February 21, 2019 - Adar 16, 5779
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This is a Special Year at
The Silver Academy...
75 Years of Exemplary Jewish Education!
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- Feb 25 - Open house for upcoming 3rd-8th graders, (Click Here for More Info)
- March 5, 11:40 - Regular School Day (No Early Dismissal as stated on school calendar)
- March 8 - Kabbalat Shabbat/Rosh Chodesh Project
- March 21, 11:40 - Early Dismissal - Purim
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A Message from the Head of School
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Mrs. Debra Freeburn, Head of School
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On As I sat at home Wednesday and watched the snow blanket my backyard, I browsed through the channels to see what I might watch on TV. I came upon an ‘expert’ in the field of education who was being interviewed and he and a panel were discussing the non-traditional classroom and the personalized learning that can take place within the walls. The classroom being discussed is in Chicago and is in a school that is referred to as an International Charter School. Considering that today, most schools often resemble a factory where students are grouped chronologically and where customized education based on students’ needs, strengths, and interests, is not even considered….I thought I’d tune in and listen more intently.
Non-traditional grade grouping appears to address students’ individual learning needs and allows for flexible teaching while recognizing that every learner is different. In a multi-age classroom, two grades (usually two grades) learn together in a way that allows mentoring between students, collaboration, and social growth. The student becomes the center of the learning experience and is able to progress at his or her own pace, often being challenged. The emphasis switches to best practice and differentiation, scaffolding and critical thinking rather than getting through the material by a specific date.
Honestly, I learned very little from the show. At The Silver Academy multi-age grouping is working very well. Personalized learning, or as I like to call it, concierge learning, may mean different things to different people, but generally refers to a customized learning program for the students. Our numbers are small and the ability to group students and move them more quickly from level to level, based on knowledge gained, allows each and every student to perform to the best of their ability. We will continue to look at the data and assess the needs of the students hopefully adding elective programming next year. But, multi-age learning seems to benefit the whole school, fostering community, trust, confidence, and academic excellence.
Shabbat Shalom,
Debra
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D'var Torah for Parshat Ki tisa
By Uriel Pavolotzky
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to read this week's D'var Torah
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Good Things Happen Every Day at The Silver Academy
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Kindergarten Judaics
Mrs. Yasminah Huberman
Our kindergarten class is excited to be almost halfway done learning the letters of the Alef Bet... we've learned letters Alef up to Samech. We love practicing the letters with shaving cream and tracing the letters made of tape on the floor. Morah Tamara created our own Siddurim that we can use for our Tefillot and we look forward to using them for the rest of the school year! What perfect timing because one of the words that begins with the letter Samech is called Siddur!
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Kabbalat Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh Program
February is Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month. For our Rosh Chodesh and Kabbalat Shabbat program on February 8, the students, parents and other guests watched the short film,
The Present
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Students then broke into small groups and discussed how we all can make sure to be inclusive of everyone. Following a wonderful discussion, our 1st and 2nd grade classes led us in the Kabbalat Shabbat prayers. Our guests were also treated to all students singing "The Tree of Life", a beautiful song they learned and practiced in Mrs. Cherepinsky's music class.
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Thank you to our valuable volunteers who help serve student lunch five days a week! The hot lunch is one of the perks parents (and students) love about our school, and volunteers help make it possible!
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A warm welcome to Sara Romano, who is joining the Silver Academy staff! She will be teaching kindergarten Judaics during Morah Yasminah's maternity leave. Just a little bit about Sara...her parents are Beth and Andrew Romano, and she is sister to Drew and Michael Romano. Sarah is no stranger to The Silver Academy, as she is a 2004 graduate of the Rabbi David L. Silver Yeshiva Academy! Ms. Romano then attended Kutztown University, where she earned a BSED of mathematics and education.
Sara was also a familiar face at the JCC...she was a member of the JCC basketball team from 5th grade until High School graduation. She also played softball beginning at 6 years old and continued playing during college where she was a starting right fielder and backup shortstop. Sara's other interests include drawing or painting, crafting, solving puzzles and computer programming.
We are thrilled to have Sara as part of our Silver Academy team!
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Congratulation to Ari and Yasminah Huberman, and their daughter Hadar on the birth of a new family member! Their new little boy was born Saturday, Feb 16! We wish you much health and happiness!
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We send our sincere condolences to the family of Andee Bloom Ecker on her recent passing. Andee was a Silver Academy alumni and her mother was a teacher at our school.
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Alumni Giving Circle Continues
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The Silver Academy Alumni Giving Circle prepares to kick off its second year! The Alumni Giving Circle brings together Yeshiva/Silver Alumni for a few brief tele-meetings resulting in positive outcomes for our school and school community. Please click the link below to learn more about the process and read about last year's success! We are excited to continue building this bridge between our alumni and our current school community.
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Important Dates and Reminders!
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The Silver Academy PTO is excited to be hosting the Scholastic Book Fair!
- Where: In the JCC Cafe area
- When: March 3rd 10:00-5:00; March 4th - 7:30-6:00; March 5th-March 7th - 8:00-6:00
If you would like to volunteer to help at the Book Fair, please contact Kimberlea Konowitch, Silver PTO, at 717-238-8775 or
[email protected]
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PLEASE HELP US GET TO ISRAEL!!
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Our 7th and 8th grade students are excited to be planning their trip to Israel in the spring! As a way to help fund the trip, they currently have two fundraising opportunities:
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- First, the students will deliver personal notes (Chai Notes) from you to the Holy Land. Click on the link below for the note, which you can print and return to the school office with your donation. Thank you!
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- You can also support us by planting trees in Israel through JNF. Part of the money you donate will go to our Israel trip. How do you do this? Just click on the link below to go to the "Plant Your Way to Israel-JNF" website and donate away!!
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Middle School Basketball Schedule
Mark your calendar and come out to support
our middle school basketball players!
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Support The Silver Academy!
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Don't Miss This
EASY, Ongoing Fundraising Opportunity!
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Giant Gift Cards
- Purchase these dollar for dollar in the school office, and then spend them the same as cash.
- The Silver Academy earns 5% - that's $50 earned for every $1,000 sold!
- You may also purchase by calling Susan at 717-608-0190
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Challah With a Twist
Offers Weekly Challah Order and Delivery To Students and Teachers
- Order your challah by 8:30 pm Thursday evening at challahwithatwist.com. The fresh baked challah will be given to your child to take home on Friday.
- To pay, please send an envelope with your name on it to the school office, including cash, or a check payable to Challah with a Twist, or use Paypal or Venmo.
Challah With a Twist, (a.k.a. Varda Challah), has been providing home baked challah
to
the Harrisburg community for over 2
4
years.
For any questions, please call or text
Varda Gewirtz
at
717-919-1358
.
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Students have fun playing some old favorite games during indoor recess...
Remember the Rubik's Cube and Foosball?
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Learning basic a life skill!
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