Rosh Hashanah - the Birthday of the World

Another new school year always coincides with a new Hebrew year. To introduce Rosh Hashanah, the Morot told the children that they were having a birthday party. The class guessed who the party was for, but the Morot would not say. The class spoke about what one may find at a birthday party. Many fun and entertaining answers were given. The Morot then took out a special birthday bag and pulled out a shofar, apple, honey, bee, and pomegranate. Gan Aleph quickly figured out that these items are connected to Rosh Hashanah. The Morot explained that Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the world. This year it turns 5783. The class had a super fun time throwing a birthday bash. They decorated birthday crowns, hung streamers, and birthday signs, and baked and decorated delicious cupcakes. They sang “Happy Birthday to the World” and blew out the candles and brought home a goody bags from the World! This was also an opportunity to ‘model’ what a Gan Aleph birthday party will look like in the classroom this year.

Gan Gimmel Publishers

The Gan Gimmel children ‘published’ our very own class book, titled Gan Gimmel. Each student authored and illustrated a page with their name and a drawing about themselves. They then enjoyed a class read aloud and checked the new book into our class library. The class is looking forward to publishing many more books throughout the year!

This Week in the Grow Torah Yavneh Garden

In this week's parsha, Ki Tavo, we learn about bikkurim; the first fruits which were harvested and brought to the Bet Hamikdash. Although we are not in Eretz Yisrael and don’t have the Bet Hamikdash, we can still learn the value of sharing what we grow. In this first week back in the GrowTorah Yavneh garden, we started off the season with picking produce for tzedakah to share what we grow with those in need. We picked carrots, okra, and herbs! Farmer Sara will bring the food to the food pantry at the Jewish Family Services in Teaneck along with harvests from many other school’s GrowTorah gardens. We also got to pick tomatoes for us to taste and we planted some new carrot seeds!

Bruchim Haba'im L'Kitah 3D!

We have been reviewing how to use the bracha learned in Kitah Bet of Bruchim Haba'im and implementing our new bracha for Kitah Gimmel of Behatzlacha. In our class meeting, we went around wishing each other behatzlacha in many areas in our lives - school, home, sports, and much more. We are excited for a wonderful year! Behatzlacha raba! 

Dot Day

Class 1A joined International Dot Day celebrating creativity, courage, and collaboration. We read "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds and the children then made incredible dots on the iPad. The enthusiasm was infectious. We watched classes from all over the world celebrate Dot Day. Dots were everywhere, making dots with our feet, dot necklaces, collaborative dot posters and even healthy dot fruit snacks. We learned that if you love something, be courageous, try it and see where it takes you. Our International Dot Day in 1A took us on a creative, lively journey. We will always remember the mark we made. What a success! 1A goes global, joining more than 25 million people in 200 countries celebrating Dot Day. Happy Dot Day!  

Multiplication Receipts in Grade 5

A roll of receipt paper can be used by more than just a store! 5C and 5D displayed their impressive math skills on the first day of school while working on Multiplication Receipts. Each student started with a basic multiplication fact and continued multiplying, keeping the first factor the same but increasing the second factor by one. Everybody was eager to keep working past the bell and share their work with their classmates.

SEL Update

The second graders were so excited yesterday as we kicked off the first social emotional learning lesson of the year! We focused on getting to know one another and building a sense of community as a class. By the end of a fun game, tossing yarn to each other as they shared their hopes for SEL this year, the students had created a beautiful web of yarn symbolizing a sense of community. At the end of class, each student was left with a yarn bracelet as a reminder that we each make a difference and are all tied together.

Yavneh Academy Choir Starts the Year with Two Big Performances

Members of the Yavneh Academy choir, under the direction of music teacher Marsha Motzen, had the honor of performing the National Anthem at the FIDF gala held on September 8th at the Venetian in Garfield, NJ. Choir parents had the opportunity to socialize and enjoy a beautiful buffet dinner, as well as hearing their children sing.

On Tuesday, September 13, the choir traveled to to Citifield and did an amazin' job singing the national anthem at the Mets game. Kol hakavod to all of the choir members!

Sixth Graders Jumpstart into Middle School

Our sixth graders jumped right into Middle School on their first day of school during their Jumpstart Orientation program. The students began their day as part of a Middle School minyan. Following tefillah, they participated in a Middle School pep rally which included a special sixth grade welcome from Rabbi Knapp. During the next part of the orientation program, the students reviewed their daily schedules, set up their lockers, had the opportunity to ask questions, and attended the remainder of their morning classes. Administrators circulated the hallways all day to ensure that the sixth graders were smoothly moving from class to class.

During the afternoon, a Team Building Interactive Program took place where students had the opportunity to have some fun, while getting to know each other as well as their teachers Thank you to sixth grade Dean Mr. Josh Rossman for running the program.

At the end of the day, the sixth graders met with the Middle School administration to “debrief” the day and talk about their first day experience

7th and 8th Grade Electives

Our 7th and 8th grade electives began this week and our students were eager participants. Our electives which have included Coding, Chess, Debate, Scribe, Math League and Sizzling Science in the past have some new additions;

• Snow Days: Mr. Beckman and his group will study the weather and determine forecasts,
• Golf: Led by Coach Bill and Rabbi Knapp. They will be “putting” away.
• Guitar: Mr. Joe Miller is back to teach our children.
• Robotics League: Mrs. Herman and her teams will be building and designing robots. Later this spring, we will be part of the CIJE Competition.
• DIPtastics: Morah Baruchov and her group are making delicious and healthy dips. The dips are sure to be nice additions to our Shabbat tables.