February 19, 2016 10 Adar 1 5776
***Purchase Tickets Now
- Diamond in the Crown
Parashat Tetzaveh
 Akiba Casino Night March 10th!***
Candle Lighting 5:58 p.m.
ARE YOU DENSE?

First grade in Science Lab learned about volume and density. Students made liquid rainbows using honey, liquid soap, alcohol, oil, and water to learn about density. Young scientists learned that even some LIQUIDS are denser than others to the delight of all!  


 

From the kids' perspective?

  • How come the soap/shampoo turned turquoise and not blue shampoo and green soap? OMG they're the same! I'm washing my hair w/ dish soap??!!
  • Wait: it doesn't matter when you put it in? It still goes to the top?
  • There's bubbles in the oil. That means they're 'less dense' than water??
  • Look, all our rainbows aren't the same but they're still rainbows!
IT'S ALL DENSITY!!
 
It was way fun!!!  (from Mrs. Ticker)


Tetzaveh

This week's parashah that introduces a symbolic flame. The mitzvah that Hashem enjoins Moshe to instruct Bnei Yisrael refers to a perpetual flame burning on the menorah, a flame that is replicated in synagogues world-wide in the ner tamid positioned above the Aron Kodesh, the holy ark. What is its eternal message? And how is this fixture an everlasting symbol? The structure of the command begins to provide some answers. Moshe is commanded to direct Bnei Yisrael to provide the pure olive oil necessary to kindle the menorah. Rashi explains that this oil must be first pressed, the initial drop expressed by hand-crushed rather than ground to prevent contamination by residue or sediment. The oil-the unadulterated accelerant used to light the menorah-is not taken from a vast store. Rather, to collect the oil requires a painstaking extraction process that the Torah specifies must be initiated by Bnei Yisrael. No one group of people is tasked with the performance of this mitzvah. Moshe, Bnei Yisrael, and the Kohanim all partner to raise the ner tamid. Each plays a critical role and together they illuminate the mishkan. Our eternal flame, then, symbolizes communal power and collective responsibility; it does not represent personal prowess or position. This communal power is evident in the halls of Akiba. The education of our children-igniting the light of Torah and knowledge in their minds and souls-is not the work of a dedicated or exalted few. It is a partnership between teachers, parents, community members, and the learners themselves.  We each play an integral part in ensuring that we keep the flame of Torah burning brightly for an eternity. 
Shabbat Shalom!
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS MY FRIEND (5TH AND 6TH BOYS)
AND WE'LL KEEP ON FIGHTING TILL THE END (5TH AND 6TH GIRLS)!
5th and 6th grade girls took 2nd place in the basketball division championships and the 5th and 6th grade boys won their championships!  Great job to all of our athletes.
GO COUGARS!!!!


 


OUR PHYSICS GARDEN "STEMS" FROM STUDENT INTEREST!

Our MS Physics garden is growing and growing!  Pea gravel has been added under our Comet and a Newton's Cradle is hanging.  More installations are coming soon!!!


IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME AND PLACE FOR A BOOK!

After their weekly trip to the school library, the first graders found a sunny spot on campus and reading began!


4TH GRADE GUIDES KOSHER EXPERIENCE

The fourth graders have learned a great deal about the laws of milk and meat, shechitah (ritual slaughter), and kosher certification.  The students designed an interactive learning lab for students in 1st-3rd grades that featured hands on demonstrations, activities, and learning challenges related to more than a dozen different micro-lessons for the 4th grade Kashrut unit.
FLICKR ALBUM and 

PRESIDENTS' DAY CELEBRATION

The fourth graders informed the lower school students and their parents with fun facts, quotes, and statistics about presidents from George Washington to Barak Obama. See the "Artists' Easel" section for collaboration with decorations.  Check out pictures and the video at:  FLICKR ALBUM and the below video.
BNOT SHERUT

This week Neriya taught the Nitzanim students Hebrew Hokey Pokey and they turned themselves around!  The students made streamers to wave during the dance.  

PRESCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS!

