SIA Parent Newsletter
January 31, 2022
Head of School Message
Dear Parents, 

Last week was a flurry of activities and events! A special thank you to our PVO Teacher Appreciation Committee for providing breakfast for our faculty and staff on Wednesday morning!

Our Fourth and Fifth graders ended the week with the opportunity to meet with Naomi Sedek, President and CEO of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, to talk about Tzedakah. Philanthropy and charity, as well as Tikkun Olam, repairing the world are values and lessons that we as humans carry with us throughout our entire lives. Naomi began by discussing the Rambam's ladder of tzedakah and followed up with what Judaism teaches us about giving. She discussed how much money we give, where we give, and why we give. This sparked a wonderful conversation with the students about what matters to them most as well as how many people donate to the different causes they care about. She then prepared a project for the students that put the concept of splitting money for saving, spending, and giving into something tangible. They received sheets of cardstock that they used to build a three part Tzedakah box of their own. It was a hit! A special thank you to Naomi and we hope this helps spark and guide many meaningful conversations throughout the students' lives. 

This week SIA is hosting several Virtual Grade Level Parent Previews. Hope to see you there! Please see the schedule as follows:

Third Grade Preview, Tuesday, February 1, 2022 @ 11:45am
Fourth Grade Preview, Wednesday, February 2, 2022 @ 12:00 noon  
Fifth Grade Preview, Thursday, February 3, 2022 @ 12:00 noon  
Second Grade Preview, Friday, February 4, 2022 @ 9:00am


This week is also the Community’s Virtual Date with the State. This is a great opportunity to advocate for maintaining the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships Tax credit program and other initiatives vital to our community. If you are interested in more information, please contact Andie Eichelbaum at aeichelbaum@strelitzacademy.org. 

Just a reminder, February 1 – 15, 2022 is Re-enrollment! All contracts are due by Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Please make sure you set up your account through Open Apply in order to re-enroll. Please look out for an email from Open Apply tomorrow.

Below you will see some reminders for next week. Shavuah Tov, wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!

Heather Moore
Head of School
Grade 5
A Lesson on Tzedakah (charity)
Kindergarten Sets Personal Goals
Kindergarten White worked hard to define their goals, create steps, and even began working on the first steps to accomplish their goals.
These are on display above their cubbies!
Swimming in EY4
EY3 and EY4 Students go swimming every week at SIA!
Thank You Teacher Appreciation Committee!!
Our faculty and staff enjoyed the delicious breakfast you prepared!
Dates and Reminders
SCHOOL CALENDAR:
Click to view the 2021-2022 SIA Calendar. 
Please note: as the year progresses, we will update our calendar as it relates to events and COVID-19.

It's time to order February lunches!

2/1 Re enrollment Open





2/15 Re-enrollment Forms and Deposits due for EY2 - Grade 5

2/21 Presidents' Day, EY FC Closed; PY Camp JCC Open
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
  • Label ALL Belongings
  • Bring a water bottle daily
  • 2 Clean Masks

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
Planning for the 2022-2023 School Year
Dear Parents,

As you start to plan for 2022-2023, please click here for our 2022-2023 Year at a Glance. We will send out a full calendar later in the year.

In addition, reenrollment forms will go out to all currently enrolled families*on February 1. Reenrollment is February 1 - February 15. At that time, you will be notified to reenroll your current student and make your $250 enrollment deposit through Open Apply.

Flexible Tuition or Financial Aid for 2022-2023 is also due by February 15. You are welcome to start that application process now. Families need to complete a new form each year when applying for aid. Please click here to apply for Flexible Tuition or Financial Aid. P

Please feel free to reach out to me with any further questions: 757.424.4327 or csimon@strelitzacademy.org

*Students who are not turning 2 years old by September 30, 2022 will not need to reenroll.
Join us for a Virtual Parent Preview
for Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5
Join our SIA Parent Book Club
The IB Program promotes agency in children. How do we get there as parents?

Join us for an exclusive virtual
SIA Parent Book Club!

