Prizmah Conference



Earlier this week, Rabbi Jordan Silvestri (Head of School), Tania Levenstein (Director of Institutional Advancement), and Rowan Bigham (Lower School General Studies Principal) attended the Prizmah Conference in Boston, joining 1,500 Jewish day school leaders from across North America for an inspiring and thought-provoking gathering. Rabbi Silvestri was honored to present in two sessions: Cultural Shifts: Navigating Boundaries, Consent, and Abuse Prevention and Balancing Act: The Expectations and Joys of Headship. These discussions sparked meaningful dialogue about leadership, school culture, and the evolving responsibilities of Jewish educators. The conference was an incredible opportunity to learn, network, and bring back fresh ideas to strengthen RMBA’s continued excellence!

World Read Aloud Day

On Wednesday, Lower School students celebrated World Read Aloud Day, a global event created 15 years ago to highlight the power of reading and amplify new stories. To mark the occasion, students had the opportunity to connect live with a group of talented authors. These authors shared excerpts from their books and answered insightful questions from the students about their writing processes, inspirations, and how they became authors. The authors who joined the students were Francie Dekker, who read The World of Dumplings and shared the many types of dumplings found in different cultures; Jean Reidy, who introduced her book Truman, about a tiny tortoise missing his owner; Jenna Yoon, who shared an excerpt from Lia Park and the Missing Jewel and explained how the book was inspired by her desire to show her daughter more Korean heroines; and Lauren Magaziner, who also engaged with the students through her own story. It was a fun and enriching experience for all, and the students left inspired by the authors’ stories and the power of reading. 

Exploring Careers Through Informative Essays



Middle School students in Ms. Ruben's class are beginning to write their informative essays. This year's topic is careers. They are choosing a career that interests them and researching different aspects of it, such as job description, education and training, and its impact on society. They will then write a structured, organized essay that includes a thesis statement, supporting quotes, and detailed, thoughtful explanations to inform readers about their chosen topic.

The Birth of Parliamentary Democracy

Mr. Cell's 9th-10th grade World History class recently examined the Glorious Revolution in England and its profound influence on subsequent parliamentary democratic systems. Analyzing these events helped them in gaining a better understanding of the evolution of democratic governance.

Measuring Fun

Ms. Morrison's 2nd graders had a blast learning all about measuring! They explored how to measure different body parts, including their thumbs, arms, feet, and even their height. After taking their measurements, the students compared them to others in the class and used words like "longer," "shorter," "wider," and "distance" to describe what they found. The fun didn’t stop there! The class also measured things around the classroom, including the door, desks, and various manipulatives. It was a great hands-on way to practice using rulers and other measuring tools.

This learning can continue at home by measuring different objects around the house, such as furniture, books, or even kitchen items. Parents can ask their child to describe what they measure using the vocabulary practiced this week. It’s a fun way to reinforce their understanding of measurement concepts!

The Study of Wind

This week, Mr. Simon’s 3rd grade class is studying wind. The students are exploring why wind exists, where it comes from, where it goes, and even how its power can be harnessed. They have learned that wind is the circular movement of air. From warm to cool air, wind helps determine daily comfort; it regulates air temperature and creates air masses. When air masses collide, thunderstorms occur. The class is fascinated by the wind and will continue their study throughout the week.

Virtual Visit with Author Lauren Magaziner!

Our 4th graders had the incredible opportunity to host a Zoom visit with author Lauren Magaziner. She shared some of the books she has written and provided students with a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a published author. The students were eager to ask Lauren questions and learn about her experiences, from the inspiration behind her stories to the writing process itself. The session was both fun and inspiring, sparking even greater enthusiasm for reading and writing.

Families are encouraged to visit Lauren’s website to learn more about her books and continue fostering a love of reading at home. Thank you for supporting the effort to cultivate a lifelong passion for books and learning!

Parsha and Presidents

Morah Aviva’s EC4A class explored the Hebrew letter Ayin in the Alef Bet and the letter Qq in the alphabet at their multisensory and tactile letter station this week. Students also practiced a new life skill, transferring with spoons from one bowl to another. Additionally, they learned about Hashem'[s three miracles in this week’s Parshat Beshalach. As part of their learning, they engaged in a multi-step art activity to create individual Kriyat Yam Suf (splitting of the Red Sea) paintings, depicting Hashem’s second miracle -the splitting of the Yam Suf, allowing Bnei Yisrael to cross to freedom. Students strengthened their fine motor skills through various techniques, including using pencils, painting with brushes, and incorporating a tactile experience by using their fingertips.

Spring Unit Fun

EC3B students in Morah Clara's class had an exciting week learning about the season of Spring and celebrating Tu BiShvat. They participated in a special class project with Morah Esther Saghian, working alongside the 3rd grade class to plant, tend, and eagerly watch their etrog seeds begin to grow. The children also enjoyed learning new Tu BiShvat songs, dancing, and moving to the rhythm of the music. Their fine motor skills were strengthened through activities such as building towers, completing puzzles, and tracing and coloring letters. In the classroom, they focused on tracing the letters L and M and coloring the Hebrew letters Nun and Samech. For gross motor development, the class had a blast dancing to a lively song about a seed growing, which encouraged movement while reinforcing the concept in an enjoyable way. In connection with Parshat Beshalach, students learned about the incredible miracle of Hashem parting the Yam Suf (Red Sea) to help Bnei Yisrael escape Mitzrayim (Egypt). They created a "parting of the sea" craft, illustrating the Jewish people crossing to freedom. Additionally, they practiced counting, identifying shapes, and recognizing numbers up to 10. It was a week filled with learning, growth, and excitement!

Parsha and Presidents

It has been a busy week in EC3A! Morah Sandy's students have been busy exploring Parshat Beshalach, learning about Bnei Yisrael’s journey as they left Mitzrayim (Egypt), and how the Red Sea parted to help them escape. To bring this event to life, the class has been painting their own replicas of this incredible moment. They’re also gearing up for Presidents’ Day with a fun in-class red, white, and blue scavenger hunt, where the students are discovering all sorts of exciting treasures! It’s been a week full of hands-on learning and celebration!

Presidents and Money in EC4B

Morah Colleen's EC4B students are learning all about Presidents and money! They studied George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, discovering the bills and coins that feature these important figures in American history. The class had a blast creating their own portraits of both presidents, exploring the details of their likenesses on the currency. It’s been a fun and hands-on way for the students to connect history with the coins and bills they use every day!

Tu BiShvat Playdate at RMBA



Join PJ Library and Beren Academy for a fun-filled Tu BiShvat Playdate on Sunday, February 9, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM! Celebrate the Jewish New Year for Trees with nature-themed crafts, a story time, a snack, and playtime with friends. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to connect with nature and enjoy a morning of creative fun. Don’t miss out on this exciting event!