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Eliyahu and Gavi with their cell models in Ms. Rotfeld's 7th/8th grade Science class.
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Jewish Educators Came to Town and to Akiba
by Miriam Schiller
Principal
This past week, several of us had the opportunity to participate in the PRIZMAH Jewish Day School Conference held here in Chicago. At Akiba we continuously talk about teaching our students to be life-long learners, and staff members also often take part in various learning opportunities.
But the PRIZMAH conference was unique. Over 1,000 people from all over North America (heads of schools, Jewish Studies leaders, education and student program administrators, business officers, admission and development professionals, federation leaders, board members and other lay leaders) came together to learn from experts and peers. PRIZMAH is a newly-formed organization committed to strengthening the education and leadership of Jewish day schools from all religious denominations--Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Community. Their message is closely aligned with Akiba-Schechter's inclusive philosophy. We are a stronger Jewish day school because we have such a diverse population - religiously, geographically and socio-economically. Ultimately, the whole is much more than the sum of its respective parts.
For me personally, it was fun to choose from a plethora of workshops where I could learn and contribute. It was exciting to meet with colleagues from all over the U.S. and Canada. I loved hearing new ideas, meeting new people and learning about innovative solutions to old problems. And, of course, it was incredible to be able to share many of the wonderful things we are doing at Akiba-Schechter as our school and classrooms were visited by PRIZMAH attendees who stayed after the conference, just to see us in action. They hailed from all over: Alabama, Connecticut, Canada, South Africa and Moscow.
Many wanted to learn more about our multi-aged education. In fact, Solomon Schechter of Greater Hartford will be using us as their model as they transition to a multi-age model themselves. They follow in the footsteps of a day school in Sharon, MA, which did the same a couple of years ago. But the most fun of all for me was the opportunity to tour the building as a "visitor" myself, to see our school through outsiders' eyes. It reminded me how special our school is. Sometimes, we need to step away from a picture before we can really see it clearly.
Shabbat Shalom!
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Tu B'Shvat - The Birth of Israel
by Rabbi Holman
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Tu B'Shvat Seder in Loeb Hall on Friday
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Tu B'sSvat is the New Year of the Trees in Israel. On Tu B'Shvat we celebrate the gifts of fruit that the trees provide us, and we celebrate the bounty of the land of Israel. But the land of Israel was not always so bountiful. Later this year we will read in the Torah of Hashem's rebuke that, if the Jewish people do not follow the Torah's ways, they will be sent into exile and that the land will be barren. The commentators note that a desolate Israel is actually a silver lining to the punishment. With the absence of the Jewish nation, the land would remain barren, unproductive for any other people until the Jewish people would return. In our time we have witnessed the rebirth of not only the State of Israel, but of the agriculture of Israel as well. Anyone who has visited Israel will marvel at the beautiful parks, forests and valleys. Wherever you walk in Israel, you will find fruit trees growing in yards and on streets. It is a wonder to behold. Shabbat Shalom!
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Preschool
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The Lime Room kids are very interested in animals. Each child picked an animal to learn about. They drew a picture of their animal, made the animal out of clay, did research on the animal and created its habitat. Here is Ethan making an ocean for his clown fish.
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The Blue Room children are getting ready for Tu B'Shvat!
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ER in the Purple Room
Alex's mom, Carrie, visited the Purple Room last week and talked about her job as a nurse. She gave the class caps, masks, stethoscopes and shots (without the needle). The kids loved practicing some nursing skills on their dolls. The children are also constructing a skeleton in the classroom. In addition, the class has been talking about people in the neighborhood, the people you meet when you're walking down the street. The children created a mailbox and parents and siblings are encouraged to write letters that we read at group time.
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Grades 1-8
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| The students of Kitah Bet have been very busy learning about Tu B'Shvat, the holiday of the Trees. They learned to name the different parts of the tree in Hebrew, as well as the names of some of the trees that grow in Israel. They also learned new songs and celebrated this Tu B'Shvat Seder with Kitah Alef. |
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Collaborative Writing
In Ms. Friedman's and Ms. Rodin's first/second grade, students started doing writing based on what they observed in photos. Students needed to pay attention to detail, note what they observed and come up with their own story, based on their observations. At Morning Meeting, they have the opportunity to read their writing to a partner and then be open to constructive criticism from their partner. They give feedback to their partner and then they switch roles. They have been enjoying this experience and are looking forward to seeing where this type of collaborative writing takes then in the coming months.
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In Mrs. Basa's Math class, Aaron, Jac, Shira and Gabe display their factoring prowess.
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| The Trial of Bridget Bishop |
Salem Witchcraft Trials
The students in 7th/8th grade Humanities have finished reading A Break With Charity and The Crucible, and they are performing trials using actual court transcripts from 1692. More footage of their trials can be viewed on our Facebook page. They are almost finished with their study of the Colonial Unit.
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Students from Mrs. Gold and Brackman's Jewish Thought classes presented their posters on child heroes. This was part of a final project in their unit of heroism.
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Chidon HaTanach Progress
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The Chidon class: Netanel, Shira and Aaron have passed another regional test. |
Congratulations to the Chidon HaTanach class on passing and doing well on their second regional test. They worked very hard, learning all the necessary Perakim, and memorizing many of the biblical verses.
