This week in STEAM for first and second grades we finished constructing our snowperson marshmallow building and reflecting on what it takes to make an epically tall snowperson made of marshmallows. With our younger tots we began patterning the early stages of coding. We also had a great deal of fun learning and playing with Catie the Caterpillar Robot while some were not so quick to warm to her wiggly ways!

In light of the recent rise of inflation, students in Mr. Cell's 11/12 grade Honors Economics Class read Greg Up's (WSJ) description of the Phillips curve, the former Gold Standard, and the contrasting theories of Monetarism and New Keynesian economics.

As part of ECE4's Nutrition unit, the students in Morah Aviva's class made their own food pyramids. They learned about the six food groups and the importance of healthy eating. The class also connected the unit to this week's parsha, Mishpatim. They learned about the special law of not mixing meat with dairy. The class also had fun working on nutrition themed patterning cards consisting of fruits and vegetables.

This week in Ms. Morrison's STEAM class students explored how to make a catapult. The students were given various supplies to make their device; however, no other instructions were given on how to make it. They worked in a group and individually to make a catapult that launched their object the furthest. The students were creative and persistent, and they did an excellent job.

This week in Ms. Bigham's Montessori class, the first graders made analog clocks and learned about the minute hand and the hour hand. They will continue to learn how to read an analog clock every week throughout the remainder of the year.

Students in Morah Sandy's ECE3 class enjoyed learning all about parshat Mishpatim. They learned that before Matan Torah, when Hashem asked the Jews if they would keep the Torah, the Jews said they would do everything and they would listen - naaseh venishma. Then each person received 2 crowns, one for doing and one for listening. The children had fun making and wearing their own double crowns.

It's officially color war in High School! Teams Yerushalayim and Tel Aviv are being led by captains Robert Gateno, Noa Geralnik, Alex Yellin, and Sacsha Ayach! Students are having a great week competing in various games including a Domino rally, building structures to describe theme, a Nerf shoot off, Pictionary, and more. The week will culminate this Shabbat at Camp Young Judaea for the annual High School Retreat.

First grade students in Ms. Schneider's class welcomed a new addition to their classroom. Thanks to Didi Engelhart and his family who brought in a chrysalis, the class learned all about the butterfly life cycle and was beyond excited to see the butterfly emerge!

Students in Mr. Polanski's 6th grade science class learned about energy processing in plants and plant responses this week. Students in the 7th grade class studied continent building and earthquakes. Meanwhile, students in 8th grade learned about energy and energy conversions.

Students in Ms. Rantz's 5th grade art class are sharing their amazing projects with the school this week. In addition to the amazing sculptures that were part of the International Festival, the students created beautiful Zentangle trees. Zentangle is a form of meditative doodling that has patterns, or tangles, put together to form a Zen-tangle.

Congratulations to Judaic Studies Principal Rivkie Gottlieb who was welcomed into Prizmah's first cohort of Orthodox Female Rising Education Leaders. The cohort is part of Prizmah's portfolio of work focused on Orthodox women in leadership, including support for rising leaders, a compensation study, and research on the cultures and conditions that contribute to women's success in Jewish day school and yeshiva leadership. Together, this group of exceptional women will learn from experts, develop and consider cutting edge educational approaches, and support one another. Kol Hakavod Mrs. Gottlieb!

Ms. Rantz's middle school drawing class explo is showcasing its first completed projects. Students began with creating their own avatars and then began exploring how line and tone can be used to create fun patterns that truly bring their tablescapes to life.

Check out the new student-led medical supply Gemach run by Ezra Miller with the help of Rabbi Kellerman. The Medical Gemach of Houston is a service for people to borrow medical supplies at absolutely no cost. It collects reusable medical equipment, including wheelchairs, walkers and shower chairs. Please see the flier above for additional information. We are so proud of our students' chesed and initiative.

The Houston Health Department is launching a new program to encourage more Houstonians to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The 6-week initiative will award 12 people $1,000 gift cards and provide $50 gift cards to hundreds of additional people. People who get their first dose or booster shot at eligible health department vaccination sites between January 29 and March 10, 2022, will be entered into drawings for $1,000 gift cards. Two $1,000 winners will be selected on Fridays starting February 4 for a total of 12 winners over six weeks.