June 10, 2016 4 Sivan 5776

Parashat Bamidbar

Candle Lighting 8:17 p.m.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2016!
 
On June 5, Akiba celebrated 24 extraordinary eighth-grade students during a graduation ceremony attended by hundreds of family members, friends, faculty and staff. 
 
Stephanie Henkin and Elan Weider were honored with the Marcus Rosenberg Cup, which is awarded to graduating students who most embody Akiba's mission to create responsible, successful members of the Jewish community and beyond. Additional honors included: valedictorian of general studies, Ari Berke; valedictorian of Judaic studies, Tamar Yahalom; salutatorian of general studies, Tami Govrin; salutatorian of Judaic studies, Yosef Weiss.

I could not be more proud of all of our new graduates. As they embark on their high school careers, I know they will hold dear all they've learned at Akiba.

I invite you to read the charge I provided to them at graduation by visiting the Head of School update on the Akiba website.

 

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom, Chag Sameach, and a Happy Summer, 
 
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

At the end of year lunch for faculty, Jennifer Squires, a kindergarten teacher, was the recipient of the Hanna Lambert Excellence In Teaching Award. Before retiring, Lambert was a long-time and beloved educator in the Early Childhood Center. 

END-OF-YEAR VIDEOS

In case you missed one of the final programs this school year, many are posted on Akiba's YouTube channel. 

Click the links to watch:

JEWISH HEROES COME TO LIFE

At Akiba's Jewish Hero Wax Museum, sixth-graders posed and presented for lower and middle school students. Appearances were made by many, including artist Charlotte Salomon, human rights activist Natan Sharansky and Israeli soldier and statesman Moshe Dayan.
 


BEAUTIFUL CREATIONS

Congrats to all of our musicians and artists on a successful Arts and Music Evening. Music was on tap from the choir and band, and art from all of our students was on display.
 

BECOME A BUDDY FAMILY
   
Be a buddy family!
We are excited to welcome many new Akiba families for the upcoming school year. But w e need your family's help, too. 

If you're willing to be a buddy family, please email Andi Bonnner at abonner@akibaacademy.org.  This will require only a few meaningful touches prior to the start of the school. 
MISHNAH MASH-UP
 
These fifth-graders know how to make learning Mishnah fun.  

STUDENT SUMMER READING
   
We're kicking off the Akiba Summer Reading Olympics, and welcome all incoming first through fifth-graders to join the team. Students earn Olympic medals and recognition based on the number of books they read. An award ceremony will take place during the first week of school.

Everything you need to get started is here. Happy reading!
PRESCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Dear Early Childhood Families,
 
This was a very bittersweet week of school. Our end-of-year programs were full of joy and brought our early childhood community together, all of the children seemed excited about their last day of school and the summer fun that is upon them, and at the same time there was a slight sense of sadness as the school year was coming to an end. Throughout the week I have felt wonderful as I sensed all of the growth, development, and accomplishment that have taken place this school year.
 
As the Early Childhood Director, I am thankful that I have such an amazing faculty of educators that I get to work with every day. They share my passion for early childhood education and they are true masters at educating young children.  As a mother, I am also appreciative of the early childhood educators for everything they do as they lay such a beautiful foundation for a lifetime of joyful learning, and instill a pride in Judaism in the children in the most loving and nurturing way.    
 
Your children bring light to our every day. And, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for entrusting your children to us this school year and in the years to come. Together, we are building the future leaders of our community.
 
Enjoy these fun photos from the last few days of school!
 
Jordana Bernstein
Early Childhood Director 
 
 
 
 

   
 
A HUGE thank you to all our volunteers this year. We appreciate all of the time, thought and effort put into our projects. I hope to work with each of you in the coming year!  

Erica Morenoff
President
   
 
Congrats to middle school science teacher Denny Ticker, the proud bubbe of a new granddaughter.
 
Mazel Tov to two lower school students who had perfect attendance this year: Michael Hazan-Cohen and Mordechai Weiss.

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  info@akibaacademy.org .