KOL ECHAD | Weekly Newsletter 

February 15, 2024

TreePeople

By Chelsey Bell, Second Grade General Studies Teacher

This past month the second graders enjoyed a day at TreePeople. We were able to spend a day in the sunshine and learned valuable lessons about water conservation, types of soil, and the importance of recycling. Field trips in nature offer unique learning opportunities and experiences that cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom setting. 

Here are some reasons why they are important:

1. Hands-on learning: Field trips allow students to engage in hands-on learning experiences that stimulate all their senses. They can touch, smell, hear, and see the natural environment, deepening their understanding of the subject matter. 

2. Environmental awareness: Experiencing nature firsthand fosters a sense of appreciation and care for the environment. Students are more likely to develop a deeper connection to nature and understand the importance of conservation. 

3. Physical activity: Field trips often involve physical activity such as hiking, walking, or exploring, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among students. 

4. Teamwork and social skills: Field trips provide opportunities for students to work together in groups, collaborate, and communicate effectively. They learn to cooperate and problem-solve in a real-world setting. 

6. Multisensory learning: Nature offers a multisensory learning experience, stimulating different parts of the brain and catering to various learning styles. This can enhance comprehension and retention of information. 

Overall, field trips in nature provide a holistic educational experience that enriches students' learning and fosters a deeper connection to the natural world. The second grade is fortunate to have had such an opportunity.

Shabbat shalom,

Chelsey Bell

Second Grade Classroom Teacher

Important Dates

Monday, February 19

• Presidents' Day - school closed

Friday, February 23

• Second trimester ends

Tuesday, February 27

• Middle school science fair - 9:30 to 11:30 am, in the auditorium

Thursday, February 29

• Parent-teacher conferences - minimum day - 12:00 pm dismissal (ES/MS only)

Friday, March 1

• Parent-teacher conferences - school closed
• Re-enrollment contracts are due

Monday, March 4

• Literary tea (reading celebration), kindergarten-8th grade

Thursday, March 7

• PTO meeting - 8:15 am, in the library

Sunday, March 10

• Daylight saving time begins (spring forward)

Wednesday, March 13

• Snack Shack
• 3rd and 5th grade field trip to Griffith Observatory

Thursday, March 14

• Pi Day

Monday-Friday, March 18-22

• Spirit week

Tuesday, March 19

• Field trip to the Jewish Home for the Aging (3rd-5th grades)

Thursday, March 21

• 1st grade field trip to the Los Angeles Natural History Museum

Friday, March 22

• Tropical paradise Purim carnival

Monday, March 25

• Purim celebrated at school

Sunday, March 31

• Casino Night Gala

*For the full school-year calendar, please click HERE.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Thursday & Friday, February 29 & March 1

Parent-teacher conferences for elementary and middle school will be held on Thursday and Friday, February 29 and March 1, 2024.

• Thursday, February 29, 1:00 - 6:00 pm
• Friday, March 1, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

ECEC parent-teacher conferences will be held on Friday, March 1, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Thursday, February 29, is a minimum day. School will conclude at 12:00 pm (elementary and middle school only). On Friday, March 1, there will be no classes for all divisions.

Kadima uses an online conference scheduling system. Click here to begin scheduling your conferences. You will need to set up a new login and password (unless you have previously set up an account). Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to sign up. The deadline to sign up is Tuesday, February 27.

Kadima will provide childcare in the library for parents while they attend conferences.

For assistance with signing up for parent-teacher conferences, please contact Alexandra Fiscus at afiscus@kadima.co or call (818) 346-0849.

Spring Sports

This spring, Kadima athletics will be offering cheer/dance (1st-5th grade and middle school), boys' soccer (3rd-4th grade and 5th-6th grade), girls' volleyball (3rd-5th grade and middle school), and boys' volleyball (middle school).

If you are returning from a previous fall sport, you DO NOT need to complete an athletics application. However, please make an additional payment if you have not already done so. Payment is required at the time of a new athletics application. Please return all paperwork and fees to the main office no later than Wednesday, February 22.

For questions, please contact Dallas Perez, dperez@kadima.co

Looking forward to a great spring season. Go Kodiaks!

Coach Dallas

Middle School Science Fair

Tuesday, February 27, 9:30-11:30 am, in the auditorium

Middle school parents, please join us on Tuesday, February 27, from 9:30 to 11:30 am, in the auditorium, for our middle school science fair. Our students have been working diligently on their science fair projects and are looking forward to presenting their projects to you. Bring your questions and curiosity.

Lost and Found

Thursday & Friday, February 29 & March 1

Our Lost and Found closet is overflowing with your children's belongings. We're sure that you value these belongings since you worked very hard to buy them. We need your help to get them back to you!

The items will be on placed out during parent-teacher conferences and the following Monday and Tuesday. All items not claimed by Tuesday, March 5, will be donated for children in need.

Here are some helpful tips to help you and your child keep track of their belongings throughout the year:

1. Label every item with your child's first and last name.
2. Remind your child to bring their belongings back to class after recess and lunch.
3. Make sure your child knows where the lost and found closet is at school (in the hallway leading to the pool), and instruct them to check it every Friday before coming home.
4. Check their backpacks every day to make sure their belongings, such as jackets, lunch boxes, and water bottles, came back home.
5. Visit the lost and found closet periodically to locate your lost items.

Thank you for your partnership!

