SIA Parent Newsletter
November 5, 2021
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Dear Parents,
It was so wonderful to see so many parents, faculty and students join us for our first SIA Primary Years Family Shabbat in over two years! Our students did a wonderful job with the service welcoming Shabbat together and we all enjoyed the Chanukah art project. The SGA held the installation for all of our SIA classroom representatives during Shabbat and we look forward to their year of service ahead. A special thank you to Rashi Brashevitzky, Director of Judaic Studies, for bringing our school Kehilla (community) together! Thank you to everyone who was able to attend. We all look forward to our next Family Shabbat.
On Tuesday, November 2, 2021 the CDC officially recommended that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer pediatric vaccine. We have heard from many of our families that their child/ren have already successfully received their first dose and many more that have appointments scheduled in the coming days. This is an exciting moment in our fight against the virus. To obtain more information about the COVID vaccine for children contact your child’s pediatrician or visit vaccines.gov.
Happy Veterans’ Day to all of our Strelitz International Academy Parents and extended family who have served and are currently serving our country. We thank you and your families for your service and sacrifices for our Country!
Thursday, November 11, 2021 school is closed on Veterans Day for Faculty Professional Development this includes fullcare and SIA Sundown. The JCC School Days out is open for Primary Years students.
Please join us for Beyond Early Years, on Friday, November 19, 2021 @ 8:30am to learn more about Kindergarten through Fifth grade at SIA! For more information, please click this link.
Shabbat Shalom!
Below you will see some reminders for next week.
Heather Moore
Head of School
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Early Years Fall Festival! |
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The EY Fall Festival was a huge success! Thank you to Ms. Elyssa Brinn, Early Years Director and her amazing team for puting together such a fun and festive morning. Thank you to our wonderful community of EY parents who shared a special mroning with us on a beautiful fall day! |
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Fifth Graders Learn about Food Insecurity |
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Community expert, Chad Techner of Metro Food Rescue spoke to fifth grade students about food waste, food insecurity and taking action! Fifth graders were shocked to learn that 40% of all food in our county is thrown away while many are experiencing food insecurity. The fifth graders were very interested to learn what led Mr. Techner to take action in his own community and found Metro Food Rescue.
The fifth grade unit of inquiry tied together as the students learned about different aspects of Tzedakah (charity). At the same time in science, the students were studying the effects of the sun's energy on plants, so the 5th graders volunteered at the Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture garden! The garden provides fresh produce to families who have minimal access to fresh produce.
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Community expert, Chad Techner of Metro Food Rescue met with the Fifth Grade students virtually. |
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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.
11/8 -11/10 - School Picture Day
11/11 Veterans Day; No School; IB PYP Professional Development; Fullcare Closed
11/19 Beyond Early Years Parent Open House
11/22 Infant and Toddler Parent Coffee, 8am - 9am
11/24 Noon Dismissal, EY Fullcare Closed; PY Sundown Closed
11/25 - 11/26 Thanksgiving Break, No School, EY Fullcare Closed, Py Camp JCC SDO Closed
11/30 PY Chanukah Celebration
12/3 EY Chanukah Singalong, 9am; EY Class Parties
12/10 First Grade Preview, 8:15am
12/17 PY Shabbat
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IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- Label ALL Belongings
- Bring a water bottle daily
- 2 Clean Masks
FOB Forms:
Need a school key FOB? Stop by the School office for a form.
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!
Parent Volunteer Organization
Please contact Carin Simon to join any of SIA's Parent Committees:
- Outreach Committee
- Room Parent Committee
- Teacher Appreciation Committee
- SIA Parent Ambassadors
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Modeling our Learner Profile Traits at SIA
Janet Jenkins, Primary Years Director
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The Learner Profile-Communicator
Students who are COMMUNICATORS can express their ideas by speaking, drawing and writing. They can also communicate using mathematical language and symbols. Communicators are also respectful listeners and polite responders.
How can parents help to develop students who are Communicators at home? Encourage your child to stay in touch with relatives and friends who live in other countries by writing letters, using the phone or sending email. When working on mathematics homework, encourage your child to explain his/her answer to you orally or by drawing a picture. Ask your child thought provoking questions and encourage them to discuss them with you. Work with your child to improve his/her listening skills. Being a good listener is an important part of communicating with others. Be patient and model listening skills for your child by not interrupting and rephrasing the thoughts they share. Here are some other tips and suggestions.
