Oct. 28, 2016 26 Tishrei 5777

Parashat Bereshit

Candle Lighting 6:20 p.m.
Bereishit

Yesterday, I watched a brief TED-Ed video about the importance of sleep. In the clip, the narrator explains how sleep performs essential functions in maintaining stasis in our bodies and its systems. In addition, sleep plays the primary role in moving our thoughts from short term to long term memory; sleep both enhances our overall brain function and ensures that our brains embed our experiences and  learning in our memories. The video piqued my interest not only because I am a parent who extols the virtues of getting a good night's sleep, but also because I had just reviewed this week's parashah. The creation of the world as outlined in Parashat Bereishit culminates with God's ceasing the creative process and resting on Shabbat. I am fascinated by the interplay between productivity and repose, by the way rest provides an opportunity for reflection.

Shabbat is linked inextricably to the creation story. The rest that God introduces to the world on the seventh day provides God a meditative moment to reflect on the glory of the universe. In our emulation of God through our own celebration of Shabbat, we also have an opportunity to reflect on our creative work and accomplishments and on the magnificence of God's world around us. The video about sleep reminded me of the restorative power of rest and the importance of rest in defining our work. Sleep and rest make meaning of our experiences and build them into our cognitive world. On Shabbat, the rest that the Torah prescribes requires that we reflect and take a step back; by resting on Shabbat, we gain perspective and nurture appreciation for the world God has created for us and for the hard work we do daily to spread God's light throughout.

Have a restful and reflective Shabbat, 
   
UPCOMING EVENTS
For the full 2016-2017 calendar, click HERE. 

AFTERCARE NOTICE

School will close for aftercare on Fridays at 4:30 p.m. 
Aftercare closes at 3:30 starting on November 11. 
CLICK HERE for the closing schedule.
MID-TERM GRADES AND COMMENTS

Mid-Term 1 marking period grades and comments are available for first through eighth grade parents on MyBackPack.
AKIBA BASKETBALL
 
Basketball season is right around the corner! Parent meeting is Monday Oct. 31, at 4:30 p.m. in the gym. First practice will be Nov. 1. More information to follow.   If you haven't signed up yet, forms can be found by clicking HERE .
THE GIFT OF TIME

As  part of their Sukkot chesed program, Akiba students, some of whom are formerly JCC Preschool alums, visited students at the JCC Early Childhood Center where they were engaged with the pre-k students reading, singing, and taught to make a mini sukkah.

CHESED AT CRYSTAL CREEK

During Chol Hamoed Sukkot, the seventh graders visited Crystal Creek Assisted Living Facility. The students sang songs, taught the residents how to shake the lulav and etrog, and engaged in conversations with the residents.

SACK LUNCHES FOR AUSTIN STREET SHELTER

Middle school students assembled sack lunches from items donated from Akiba families. The eighth graders distributed these sack lunches at the Austin Street Shelter. The lower school students decorated the bags.












JFS IS STOCKED

Sixth grade students help restock the shelves at the JFS food pantry during chesed day.

    SOCIALIZING IN THE SUKKAH

The first through fifth graders enjoyed breakfast and morning assembly in the school sukkah during Chol Hamoed.


PARACHUTE DROP

Eighth graders explored air resistance by designing and testing parachutes in science class.


PAINTING SHAPES

Kindergarten experimented with water colors, expressing a strong control over their painting skills. They drew geometric shapes straight from palette to paper without an eraser. 'Good looking water' and 'look at my circles' were a few sentences echoing in the art room. 



CELEBRATING THE END OF SUKKOT

Students have a unique opportunity during Chol Hamoed Sukkot to learn about our customs, special davening, eating in the sukkah, shaking the lulav, and more. The middle school students participated in Hosha'anot celebration where they circled the bimah seven times and celebrated the last day of Sukkot.

EXTREME MAKEOVER: SUKKAH EDITION

This year's Sukkah makeover marked its 10th annual presentation. It was initiated by students at that time and adopted throughout the years. The purpose is to review the laws of Sukkah in a creative and collaborative manner. They are assessed based on Halachic accuracy, creative presentation, and written component. As students grow through middle school, they tend to express greater creativity and more thought in their written component of the project.



HAPPY HABITATS

The kindergarten students explored our campus looking for habitats.

STUDYING SEISMOGRAPHS

The fifth graders were learning about earthquakes and properties of seismic waves. Through the engineering design process, the students had to create a seismograph capable of detecting vibrations and creating a graph.



SIMCHA MEANS JOY

The preschool celebrated Simchat Torah last week with a parade, musical instruments, flags, and singing.



UP FOR A CHALLENGE?

Calling Parents and Faculty,
 
Here is an opportunity to work at improving your health, fitness, and weight.
It is really easy to join :
  • Submit your cell number with your weight  to join the "WhatsApp Fitness Group" that will be managed by Rotem Haddas (PE teacher at Akiba and private Pilates instructor)
by emailing:   rhaddas@akibaacademy.org
 
  • Please note your weight will not be shared with the group but only personally with Rotem.
  • Each participant must set a realistic goal that they want to achieve by the end of the 60 days, and if you are not sure of a goal then Rotem can advise.
  • Over the 60 days, Rotem will share nutrition tips, recommended physical activities and you are welcome to share meal ideas, recipes, and activities that are helping reach your goal.
  • This will be an interactive group and by sharing your journey to good health, we hope to encourage all participants to reach their goals.

Let's get started......

 

Rotem Haddas
PE teacher Akiba Academy 




PRESCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Morah Marissa and Morah Nitzan's Chaverim class have been integrating science into their learning about Parashat Bereishit. From mixing chemical solutions to create paint colors representative of day and night to observing clouds in their natural habitat, these Torah learners are budding scientist! 

Our Teenoki Bet children enjoyed the beautiful weather outside by easel painting in our outdoor art studio. The outdoor air definitely feeds the creativity!



Morah Lauren and Morah Rosa's class had a multi-faceted learning experience in Mr. U's class.  The students were introduced to a game similar to hot potato. They sang a song about apples and passed the red bean bag to the person sitting next to them. This activity taught the children turn taking, patience, rhythm and the process of "getting out." As each child's turn came to an end, the awesome Mr. U would give the child a high five and the child would sit on the other side of the circle.


The Teenoki Alef children took a nature walk and collected everything from rocks to leaves to mesquite beans. We are so blessed to be able to use our campus as a giant outdoor classroom!  


Thank you to our snack helpers for the week: Laura Weinstein, Lindsey Hochschuler, and Miriam Raphael.  We are still in need of more people to sign up.   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO HELP .
   
YEARBOOK ADS FOR SALE

Yearbook ads are now available for purchase.   PURCHASE HERE
   



Check out the NEW Akiba Academy PTO Facebook page  HERE!

MAZAL TOV

To the Malina family on the occasion of David's Bar Mitzvah.
To the Smith family on Rachel's Bat Mitzvah this past Shabbat.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Please visit the Akiba Academy of Dallas booth. 


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 .