This week was Spirit Week, and Tuesday was Crazy Hair/Hat Day. Happy Purim!

CPS Principals Visit to Learn about Play-Based Learning
by Carla Goldberg
Preschool Director  

This Wednesday we hosted five CPS resident principals (principals in training), who wanted to experience our play-based preschool program. It turned into a thorough "how to" on play-based learning. For all of us, it was wonderful to be able to show off our school, share our expertise, and talk shop with other educators. A big thank you to Andrew Chipman, parent of preschoolers in the Blue Room and Parent/Tot, who initiated the visit.

Our CPS guests spent the entire morning with us, visiting the classrooms, observing the children, talking to teachers and meeting with me. They wanted to hear how the Reggio Emilia program deepened our own learning, and they asked how we do staff development and planning. We talked about how well our students do once they graduate preschool, because they are well equipped, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.

"It was so impressive to see," one of them said, "that the kids really are capable of solving conflicts themselves, and that the teacher stays close by, carefully observing if an intervention is needed. It was so instructive to see that classroom management first hand. It's one thing to hear about children learning to solve problems, is quite another to see it actually happen."

From the Yellow Room_s recent Dr. Seuss project_ Elad_s project steps
"It feels so joyful here," one of them remarked, "from the children to the teachers to the whole atmosphere." One of our visitors, an art teacher, was struck by the deep study of art that is evident throughout the preschool. "These are not just bulletin boards," she said, "these are installations."

They wanted to hear a lot about our practice of revisiting the learning, a process we document, step by step, for all the different classroom projects:

1.       Draw an idea/make a blueprint

2.       Revisit the idea but drawing/painting it again

3.       Create a 3D version

4.       Write a story

 

The Yellow Room's  Dr. Seuss exploration (see our blog!) is a recent example of that process of reflection and documentation. This process accepts that struggle is part of learning and thus fosters perseverance.

While I am always proud of the work we do in the preschool, it was reaffirming to have this opportunity to share our expertise, passion and day-to-day classroom practice, and to spend a morning showcasing Akiba's thriving play-based preschool program that gives children a voice in their learning. 

Shabbat Shalom! Happy Purim!

Preschool
preschool

"Oh Haman was bad, and Haman was mean, and Haman was just the meanest man you've ever seen... but we sure do love eating hamantashen shaped like haman's hat!" To be really crazy for Purim, the Purple Room did pajama day all week long! A great time was had by all! Here the kids are working on fancy jewelry for their time as Purim royalty.


Dr. Seuss reading time for the Blue and Yellow Room kids!

In the Blue Room Louie, Etta, Edie, Aelwen and Nora work hard to make Hamantashen.


Grades 1-8 
grades

Miss Friedman's and Miss Rodin's 1st/2nd graders had a great time celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday all last week. They started out on Monday with Rosh Chodesh Adar and continued the festivities on Wednesday with Wacky Wednesday.  The children read Dr. Seuss books with their buddies, did Dr. Seuss math, and wrote in rhyme as if they were Dr. Seuss. They just had a silly week. This week is Spirit Week, so their silliness continues... They can't wait for Purim!

Middle schoolers have been busy making scenery for the school musical.


Shira, one of our media interns, reads a Hebrew version of Dr. Seuss to two of our young Hebrew speakers.

The 7th/8th grade Humanities Colonial Crafts workshop has been busy! They churned butter, made corn-husk dolls, made candles, baked cornbread and made soap from scratch.


Terra Nova Testing             
test
Terra Nova testing will take place next week for students in Lower School and shortly after for Middle School. The schedule is as follows:

3rd/4th grade:  Tuesday, March 14 - Thursday, March 16

1st/2nd grade:  Monday, March 20 - Thursday, March 23

Middle School:  Monday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 5

Students should go to bead early and eat a healthy breakfast. Students may also want to bring a healthy snack and a water bottle.
Art with Debbie
             

Kindergarten students enjoyed applying vibrant, wild colors to pictures of rainforest animals to make them bright and beautiful. They asked questions about them, shared their ideas and some prior knowledge they had about these amazing animals.

The 4th graders made wonderful origami diamond-shaped puppet heads that are versatile and can be decorated as any character. They used these to great effect in original puppet shows that were very clever and entertaining.

Celebrate Akiba! Cocktails & Cupcakes  

THANK YOU 

...to all who have bought tickets, ads, sponsorships and/or underwriting opportunities for Celebrate Akiba - Cocktails & Cupcakes. We have more ads than are shown on the event website; all submitted ads should be visible on the event website by  Friday . If you haven't bought your tickets, ads, sponsorships and/or underwriting opportunities, please do so  TODAY . If you have questions, contact Alexa Markoff, Director of Development . 

Red Velvet Sponsors
Dr. and Mrs. Avy Dachman and Family
Felix, Ruslana, Joseph, Matthew and Annette Friedman
Plante Moran

Underwriting of Dessert Buffet
Sharon Glick


Celebrate Akiba! Cocktails & Cupcakes FAQs

What is Celebrate Akiba-Cocktails & Cupcakes?
Celebrate Akiba-Cocktails & Cupcakes is Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School's annual fundraising event. Dollars raised from the event go towards enhancing our students' educational experiences and for scholarships.
 