Casually share about the day’s activities. Have a conversation rather than just questions. Model a casual conversation about your day and allow your child to naturally share information with you without questioning or lecturing. Listen to your child when he/she talks with you. Ask questions about what they are saying, ask for explanations.
Explore other forms of communication in addition to speaking. Try learning sign language together as a family. Leave written messages. Write letters to each other.
Talk with your child about the books you read together or the TV programs and videos you watch together.Keep books, magazines, and other reading material where kids can reach them ~without help.
Explore your creative sides. Act out stories, plays, poems, use language in fun creative ways. Make a movie. Paint or draw to your favorite music. Sing together. Make it more exciting by singing in the rain.
This weeks teacher picks for Communicator: Yuvi Glikman, Thomas Dodge, Shanny Zach, Leia Silverstein, Lena Aftel, Ella Gladstein, Griffin Amberger, Ariella Brown, Ben Ohana, Addison Love
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Primary Years Preview for Early Years Parents |
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JFS Annual Chanukah Gift Program |
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Jewish Family Services’ Annual Chanukah Gift Program is in its 29th year and we need your help to continue our wonderful community tradition of tzedakah for local Jewish families in need.
Chanukah this year starts very early on the evening of November 28th. Similar to last year, JFS will not be asking donors to go out shopping for gifts due to the continuing COVID-19 Pandemic. JFS is asking for your contributions to be either gift cards and/or monetary donations. The families in need can then order their gifts online for delivery directly to their homes. Your support will help provide gift cards to over 60 local Jewish children and teens whose families do not have the financial means to celebrate this festive time of year. Gift cards are typically used to purchase needed items (clothing, personal care supplies, school supplies) and “wished for” items (toys, books, games).
Thank you for your support,
Debbie Mayer, LCSW
SIA School Counselor
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Dear Infants, Toddler, Early Years, and Primary Years parents,
Please mark your calendars for SIA’s Annual Day of Giving on Friday, January 7, 2022. Following last year’s parent community participation of 86%, Strelitz International Academy’s goal this year is to receive 100% participation. Annual donations from SIA parents range from $36 to over $1,000.
Please join us to raise the funds needed for our wonderful school! The cost of tuition alone is not enough to educate each child. We need your help to bridge the gap.
As a fellow Strelitz parent, I have seen first hand the value of an SIA education. From early years to graduation, our children’s safe, nurturing and enriching IB learning experience is unmatched. Everything is possible thanks to your financial support in the form of a tax deductible donation to our Strelitz International Academy Fund.
Participate early by securing your pledge: Email Carly Glikman, Director of Development. Pledges are payable by June 30th, 2022.
Thank you for continuing to support our school.
Sincerely,
Carly Glikman
Director of Development
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For ALL Parents of Infants and Toddlers
Coffee and Lake Walk with Friends
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Please join us for coffee and/or a stroll around the the Sander Family Campus lake!
SIA Infant and Toddler Parents and prospective parents are invited to start the week by joining us for coffee, pastries, and a lovely stroll around Lake Sandler. Bring your baby or drop them off first (if they are enrolled at SIA). This is a great opportunity to meet other infant and toddler parents. Join any time between 8:30 and 9:30 AM.
This is a joint program with SIA and PJ Library.
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Additional Ways to Support SIA |
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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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The Pre-Season Clinic is Nov 8, 15, 22, 4:30 (K-2) and 5:30 (3-5), and is free for all who register for the League.
JCC Youth Basketball League
Monday | Wednesdays and Sundays | 11/29/2021 – 3/6/2022
Required Players’ Draft Day | Monday | 11/29/2021 | Grades K-2 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm | Grades 3-5 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Jaffe Gym
Practices | Wednesdays | 12/1/2021 – 3/2/2022 | Grades K-2 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm | Grades 3-5 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Jaffe Gym
Games | Sundays | 1/9/2022 – 3/6/2022 | (No games 1/16) start at 1:00 pm | Jaffe Gym
$115 members | $150 non-members
Registration deadline November 28, 2021.
Open to boys and girls of all faiths from grades K-5. This program will instill a fundamentally sound approach to the game while appropriately balancing participation and competition. Skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship are the goals of providing a fun and rewarding youth basketball program. Teams will practice for several weeks before the 7-week regular season, ending with Championship Day on 3/6/2022. Basketball jersey included for each player. All League-registered K-5 players may attend the preseason clinics for FREE!
