WEEKLY NEWS FROM KSDS - 12.1.2019
Leading into Thanksgiving, our students participated in a meaningful Day of Service with partner organizations across Baltimore.
Reminders for all Parents
Financial Aid 2020-2021
Financial Aid Applications for the 2020-2021 school year are now being accepted. Please click here for more information, and to find the link to the FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment application page. The application deadline is January 31.

January Hot Lunch
January hot lunch orders will open on Thursday, December 5 and remain open through December 20.

Tzedakah Recipient for December-January
Our next tzedakah recipient will be Shaare Zedek Hospital, a landmark institution in Jerusalem which provides life-saving services and cutting-edge medical technologies and treatments to all patients, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. Please provide your child with tzedakah every Friday to support this outstanding cause.

Schechter STEAM Showcase - Presenters Needed!  
Our 8th Annual Schechter STEAM Showcase will take place on Sunday, February 9 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. We are inviting community members knowledgeable in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Art/Design to present. As a presenter, you will choose a STEAM topic of your choice and teach a hands-on, age-appropriate class for two 30-minute sessions.
  • If you would like to present on a topic of your choice, please complete the online Presenter Registration Form here, by Friday, January 10.
  • If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please email Wendy Gelber at wgelber@ksds.edu by Friday, January 10. 

9th Annual Schechter on the Move 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run & Trike Race--May 31
The KSDS Race Committee is proud to announce that Heather Cohen, event planner and consultant at HLC Party Planning & Consulting, will be the Race Event Coordinator for this year’s Schechter on the Move race. 

Race Sponsorship Opportunity 
If your company, practice, family or firm would like to sponsor our 9th annual 5K race, please complete our online sponsorship form here. 100% of sponsorship donations go directly to scholarship. This is a great opportunity for organizations looking to show support for the school, KSDS families and the community. The benefits for each sponsorship level are detailed here. If you have any questions, please email Heather at ksdsrace@ksds.edu. We look forward to another exciting run on May 31!
Reminders for all Middle School Parents
8th Grade Field Trip to Stevenson University--Tuesday, December 3
Students will be meeting with a University class where they'll have the opportunity to test out games developed to teach genetics to MS students. 8th graders should wear their field trip shirts and dress code bottoms. Students will be out of the building from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming MS Student/Parent Meetings
  • 8th grade students and parents - Israel/Play meeting on Wednesday, December 11 at 7 p.m. in the Krieger Auditorium.
  • 6th grade students and parents - mandatory B’nei Mitzvah meeting for all 6th grade families on Wednesday, December 18 at 7 p.m. in the Esterson Auditorium.

After-School Athletics
Please consult the athletics calendar page on the KSDS website for this week’s after-school sports schedule. If you can't make it to a home game, watch it here on our Nest Camera. 

Important Note for Parents of Student Basketball Players
As you can see from the practices and games listed on the KSDS Athletics calendar, some basketball teams have practices that start immediately when school dismisses on a particular day, and some teams have practices that start at 4:30, 5:00, 5:15, 5:30, 6:15 or even 6:30 p.m. We will have a teacher-supervised homework room/study hall available (Room 257) for students waiting for late practices or games, but we will NOT have supervision after 5:30 p.m. Students with practice later than 5:30 p.m. must make alternate arrangements to have parent supervision if remaining in the building between 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Wear your Spirit Wear on December 2! Contact Hope Sachs to purchase items at hopesachs@verizon.net.

The KSDS faculty works incredibly hard to provide an amazing experience for our children. The Teacher Gift Fund is an easy way to join our community in saying thank you. Please donate $36/child by clicking here. Thank you so much to everyone that has already donated!

Stay up to date with all PA happenings here.
Mazal Tov to Sam A. who will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah this coming Shabbat at Chizuk Amuno.
Be sure to check out the Community Events Calendar for a full list of upcoming events, including:

Support Group Offered by Shemesh and CHADD of Baltimore
Join a support group for parents of children with attention and executive function issues. December 4 and January 1 from 8-9:15 p.m. Contact Faye Friedman with any questions at ffriedman@shemeshbaltimore.org.

Shalom Shabbat: Chanukah Style--Saturday, December 7
Meet and connect with other families and the Jewish community at the Rosenbloom JCC in Owings Mills on December 7 from 3:30 - 5:15 p.m.  
$10 per family. Families can choose to participate in a variety of activities Shabbat & Chanukah related. Click here more information and to register.

Visit from Author Mitch Albom--Sunday, December 8, 4:15 p.m.
Author Mitch Albom will be visiting Chizuk Amuno Congregation to talk about family, loss, and the love and joy a child can bring in his new book, 
Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family. The lecture and presentation is free and open to the community. A VIP Dairy Dessert Reception will be held after the event for those who purchase the book and would like it autographed. RSVP suggested online. You may purchase the book online as well here.

Shemesh Presents Reaching for the Stars: Raising Motivated, Secure and Successful Children
Featuring renowned clinical neuropsychologist and author William R. Stixrud. Monday, December 9 from 7:30-9 p.m. RSVP at rsvp@shemeshbaltimore.org.
Sisterhood Judaica Shop
Throwing a Chanukah party and need some great new things? Looking for Chanukah gifts for all ages? Shopping for the ultimate menorah? Browse our extensive Chanukah store filled with amazing products for all ages.  Menorahs, dreidels, candles, toys and more that will fill your home with festive Chanukah joy.

Before you shop the internet, check out our selection and know you are aiding our schools when you buy from us.

The Judaica Shop makes it possible for the Sisterhood to donate a significant amount of money to the Krieger Schechter Scholarship and General fund. The success of the shop determines the amount of these donations - but the Shop cannot run without a dedicated group of volunteers. Help us make sure the Shop can continue to support our congregation and schools by joining the Sisterhood Judaica Shop Committee!