This Week at Yavneh Academy!

This Week at Yavneh Academy - February 13, 2020/18 Shevat 5780

פרשת יתרו

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Early Childhood Department

Ganon Students Learn About Emotions

Our days in Ganon Gimmel are so busy and filled with so many wonderful activities; from discussions, to planting, to building, and so much more. With these activities comes a range of emotions. For example, after hearing the story of how Moshe and B'nai Yisrael were so grateful to Hashem for taking them out from slavery in Mitzrayim, they burst out into song out of excitement. Another emotion was felt when some children observed their seeds sprouting and others were disappointed because their seeds did not yet show any signs of growth. And a third emotional time in our week happens when the fifth graders come to join us. All the children are grateful that they give of themselves in sharing their own time with us.

We discussed what it's like to feel:
-so much excitement that we jump for joy and shout with happiness.
- disappointed when something does not happen as we thought it would and how we can keep practicing and allow our skills and patience to grow.
- gratefulness to someone for sharing/giving of themselves.
We thought about ways to help our friends through feeling disappointment and in finding ways to feel joy and gratefulness.

Gan and First Grade Students Learn Together About Friendship

This week the students in Gan welcomed the first graders into their classroom for a shared learning experience. The first graders read a Hebrew book to their kindergarten partners about what makes a

good friend. Together they talked about and drew pictures about friendship. The students also focused on people doing good things for one another. All of the students then drew pictures of themselves doing something nice for someone else.

The session wrapped up with a discussion of the hamsa and what it symbolizes - the hand and eye of Hashem guiding us and watching over us. Each student received his/her own paper hamsa to color and take home. It's always exciting for the students to work with older students, and everyone had a meaningful and memorable experience.

TerraNovas will be given to students in grades 2 through 5 on Wednesday, February 19th through Tuesday, February 25th and to 6th and 7th grade students on Wednesday, February 19th through Friday, February 21st. All TerraNovas take place in the morning.

Lower School

Brachot Experience

On Tu B'shvat, students in grades 3, 4 and 5 participated in our Brachot Experience. In groups consisting of students from each grade, they participated in a set of different competitions that showed how well they know their brachot on foods and mitzvot! Ruach was felt throughout the room as students worked together to beat the clock! Fun was had by all! Tu B'shvat Sameach!

Mazal tov to the winners of the first and second grade Brachot Bee!

Fourth Graders Begin Study of Native Americans

The fourth graders are currently beginning a study of the Native Americans, the first inhabitants of North America. After learning about the Lenape Indians of New Jersey, the students will be divided into groups to study other tribes and how the region in which they lived affected their lives and culture. Each group will then present their information on Google Slides and share their learning with their classmates. Thank you to Mrs. Burack of the Tech department for showing the students how to use Google Slides on their 1:1 iPads.

Middle School

Tu B'Shvat Chesed Team Event

On Sunday, Erev Tu B'shvat, our Chesed Team had their February meet. In honor of Tu B'shvat they made pottery planters with craftsman Michael Preston. Students molded clay and painted it and got their creative juices flowing! The planters will be finished in Mr. Preston's kiln and will be filled with plants to be delivered to a nursing home later in the year. We look forward to seeing those smiling faces as they receive these handmade gifts.

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Yavneh Academy Supports Sharsheret Pink Day

Yavneh Academy was, once again, proud to partner with Sharsheret as we participated with a full heart in Sharsheret Pink Day. During the days that led up to the event, students create posters, decorated hallways and planned the day together. The day began with an inspirational presentation by Coach Lauren Greene who shared her personal experience with Sharsheret as a breast cancer survivor. The children left the presentation with an understanding of the important role Sharsheret plays. Coach Lauren stressed the importance of being kind. We never know what is going on in another person's life. A kind greeting, gesture or word may make all the difference in someone's day

Students, dressed in pink or in their Sharsheret t-shirts, proudly wore tag necklaces that supported breast cancer with the slogan, "You are not alone in this." Our 8th graders decorated pink cupcakes under the direction of Mrs. Limor Levy to be sold during lunch for Sharsheret. Mrs. Levy dedicated her talents and time to our children in memory of her sister, Revital Tziporra, z"l. Thank you to Grand and Essex and World of Goodies for donating toppings to the cause, and to Butterflake Bakeshop for their help and discount. The 8th graders had a wonderful time and were grateful to contribute to the Sharsheret fundraising. During lunch, along with the cupcakes, pink nosh was sold to benefit Sharsheret. All in all, our Middle School students truly got involved with the project and made us proud!

Click HERE for more photos!