We will be reading
The Self-Driven Child
by William Stixrud, PHD
and Ned Johnson.
Our Second Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 9 at 11:45am. We will be covering chapters 4 - 7.


For more info, contact Carin Simon.
IN THE COMMUNITY
JCC Afterschool Activities
Please contact Sarah Cooper, Camp JCC Program Manager, Simon Family JCC for more information: scooper@simonfamilyjcc.org
Students can be picked up at dismissal and escorted to each class. Sundown and full care children can be escorted as well. No child can return to Sundown or full care as a protocol of Covid-19.
Classes start this week!
Little Ninjas-
Children in kindergarten and first grade will learn the foundation of self defense by recognizing stranger danger and learning how to react. They will become confident in how to deal with emergency situations, like following procedures calmly. Little Ninjas will also improve motor skills, coordination, and concentration.
Grades: Kindergarten and 1st
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:10
Dates: January 11- February 4
Location: The Zone- JCC
Registration: Front Desk or call 757-321-2338
Pricing: $104 Members/ $135 Potential Members*
*Additional charges for uniform, manual, and belt promotions will be handled through the instructor.
 
Self Defense
Children from grades 2-5 will learn situational awareness, to be aware of their surroundings and know when there is a threat to themselves or others. They will learn anti-bullying strategies to de-escalate and stop bullying with a non-violence approach. Children will gain self-discipline and confidence as their skills strengthen with biweekly training. Respect for your parents, your teachers, peers and especially yourself is paramount.
Grades: 2nd-5th
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 or 4:45-5:45
Dates: January 11- February 4
Location: Studio 2- JCC (Fitness/2nd Floor)
Registration: Front Desk or call 757-321-2338
Pricing: $104 Members/ $135 Potential Members*
 *Additional charges for uniform, manual, and belt promotions will be handled through the instructor. 

Soccer Shots
Soccer season can be year round with Soccer Shots! Learn soccer fundamentals while building character development like teamwork, respect, and determination! For inclement weather and temps below 40 degrees, practice will be indoors in the gym. 
Kindergarten- 3rd Grade
Time: Tuesdays 3:30-4:15 or 4:30-5:15
Dates: January 11- March 1 
Location: Soccer Field or Gym- JCC

PreK 3's and 4's
Time: Thursdays 4:15-5:00 or 5:15-6:00
Dates: January 13- March 3
Location: Soccer Field or Gym- JCC

Kids Yoga with Brigitte
Let your child transition from a hectic school day to a peaceful and fun afternoon! Brigitte has worked with the Simon Family JCC and Strelitz International Academy for many years now and has come to know many families in the community. Children will learn breathing exercises, yoga poses, and mindfulness in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. 
Grades: Kindergarten-5th
Time: Wednesdays 3:45-4:45
Dates: January 12- March 2
Location: The Zone- JCC 
Registration: Front Desk or call 757-321-2338
Pricing: $104 Members/ $135 Potential Members
Dear Families,  

I am excited to share with you a brand new AFTER SCHOOL CLUB starting here at the Simon Family JCC: Israel Club!  

On Monday afternoons at 3:45 PM, for 4 weeks beginning on January 31, I will take children rades K - 2 on a “tour” through Israel. Together we will discover what Israel's unique geography is like, talk about (and taste) the wonderful foods of Israel, see images and learn about the wildlife there, and of course discuss some of Israel’s rich history. Through fun and engaging discussions, games and crafts, we will enhance our knowledge of all-things-Israel, together, in a really fun environment surrounded by new friends!

For those who don’t already know me, my name is Nofar Trem and I am an Israeli-born citizen. I grew up in various places in Israel and although I now live here in Virginia Beach, I visit my home and family in Israel every year. It is a joy for me to share these experiences with young minds — I can’t wait to meet you all and bring Israel to life for each of you.
 
You can register your child at the Simon Family JCC's front desk. If you have any questions about the class, please feel free to reach out to me at NTrem@UJFT.org or by calling 757-321-2334.

I hope to see you soon!

Kindly, 
Nofar Trem
Youth and Family Program Coordinator
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater