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June 18, 2018
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5 Tamuz
5778
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That's A Wrap!
Dear Schechter Families,
This has been a tremendous year and we truly couldn't have done it without the help of a HUGE number of volunteers. Everything the Parent Association does is for the benefit of the school, the students, the parents, and the faculty. We ran several events in both the upper and lower school campuses that required parent volunteers and faculty cooperation. From helping the littlest hands assemble Sukkah decorations to assisting the bigger kids with their menorah making, sending in collected Box Tops, presenting our faculty with delicious luncheons - it takes a village to make everything come together!
During the year, we provided holiday treats for the kids, luncheons for the staff, and fun programming for the adults. We gave each 1st grader a Siddur, 3rd grader a Chumash, 5th grader a Tanach, 6th grader a Tikkun, Bar/Bat Mitzvah a havdalah set, and each graduating 5th grader and senior a special gift. Our young Gansters and their families took part in our traditional Gan Shabbat Fair earlier this year. We provided traditional educational programming, such as the Matzah and Shofar Factory visits, as well as more non-traditional educational programming, including the Escape the Room program in the upper school and the Chanukah Game Shows in both schools. We supported the upper school Knesset to help their fundraising efforts throughout the year as well.
For Purim, the lower school students enjoyed an awesome Purim Carnival, while the upper school received support with their Chesed and Escape the Room programs, and carnival prizes. This year we also introduced a different approach for our Mishloach Manot, providing a healthier balance of treats that aligns with the health and wellness principles taught in school. We supported STREAM Day in the lower school, Yom Ha'Atzmaut programming, and the beautiful Grandparents Day program too. For Pesach, we printed a new Hagaddah for every lower school student to take home, provided delicious food at both schools, and supported the Interfaith Seder. During Field Day, we provided the students with ice pops to keep them cool!
The Parent Association also provides our school with the phenomenal Shinshinim program. This year we enjoyed seeing the Shinshinim interact with the students, educate them on the culture and climate in Israel, and leave all of us with a stronger connection to our homeland.
The students and faculty aren't the only ones who have enjoyed the benefits of the PA happenings. We've treated the parents to some fresh, fun and exciting events this year. We started off with a beautiful Community Shabbat Dinner with over 200 people coming together to sing, eat, daven and get to know each other. For Sukkot we came together at the upper school for a delicious meal and celebration. We had a fabulous Ladies Night Out and then partied the night away at our year-end celebration, the 1st annual Casino Night!
The Chesed committee has provided support for our grieving community members as well as our expanding families who welcomed new babies this year. This vital component of our Parent Association offers comfort in knowing there is an entire community standing beside each of us as we encounter challenges.
In order to provide all of these meaningful programs and initiatives for our students, faculty, and families, we ask everyone to pay annual dues. We also run fundraisers including Square 1 Art, Box Tops, Kidstuff Books, Purim Mishloach Manot, Passover Wine and the Scholastic Book Fair. We set up shopping links for Shutterfly and Mabel's Labels, which are active year round, so you could shop with a percentage coming back to the PA. Take a walk through the halls of the lower school where you'll see our new apparel being worn by many kids, something new we started this year to boost school spirit. We also offer our families the convenience of getting school supplies through our fundraiser-- look for your emails about this right now!
We could not have successfully run our programs without the help of many volunteers. We greatly appreciate that so many people set aside time to help in different ways. If you would like to be involved with the PA, please reach out to us at [email protected] - we are eager to have more upper school involvement this coming year.
We wish you all the best as we finish the school year and head into summer. Safe travels and adventures!
Thank you,
Your Parent Association Executive Board
2017-2018
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This transitional year to a new board has been incredible for me to be a part of. I am so deeply appreciative of all of the women serving on the board, side by side with me: Aimee, Janet, Janice, Mastaneh, Leila, and Debbie - you all have found so many ways to make everything easier this year, and I just can't thank you enough! You are all lights that shine so brightly.
Our lower school class parents: Janet, Janice, Stephanie, Rebecca, Leora, Timna, Elaine, Dalia, Jan, Debbie and Jodie - thank you all for communicating with your fellow class parents, organizing your class simcha, and being awesome!
Rachel, Genia, Orna, Veronica, Julie, Fran, Fay, Jodie - thank you all so much for planning the Shabbat Dinner, being amazing ambassadors during the year, and taking the reins again for the upcoming Shabbat Dinner already being planned.
Ida, our Box Tops coordinator - thank you for taking the time to convert those pesky little pieces of cardboard into funds for our school, all while making it a hands-on learning moment for your kids :-).
Leora and Leora, our incredible leaders of the Chesed committee - you two are the absolute perfect fit for this task. The sensitive needs of our community have been met with discretion, grace and sensibility. I am in awe of the work you two do, and am so grateful we have you.
To all of the volunteers who helped with our carnivals, seders, book fairs, dinners, projects, challah delivery, picture days, shopping for luncheons, assisting with Casino Night, packing Mishloach Manot, selling our apparel, reminding your friends to sign up for events, and everything else we've done---THANK YOU! This village is filled with amazing people!!
During this year, I had the opportunity to share with a few people why I love volunteering in our school. Yes, I happily welcome the chance to see my children during the day and get to know their friends. More than that, I really enjoy being in the kitchen and engaging in great conversations with other parents while we prepare Passover seder foods, being in the gym with a dozen others setting up a great carnival, or seeing the teachers enjoy a scrumptious meal in their revamped faculty room. I encourage everyone, whether an upper or lower school parent, to join us during the year in volunteering. This community, this village, grows stronger as more people become involved in the action.
Thank you for a terrific year and trusting your Parent Association leaders. I hope to see you all next year in the halls of our schools, getting involved and getting to know each other.
Wishing you all a beautiful summer,
Andrea Bitton
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On behalf of the Mermel family: As we wrap up another great school year at Schechter, we ask that you add our youngest, Zoe, to your prayers at this time. Zoe was recently diagnosed with Leukemia and is currently undergoing treatment. We are so appreciative of all of the prayers and well wishes that have been pouring in from our Schechter family as we navigate through this most difficult time. Zoe's Hebrew name is Chava Shira bat Rivkah. Thank you.
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Ways to Help the PA this summer
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We have a few ongoing programs that you can take advantage of this summer.
****Order your 2018-19 School Supplies through our School ToolBox site, now available for ALL grades! Customize your boxes at
www.schooltoolbox.com
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Box Tops
are still happening!
Keep collecting those and send into school in the fall.
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Mabel's Labels
isn't just for camp time, it's for any time of the year! Label that water bottle, sports equipment or your kids' gloves and jacket! We earn 20% back!! Go to this link campaigns.mabelslabels.com and then select SSLI Parent Association (Jericho) from the dropdown menu.
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If you have any great fundraising ideas, we would love to hear from you!!
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| 2017-2018 PA EXECUTIVE BOARD |
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