Head of School Message
Heather Moore, Head of School
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Dear Parents,
I hope everyone enjoyed an extra hour of sleep and remembered to set their clocks back this past weekend! Daylight savings time was initially enacted during World War I as a way to save coal by adjusting the clocks to accommodate for more daytime. Some states want to make daylight savings time permanent and others want to do away with DST all together. What do you think? Start your own inquiry…..
The transdisciplinary theme for the fifth grades current unit of inquiry is How We Organize Ourselves, the Central Idea is – Systems are in place to organize communities. Within this IB Unit of Inquiry they have studied the process of voting and this morning our students held a mock debate in preparation for tomorrow’s Presidential Election. Each SIA student, from Toddlers to Fifth graders, will have the opportunity to vote tomorrow with our fifth graders working the polls. As our students researched the election process in the United States, our fifth graders also explored Israel's election process of our host country. IB invites us to engage with diverse beliefs, values and experiences within and across cultures. The focus of an IB education is on active learning and providing opportunities for global engagement, meaningful action and lifelong learning.
Please note: Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, 2020 SIA Sundown and Fullcare will close at 4:00pm to allow our faculty and staff the opportunity to vote in the 2020 Presidential Election.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 school is closed on Veterans Day for Faculty Professional Development this includes fullcare and SIA Sundown. The JCC Holiday camp is OPEN for Primary Years students enrolled in the Sundown program.
Please join us virtually for Beyond Early Years, on Friday, November 20, 2020 @ 12:00 noon to learn more about Kindergarten through Fifth grade at SIA!
Shavuah Tov, wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.
Below you will see some reminders for next week.
Heather Moore
Head of School
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EVERYONE HAD A CHANCE TO VOTE! |
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11/3 Fullcare and Sundown Close at 4pm for Election Day
11/11 Veteran's Day/ No School/ IB PYP Professional Development/ Fullcare Closed/ JCC Holiday Camp Open until 6pm
11/20 Beyond Early Years- Virtual Open House for all SIA Parents interested in learning more about the Primary Years Program at SIA, NOON
11/25 NOON Dismissal (Fullcare and JCC Holiday Camp Closes at 12pm)
11/26 and 12/27 NO SCHOOL/ Fullcare and JCC Holiday Camp Closed.
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PLEASE MAKE SURE TO LABEL ALL OF YOUR CHILD'S ITEMS FOR SCHOOL SO THAT THEY DO NOT END UP IN THE LOST AND FOUND. |
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Fifth Grade learns about the Israel Political System
By Rashi Brashevitzky, Judaic Studies Director
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In connection to their inquiry unit on American voting process, SIA 5th graders learned about the Israeli political system this past week. Students had the opportunity to see photos of an Israeli ballot and ballot box. Students then used the inquiry process to figure out what they might like to know about how people vote in Israel, how a prime minister is chosen and any other information regarding Israel’s parliamentary government.
To help introduce the information, students watched a video which helped them understand how seats in the Knesset are filled, who can vote, election day and more. Students then looked over their questions from the day before, crossing out questions that had been answered, and forming any new questions they may have. The next step was to meet with a “community expert” who could help them get some answers! 5th grade met with my brother, Rabbi Levi Margolin, to deepen their understanding of Israel’s democracy. Rabbi Margolin, who lives in Jerusalem, presented wonderful slides to our students, explaining all things related to the Israeli election process and even teaching the class key election vocabulary in Hebrew! Students enjoyed peppering Rabbi Margolin with questions and found it fascinating that Israel has so many political parties.
After getting the answers to their questions, the students turned to reflecting on the information in class. A class discussion was held, and the 5th graders shared what they felt were the pros and cons of the US political system and the Israeli political system. Students shared great points in defense of both systems. Students then wrote thank you letters to Rabbi Margolin, sharing what they personally enjoyed, and something that they learned from his presentation. After the presidential election, the 5th graders will work to formally compare and contrast the two different election systems in a joint Judaic and General studies lesson.
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Fifth Grade inquiry: The Process of Voting
By Alicia Pahl-Cornelius, Fifth Grade Teacher
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Our Fifth Grade students inquired into the theme 'How We Organize Ourselves' under the Central Idea 'Systems are in place to organize communities.' In response to the current election, fifth grade's first line of inquiry is The Process of Voting. During this unit, 5th grade created a Virginia Voter's Guide, researched important topics, drafted a debate script using their research, and orchestrated a mock debate for the school. They met with a Voter Protection Program Community Leader to gain more insight into the voting process.