Volunteer coaches needed. Coaches clinic on 11/30/2021, 5:30pm.
Call 757-321-2308 if you have questions. If you wish to register, please visit the JCC in person, or call 757-321-2338.
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Pj Library Veterans Day Program |
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Join PJ Library in Tidewater as we celebrate Veterans Day with the Military families in our community.
On November 13 at 6:30 pm at the Simon Family JCC, we will have a wonderful Havdalah ceremony lead by Rabbi Yoni Warren and Rabbi Aaron Kleinman, coffee, and discussions with the military families in our community.
The evening will be held outside, weather permitting. We will move indoors to the multipurpose room in the case of rain or cold temperatures.
This event is FREE with registration required. Be sure to register today!
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Sunday Fun Day, November 14 | 2 PM
As Hanukkah is fast approaching, come to the Simon Family JCC to celebrate early with a festival of lights! We will have glow in the dark games, crafts, a Hanukkah trivia relay, and much more!
Parents who are registered for the interactive parenting workshop with Susan G. Groner are invited to drop off their children, ages 2 and up, for Sunday Fun Day activities during the workshop from 2-3 PM. At the conclusion of the workshop, parents and children are invited to stay for Sunday Fun Day.
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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PJ Library Present an Workshop for Parents |
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Parenting with Sanity and Joy
An Interactive Workshop FOR PARENTS
Sunday, November 14 | 2 PM
Join author and parent educator, Susan Groner for this interactive workshop. Through actionable tips, parenting mentor Sue Groner distills the best parenting wisdom which can also be found in her easy-to-read book, providing simple, fun, and effective guidance.
Parents are invited to drop off their children, ages 2 and up, with Camp JCC Counselors to participate in the Sunday Fun Day Hanukkah funtivities while you attend this free workshop. Coffee, a copy of Susan's new book Parenting with Sanity and Joy, and an armful of new tools for your parenting toolbox will also be provided.
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SIA Employment Opportunities |
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Director of Development
We are seeking a dynamic, collaborative development professional with strong interpersonal skills to serve as Director of Development. The successful candidate will guide all of the school’s fundraising efforts, working closely with lay leaders and professional colleagues, while also cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors, grant funders, and volunteers. This position includes service on the school’s administrative leadership team and partnership with the director of admissions in projecting a compelling vision of the school’s vibrant present, rich history and and bright future.
Responsibilities:
- Developing a comprehensive vision and plan for fundraising and institutional advancement.
- Creating high touch and high level programming for major donors to increase their affinity towards the organization and build a stronger network of institutional supporters.
- Engaging the entire community in community wide development initiatives that increase a sense of belonging toward the organization and an awareness of our community's strengths and successes.
- Overseeing donor databases and working to remain efficient and accurate in our development efforts.
- Fostering an organizational culture of philanthropy.
- Effectively lead and coach event committee volunteers and stakeholders.
- Lead and attend Development Committee Meetings.
- Maintain detailed records of event revenues, expenses and budgets.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of five (5) years of senior level development work at a non-profit or independent school
- BA/BS or equivalent degree
- Proven track record of collaboration, teamwork, and effective workplace communication
- Knowledge and experience with development best practices
- Experience with development databases (Blackbaud is a plus)
- Experience planning both major events (i.e. Annual Golf Tournament) and more intimate events
- Knowledge of the Tidewater Area Jewish community, Jewish nonprofits or independent schools is preferred
- Proficiency with MS Office and G-Suite preferred
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently
- Excellent organizational skills, written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail
Library Media Specialist
Strelitz International Academy, seeks a dynamic, innovative and experienced Library Media Specialist. The right candidate will create a Library Media Center that encourages a love for reading, promotes critical thinking, and stimulates intellectual curiosity. The Library Media Specialist must be able to develop and implement lessons based on the school library and technology curriculum and collaborate with teachers to provide integrated lessons that support research and literacy skills. Familiarity with technology resources is required.
The Library Media Specialist is also responsible for maintaining the library budget, ordering books and educational software/online memberships, bringing exciting and relevant programs and author visits to our school, and organizing and running the annual Scholastic Book Fair.
An advanced degree in Library and Information Science is preferred with at least three years of teaching experience. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume and educational philosophy to Janet Jenkins, Director of Primary Years. Competitive compensation based on experience and benefits will be offered.
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