SIA Parent Newsletter
September 3, 2021
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Dear Parents,
As many of our families prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashana, we take the time to reflect on the past and consider changes for the future. As such, I think it is a great time to review the mission of our school. “The mission of Strelitz International Academy through its dynamic Jewish environment will enrich the life of the whole child and develop compassionate, lifelong learners. In collaboration with our families and the greater community, we will promote a social and global consciousness that encompasses a profound respect for all humanity.” Over the course of this school year we will begin the hard work of creating our new Strategic Plan that will carry the school into the future as well as prepare for our five year re-accreditation from the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS). Our VAIS five - year visit will take place in the spring of 2023. We look forward to working with our entire school community as we plan for our future.
Reminder: Monday, September 6 through Wednesday, September 8, 2021 is Labor Day and Rosh Hashana and there is No School. EY FULLCARE and JCC SDO are open on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.
Carpool change: As we continue to evaluate policies and procedures please note the following change to our morning drop-off procedures:
Morning carpool drop off will now end at 8:30am. Those arriving to school after 8:30am, please park in a designated parking spot. Parents of EY students will walk their children to the classroom. Any PY students arriving after 8:30am should be signed in by a parent at the school office. Please do not park in the fire lane in the front of the school doors.
Below you will see some reminders for next week.
Wishing you good health, happiness, peace and prosperity. Today and all through the year! L’shanah Tovah!
Heather Moore
Head of School
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We welcome another new member of the SIA Faculty
Evelyn Darrah, Primary Years Art Teacher:
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Evelyn Darrah was raised in New York and recently moved to Virginia. She has Bachelor’s degree in Art Education with a minor in Art History from SUNY New Paltz and a Masters in Special Education at GCU. Ms. Darrah taught special education art for HFM BOCES where she developed a therapeutic approach to teaching art and culturally responsive teaching methods. She also honed her skills in digital art and studio art. In Evelyn’s free time she works on her personal art practice using Prisma Color Pencils and Oil Paint as her main mediums. This year she has also set a goal to read 100 books and she is currently at 81. Evelyn also spends a lot of time with her small farm of animals including 8 chickens, 2 ducks, 2 cats, 1 dog, and soon 1 horse when she is able to move her from NY!
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SCHOOL CALENDAR:
Please note: as the year progresses, we will update our calendar as it relates to events and COVID-19.
9/6 - Labor Day; NO SCHOOL; EY Fullcare Closed, PY Camp JCC SDO Closed
9/7 - Rosh Hashana; NO SCHOOL; EY Fullcare Closed, PY Camp JCC SDO Closed
9/8 - Rosh Hashana (Day 2); NO SCHOOL; EY Fullcare Open, PY Camp JCC SDO Open
9/14 - SIA Golf Tournament at Bayville
9/15 - Yom Kippur Eve; 12:00p Dismissal; EY Fullcare and PY Sundown Open Until 4pm
9/16 • Yom Kippur; NO SCHOOL; EY Fullcare and Camp JCC SDO Closed
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IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- Label ALL Belongings
- Bring a water bottle daily
- 2 Clean Masks
SIA FAMILY HANDBOOK:
Please read the SIA Family Handbook carefully, whether you are a new family or a returning family, as some rules and regulations change from year to year.
EMERGENCY CARDS:
Pre-printed emergency cards were sent home with your child. Please be sure to verify and update your information. All emergency cards are due ASAP!
FOB Forms:
Need a school key FOB? Stop by the School office for a form.
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Rosh Hashanah is in the Air!
Rashi Brashevitzky, PY Judaic Studies Director
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Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year is in the air at SIA! Our primary year students have been learning all about Rosh Hashanah in their Judaic studies classes. Students have been tasting pomegranate seeds, and practicing blowing the Shofar! Honey jars have been made, as well as a wide variety of Shana Tova cards. Students can be heard singing Avinu Malkeinu, the traditional prayer where we ask G-d to fill the coming year with all sorts of wonderful blessings. Hebrew words related to Rosh Hashanah can be heard in our classrooms and certainly all things apple and honey have been investigated.
At SIA we pride ourselves on providing fun and engaging activities as we prepare for the Jewish holidays. This afternoon, our PY students in grades K-5 enjoyed special pre Rosh Hashanah celebrations! Kindergarten and 1st grade danced to Rosh Hashanah tunes while reviewing all things Rosh Hashanah in a fun picture game in the gym! Our students in grades 2-5 prepared for the holiday filled month ahead with an exciting game of bingo! All students enjoyed decorating cookies to look like the world as we prepare to celebrate the world’s “birthday”.
As your family celebrates Rosh Hashanah this year, I encourage you to allow your child to help lead the way! I know each of our students will bring home songs, stories and the “know how” to help your family celebrate in a meaningful way!
May the Jewish year 5782 usher in a year filled with good health and happiness, an abundance of sweetness, a treasure trove of blessings, and peace to all of the world!
With wishes for a Shana Tova U’mituka, (good and sweet year)
-Rashi
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SIA Parent Volunteer Organization |
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Nina Kruger, Mom of Liam (Kindergarten) |
Melissa Kass, Mom of Jonah (Grade 5), Micah (Grade 2) and Alexa (EY3) |
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Hello SIA Parents!
SIA is such a special parent community, and we are excited to get our year started. Please extend a warm welcome to our 55+ new students and their families!
The Parent Facebook group serves as a way to connect our parents, so please don't be shy. Ask questions, give suggestions and post pics!
Save the Dates:
September 1 - SIA Parent Open House, 6pm (virtual)
September 24 - Parent Breakfast in the Sukkah (Outside), 8am-9:30am
October 7 - SIA Family Pasta Dinner (Outside), 5:30pm - 7pm
We look forward to meeting you virtually and hopefully in person soon!
Melissa Kass and Nina Kruger
PVO Chairs
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SIA Golf Tournament
Carly Glikman, Development Director
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Today is your last chance to register for our 33rd Annual SIA Golf Tournament (aka Bob Josephberg Classic).
At this time, we are not accepting new golf registrations, but you may still support the school as a sponsor or volunteer. Contact Carly Glikman for more information.
The Golf tournament is the school’s biggest fundraiser and is always a very FUN day. Your participation is the key to our school's success, thank you for all of your support.
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Harris Teeter will automatically give a percentage to SIA everytime you show and use your VIC Card!
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Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Strelitz International Academy whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
Strelitz International Academy to receive your AmazonSmile donation dollars.
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Sunday Fun Day
SUNDAY, September 12
2:00 pm
On the second Sunday of each month, pack the family into the car and head to the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus for a fun-filled afternoon for the whole family!This Sunday Fun Day will take place outside and will include field games, mini golf, music and a sweet treat.
Sunday Fun Days are FREE and open to Simon Family JCC members, Synagogue members, PJ Library families, SIA families, YAD members, and Camp JCC families.
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PIZZA IN THE HUT
Sunday, September 19
5:00 PM
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