Fifth grade went to Big Stone Sculpture Garden and Mini Golf. They met animals, explored sculptures, and of course played mini golf! Check out more pictures from the field trip on Facebook and Instagram.
|
|
Special Message from Maia Poling
Dear Heilicher Community,
On Saturday, May 14, a gunman in Buffalo, NY, opened fire in a local grocery store, murdering 10 people and injuring three. This act of extreme hate, fueled by racism, resulted in the loss of precious lives and shut down a critical source of food for people living on Buffalo’s East Side. An event such as this is tragic and jarring. It reminds us how much work there is left to do — work to stand against hate, violence, and prejudice. We grieve with the victims, their families, and a nation that continues to see a rise in racist violence.
As an educational institution, it is our responsibility to guide the next generation of young people who will understand the challenges our world faces, helping to foster a commitment to tikkun olam (repairing of the world). Rather than turning away from the injustice, violence, and hate in our world, Heilicher prepares its students to counter destructive and racist messages while embracing the work of inclusion, acceptance, hope, and love.
Below are some resources you may wish to use to talk with your children about hate and racism.
Heilicher’s continued work with Joelle Allen, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant, has never been more important and necessary. We will welcome Joelle back to work with faculty in June as we begin to examine Heilicher’s curriculum and explore ways to better represent and honor the diversity of our communities and of our world.
Zichronam livracha: may the memories of those murdered in Buffalo be for a blessing, and may their deaths move us to work toward a future free of hatred, bigotry, and violence.
Maia Poling
Acting Head of School
|
|
|
|
Torah Thoughts and Pirkei Avot with Doc
Read a brief message about this week's Torah portion, Parashat B'chukotai. Community can be many things.
As we continue to count the Omer with the study of Pirkei Avot (Chapters/Ethics of the Fathers), consider Avot 4:13 and having a "good name."
Today is Lag Ba-omer, so we take a break from the mourning practices of the Omer to celebrate. Read about Lag Ba-omer.
|
|
|
|
Mark Your Calendars!
-
TONIGHT! Thursday, May 19 - Heilicher Annual Benefit, 5:30 p.m., Beth El Synagogue
-
Monday, May 23-Wednesday, May 25 - Grades 6-7 Trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
-
Tuesday, May 24 - Eighth-Grade Capstone RESCHEDULED, 8:30-9:30 a.m. (more info was sent directly to eighth-grade families)
-
Friday, May 27 - Maccabi Games, "Senior Walk," and 2 P.M. DISMISSAL
-
Thursday, June 2 - Heilicher Annual Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Heilicher
-
Friday, June 3 - The B’tzalel Project for Grade 6, 8:30-9:45 a.m., Fiterman Beit Knesset (more info was sent directly to sixth-grade families)
-
Wednesday, June 8 - Eighth-Grade Graduation, 4:30 p.m., Dolly and Edward Fiterman Theatre
-
Thursday, June 9 - Last Day of School Grades K-7, 11:30 A.M. DISMISSAL
|
|
Annual Benefit Tonight!
Thursday, May 19, 5:30 p.m., Beth El Synagogue
We are excited to see so many of you tonight at the Heilicher Annual Benefit honoring Stacy Pinck and Brad Birnberg and Jill and Jon Halper.
Heavy appetizers (enough for a meal!) and drinks will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. The formal program will begin in the sanctuary at 6:45 p.m., followed by a dessert reception.
As a reminder, we ask that all guests be vaccinated against COVID-19. Due to the recent uptick in COVID-19, masks are strongly encouraged except when eating and drinking.
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Policy Change
To keep our students in school as much as possible while continuing to protect the health and safety of our school community, we have revised our quarantine guidelines. While more lenient than our current quarantine protocols, they are more consistent with those of other area public and independent schools. These guidelines were prepared with input from our Health and Safety Committee.
We also have decided to keep the indoor mask requirement in place as an additional precaution against COVID transmission.
IF YOUR CHILD WAS DIAGNOSED WITH COVID
-
Please notify the school through the Heilicher Communication Center.
- Your child must quarantine at home for at least five days.
-
Your child may return to school on the sixth day if they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours and if their other COVID symptoms are resolving. A negative COVID test is not required for your child to return to school.
- After returning to school, your child must wear a KN95 mask at all times for an additional five days. During this five-day period, staff will find a private place for your child to eat lunch (with adult supervision) to minimize the risk of COVID transmission while your student is unmasked and eating.
IF YOUR CHILD WAS EXPOSED TO COVID THROUGH A CLOSE CONTACT
-
Please notify the school through the Heilicher Communication Center.
- If your child was exposed to COVID from any close contact, please administer a rapid antigen test to them on the fifth day after exposure or sooner if they develop symptoms.
- If fully vaccinated, the child does not need quarantine during the five-day period, except if the close contact is a household member.
- If the close contact is a household member, your child should quarantine for three days (ideally separated from the person with COVID). They may return to school on the fourth day, assuming they have no COVID symptoms and do not test positive.
|
|
|
|
Library Books Are Past Due!
In order to shelve all library books and prepare the library for summer, all library books were due YESTERDAY, Wednesday, May 18.
Books not returned by Monday, May 23, will be charged to the family's Heilicher account. We greatly appreciate your help encouraging your students to return their library books promptly.
|
|
|
|
Register for School's Out by Monday at 6 p.m.: Shavuot and Last Day of School
Now is the time to register for School's Out on Monday, June 6 (Shavuot), and Thursday, June 9 (early dismissal date). To register, contact Evelyn Sadlowski by 6 p.m. Monday, May 23.* Programming runs 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 6 and 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 9.
Monday, June 6: Acts of Kindness and Fun in Nature for Shavuot
Thursday, June 9: Last Day of School Party!
*Note the change in how to register. Registration through MSA closed proactively due to the current registration status. If registration does not hit a minimum of six students by 6 p.m. Monday, May 23, School's Out will be canceled. Should programming run as planned, all families who register via email will have their MSA accounts charged retroactively for attendance.
|
|
|
|
Heilicher Maccabi Games — Volunteers Needed!
Friday, May 27
The Heilicher Maccabi Games (field day) will be on Friday, May 27. IMPORTANT: School will dismiss early, at 2 p.m., on this date.
There are many opportunities to volunteer to help out with Maccabi Games! Sign up for a shift between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
A special, no-cost lunch will be provided for all students on May 27. The lunch will be a bagel with cream cheese, watermelon slices, carrots, hummus, pretzels, and salad. If you wish to have your student opt out of this lunch, please email Annie Byrne by noon on Monday, May 23, and plan to send a dairy/parev lunch from home that day.
In addition to Kabbalat Shabbat at 1 p.m., we invited our graduating Heilicher alumni high school seniors to join us on the field at 1:30 p.m. for a "senior walk" and to hear their plans for next year. All parents are welcome to join us from 1 to 2 p.m. for these special experiences!
|
|
|
|
You're Invited: Heilicher Annual Meeting
Thursday, June 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Heilicher
Please join us to recognize volunteer and staff milestones and vote on the 2022-2023 Board slate.
We will honor Maia Poling as outgoing Acting Head of School for her many years of service to Heilicher. In addition, we look forward to welcoming Dr. Dan Ahlstrom, incoming Head of School.
|
|
|
|
Check Lost and Found / Take Home Winter Gear
Please have your students bring home their winter gear. Taking home unneeded items now will make the end of the year easier for everyone!
Additionally, please have your student check the lost and found for any missing items. If you would like staff to check the lost and found for a particular item, please contact the main office at 952.381.3500.
|
|
|
|
Mazel Tov
Mazel tov to Heilicher grade 4 teacher Polly Holzman on graduating with a Master of Arts in Teaching from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
Mazel tov to Gray Simon-Latz, son of Heilicher staff member Michael Simon, on his upcoming Bar Mitzvah on Sunday, May 22.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