Get Ready for Spirit Week

Monday-Friday, March 18-22

In preparation for Purim, the middle school student leadership group invites students in Kinder through 8th grade to get creative! Each day during Spirit Week includes a special theme, and a costume to match.

On Monday, show off your crazy hair or hat. On Tuesday, everyone should be able to get to school on time as it is pajama day, easy breezy morning routine. On Wednesday, students will dress in a cohesive class theme (teachers will send details of their class's theme in advance). Also on Wednesday, volunteer parents will decorate each classroom door with the class theme. Thursday is v'nahafoch hu (opposite) day. Wear your clothes upside-down, backwards, or any other variation of your choice. Friday is our grand tropical paradise Purim carnival day. Dress in your favorite Hawaiian shirt, hula grass skirt, or other tropical-themed clothing.

On Monday, March 25, Kadima will be celebrating Purim with a mishloach manot exchange, costume parade, and m'gilah reading (more details to follow soon). On Purim, students should wear a costume of their choice (no weapons, please).

Purim Carnival Volunteers

Friday, March 22

Kadima's tropical paradise Purim carnival is in need of volunteers. The carnival will be held on Friday, March 22, with the following time slots for each division:

• ECEC: 9:00 - 10:30 am
• Kindergarten - 2nd grade: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
• 3rd - 8th grade: 1:00 - 3:00 pm

To sign up to volunteer, please click here.

PTO Tie-Dye Event

Monday, April 8, 4:30-6:00 pm, on the Kadima yard

Deadline to register: March 1

Come have fun and tie-dye your purchased Kadima shirt, sweatshirt, or sweatpants on Monday, April 8, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Click here or on the flyer to purchase your items. Deadline to purchase is Friday, March 1.

February Fundraiser

Show your support for Israel and Kadima with our February fundraiser! This month only, the whole Kadima community gets 10% off all items from Order Israel with the discount code “KADIMA." Even better, 20% of the proceeds from each item purchased will go to Kadima!

Use the following link to apply the discount code automatically: https://orderisrael.com/discount/kadima

In the Community

IAC Adloyada - Purim Parade 2024

Wednesday, March 21, 4:00 - 7:00 pm, IAC Shepher Community Center

Kadima cheer squad will be performing at this year's IAC Adloyada.

Come and support Kadima!

Immerse yourself in the magic of Purim with a carnival featuring kids’ attractions, food trucks, arts and crafts and many more surprises! Be captivated by various performances and displays!

The highlight of the event is the grand Purim parade, spreading the joy of Purim and bringing the spirit of Israel to Los Angeles. This celebration is a testament to our community’s unity and the pride of being together for Israel. Tickets are limited. Every person 2 years old and up needs a ticket.

Top 10 Conversation Starters: Parashat T'rumah

By Dr. Steven Lorch

#10 - The name of the parashah, תרומה, refers to voluntary gifts of the materials used to construct the Mishkan (the sanctuary), each person bringing as much or as little as he or she wanted. Later (Sh'mot 30, 13), each person is commanded to bring exactly a half shekel for use in the Mishkan. Which approach, תרומה or the half shekel, teaches us how to give tz'dakah?

#9 - The reason given for building the Mishkan (the sanctuary) is "ושכנתי בתוכם - and I will dwell within, or among, them" (25, 8). Shouldn't it have said "ושכנתי בתוכו - and I will dwell in it"? Why בתוכם - within, or among, them?

#8 - The first object that Moshe is told to make is the ark, which contains the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments. The instruction given for building the ark is ועשו (they shall make - 25, 10). The instructions for building all the other objects is ועשית (you shall make). Why?

#7 - Poles for carrying the ark are inserted through rings on its sides. They are never to be removed (25, 15). There's no similar instruction not to remove the poles for carrying any other object. Why are the poles of the ark permanent fixtures? Is the reason practical, or symbolic (or both)?

#6 - The cover of the ark features two כרובים (cherubs, winged angel-like figures - 25, 18). In what ways is this similar to, or different from, the placement of כרובים at the east entrance to the Garden of Eden to guard it after Adam and Eve are banished from it (B'reshit 3, 24)?

#5 - According to the second commandment, we are commanded not to "make for yourself a sculptured image, or any likeness of what is in the heavens above or on the earth below..." (20, 4). Why are the cherubs an exception to the rule?

#4 - After the Mishkan is completed, the ark will be placed inside the Holy of Holies. Moshe is told, "I will speak to you from atop the ark cover from between the two cherubs" (25, 22). Elsewhere (Vayikra 1, 1) we are told, "God spoke to Moshe from the Tent of Meeting," in other words, from outside the Holy of Holies. How can God speak to Moshe from both inside and outside the Holy of Holies at the same time? (Or maybe it's not at the same time?)

#3 -  Moshe is told to make the m'norah and the altar and to set up the walls of the Mishkan according to the pattern "which you were shown on the mountain" (Sh'mot 25, 39). But there's no mention of Moshe having been shown how to make any other objects (the ark, or the table, or the courtyard, for example). Why was Moshe shown how to make these items and not others?

#2 -  The very concept of a Mishkan for God to live in is strange. God doesn't need shelter, or the light of the m'norah, or to eat the bread that was set out on the table. What is the real reason for the Mishkan?

#1 - The Mishkan is known by three names: משכן (dwelling place), מקדש (holy place, or sanctuary), and אהל מועד (tent of meeting). What does each of these names imply about the purpose of the Mishkan?