Kibitzer October 28, 2016

Getting the S'chach ready for the Sukkah's roof

Dates to Remember Preschool Grades 1-8
Sukkah Fair Parent/Teacher Conferences

Immersed in the Holidays

by Miriam Schiller

Principal

The holidays are always a mixed blessing when it comes to teaching. On the one hand, it's wonderful for students to take part in the rich experiences of our tradition, as well as all of the informal education that comes with a Jewish day school: walking to Lake Michigan to participate in Tashlich, decorating and eating in our school Sukkah, singing together as a community during our Tishrei assembly, or blowing the Shofar every morning after Tefillah.

Lunch in the Sukkah

Last week, during the intermediate days of Sukkot, we had several alumni visit during their days off, and it was wonderful to see that when our alumni have extra time, they choose to spend it visiting their alma mater. On Wednesday night, we culminated the holiday season with a Sukkah Fair. 5th and 6th graders had been learning the laws of how to construct a Sukkah in their Mishna classes with Mr. Marcus and Rabbi Meyerovitz, and following the exact words of the Mishnah, they each created a different model of a Sukkah. The students' models were both hilarious and awesome, and we were thrilled to be able to share these with parents and families. Participants at the Fair also judged the Sukkah models, and the winners are listed below.

These kinds of experiences are what create a rich tapestry of identity, so that students are immersed in the joy and meaning of their heritage. However, the last few weeks have also been shorter than usual with all of the days off, which makes it hard for teachers (and students!) to maintain continuity in their curriculum. So, it's with a deep breath and whole lot of excitement that we plunge into the next chapter of the school year: 5-day weeks!

To that end, here's what's coming up in the very near future: this Sunday is the Preschool and Kindergarten Brunch. Next week, we invite you to our High School Alumni and Admission Panel on Thursday night. The following week will be Parent-Teacher Conferences, and soon thereafter we will host Grandparents and Special Friend Day.

Finally, you'll read below about the launching of this year's Annual Fund Campaign. The Annual Fund ensures that the wonderful education our children and grandchildren receive will continue. Please give generously when you are contacted.

Enjoy the next 5-school-day week! Shabbat Shalom!

Annual Fund Kick-Off

On Tuesday, November 1, we will kick off the Annual Fund, which is the most important fundraising initiative of the school year. Tuition does not cover the full cost of educating each student. Like all Jewish day and independent schools, Akiba-Schechter implemented the Annual Fund to make up the difference between tuition and the actual cost per student.

Our overall fundraising goal this year is $650,000 and includes revenue from the Annual Fund, Celebrate Akiba, a raffle and other donations. We are confident that we will meet this target if we partner to ensure success. For the immediate Akiba-Schechter community - current parents, faculty, staff and board of directors - we would like to achieve 100% participation. Last year, Annual Fund gifts ranged from $10 - $100,000. We ask that you make a tax-deductible gift to the Annual Fund at your most generous level. Perhaps your employer would match your gift, which means that your contribution could double or triple in value.

A gift to the Annual Fund provides essential funds for -

Scholarships
New programs
Professional development
Building maintenance
A strong learning environment

When you receive your snail mail Annual Fund letter, please make your gift online via the school's website, mail a check to the school, put the remittance envelope in the drop-box in the school office, or pay by credit card.

Give today and your gift will impact today. Annual fund dollars are immediately available and can be directed to the area of greatest importance. As we honor the school's past, embrace the school's present, and celebrate the school's future, remember that your Annual Fund gift helps make exceptional achievements possible.

Thank you!

Preschool

Go Cubs! The Purple Room is cheering along!

Guess how many seeds there are in a pumpkin! The Blue Room children got the chance to touch, smell and dig out all the seeds from a pumpkin. Here Louie is putting his hand inside to explore and Caleb, Annette, and Wonah are watching. The class counted 505 seeds. Caleb guessed 500 and got the closest number!

Serious pumpkin work has been happening in the Purple Room.

Sukkah Fair

Our Sukkah Fair had two first place winners! Here is Alexis with her 1st place winning Sukkah on a Camel. Below, Nina shows off her Sukkah, which also won 1st place. See our 5th/6th graders amazing creativity in full display in our Facebook Sukkah Fair album.

Please note: The students were charged with building a Sukkah that was not kosher and then be able to explain a) why their Sukkah was not kosher, b) and how it could be made kosher. As you can see in the photos, there are many possibilities!

Sukkah Fair Winners:

1st Place: Alexis Buckley, Nina Glick

2nd Place: Shammai Winitzer, Gabi Rosenzweig, Netanel Barsky, Merav Price, Verdit Szmulewitz, Ezra Erlebacher, Rafi Nagorsky

3rd Place: Jo-Jo Vadnai, Yonathan Ezra

Mazal tov!

Grades 1-8

In Mrs. Levine's class, students used blue, purple and green colors to depict the serene mood of Catherine's bedroom from the book Rules.

First rehearsal for Handchime Ensemble!

Art with Debbie

Students' favorite: Van Gogh's Starry Night.

The Votes Are In!

Debbie had all of her students vote on the art posters and decide which they liked best because, she says, "the art room is theirs, not mine." She tallied the results through an elaborate process - the result charts are on display outside of art room (205). Ninety-six students participated and went about their voting very thoughtfully. Two van Goghs were the top scorers, and it turns out that several posters that Debbie herself likes (such as the Modigliani) are not at all favored by students. All in all, this was not only a democratic way of going about decorating the art room, it was also an exercise in seeing and considering why we like one piece of art and not another.

Debbie demonstrates weaving in art class.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Conferences will be held on Thursday, November 10 and Friday, November 11, 2016.

On Thursday: No school for 1st through 8th graders. No bus service. The preschool is in session until 3:30 p.m. No late pick-up.
Grade School Conferences are Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Preschool Conferences are Thursday, 4:00-9:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
On Friday: No school for both grade school and preschool.

Scheduling: Go to www.schoolbookings.net star ting at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, October 31, until 9:00 a.m on Monday, November 6. After that time we can try to fit you in, but no guarantees.

Grade school parents: Enter Event Code p4qyd.
Preschool parents: Enter Event Code hpwru.
These codes are different from last year's codes, and you will need to re-enter your contact information.

Enter your contact information, your children's names and their teachers. Choose when you will meet with them. The site will email you a schedule.

If you need a reminder of your children's teachers, log in to the Parents Web click on "Student" then click on your children's schedules.

Note: All grade school locations are subject to change. We will update the website if/when they change, and post the locations around the school.

Childcare: The Hyde Park JCC is offering Vacation Days on Thursday November 10 and November 11.

Questions: Contact Miriam Friedman-Parks with any questions or concerns: (773) 493-8880 ext. 200.

Picture Day: Siblings & Retakes

We will have picture retakes and sibling photo day on Tuesday, November 1.

Please

order photos and sign up for retakes/sibling picture by 3:00 p.m.on Monday, October 31st.

To order the picture taken in September: Either fill out the form that was sent home and return it to the office or order online. You will have to enter the password at the top of your order form to log in.

To sign up for a retake or a sibling picture: Fill out the online sign-up. If your child did not have his or her photo taken in September, you do NOT need to sign up for a retake. The company already has a list of children who didn't get a photo taken. If you are having trouble, please contact Kelli Harris.

Needed: Assistant Fencing Coach

Our fencing program is bursting at the seams! We are looking to hire an assistant coach to help out on Tuesday and Thursdays afternoons. Please contact Coach Price if you know anyone who is interested.