On Monday, November 2, the 5th-grade class organized a mock debate for the President/Vice Presidential team. They researched platform agendas of both major parties in the United States. The fifth-grade students decided to share the mock debate and election with our school community to demonstrate all they have learned about the voting process and take action to inspire our school community to vote. Student voting will take place on National Election Day on Tuesday. The fifth-grade students discovered the importance of voice and choice during this election process. Their message to other students is that it is never too early to get involved and vote!
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Republican candidates Donald Trump (Effie Blair) and Mike Pence (Leah Steerman) |
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Vice Presidential Candidates Joe Biden (Ben Amitay) and Kamala Harris (Amelia Portnoy) |
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Moderator Shadan Rahimzadeh |
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Behind the scenes: Jacob Berkovitch, Noam Haas and Ari Simon |
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Celebrate SIA Family Veterans |
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Hello SIA Families and Faculty.
As we approach Veteran’s Day, I am asking for your input on a special display to honor the service of so many SIA family members and staff.
If your family is interested in participating, please email a photo of your family member (immediate family members, grandparents, students’ aunts/uncles, etc) in their military service uniform to: Abigail Cochran, SIA Art Teacher
Please include a brief paragraph including the following information:
- Name and last military rank, relationship to SIA student or position at SIA if on staff
- Branch and dates of service, including any deployments, activations, combat experience, tours
- What the veteran is doing now (if a staff member of SIA) or if retired and working in a new field
- Any medals or special awards and commendations received during military service
We look forward to remembering and honoring all these special veterans at SIA! Thank you for your participation. This project is open to anyone connected to the SIA community.
Deadline to submit photos/info is SUNDAY, NOV 8. The exhibit will go up on Monday, Nov 9, and will remain on display through the end of November. I will send out photos for the newsletter to share with your family.
Abigail Cochran
Art Teacher Primary Years
Strelitz International Academy
5000 Corporate Woods Drive Suite 180
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
Ph. 757-424-4327
Fax. 757-420-0915
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EY4 Learns About How the World Works
By Lorna Orleans, Director of Early Years
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This term our EY4 classes have engaged with the transdisciplinary theme-How the World Works, which is an inquiry into the natural world and its laws.
Sometimes holidays or stories can be provocations for exploring an inquiry. The recent learning about the story of Noah, which ends in
G-d’s promise represented by a rainbow, created interest in all of our classes about how rainbows are formed and the science of color.
With this transdisciplinary theme, all of our EY4 friends have learned about cycles and the order of things in the natural world. In learning about rainbows our young friends found there is a repetitive order to the spectrum of colors. Previous learning about the water cycle and precipitation led to learning about how raindrops bend white light passing through them to create the rainbow Our classes all found a variety of ways to represent their learning.
In EY4 Bernal, the class tried the experiment of using a flashlight to represent the sun. They flashed the light on a CD surface which represented raindrops. The CD bent the light just as it happens in nature with light passing through raindrops. They displayed their learning with 3D representations of the water cycle and rainbow pictures that show them dreaming about what they would do on a rainbow of their own.
EY4 Gamboa learned the acronym ROYGBIV for the color spectrum and recreated, with beautiful mixed media art, the rainbow in the correct order of colors. They learned about water molecules being absorbed by paper towel and causing the spectrum they created with markers to grow upward.
EY4 Lam learned about absorption as they observed the walking rainbow experiment in which colored water is drawn up through paper towels. It not only showed how primary colors can create secondary colors, but also created colors in the correct spectrum order. They also painted their own representations of rainbows and learned all the Hebrew words for the colors as well as the Hebrew word for rainbow- keshet.
Shavuatov, have a great week as the learning continues.
Lorna Orleans
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EY4 Bernal friends created rainbows with an experiment involving light. |
Y Above and Below: EY4 Lam friends created their own perspectives on rainbows. Below right: They also watched primary and secondary colors form with the "walking rainbow" experiment.
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EY4 Bernal friends also learned about the water cycle in order to learn how rainbows are formed. |
EY4 Gamboa's class made multi media rainbows in spectrum order. |
Above: Water molecules are absorbed by the paper towel and cause the rainbow to grow upward. |
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Painting with Water Colors in Toddlers
Elyssa Brinn, Assistant Preschool Director
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Our philosophy stresses the importance of children as collaborators in their learning, and to involve them in the process of their learning. The IB program refers to this as giving students agency in their learning. How do we bring this concept into our youngest classrooms?
