Oct. 21, 2016 19 Tishrei 5777

Sukkot VI

Candle Lighting 6:28 p.m.
Chol HaMoed Sukkot

Over the course of Sukkot, we gather together the four species-the lulav (palm frond), etrog (citron), hadasim (myrtle) and aravot (willows)-into one bundle and wave it in all directions symbolizing God's presence all around us. A popular midrashic interpretation of the ritual explains that each of the four species represents a different type of Jew, possessing varying degrees of Torah knowledge and good deeds. Bound together, the four individual species of flora create a much greater whole.  Similarly, individual Jewish people joined together compose a much stronger, holier and vibrant entity, empowered by unity and spiritual purpose.

Many activities at Akiba this short week of Chol HaMoed worked toward building a cohesive community. Wednesday night's PTO dinner and dessert in the Sukkah gathered families from every part of the school to celebrate the holiday together. The Middle School also came together as one on its field trip to Group Dynamix yesterday. Through a series of team building activities, our middle schoolers reinforced their understanding of what it means to work as a team, build trust and collaborate. While the Middle School engaged in team building, the Early Childhood Program showed its own display of unity. With flags and Torahs in hand, our youngest Akiba students-led by Eli Davidsohn (father of our own Morah Jordana)- paraded through campus raising their voices in song and celebration. And to culminate our Sukkot festivities in school today, the entire Lower School started its morning in the Sukkah for a Sukkot breakfast and assembly. It has been a wonderful holiday at school as we came together as an agudah achat, one beautifully diverse AND unified community.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,

   
UPCOMING EVENTS

For the full 2016-2017 calendar, click HERE.

AFTERCARE NOTICE

Starting Oct. 21 : School will close for aftercare on Fridays at 4:30 p.m. CLICK HERE for the closing schedule.
SUKKOT SIMCHA

Sixth grade girls made decorations for the school sukkah.


SIMCHAT TORAH DANCING

First grade dances with the Torah in preparation for Simchat Torah.

CHESED FOR CRYSTAL CREEK

The fifth graders visited Crystal Creek  Assisted Living Facility to decorate their sukkah and share the joy of sukkot with the residents.


THEM BONES, THEM BONES

Students in the "Game of Bones" middle school STEAM elective visited a prosthetics lab after creating their own prosthetics from recycled materials.


READING DURING THE RAIN

During a rainy recess, some students chose to read books outside the gym while others played inside.

SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE

Rabbi Sabo taught the fifth graders the mitzvah of shaking the lulav and etrog.

     SOUNDS LIKE STEM

First grade students learned how to test variables with the scientific methods while learning about how vibrations create sound.



    MAKING MUSIC

Fourth grade students participated in the first of a two-part field trip entitled: Music and Motion at the Dallas Zoo in conjunction with the Dallas Symphony. 
 
At the zoo, our students had a guided tour with a docent who helped them with their observations and related the movements of the animals to music. After the tour, students participated in a music lesson with an artist where they composed their own melodies and music to correlate with the movements of the animals they observed earlier in the day.
 
 

     LEARNING EVERYWHERE

Third grade took their learning outside during the beautiful weather.

IN THE BAG

Lower school students helped decorate lunch sacks and blessing bags to be created by the middle school for their chesed project. 





BIG FANS

Second grade art students completed their paper cutouts and transformed them into fans. They worked on creating unique patterns as well as fine motor skills.

SUKKAH SHARING

Second grade students did a collaborate writing activity in the sukkah.

 

GROUP DYNAMIX

The entire middle school took a Sukkot field trip to Group Dynamix.  The students worked on t eamwork, strategy, problem solving, and t rust-building.

The Value of a Field Trip : A Teacher's Observation (Adina Richman,  Middle School ELA teacher)
At Group Dynamix, I got the opportunity to learn from my students. I watched as they took risks, overcame fears, gained confidence, and figured things out in their own ways. Such courage and stamina! I saw great acts of selflessness and kindness, as they helped and cheered each other on. Seeing them shine with pride at their accomplishments reminds me that 'hard' doesn't mean 'impossible', and that I can be more than I think that I am. I'm so glad I was able to go on a field trip!



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 Hadas (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 Hadas
PE teacher Akiba Academy 




PRESCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

This may have been a short week, but we have had a whole lot going on in the Early Childhood Program. From Sukkah Trips to a Simchat Torah Parade, we took "Z'man Simchatenu (time of happiness)" to a whole new level.
 
Many thanks to our Sukkah Trip hosts for hosting such beautiful Sukkah trips, including: the Rackovsky, Englander, Naparstek, Schreiber, and Eber families. Also much thanks to our PTO room parents and all of the parent volunteer drivers/chaperones for helping to make our Sukkah Trips possible. It certainly takes a village and we have such an amazing one at Akiba Academy!
 
































In addition, a huge shout out and toda raba to Akiba Grandparent (and Jordana Bernstein's dad), Eli Davidsohn for leading the Early Childhood Program in a Simchat Torah parade and sing-a-long. 


Thank you to our snack helpers for the week: Miriam Raphael and Michelle Raphael.   We are still in need of more people to sign up.   CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO HELP .
AKIBA BASKETBALL
 
Basketball season is right around the corner! Parent meeting is Monday 10/31/16 at 4:30 in the gym. First practice will be 11/1/16. More information to follow.
 
If you haven't signed up yet, forms can be found by clicking HERE.

   
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  Akiba alum ('03) Rachel (Lipinsky) Waldstreicher on the birth of a son.

To Akiba's flag football team for reaching the playoffs.

COMMUNITY NOTICES
 

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 .