Their motivation and diligent work surely paid off and they qualified to continue to the next and final regional test before the upcoming national test.
But most importantly, they helped each other; they worked as a team to ensure everyone's success and together enjoyed the true process of learning. May they continue from strength to strength. Be-hazlaha!
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by Thea Crook
It's been 3 1/2 years since we digitized the library using free software, and I thought I would share some of the data with you. We currently have 7,214 books, all sorted by color-coded genre. Three and a half years ago we had 2,500!
Currently, 118 books are checked out by 87 students and an additional 74 books are currently overdue. When students lose books they are required to bring $5 so that I can replace them with used books, which we order from
thriftbooks.com.
Almost every book I have bought for the library has been under $4.00. I work with teachers to ensure that we have sufficient books for their various assignments. All other books have been bought because students recommended them.
You are welcome to stop by the library any time and please feel free to email me any recommendations.
I also want to acknowledge the enormous help that our media interns provide. They shelve books and do some of the data entry, earning $8/hour, which goes towards their 8th grade trip to Israel.
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2nd Grade artists worked together folding and assembling the 6-piece Sonobe Cube.
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This week 1st graders made a magnificent "Snapping Goose" multiform puppet that can be embellished and personalized to become any character; great fun was had!
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Hebrew Reading Incentive Program
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This Tuesday, February 14, the Hebrew Reading Contest begins for all grades. This voluntary program awards the children prizes for the number of minutes they read until March 10. Appropriate Hebrew books will be available to borrow each day during the contest. Please encourage your child to participate and read 5-10 minutes each night and improve his/her reading skills. More info here.
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Parent/Teacher Conferences
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Conferences will be held on Thursday, February 16 and Friday, February 17, 2017.
- 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 until 9:00 a.m on Monday, February 13. After that time we can try to fit you in, but there are no guarantees.
Click here for instructions on how to schedule your conferences.
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Lunch and Dinner To Go Ordering
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The Hot Lunch menu is online! Check it out!
You can still register for lunches for January through June.
Dinners To Go: We offer the following options, all of which you can order on the website:
Weekday Meal
See the current lunch menu for ready-to-send options. $7/person.
18% of sales from dinners-to-go support the 8th grade trip to Israel! Last month, over $200 was credited to 8th grade funds.
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Financial Aid Applications Due February 28
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Are you planning on applying for financial aid? Please check the
Affording Akiba
page on our website to learn more about the process and what you need to do. The deadline for submitting tuition assistance paperwork is
February 28, 2017
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Our Dedicate a Day initiative is an opportunity for you to dedicate a school day in honor of someone special. Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, graduation or other important day, or remember a loved one. It's a great way to say thank you to someone. You can also dedicate a school day in memory of someone. Simply select one of the following choices. We recognize Dedicate A Day donors in the atrium and the Kibitzer and send a card to whomever you designate.
- Chai Five $90 - Commemorate a birthday, anniversary, yahrzeits, graduation or other important day
- Shabbat $360
- Celebrate $500 - Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, Tu B'Shvat, Purim, Akiba Musical, Yom HaAtzma'ut, Lag B'Omer
Pick up a donation card in the atrium, email or
call Alexa Markoff, Director of Development at (773) 493-8880 or
donate online. Please indicate that your donation is for Dedicate a Day. If you want us to send a card to someone, please provide contact information.
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Stallions Schedule
Purim Carnival
at the Hyde Park JCC
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Improv Comedy Summer Camp Run by Akiba Alumn
Apachi Hebrew Immersion Summer Day Camp
Info Session
Monday, February 13
at the Florence Heller JCC
524 W. Melrose Street
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
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Dates to Remember
Saturday, February 11
Tu B'Shvat
Thursday, February 16
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Grades 1-8 Conferences: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Preschool 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
No School for Grades 1-8
Preschool in Session but no late care and no bus service
Friday, February 17
Parent/Teacher Conferences (Preschool only)
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
No School
Monday, February 20
Presidents Day
No School
Professional Development Day
Thursday, March 23
History Fair
Loeb Hall
Sunday, March 26
Celebrate Akiba: Cocktails & Cupcakes
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Evanston Art Center
Thursday, March 30
10:30 a.m.
Akiba Musical Performance
@ Kenwood Academy
Sunday, April 2
10:30 a.m.
Akiba Musical Performance
@ Kenwood Academy
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February 10, 2017
Volume 13, Issue 13
Candle Lighting:
4:58 p.m.
Parasha: B'Shalach
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Mazal tov
...to Kitah Bet teacher
Matty Schinasi on the birth of a new grandson.
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Don't forget to set up your amazonsmile account to benefit Akiba. Thank you!
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Do the Laws Adequately Protect Our Kids?
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Since 2004 Akiba-Schechter has received
$491,576
from the Kehillah Fund; this month it is $3,707. Over 1,400 community members participate in the Kehillah Fund's recurring donor program in support of Jewish day school education, and every month $71,000 is distributed to Chicago area day schools.
To learn more, please call
(847) 745-1668 or visit
www.kehillahfund.org
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Thank you for your support!
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Affiliated with the Associated Talmud Torahs and supported by the Kehillah Jewish Education Fund
773-493-8880
Check out our new website!
www.akibaschechter.org
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