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Our Heilicher seventh and eighth graders visited the Ackerberg Family Sholom West Campus earlier this week to socialize with and give roses to the residents.  Our students learned so much from interacting with the Sholom residents, and the seniors appreciated our students' energy and warmth. 

Dear Parents,

What an amazing week we had at Heilicher beginning with last Friday's touching all-school tribute to Helen Siegel. There was not a dry eye in the house as students and faculty shared heartfelt words, songs, and cheers to mark Helen's upcoming retirement after 27 years at the school.

On Tuesday, more remarkable things happened that showcased our student's poise, inquisitiveness, and caring hearts. We started the day with a spirited band concert. Our students displayed their instrumental talent and dedication to playing ensemble music. Thank you to David Shaw and MacPhail music teachers who helped make this possible.

Also on Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith visited the Sabes JCC to show support for the campus after last month's bomb threat. Three Heilicher 7th graders, who had expressed interest in responding to current events, took the opportunity to talk with the Lt. Governor about ideas for connecting with the local immigrant community.  

Our 7th and 8th graders also visited Sholom Home (see photo above) in a special outreach activity inspired by a Heilicher alumnus, Jared Bloomenfield. Jared's story is featured in recently-published spring edition of The Heilicher Magazine, which you should receive at your home in the coming days. I hope you will get a chance to read the magazine during mid-winter break next week. Have a safe and enjoyable break.

B'shalom,
Yoni


Mark your Calendars
Upcom ing Heilicher  Events
  • TONIGHT! Thursday, February 16: Grade 1 Curriculum Night, 6:30 p.m.
  • TONIGHT! Thursday, February 16: Grade 7 Science Debate, 7:30 p.m.
  • Monday, February 20-Friday, February 24: Midwinter Break, NO SCHOOL
  • Monday, February 27: Yom Ruach Faculty-Student Basketball Game, 2:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 28: Grade 7 High School Information Evening, 7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 1: History Day, 8:15 a.m.
  • Thursday, March 2: Grade 3 Curriculum Night, 7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday and Thursday, March 8 and 9: Grade 7-8 Play, Into the Woods, 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, March 10: Purim Spiel (performed by Grade 6), 2:15 p.m.
All School News
School Year 2017-18 Calendar Highlights
 
Calendar highlights are now available for the 2017-18 school year!

Click  HERE for a list of 2017-18 school year calendar highlights.  Additional program dates and school's out information will be available later this school year. 
Wellness Wednesday Winter Registration - DUE on Friday, February 24
 
The new  Wellness   Wednesday  trimester begins on Wednesday, March 8. Sign up now!

Each Wednesday morning from March 8-24, Heilicher students in grades 1-8* have the opportunity to participate in a wellness-based  kitah  (class). Each  kitah  is designed to develop skills and knowledge in physical, mental, emotional, social and/or spiritual health and wellness. 
 *Kindergarten will travel together as a group and does not need to sign up.

Online sign-up for new Wellness Wednesday electives is due by Friday, February 24. 

Registration Now Open for Girls on The Run (Girls in Grades 3-5)

We are very excited to be offering a brand new program at Heilicher -  Girls on the Run. This program is open to girls in Grades 3-5. 

Girls on the Run is a program which is "designed to allow every girl to recognize her inner strength." It combines lessons which "encourage positive, emotional, social, mental and physical development" with physical activity to "inspire an appreciation of fitness and to build habits that lead to a lifetime of health." Click here to learn more about Girls on the Run from their website. 

The program culminates in a 5K run which the team will run together. The Girls on the Run 5K occurs on a Saturday;  however, the organization will be working with us to find a run for our team to attend on a Sunday (date TBD). 

The program will meet on Wednesdays and Sundays, 3:30-5:00 p.m., from Wednesday, March 22, through Wednesday, June 7.  :30 pm-5:  

Click HERE to register for the Heilicher team! (o ur team is listed as Minneapolis Jewish Day School)
February Teacher  Newsletters Now Available

Please remember to read Class Newsletters (Grades K-3) and Haiku/Powerschool   (Grades 4-8) regularly to keep abreast of important curricular and programmatic information.
The Heilicher Library Missed You!

We are excited that the newly-reinvigorated Sheila and Stephen Lieberman, Children and Grandchildren Library will re-open to our classes after mid-winter break. Grades K-2 will be regularly scheduled to visit the library and other grades will be scheduled to visit as needed by their homeroom/ad visories. 

Before students can check out books, the Library Use Agreement must be completed. Thank you to those who have completed this form and please complete as soon as possible if you haven't. 

We invite you to stop by and enjoy the library environment and the aesthetics which have created a wonderful learning space.
Yom Ruach Student/Faculty Basketball Game - Monday, February 27, 2:00 p.m.

