February 10, 2017 14 Shevat 5777

Parashat Beshalach

Candle Lighting 5:50 p.m.
As a mom of three children who are 10, 13 and 17 years old, I'm always looking for ways to bring meaning to holidays and keep my kids engaged. For Tu B'Shevat, we ring in the new year for trees with a seder full of yummy foods that remind us of the significance of trees and fruit in G-d's creation.
 
We start by eating bread or cake. Wheat and barley are the first two of the seven species connected to the greatness of the Land of Israel, as it says: A land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olives and honey (Devarim 8:8). Then we move on to olives, dates, grapes, figs, pomegranates. Our seder includes four cups of wine (or grape juice), pale white to a deep red, signifying the cycle seasons throughout the year. The Tu B'Shevat seder connects us to the Land of Israel and to the natural beauty that surrounds us every day.
 
This year, we will be celebrating Tu B'Shevat on our magnificent campus adorned by flora representing these seven species of Israel. Amidst the barely-budding fig trees and the olive branches in our atrium, the middle school will be joining together on an annual shabbaton, a Shabbat retreat filled with song, camaraderie, and learning. Together on Tu B'Shevat, we will celebrate our connection to nature as we explore how we ourselves grow and blossom. The rest of the school will enjoy next week at mini-seders on Monday.
 
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and a Happy Tu B'Shevat,

 
 

UPCOMING EVENTS
  • Save $175 on Re-EnrollmentEarly re-enrollment ends Sunday. On Feb. 13, the re-enrollment fee returns to the normal rate and space is not guaranteed. Access the enrollment contract HERE.
  • Feb. 14, 9 a.m., Yavneh Beit Midrash: Siddur ceremony for 1st grade
  • Feb. 17: No school or discovery - teacher in-service
  • Feb. 20 : No school - President's Day
  • Feb. 24: Yearbook ads due. Create an ad HERE. Or, the yearbook team is available to create ads. Email akibayearbook2016@gmail.com for more information.  
  • Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m.: Eretz Akiba! Auction, casino and live music. Buy Tickets 
  • March 10-24 Akiba is honored to host the Private School Art Invitational, featuring the metroplex's top middle school artists. Don't miss all the outstanding art pieces that will be on display.
  • Thursdays, 8:30 a.m., Boardroom: Rabbi Rackovsky's Pathways in the Parsha.


Congrats to lower school teacher Rachel Gabbai on the birth of a grandchild.

PEP RALLY

Let's get 7th and 8th grade girls and boys basketball teams fired up for their playoff games on Monday!

Join us at a pep rally on Monday at 12:30 p.m. in the gym.
 
COOL VISITOR

Kindergarten enjoyed a visit from the star of the  Zero the Hero book, aka Akiba dad David Yalovsky.
 

MORE THAN A SALAD 

1st graders learned the Hebrew letter sameach and word salat, so Morah Pninit created a salat bar. The kids learned the Hebrew words for the vegetables they were eating, and practiced Hebrew as they chatted about the meal.


NO BROKEN EGGS

3rd grade uses logic and teamwork to protect their eggs from a fall during the "egg drop" STEM project.

 

FEELING THE NOISE 

4th grade STEM class shows how sound creates vibrations.
 

CODING BIRDS TO FLY

5th grade is hard at work programming Finch robots with educational technologist  Aimee Wortendyke

TAKING FLIGHT

8th grade builds catapults, and creates graphs in Excel to help them hit a target.



PRESCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Tu B'Shevat was alive in the Early Childhood Program this week! This holiday provides us with the perfect platform to connect with science and our spirituality through nature.
 
Our Teenoki yeladim were busy first with decorating their pots and then were on to planting their seeds. 



Morah Marni and Morah Marcela's K'Ton Ton class started a science experiment this week. They put a sprouted potato in a jar with water to see what will happen over time. Of course, they first asked the students for their predictions . . . Will the sprouts fall off?  Will they get smaller?  Will they get bigger?  Only time will tell.


Morah Sarah and Morah Gracie's Nitzanim class took their children outside to connect with nature while having a picnic lunch. 

     

Our Chaverim students participated in the wondrous experience of making paper with Morah Lindsey. During this process the yeladim learned about how paper is made from trees. This opportunity taught the children important lessons about recycling and taking care of the environment. They used old scraps from their classroom-recycling bin and tore them into little pieces preparing the paper for the blender. The children had to work in teams, helping each other pour the pulp onto the mold and deckle. The whole process is fascinating and the children absolutely love it. 

       

   

Friday challah helpers needed! Come at 8 a.m. to pass out challah, and you get a free one to take home! Please email akibapto@gmail.com if you'd like to volunteer.


COMMUNITY NOTICES

Register for Akiba summer camps 
HERE!