In Toddlers this week, the teachers noticed how much one group loved using water colors during a craft project for Noah's ark and decided to go off of that cue and allow the class to paint the “storm and the flood” with all of the beautiful colors. This type of open ended art project focuses more on individual expression rather than on the final product. During this, our toddlers learned initiative, problem solving, and taking risks by showing originality, and were able to express themselves through this representation. Take a look!
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Parent Volunteer Organization |
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Dear SIA Parents,
We would love for you to get involved! Just like our students, we know you have so much to contribute to our school in different ways. There are many ways to get involved in our Parent Volunteer Organization. Even if you don't have a lot of time to contribute, it's a great way to connect with other parents at SIA!
Teacher Appreciation:
Our teachers are working extra hard this year, and we would love to find ways to show our appreciation. This committee will also coordinate Teacher Appreciation Week in May.
SIA Parent Ambassadors:
Parent Ambassadors work the Admissions team to help to promote SIA, Speak to prospective families and attend Open House events.
Fundraising:
Work with our Development Team to coordinate fundraising initiatives for SO.
Community Building Events:
We miss seeing our SIA families at school! Events look a little different this year, and we would love your help with ideas and coordination for "Covid" appropriate events which will for the most part be virtual.
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Make a Donation to SIA in Honor of Someone |
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Did you know that you can make a donation in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one as a meaningful way to contribute to the Strelitz International Academy?
Whether you choose to wish a Mazel Tov, Get Well or Memorial, your tribute gift is a compassionate gesture that provides infinite benefits for our students and faculty.
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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.
or visit our website, to make your impact today.
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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.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
November Babies!!
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Students
Eliya Nidam 10/26
Pearl Mitzner 10/26
Kadie Kenyon 10/27
Adam Amitay 10/31
Liam Seiderman 11/3
Avi Weinstein 11/4
Selah Arney 11/5
Isabelle Bradley 11/13
Bennett Rouzeau 11/16
Audrey Collins 11/18
Molly Futerman 11/18
Jonah Kass 11/20
Shanny Zach 11/20
Hudson Szoke 11/28
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Faculty and Staff
10/27 Sean Cohen
11/1 Jennifer Miller
11/3 Melissa Prate
11/6 Melanie Columbus 11/10 Elyssa Brinn
11/10 Natosha Kelley
11/12 Theresa Briscoe 11/17 Rashi Brashevitzky 11/22 Tiala Blocker
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SIA Spirit Wear Pop Up Shop |
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Show your SIA Pride on Wear it Wednesday at SIA! Every Wednesday, our students and faculty show their school pride by wearing a Strelitz International Academy t-shirt.
The SIA Spirit Shop with special spirit items is open now through Friday, November 6.
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Cardo Cafe through the Simon Family JCC |
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** Please remember to order or cancel your child's lunch order by 9am** |
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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.
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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.
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Join PJ Library in Tidewater for a special, socially-distanced Havdalah on the Lot at the Simon Family JCC. Pack a picnic dinner, bring your folding chairs, and meet us for an evening of songs, friends, and fun!
We will be handing out Havdalah kits with everything you'll need to mark the end of Shabbat with your friends from PJ Library and Cantor Wendi from Congregation Beth El. There will be hot chocolate to keep you warm and we will be passing out colorful chalk so that you can decorate your spot on the lot!
We'll end our night with a virtual concert featuring Rick Recht, Shira Kline, and Rabbi Josh Warshawski! FREE!
Please consider contributing a non-perishable food item for the Jewish Family Service's Community Food Pantry.
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Michael Ian Black in Conversation with Meredith Jacobs
Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 PM on Zoom
Join us for an important conversation with author, actor, and comedian, Michael Ian Black, who will be joined by Meredith Jacobs, author, and CEO of Jewish Women International. Together they will explore the damage and rising violence caused by the expectations placed on boys to “man up,” search for ways to help young men be part of the solution, and help us figure out how to open lines of communication with our sons.
A Better Man, Michael Ian Black’s new book, is a poignant look at boyhood, in the form of a heartfelt letter from comedian, actor, father, to his teenage son before he leaves for college and a radical plea for rethinking masculinity and teaching young men to give and receive love.
In Just Between Us, advice, guidelines, and prompts by author Meredith Jacobs and her son pave the way to discussing everything exciting and scary about growing up, from friendships and school to positive masculinity. With plenty of free space to write, draw, or make lists, this journal will open the lines of communication and help strengthen mother-son relationships.
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