Come out on Monday, February 27,  and cheer for the 5-6 grade basketball team and/or the teachers/staff team when they play our annual students versus staff basketball game. Enjoy our special half-time show too!  The game and show will run from 2:00-3:15 p.m.
Advance Ticket Sales Now Open for 7/8 Play "Into the Woods Jr." (Performances March 8 and 9)

Join us for Into the Woods Jr., performed and produced by Heilicher 7th and 8th graders. For Heilicher families with an account on file, purchase your tickets on-line here.  For extended family and friends, please print this form  and return it to the Heilicher office by Friday, March 3 (advance ticket sales end on that date).

Last year, opening night was sold out, so get your tickets early! If available, additional tickets will be sold at the door.
Two Free Showings of Screenagers: A Documentary About Kids and Screen Use

Herzl Camp is offering two free showings of  SCREENAGERS , a humorous but sobering 68-minute documentary that examines the impact of the time the average kid spends each day looking at screens as well as the way  screen  use is affecting concentration, development and family relationships.  SCREENAGERS  probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including the director's own, and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games, academics, and internet addiction. Through surprising insights from authors and brain scientists, solutions emerge on how we can empower kids to best navigate the digital world.

Heilicher is partnering with Herzl Camp to help promote these showings, which would be of particular interest to Upper School parents. We also will have Heilicher tables at the events. If any parents are interested in volunteering at the tables, please contact 

The showings are:

Sunday, March 19, 1:30 p.m.
St. Paul JCC, 1375 St. Paul Avenue, St. Paul
Free with RSVP
Click here to register.
 
Wednesday, March 22, 6:30 p. March 22
Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Road South, Minneapolis
Free with RSVP
Click here to register.


Classroom-Themed Gift Baskets - Donations Due TOMORROW (Feb 17)

All parents should have received an email informing you about the "Classroom Themed Baskets" fundraiser for the Annual Benefit. Last year, we raised $1,000 for our school!

Each grade has been assigned a theme, which is listed below. Donation boxes are in your child's classroom. Donations are being collected now through TOMORROW, February 17.  Cash donations will also be accepted. 

Assigned themes are:

Kindergarten - Crazy for Crayola
1st Grade - I Love Legos
2nd Grade - Boredom Busters
3rd Grade - I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream
4th Grade - Mad Scientists
5th Grade - Family Game Night
6th Grade - Kids in the Kitchen
7th Grade - Movie Night
8th Grade - Go Team!

If you have any questions, please contact 
Grade Level News and Events
Grade 1 Curriculum Evening - TONIGHT!
Thursday, February 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Manny Fingerhut Auditorium

Bring your child and join us at Heilicher for an evening of physics fun!  During the evening, you will have an opportunity to explore a variety of hands on stations that delve into the study of force and motion. We look forward to seeing you there.
Seventh Grade Debate - TONIGHT! 
Thursday, February 16, 7:30 p.m.

This evening (February 16), the seventh grade students will engage in an awesome Heilicher tradition - The 7th Grade Interdisciplinary Debate. This year's topic is all about energy and where our resources should be focused. Students have been preparing for months, learning essential concepts during science, improving research skills during language arts, and building arguments during social studies. 

Although the students were all assigned to the positions they must defend, they've done a tremendous job working together to develop evidence-based arguments and defenses to likely counter-arguments. We hope to see you there!
High School Information Evening: Grade 7 Parents - Tuesday, Feb. 28, Fiterman Beit Knesset

Starting to think about high school? Have you thought about next steps for your child, but still have unanswered questions? Come to a 7th Grade High School Information Meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 7:00-8:30 p.m.,  in the Ben and Bernice Fiterman Family Beit Knesset. 

We will have high school counselors on hand to answer your questions. Please be sure to complete this brief parent survey so we can be sure to address your questions and concerns.
Grade 3 Curriculum Evening - Thursday, March 2, 7:00-8:00 p.m. 

Bring your child, and join us for a sampling of what your children have been studying in third grade! Activities will include a science experiment, watching iMovies of persuasive speeches, and interacting with maps in the computer lab.
History Day 2017

Eight Heilicher students from 6th and 7th grades will be participating in National History Day this year.  Students have worked independently or with a partner to research and create a project around the theme of "Standing up for History." The projects this year include several exhibits, a documentary and a website.

Heilicher History Day will be on Wednesday, March 1, and the regional competition will be held on Thursday, March 9. This year's participants are Ruby Livon, Jack Mintz, Noa Gross, Rachel Leo, Shira Hanovich, Jacob Khabie, Jonah Halper and Justin Kadet. Make sure to wish them Mazel Tov!

Heilicher Athletics 

Heilicher 5/6 volleyball begins on February 27 and Heilicher 7/8 volleyball begins on March 9. Register today!

Come cheer on our Heilicher basketball teams! Schedule and scoreboard is below.   


Become a Heilicher Fan on GameChanger! Click here to follow the Heilicher 7-8 Boys Basketball team!
Mazel Tov!

Mazel Tov to Peyton Erickson on her Bat Mitzvah at Beth El on February 18. 
Challah Order

March challah order form is attached HERE. 
Form is due by Monday, February 27. Reminder that you must either attach a check to the JCC or charge it to your JCC account on file. 

Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School
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