hours are 9-4 with before and after-care available from 7:30-6:00.
Staff Development Day, LS and MS Conference Day, and New Aftercare Closing Time
The upcoming Staff Development Day is scheduled for Monday, November 9 th and school is closed; and, the Lower School Parent Teacher Conferences are being held on Monday, October 26 th and Wednesday, October 28 th  and school gets out both of those days for Lower and Middle School at 2:30.  For drop in care during your child's conference, please email Jordana Bernstein at: [email protected].  Please click on the following link for a full listing of all aftercare and school closing times.
 
 
Also, please note that beginning this Friday aftercare and the campus will be closing at 4:30pm. 


Yearbook Ads for Purchase
The 8th grade class has started building an amazing yearbook.  Please support the class and the yearbook by purchasing an ad to be placed in the yearbook.  You can purchase an ad for an 8th grader who is graduating, an honoree, or to advertise your business.  Fill out the attached ad order form and return the form, payment, and a copy of your ad to Aimee Wortendyke, Educational Technologist.   Click Here


Flag Football 5
th & 6
th
Practice Schedule:
Monday 10/26/15 4:30pm-5:30pm at Akiba
 
Playoffs:
Akiba will have a buy (No Game) Tuesday 10/27/15 for the first round of playoffs due to finishing 2 nd place in the conference.  Akiba will host (At Akiba) the second round of playoffs Wednesday 10/28/15 5:00pm against the winner of the team from the first round of playoffs on 10/27/15.  If we win the second round of playoffs on 10/28/15, we will go on to compete in the Championship game Thursday 10/29/15 hosted by the higher seeded team. Example #1 (If Akiba(2) plays Alcuin(1) in the Championship, the game will be played at Alcuin(1) 5:00pm because they finished 1 st in the conference.)  Example #2 (If Akiba(2) plays St. John's(3) in the Championship, the game will be played at Akiba(2) 5:00pm.
 
Go Cougars!!!

Mommy and Me Program
Akiba's mommy and me class, Exploring the Arts and Sciences, explored and planted flowers in the new Toddler Outdoor Learning Environment with Morah Lindsey. The parents and babies dug in the dirt, and planted and watered the festive new flowers. Thank you for making our campus even more bright and beautiful! 

First Graders Jump into  Reading

Watch the joy of first graders at Akiba Academy reading a Hebrew book "Sharona Ohevet Adom" all by themselves!!!!!  First Grade Reading a Hebrew Book.  The general studies classes are also focusing on reading by having Mystery Readers come in to read to the classes. Thank you to these volunteers!
 
Adena Rosen's mom read one of Adena's favorite books to the first graders.

Akiba Has More Fun!

Please click on the link to see some pictures from the last few weeks.   Click Here!
Israel Solidarity

On October 28th, we will be wearing white and blue in in support of and in solidarity with Israel at this difficult time.  Students may wear their uniforms or a dress code appropriate blue and white outfit.  We will be taking pictures throughout the day as we unite with our homeland.
We are proud to be a part of the World Wide Shabbat Project.  We celebrated at school and encourage everyone in our Akiba community to celebrate as well.  There are numerous Shuls hosting Shabbatons and the entire event will end with a community wide concert at the JCC Motzei Shabbat.  Shabbat Shalom, Akiba!!!  More pictures will be in next week's Kol Akiba.

Information about School Pictures

Akiba has been communicating with the photographers from our picture day and should have more information soon about pictures that were already ordered as well as the opportunity to still order photographs if you did not already.



Nurse's Corner



KOL AKIBA will be delivered to your inbox every week giving you a quick look at the week's news highlights as well as a look ahead for the coming week so you can plan accordingly. If you have new stories or photos to share please contact [email protected].
Akiba Academy provides a superior general and Judaic education to children in preschool through eighth grade. As a Modern Orthodox school, Akiba Academy develops ethical and responsible members of the Jewish people and American society, knowledgeable about and committed to their Jewish heritage and the State of Israel. For more information about Akiba contact  [email protected] .