Head of School Message
Heather Moore, Head of School
Dear Parents,

It was wonderful seeing so many parents join us for our First Grade Preview last week. First Grade at SIA is full of learning, friends and fun! Don’t take our word for it, click here to listen to what our first graders think.

If you are unable to join us for any of our grade level previews, please reach out to Carin Simon, SIA Director of Admissions. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend.

Chanukah begins this Thursday night, and I know our students are looking forward to celebrating together. Our hallways are looking festive and we have a week of celebrations planned for next week. We were grateful for the opportunity for our students to make beautiful cards for patients for the Gordon Hospice next door.

Just a reminder that next week is our last week before winter break, Monday, December, 21 – Friday, January 1, 2021. I hope everyone enjoys the well-deserved break and comes back to school on Monday, January 4, 2021 refreshed and ready to get back to work.

Thank you to the SGA for organizing Hot Chocolate and Pajama Day this Thursday! Remember to wear your PJ's and bring in their 50 cents for hot chocolate!

Below you will see some reminders for next week. 

Shavuah Tov, wishing you all a wonderful week ahead and Happy Chanukah!

Heather Moore
Head of School
Thank you to the Freda H. Gordon Hospice & Palliative Care of Tidewater for giving SIA students the opportunity to make Chanukah cards for your patients.
UPCOMING DATES
12/10 - PJ and Hot Chocolate Day

12/21 - 1/1 Winter Break/ NO School
  • EY Fullcare Winter Session 1: 12/21 - 12/23 & Session 2: 12/28-12/30
  • JCC School Days Out: 12/21-12/24 & 12/28-12/31

1/4 - School Resumes

1/18 MLK Day/ Professional Development/ Fullcare Closed
It's Almost Chanukah!
Mrs. Rashi Brashevitzky, Judaic Studies Director
Excitement is in the air as we prepare for Chanukah at SIA! Our classrooms are filled with Chanukah lessons and activities. Our students are exploring the miraculous story of Chanukah, pretending to be brave Maccabees, making dreidels, singing the Menorah blessings and Chanukah songs, and creating Chanukah themed art. On Chanukah we celebrate the miracle of the oil of the Menorah that lasted for 8 days and we celebrate the right for all to have religious freedom! We celebrate the victory of light over dark. 

Our K-5 students are in for a treat as we celebrate Chanukah in school this year*! Students will enjoy special Chanukah treats, build surprise Dreidels, hear Chanukah stories, sing and dance with Chanukah music, participate in a “Chanukah Spirit Wear” day and make edible Menorahs! (Shhhh! We want to keep our activities a surprise for our students!) Each day SIA Primary Years students will also gather virtually for a Menorah lighting. 

Chanukah begins at sundown this coming Thursday night and the last candle is lit on Thursday night, December 17. It is my hope that our SIA family will have a wonderful and joyous Chanukah filled with beautiful memories.

The following link contains the blessings for the Menorah in Hebrew, English and transliteration. It includes audio files as well. Menorah Blessings.

Happy Chanukah!
Getting Ready for Chanukah at SIA
Morah Nicole's EY Class read, Chanukah in my House by Norma Simon and talked about their own family's Chanukah tradition.
We love seeing Chanukah decorations around the building!
Morah Jo's kindergarten class is making a Chanukah tile crafts with Chanukah symbols and Hebrew words.
The toddlers enjoyed their dreidel art project.
Parent Volunteer Organization
Dear SIA Parents,

We are super excited about the Chanukah House sales! This has raised a lot of money for the PVO in place of our usual School Chanukah Shop! We do have a few more left if you still need your Chanukah Gingerbread House.

Please look out for an email form your child's room parent and about Chanukah celebrations and teacher gifts.

Happy Chanukah!

The PVO Committee
Ways to Support SIA
The Parent Volunteer Association is selling
Chanukah Gingerbread Houses for Chanukah!
We only have a limited supply. $20 Each.
SIA Annual Donor Fund
Looking for a way to make a meaningful impact on our school?

Please consider making a gift to SIA's Annual Fund. Our goal is to receive 100% participation from our current parents. All unrestricted gifts benefit every child at SIA by allowing us to provide an outstanding educational experience.

Please contact Carly Glikman, Director of Development
or visit our website, to make your impact today. 
Help Raise Money for SIA

Harris Teeter will automatically give a percentage to SIA everytime you show and use your VIC Card!

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Strelitz International Academy whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
December Babies!!
Students

Tara Kalantar 12/5
Jacob Ohana 12/5
Emma Zhang 12/7
Henry Throckmorton 12/7
Noah Stein 12/9
Harper Waranch 12/10
Micah Kass 12/10
Gabriel Matilsky 12/11
Eleanor Sheffy 12/12
Talia Ohana 12/14
Frankie Zarzour 12/15
Abigail Cohen 12/16
Julian Distin 12/17
Zachary Kingsland 12/21
Raelynn Elder 12/22
Leah & Nathan Ohana 12/31
Faculty and Staff

Katelin Watson 12/6
Chrystal Willis 12/7
Nicole Bernal 12/21
Danyelle Conner 12/25
Melani Baugh 12/27

white_pink_birthday_cake.jpg
Cardo Cafe through the Simon Family JCC
Campus Lunch Program
** Please remember to order or cancel your child's lunch order by 9am**
The program is ready to take orders now. Please sign-up or check your Orgsonline school lunch account to make sure it is active.  Early Years lunches are $3.30 and Primary Years lunches are $5.50. Once you have completed your ordering, print and post at home so you remember which days you ordered. Click here for current menu options.

The lunch program is not offered to infants & wobblers. Once your child is placed in a toddler class, you may set up a lunch account. Click the current menu options link for instructions.

If you have any questions about the lunch program, email Benita Watts at ops@ujft.org or Linda Bridges at lbridges@strelitzacademy.org.
Birthday Treat Options
Ice Pops which can be ordered through the school through the following link: Birthday Ice Pop order form

Birthday cupcakes or cookies can be ordered through the Cardo Cafe on campus. Please use this form and attach payment and cupcakes will be delivered to your child's classroom. Parents can send form and payment in at student drop off or take directly to Cardo Cafe at the JCC. The form below and TWO BUSINESS DAYS NOTICE are required to order cupcakes.
Chanukah in a Box
Please print and return this form to the school office to order.