On Thursday, March 2, on behalf of the Minnesota Association of Independent Schools, Director of General Studies Jackie Smith testified in front of the Minnesota House of Representatives Education Finance Committee in support of a bill that would expand state funding for mental health support in independent schools like Heilicher.

Rep. Mary Frances Clardy, vice chair of the committee, put forth a bill that would expand mental health funding in nonpublic schools. Currently, independent schools receive state dollars for mental health support such as counseling, but only for students in seventh-twelfth grade. Heilicher, like many K-8 nonpublic schools, does not receive much of that funding. The bill — House File 1102 — requests an expansion to provide the funding for K-12. It is a bipartisan effort, with supporters and detractors on both sides of the aisle. The delivery of services that are funded is done in a way that upholds constitutional requirements (for instance, religious schools can't use the funding to support conversion therapy).

Jackie argued the following key points:

• Students of all ages continue to struggle with trauma from the pandemic.
• Mental health needs, stress, and anxiety can begin at an early age and have a serious impact on learning.
• Our students contend with the stress of anti-Semitism.
• Many independent schools do not have resources to provide school counseling services.
• Students move between public and private institutions, and the mental health of all Minnesota students should be a priority.

Keep up with the bill on the Minnesota Legislature website.

Torah Thoughts from Doc

Read a brief message about this week's Torah portion, Parashat Vayakhel-P’kudei. It matters not where or who one comes from, only who they are.

Mark Your Calendars!

• Friday, March 17 - NO SCHOOL: Spring Conferences, 8-11 a.m., Heilicher
• Friday, March 17 - Scholastic Book Fair, 8 a.m.-noon, Lieberman Library
• Tuesday, March 21 - PTO Happy Hour, 7 p.m., Punchbowl Social
• Thursday, March 23 - 7-8 Play: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; 7 p.m.; Dolly and Edward Fiterman Theatre
• Thursday, March 23 - 4-5 Middle School Info Session, 5:30 p.m., Heilicher Dining Room
• Thursday, March 23 - You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; 7 p.m.; Dolly and Edward Fiterman Theatre
• Friday, March 24 - Friday Dismissal Time Returns to 3:15 p.m.
• Sunday, March 26 - Sunday Family Fun Day: Passover, 10-11 a.m., Heilicher (for ages 1-7)
• Sunday, March 26 - 7-8 Play: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; 2 p.m.; Dolly and Edward Fiterman Theatre
• Tuesday, March 28 - Yom Ruach Basketball Game, 2-3 p.m., Barry Family Campus Gym
• Tuesday, April 4 - Yom Dor l'Dor, 2:15-3:40 p.m., Heilicher
• Wednesday, April 5-Friday, April 14 - NO SCHOOL: Pesach/Passover and Professional Development (School's Out offered)

View the full Heilicher calendar online

Key Dates for 2022-2023

Key Dates for 2023-2024

March 17 is World Sleep Day: Celebrate with a Good Night's Sleep!

Sleep is essential; yet, nearly 30% of children and 75% of teenagers don't get the right amount of sleep (National Sleep Foundation). After holidays, weekends, traveling, and time changes, it is evident in the classroom and Health Office that many physical and emotional issues stem from lack of sleep.

Read about sleep benefits and recommendations for a good night's sleep.

April School's Out

School's Out is available during Passover and on the April Professional Development Day on April 5, 10, 11, and 14. Registration opens Monday, March 20, on Jumbula. Students can come for a full day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or for half days ending or beginning at noon.

Wednesday, April 5 — Special guests Norm the Magician and a PJ Library representative will come.

Monday, April 10 — Kidcreate Studio will lead an activity.

Tuesday, April 11 — Westwood Hills Nature Center will bring animals for students to learn about, feed, and pet.

Friday, April 14 — Students will participate in an art project and charades.

Spring Extracurriculars

Registration for spring extracurriculars is open through Monday, April 10, on Jumbula. See the chart for offerings and find more information on the Heilicher website's activities and athletics pages.

Please note some changes to Girls on the Run: Registration goes through the GOTR website. If you signed up through Jumbula, please go back to Jumbula to find registration instructions and updated details. You will be issued a refund for the initial registration. In addition, GOTR is no longer able to offer Heart & Sole this season because of a coaching shortage.

Please reach out with any questions to After-School Activities Coordinator Jeremy Savran for activities or Athletic Director Lee Metzger for sports.

Scholastic Book Fair — During Conferences

Visit the Scholastic Book Fair in the Lieberman Library at Heilicher during spring conferences, today, Thursday, March 16, until 8 p.m., and Friday, March 17, 8 a.m.-noon. K-5 students must be accompanied by an adult.

Author and alumni parent Dori Weinstein is selling her Jewish children's chapter book series, Yaya & Yoyo, during conferences on today.

Browse the online Scholastic Book Fair, which is open now through Sunday, March 26.

You're Invited: PTO Happy Hour

Heilicher parents are invited to a happy hour on Tuesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at Punchbowl Social.

You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown Presale

All are invited to the seventh- and eighth-grade production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Come to the performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23, or 2 p.m. Sunday, March 26, in the Dolly and Edward Fiterman Theatre on the Barry Family Campus. Buy your tickets on our website.

Friday Dismissal Time Change

Now that we are back in daylight saving time, the Friday dismissal time will return to 3:15 p.m. for the remainder of the school year beginning Friday, March 24.

Passover Sunday Family Fun Day for Ages Up to 7

Families with children ages 1-7 are invited to connect with the greater community of young families on Sunday, March 26, 10-11:30 a.m. Enjoy meaningful Passover crafts and festive refreshments — and coffee.

This program is part of a series of community outreach events by the Heilicher admissions team. RSVP, and reach out to Deborah Getsug with any questions.

Yom Ruach (Spirit Day) is Back!

The 5-6 and 6-8 basketball teams are challenging the faculty and staff to a friendly battle on the court to conclude their fun and successful season. Come cheer the teams on in the gym on Tuesday, March 28, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Yom Dor l'Dor (Generations Day)

On Tuesday, April 4, for Yom Dor l'Dor, students' grandparents and special elders are invited to Heilicher for refreshments followed by a participatory Pesach (Passover) performance featuring all of our grades at Heilicher from 2:15 to 3:40 p.m.

Grade 8 Gertens Plant and Flower Sale

Spring is just around the corner! The eighth-grade class is selling Gertens plants and flowers through April 5 to raise money for their spring trip to Washington, D.C.

To place an order, go to gertensfundraising.com and enter Store ID code 415 to get to the Heilicher 8th Grade Class page.

If you are not ordering from a specific eighth-grade student, please enter the word "Heilicher" into the "Seller's Name" field on the order form.

Orders will only be accepted through 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 6. Pick-up will be on Monday, May 8, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Sabes JCC.

Volunteer Opportunities

Sign up to help at the 7-8 Play, All-School Lunch, and/or All-School T'filah.

• Book Book Fair: Help run or help clean up the book fair.
• 7-8 Play: Volunteer slots are available between March 20 and March 26 to sell tickets and concessions and help during tech week and backstage.
• All-School Lunch: Help set up and clean up our all-school lunch on Wednesday(s) in the auditorium 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• All-School T'filah: Help set up for all-school t'filah (prayer) Monday(s) in the theater 8:15-9 a.m.

Grade-level volunteer opportunities will be sent out by room parents.