Gardening Training for Teachers
Tuesday was a very inspiring and productive staff development day for the early childhood educators. We welcomed a gardening expert to Akiba, who facilitated a training and hands-on experiences on gardening with young children. The teachers were excited to get to work on adding provocations to the Infant Toddler Outdoor Learning Space that would spark curiosity in the children about exploring nature when they returned to school on Wednesday.
  

What's Outside?
The Teenoki and K'Ton Ton children came back to school Wednesday and were excited to see what had been added to their outdoor learning space by their teachers during staff development day. Morah Marni took her children on a tour of the outdoor learning space. They were intrigued by the giant trough filled with soil and their new friends, the worms. The children learned how to gently handle and care for the worms and discussed what they would need to do to make sure the worms were happy in their home. 

MS WRITERS' BLOCK

Last week Rabid Reader Yosef Drizin (6th grade) recommended the book Salt of the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. Yosef has his finger on the pulse of popular literature! NPR did a story on the author and the book on Wednesday morning.   CLICK HERE for the NPR story.   Thanks for the heads-up, Yosef!
GETTING REAL WITH MATH

MS math students taught each other real world problems which involve comparing equivalent fractions.  The students recently learned how to simplify fractions that contain variables.


THE ARTISTS' EASELS GRADE BY GRADE

As Art and Social Studies collaborate in 4th grade, students learned about  the Presidents of America as well as  forms & shapes while making 3 dimensional stars as decorations for 4th grade's Presidential Day program.  Weaving: When art,math and Judaics converge our students  learned the process of reverse weaving using  math skills to make sure that the gaps in the weave are even.Mastery of fine motor skills & problem solving strategies helped them complete their individual pieces. Look forward to receiving their finished product as a challah cover.


Abstract Artists Keith Haring and Wassily Kandinsky inspired our fifth graders with their styles! 5th graders created their individual, life-size action silhouettes. These silhouettes are being transformed into colorful action figures using concentric shapes.

Sixth graders artists discover anything is possible with papier mache!! Imagine transforming a balloon into an animal? Imagine taking a piece of art from geometric form to organic!  Sixth grade animal menagerie will soon be on display!

Art and Science is on at Akiba in 7th grade as students confirm that  hot air rises and so do hot air ballonns! Using paper mache & balloons, seventh grade is busy showcasing their artistic talents while making colorful 'hot air balloons'! Akiba Academy will soon launch our very own  hot air balloon festival! 


Eight graders art is taking shape!   Students  creative sculptures from using a plastic bowl have now created hats, turtles, lions, ships & more! 

COUNSELORS' CORNER

Consistent Parenting

Consistent parenting gives children a loving, supportive, and warm environment at home in which they can thrive. Being a consistent parent is hard work but the benefits are very much worth the effort.
Definition of Consistent ParentingIt means establishing a regular pattern of both privileges and rewards as well as limits and consequences.  It also includes maintaining daily routines (e.g., the same bedtime routine every night).

Benefits of  Consistent Parenting (vs. Inconsistency):
  1. Children obey more and do so more promptly.
  2. They are more well-behaved outside the home, e.g., at school or out in public
  3. They have fewer "tantrums" and these are less intense.
  4. They more steadily share inner thoughts and feelings.
  5. They act more responsibility, take more initiative, and are more productive.
  6. They feel more secure and loved.
  7. They have self-esteem and are happier.

 
  
HOT LUNCH
Thank you to everyone who has helped out with hot lunch this year! We are still in need of volunteers for several slots this month. Please consider signing up here: ( CLICK HERE). Thank you!

BOX TOP TRIMMNG PARTY
February 26th from 11:30-12:30AM in the Boardroom.   Box Top trimming party to get us ready to submit all of our box tops for reimbursement! Come for light refreshments and FUN

For more PTO information check out the PTO page
on the Akiba website.
NURSE'S NOTES  

"When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight,  wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied." - Herophilus  

To Akiba alum Mushka Goldschmidt on her engagement and to Akiba parents Rabbi and Mrs. Goldschmidt and siblings Stera,Mendel and Ronya.

COMMUNITY NOTICES
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