This week students in Morah Tsippi's ECE2B class learned about the life cycle of a tree. They observed a tiny apple seed from a real apple. The children had the opportunity to put pictures in the correct sequence of how a tree grows from a seed to a mature tree. They also discussed what fruits grow from a tree and did some “tree exercises” with their bodies.

Mr. Simon's Third Grade class has been studying proper capitalization for books, movies, magazines and songs. They are learning the four basic rules of capitalization and applying them to their favorite movies and books. All of this effort will make their book reports soon due that much better!

Tu Bishvat is in the air in Morah Aviva's ECE4 class this week! From Tu Bishvat activity packets, pastel circle tree projects, to almond tree number correspondence and counting activities, the children were knee deep in trees! Although busy with Tu Bishvat, the students were so excited to learn the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim in this week’s Parshat Beshalach. Everyone painted the Kriyat Yam Suf, and then used their fists and fingers to create little foot prints walking through. Morah Aviva also explained the miracle of the Mann, and how it tasted like whatever you were hungry for - everyone thought that was so cool! Morah further explained that on Friday, Hashem gave a double portion of the Mann because none would fall on Shabbat and this is why we have two challot on our Shabbat table.

Students in Morah Tzippe's Kindergarten Judaic Studies class had a great time learning a song for the parts of a tree that is just like the popular "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" song. The students also had fun playing a game where they had to jump on to a different side of the room which corresponded to the dots on the Hebrew letters Shin and Sin.

High school students returned on Sunday from the acclaimed High School Retreat which took place at Camp Cullen this year. Students enjoyed a beautiful Shabbat experience including singing, dancing, learning, a chulent cookoff, oneg, and spending time bonding together. The ruach (spirit) was strong as our two teams went head to head in color war competitions. On Motzei Shabbat students competed in an intense Minute to Win it style competition, rap battle, song competition, sign competition and video contest. Although the outcome was close, Team Kayitz (Summer) took home the winning trophy. Thank you to our shlichim Aviva and Ori Friedmann and our Bnot Sherut Moriya Malkiel and Talya Sperling for coordinating an amazing time. Thank you to all the faculty and staff who chaperoned (we know you had fun too!).

ECE3B class learned about Tu BiShvat and how important trees are in our everyday life; they give us oxygen, provide shade, delicious fruit to eat, materials to build homes, paper, and so much more. To celebrate, the students painted a Shkedia (almond) Tree, and learned a Tu BiShvat song and dance. They also learned all about a special Tu BiShvat Seder using the 7 Species (Shivat Haminim).

This week students in Morah Yocheved's First grade Judaic Studies class learned about the Parsha and the splitting of the yam Suf with an interactive art project. They also learned to conjugate male/female, singular and plural words with fun games.

In observance of Black History Month, eighth-graders in Mr. Duke’s social studies class learned about Jewish leadership in the civil rights movement, and wrote essays on how that example of partnership from history can serve as a model to inspire communities to work together to seek justice and right the wrongs we face in society, today.

Students in Morah Rinat's Fifth grade Hebrew class enjoyed a blind taste test of citrus fruits as a pre-Tu BiShvat activity.

We are so excited for the lower school School Marathon program to begin next week on February 6. The initiative is a group running program for children which takes place during recess. The students complete 26.2 miles (the length of a full marathon) over a 9-week period. The marathon experience is a daily event and follows a structured process and pre-determined schedule. School Marathon offers kids the ability to achieve an adult-size goal by breaking it into smaller achievable goals. If you are interested in your child participating please click here to fill out the permission form.

We are so proud of middle school students Ari Meckley and Samuel Rosenzweig who took on the initiative of repairing one of the Torah covers which was ripped. The students will be checking the other Torah covers in the school to make sure they are undamaged.