SIA School Newsletter


December 13, 2022

Dear Parents,


The SIA Chanukah Shop is open for business! The PVO transformed the library into an amazing Chanukah Shop for students to shop for gifts to give their family members for the holidays. Students have been shopping with their classes through Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Proceeds benefit the Parent Volunteer Organization. A special thank you to Melissa Kass and our dedicated PVO Parents for bringing back our beloved Chanukah shop!


Just a reminder that this is our last week before winter break, Monday, December, 19 – Friday, December 31, 2022. I hope everyone enjoys the well-deserved break and comes back to school on Monday, January 3, 2023 refreshed and ready to get back to work.


Please note the following schedule for EY fullcare and PY JCC SDO:


  • EY Fullcare Winter Session 1 open – Monday, December 19, 2022 – Friday, December 23, 2022
  • PY JCC SDO open – Monday, December 19, 2022 – Friday, December 23, 2022
  • EY Fullcare and PY JCC SDO Closed – Monday, December 26, 2022
  • EY Fullcare Winter Session II open – Tuesday, December 27, 2022 – Friday, December 30, 2022
  • PY JCC SDO open – Tuesday, December 26, 2022 – Friday, December 30, 2022
  • EY Fullcare and PY JCC SDO Closed – Monday, January 2, 2023

I hope everyone enjoys the well-deserved break and comes back to school on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 refreshed and ready to get back to work. When we return on January 3, 2023 we will kick off our annual SIA Spirit Week with more details to come in ParentSquare.


Below you will see some reminders for this week. 


Wishing you all a Wonderful Chanukah and Happy 2023!


Heather Moore

Head of School

SIA Chanukah Shop

The Chanukah Shop is underway! The SIA Parent Volunteer Organization set up an amazing Chanukah Shop for students to shop for gifts to give their family members for the holidays.

First and Second Grade Students

Visit the Air and Space Museum

SIA First and Second Grade Students visited the Virginia Air and Space Museum last week in connection to their IB Unit of Study on How the World Works. Both grade levels have been learning about various aspects of Space and enjoyed making connections with their research.

JFS Chanukah Gift Drive

Jewish Family Service Staff sends sincere thanks to all of the Strelitz International Academy parents, students, and staff who participated in its 30th Annual Chanukah Gift Program for local Jewish families in financial need. SIA donated over 200 gifts of toys, clothing, books, and infant supplies. Additionally, JFS received $1370 in cash and gift card donations from SIA families. Special thanks is also given to the SGA Officers who helped bring all of the gifts from SIA into JFS.

Upcoming Dates:

December


12/16 Chanukah PJ Day!


12/19 - 12/23 Winter Break/ EY Fullcare Winter Session 1/ PY Camp JCC SDO Open


12/26 No Fullcare/ PY Camp JCC SDO Closed


12/27 - 12/30 Winter Break/ EY Fullcare Winter Session 2/ PY Camp JCC SDO Open


January


1/2 New Years Day Observed/ No School/ NO Fullcare or Camp JCC SDO

and

1/3 School Resumes and SIA Spirit Week Begins!!!

  • Tuesday - Crazy Hair/Crazy Sock Day
  • Wednesday - Sports Team Attire or SIA Spirit Day
  • Thursday - Tie Dye Day
  • Friday - Super Hero Day


1/13 First Grade Preview, 8:15am - 9:15am

PY Family Shabbat Celebration, 1:30pm


1/16 MLK Day (No School, EY Fullcare Closed, JCC SDO Open/ PY Teacher Professional Development)


1/20 EY Family Shabbat Singalong, 9am


February

2/1- 2/15: SIA Student Reenrollment

Click here for our 2023-2024 Year at a Glance.


Dates are subject to change.

First Grade Preview for Kindergarten Parents

SIA Spirit Week

In the Community

JCC Kids Winter Classes- Click here to register.


Choose from Soccer Shots, Lil Ninjas and Self Defense, and Yoga. Patrons with a family membership qualify for a 20% discount. Use discount code jcc123 when checking out. Please note that memberships will be verified after registration is completed and you may lose your spot if you falsely claim membership. If a class needs to be cancelled for any reason, another class will be added to the end of the season. 


As always, children that attend Strelitz can be escorted to classes. They can also be returned to the Sundown Afterschool Program. 


Soccer Shots

Soccer season can be year-round with Soccer Shots! Learn soccer fundamentals while building character development like teamwork, respect, and determination! For inclement weather and temps below 40 degrees, practice will be indoors in the gym.


Tuesdays, January 10 - February 28 

  • Grades K-3 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
  • Grades K-3 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm

Thursdays, January 12 - March 2

  • PreK 3's, 4's, 5's 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
  • PreK 3's, 4's, 5's 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm

Children that did not play at the JCC in the fall will be contacted by Soccer Shots to pay a one time per school year registration/jersey fee for $30. It is good from the fall of 2022 to spring of 2023. 

 

Yoga with Brigitte

Yoga and mindfulness have been shown to improve both physical and mental health in school-age children. Yoga improves balance, strength, endurance, and aerobic capacity in children. Yoga and mindfulness offer psychological benefits for children as well.

Wednesdays, January 11 - March 1 

Grades K-5 4:15 - 5:15 pm

 

 

Lil Ninjas and Self Defense

Children in kindergarten and first grade will learn the foundation of self-defense by recognizing stranger danger and learning how to react. They will become confident in how to deal with emergency situations, like following procedures calmly. Little Ninjas will also improve motor skills, coordination, and concentration.


Thursdays, January 12 - March 2 

  • Grades K-1 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm**

Children from grades 2-5 will learn situational awareness, to be aware of their surroundings and know when there is a threat to themselves or others. They will learn anti-bullying strategies to de-escalate and stop bullying with a non-violence approach. Children will gain self-discipline and confidence as their skills strengthen with biweekly training. Respect for your parents, your teachers, peers, and especially yourself is paramount.


Thursdays, January 12 - March 2 

  • Grades 2-5 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm**

**Additional charges for uniform, manual, and belt promotions will be handled through the instructor.

\

And How Are the Children?

with Marjorie Margolies

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

12:00 PM EST


Click here to register.


Timeless Lessons from the Frontlines of Motherhood


Includes Lunch for $12 or $6 for 55+


Marjorie Margolies’ father always said everyone should aspire to change another’s life. From an early age, she was determined to apply that concept to her own family, and she did – many times over.

Prior to serving in Congress, Margolies adopted two girls from Vietnam and Korea. She married Congressman Ed Mezvinsky, who had four daughters. They had two sons, and sponsored a Catholic refugee family from Vietnam, bringing the number of kids under their roof to eleven.

They kept a Jewish home while instilling in their eleven children respect for all faiths. The family celebrated Hannukah and Christmas, spent Sunday mornings at Catholic and Jewish religious school, held Passover seders, and attended Catholic masses. It was an organic way to make everyone feel included and respectful of other belief systems.

Margolies will share the story of this journey, and the wisdom, life lessons, advice, and inspiration that came along with it.