When and where is the event?
The event will take place on 
Sunday, March 26, 2017
7:00 PM - 9:00 p.m. 
Evanston Art Center 
1717 Central Street, Evanston
 
Who is invited to the event?
Parents, alumni parents, faculty, staff, alumni, grandparents, students and friends of the school are invited to the event.
 
What is the event attire?
This is not a formal event - we say that attire is urban chic. You can wear what you would when you go out for a nice dinner.
 
What type of food and beverages will be served?
There will be an extensive kosher dairy dessert buffet. We will serve beer, wine and a signature cocktail, as well as soft drinks and water.
 
Will there be non-dairy and gluten-free dessert options?
There will be non-dairy and gluten-free dessert options.
 
Who is the event caterer?
This year's event caterer is Zelda's Kosher Gourmet, a Chicago-area leading kosher caterer.
 
Is there a silent auction?
Yes, there will be a silent auction.
 
What items will there be on the silent auction?
The piece de resistance on the silent auction is a Cubs rooftop party for 15 with kosher food on Sunday, June 4th when the Cubs play the St. Louis Cardinals. Teachers are donating activities and projects to the auction, and there will be other great items to bid on. Various price points will be represented via silent auction items.
 
Will there be mobile bidding for the silent auction?
Many silent auction items will be available for bidding starting about a week before the event via an online auction so that those who are unable to attend the event will have a chance to bid until bidding is closed at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 26. We will also have mobile bidding at the event where guests can bid on items via their phones.  We will not have paper bid sheets this year and check-in and check-out will be much easier with mobile bidding.
 
Will raffle tickets be sold at the event?
Raffle tickets will be sold at the event and the raffle drawing will be held at the event. 
  • grand prize is two tickets to Hamilton the Musical - orchestra seats: 

RAFFLE GRAND PRIZE - HAMILTON THE MUSICAL - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The winner and the donor will select the date for the performance.

  • second prize is a Samsung Galaxy tab A tablet, 8", 16GB; 
  • third prize is a Fire HD tablet, 8", 32GB. 
Students will sell raffle tickets prior to the event.

Is there entertainment at the event?
The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band quartet will play at the event.
 
How much are sponsorships and how can I purchase one?
Sponsorships range from $500 - $7500 with incremental marketing benefits including event tickets. Sponsorships are available on our event website.
 
How much are tribute journal ads and how can I purchase one?
Tribute journal ads range from $72 - $1000. Tribute journal ads are available on our event website.
 
How much are tickets and how can I purchase them?
  • $90 for guests of faculty/staff
  • $150 for alumni
  • $180 for all other guests 
  • Tickets are available on our  event website.
 
Can I make an event donation if I can't attend the event?
Event donations can be made on our event website.
 
Can children attend the event?
Children can attend the event. Ticket prices are listed above.
 
Can you provide information about the venue?
The Evanston Art Center is dedicated to fostering the appreciation and expression of the arts among diverse audiences by offering extensive and innovative instruction in broad areas of artistic endeavor through classes, exhibitions, interactive arts activities and community outreach. Started in 1929, EAC has been in its current building since June 2015. The Center's exhibits will be on display for viewing at the event.
 
Is there parking at the venue?
The venue has a small parking lot to the east of the building. There is also parking on Central Street and at the Metra station at Green Bay and Central.
 
Who can I contact if I have a question about the event?
Please email Alexa Markoff, Director of Development. She will respond to your email within 24 hours unless it is over a weekend when she will respond by Monday. 

Lunch and Dinner To Go Ordering       
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:
Shabbat To Go (menu online!)
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.

Purim Carnival 
at the Hyde Park JCC
Purim

Sunday, March 12
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.




Check Out the ATT Torah Bowl!

First event is a written test on March 26. Prizes and a trip await the winners. More info here.

ATT Summer Program
Don't miss out on the early bird discount (deadline: March 15)! More info here.


Dates to Rememberdates

Sunday, March 12
Purim

Monday, March 13
Shushan Purim Field Trip
Grades 1-8

Monday, March 20
End-of-Season Stallions Gala
4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Jesse White Fieldhouse
410 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago
More info & RSVP here

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:
The Sound of Music
@ Kenwood Academy

Sunday, April 2
10:30 a.m.
Akiba Musical Performance
The Sound of Music
@ Kenwood Academy


CALENDAR


March 10, 2017
Volume 13, Issue 15
Candle Lighting: 
5:32 p.m.
Parasha: Tetzaveh


Fencing Camp?
We are considering offering a week of Fencing Camp again this summer here at Akiba-Schechter, during the week of  June 19 . Current second graders and up are eligible, as are non-Akiba students. Contact Elisa if interested.
Chesed Project
For her 8th grade Chesed Project, Ella Henning-Sepkoski is collecting baby items to donate to families in need. Items can include brand new diapers, bottles, formula, baby food and like-new or gently used baby clothes. Thank you!

Do the Laws Adequately Protect Our Kids?

We're sponsoring this event of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers with Congregation Ezras Israel:
 
Speakers: Marsha Nagorsky, Associate Dean for Communications, University of Chicago Law School; Deborah Pergament, Managing Attorney, Children's Law Group, LLC; State Senator Ira Silverstein
Location: Congregation Ezras Israel, 7001 N. California
1.5 hours General MCLE Credit for all attorneys

JUF Day School Night


Kehillah Fund Korner

Kehillah Fund logo
Since 2004 Akiba-Schechter has received $534,355  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 .
Thank you for your support!
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