Introducing Beth Shapiro, Psychotherapist

Heilicher would like to welcome Beth Shapiro, MSW, LICSW. Through grants from the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, Beth will provide mental health consultation and coaching to Heilicher staff and faculty to effectively support students as they navigate the intersection of academic learning and mental health. Interventions and supports will be based on knowledge of current mental health trends and best practices, rooted in the neuroscience of connection and growth.

Beth draws from 20+ years of clinical experience and from ongoing training in the work of current leaders in the mental health, executive skills, and interpersonal neurobiology fields. She works in private practice and also serves as Director of Camp Care at Herzl Camp, providing support for the mental health and well-being of staff and campers.

Beth will be at Heilicher a few hours each week. She will not meet directly with students; she will engage with the staff on student interaction strategies, problem solving, and systems of student support.

Torah Thoughts from Doc

Read a brief message about this week's Torah portion, Parashat Chayei Sarah. Rebecca embodies the Jewish values started by Sarah and Abraham.

Next week's Torah Portion is Parashat Toldot. It tells how Esav trades his birthright to his twin brother Yaakov for a bowl of lentil stew. Chef Liz helps bring this story to life by using vegetables harvested earlier in the year from our own garden to make a delicious lentil soup for school lunch. At Heilicher, learning happens even in the lunchroom!

Mark Your Calendars!

• Thursday, November 17 - Give to the Max Day: Donate
• Sunday, November 20 - Heilicher Annual Benefit, 5 p.m., Beth El Synagogue
• Tuesday, November 22 - Yom Dor l'Dor Grandparents/Special Persons Day, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Heilicher
• Wednesday, November 23-Friday, November 25 - NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break
• Tuesday, December 6 - Picture Retake Day
• Thursday, December 8 - Parent Ed Webinar Screening and Discussion, 7:30-9 p.m., Heilicher
• Wednesday, December 14 - Parent Winter Soiree, 7:30-9:30 p.m., home of parents Shana and Michel Melendez

*Due to Thanksgiving Break, the next Roar will be sent out on December 1.

View the full Heilicher calendar online

Key Dates for 2022-2023

There is extra content this week because there will be no Roar on November 24 for Thanksgiving. If the newsletter gets cut off in your inbox, be sure to click "View entire message" at the bottom of the email.

It's Give to the Max Day!

If you haven't had a chance to donate to the Heilicher Annual Fund, now is a great time to give. Your gift will support academic excellence and financial accessibility at Heilicher. Every gift helps!  

Support Heilicher students and their future by making a gift to the Heilicher Annual Fund or at GiveMN.

If you have questions about giving or wish to pledge by phone or email, please contact Institutional Advancement Director Beckie Skelton at 952.381.3503. Thank you for your generosity and support!

This Weekend: Heilicher's Annual Benefit

We look forward to celebrating with you at our Annual Benefit this Sunday, November 20 at 5 p.m. at Beth El Synagogue! See our last email for details.

RSVP for Yom Dor l'Dor

Yom Dor l'Dor is Heilicher's grandparent and special elders day. We invite students' special elders to join them for an afternoon of intergenerational programming and a preview of their work at school this Tuesday, November 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m. RSVP for your students' special persons.

See the Roots & Wings newsletter we sent to grandparents this week.

Staffing Update

Rivka Buchbinder and Jeremy Savran have switched positions! We at Heilicher have been eager to get Rivka, who student taught with us last year, into the classroom, so she will take on the role of full-time substitute while Jeremy runs and facilitates Heilicher's after-school activities and HaBonim. Along with substituting as needed during the day, Rivka will plan School's Out programming.

If you have any questions or comments regarding after-school activities, please reach out to Jeremy Savran. For School’s Out, please contact Rivka Buchbinder. If you would like to reach the whole extracurricular team, including Athletic Director Lee Metzger, email AfterSchool@hmjds.org.

Congratulations to Rivka and Jeremy on their new roles here at Heilicher!

Thanksgiving School's Out

School's Out is Heilicher's childcare program for nonschool days. Registration for School's Out on Wednesday, November 23, is open on Jumbula through Monday, November 21. You can sign up for the morning, the afternoon, or the whole day: 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 12-4 p.m., or 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Be sure to send your student with a lunch.

Students will participate in Thanksgiving-themed art projects and games. Email Rivka Buchbinder with any questions.

Join the PTO for an In-Person Parent Education Webinar

The Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) parent education webinar series continues with an in-person viewing and discussion on Thursday, December 8, 7:30-9 p.m. at Heilicher. Bestselling author and education professional Jessica Lahey will present on the "Gift of Failure."

The webinar will go from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a 30-minute group discussion. RSVP to Michele Kaplan Clinard by Friday, December 2. Following the event, a link to the webinar will be shared in the Roar for those unable to attend.

The first webinar, Thrivers: What Really Helps Kids Find Happiness Today & Success Tomorrow, and related resources are still available through Wednesday, November 30. Please share any thoughts on the webinar with Michele.

Picture Retakes

Picture Retake Day is Tuesday, December 6, for those who were absent on Picture Day or wish to retake their photo. Students retaking their photo must bring their original portrait packet back to take a new picture.

Order your photos through Lifetouch with Heilicher's ID: EVTM7W3RG.

Winter Preparedness

To help ensure students stay warm and comfortable this winter, please send your children to school with the proper winter gear: coats, boots, gloves/mittens, hats, and snow pants. Please also make sure your children have an extra set of weather-appropriate clothes at school in case a change of clothes is needed.

Inclement Weather Policy and Communications

With winter weather here, please familiarize yourself with our Inclement Weather School Closure/Delay Communication Plan.

In the event of a school closing or delay, you will be notified by 6:15 a.m. You will receive an email and phone call, and an announcement will be made on the Heilicher Facebook page as well as on Heilicher Hallway Chat. We also will communicate any delay or closure information to local radio and news stations.

Sign Up for HaBonim

Heilicher’s HaBonim after-school childcare program offers fun, safe, enriching, on-site activities for K-6 students after school. We provide the students with snacks followed by active play in the gym or on the playground. HaBonim offers free-choice activities including art projects, games, and sports/physical fitness activities. Students in grades 3-6, have quiet, staff-monitored homework time Monday-Thursday.

HaBonim's flexible format allows you to choose the amount of time and days per week your child attends. Choose daily sessions for Alef, Bet, or both. Enrollment is first come, first served with a daily maximum of 24 students. See you after school! Email Jeremy Savran with any questions.

Just Dance: Hebrew Edition

In school, students sometimes take movement breaks by dancing along to Just Dance and other guided videos. Hebrew dance videos can be hard to come by, so Maayan and Naama, our amazing b'not sherut (Israeli service volunteers), made a Just Dance video to Kaparah Alaiy (I Rock) by Paz Sigler. Feel free to use it at home!

Volunteer Opportunities

Sign up to help at the November 20 Benefit, All-School Lunch, and/or All-School T'filah.

• Annual Benefit: Take a short shift during the Annual Benefit on Sunday, November 20. Click the link to see shift options and sign up.
• 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 us 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.