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KOL ECHAD | Weekly Newsletter
December 5, 2024
4 Kislev 5785
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Growth Takes Time
By Mettia Cagan, School Counselor
Dear Kadima Families,
As the academic year progresses, let's pause to reflect on the power of kindness, empathy, and personal growth within our school community.
Every interaction we have shapes our environment, making it either more supportive or more challenging. Remember, small gestures of kindness can make a big difference, whether it's offering a helping hand, sharing a compliment, or listening to someone who needs support. You never know the impact you may have on someone's day.
Respect is the foundation of a healthy school culture. Treating all students and teachers with dignity fosters an environment where everyone feels valued and accepted. Mindfulness helps us stay grounded and handle stress better. Here at Kadima, students are encouraged to take short breaks for deep breathing or quiet reflection.
It is so important for families to take the time to relax, put those devices away, and engage in activities together. Also vital to our well-being is having open communication. Families can create a "safe space" at home for honest conversations. Kadima's counselors, teachers, and staff are always available to our families. When students feel stressed or overwhelmed, they need to know that there is always someone to talk to.
Remember, growth takes time! Celebrate the small victories and keep a positive attitude when facing challenges. We are always here to support you in navigating school life. Together, let's commit to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, supported and empowered to thrive.
Shabbat shalom,
Mettia Cagan
School Counselor
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Important Dates
Monday, December 9 - Friday December 13
Monday, December 9
- 4th/5th grade field trip to the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony
Wednesday, December 11
- Bagels and books - 7:30 to 9:30 am
Thursday, December 12
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ECEC special guest: Kadima Conservatory of Music
- Snack Shack
Monday, December 16
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PTO Chanukah family event at Bowlero - 4:00 to 5:30 pm
Tuesday, December 17
- Middle school field trip to Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBK LA)
Wednesday, December 18
- Elementary and middle school Chanukah program - 1:00 pm
Thursday, December 19
- ECEC Chanukah program - 2:00 pm
- 4th/5th grade field trip to the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging
Monday, December 23 - Monday, January 6
- Winter break - school closed
Wednesday, December 25
- First Chanukah candle lighting in evening
Monday, January 6
- Staff development - no classes
Tuesday, January 7
*For the complete 2024-25 school calendar, please click HERE.
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Winter sports started this week, but it's still not too late to register. If you want your child to participate, please complete the Athletics Application and return all paperwork and fees to the main office ASAP.
Winter Sports:
- Boys’ 3rd-5th grade basketball
- Boys’ middle school basketball
- Boys’ middle school soccer
- Girls’ middle school soccer
- Girls’ 3rd-4th grade soccer
- Girls’ 5th-6th grade soccer
- 1st-5th grade cheer/dance
Winter Sports Practice Schedule:
- Soccer coaches: Coach Diego and Coach Ryland
- Girls’ 3rd-4th, 5th-6th, and Girls’ middle school soccer: 3:30 to 5:00 pm, Mondays on the Kadima yard, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Shadow Ranch Park
- Boys’ middle school soccer: 3:30 to 5:00 pm, Wednesdays on the Kadima yard, Thursdays at Shadow Ranch Park, and an optional practice on Mondays in the Kadima auditorium for non-basketball players.
- Basketball coaches: Coach Xavier and Coach Anthony
- Boys’ middle school basketball: 3:30 to 5:00 pm, Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as optional Wednesdays practice for non-soccer players
- Boys’ 3rd-5th grade basketball - 3:30 to 5:00 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
- 1st-5th grade cheer/dance: 3:30 to 5:00 pm, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays with Coach Araceli
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Book Fair Is Back!
Monday-Friday, December 9-13
Our annual book fair will be held in the auditorium from Monday, December 9, to Friday, December 13. All classes will have an opportunity to visit the book fair during school hours and create their wish lists. Your children's teachers will also have wish lists on hand in their classrooms if you would like to help enrich the class reading selections. Book fair will be open in the morning and afternoon, before the start of school and at the end of the school day, for parents to visit the fair.
To preview the book fair catalog, see links below:
The book fair will be accepting cash, credit card, and check payments. You will also have the option to setup an eWallet, a digital payment account allowing you to fund your child’s purchases in advance. This is a great way to send kids to the book fair without the worry that they might lose their money.
To set up an eWallet for your child, please follow the steps below:
- Click on “eWallet”, “Get started”, and then “Create eWallet”
- Create a new account with your email address
- You will be able to load money onto your account which your child can use as payment at the book fair
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Bagels & Books
Wednesday, December 11, 7:30 am, in the auditorium courtyard
Parents, please join us on Wednesday, December 11, at 7:30 to 9:30 am, in the auditorium courtyard, for our annual book fair. Enjoy bagels and coffee as you browse a wide selection of books for your children and gifts for Chanukah. Be sure to bring a copy of your child's wishlist.
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Snack Shack
Thursday, December 12
Snack Shack for grades K-8, hosted by our PTO, will take place on Thursday, December 12. Please send your children with a few dollars for a treat during recess. All proceeds benefit our PTO.
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PTO Family Chanukah Event
Monday, December 16, 4:00-5:30 pm
Join the Kadima community on Monday, December 16, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm for a fun family Chanukah celebration at Bowlero, located at 23130 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills.
Enjoy the afternoon with your Kadima friends and family with bowling and arcade games. The cost per child is $35 and includes bowling games, bowling shoe rental, arcade game card, and a Chanukah treat.
Click here or on the flyer to purchase tickets.
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Elementary and Middle School Chanukah Celebration
Wednesday, December 18, 1:00 -3:00 pm
Elementary and Middle school parents (K-8th) grade), please join us for a special evening celebrating "United with One Light" on Wednesday, December 18, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, in the auditorium. The program includes Chanukah candle lighting, student holiday performances, activities for the entire family, and delicious sufganiyot (donuts).
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ECEC Chanukah and Generations Day Celebration
Thursday, December 19, 2:00 pm
ECEC parents, grandparents, and special guests, please join us for a Chanukah celebration on Thursday, December 19, at 2:00 pm, on the ECEC yard.
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A Taste of Kindergarten
Sunday, January 26, 10:00 am -12:00 pm
Attention all Gesher parents! Please join us on Sunday, January 26, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon for an engaging introduction to Kadima's kindergarten. Our morning will be filled with fun interactive activities, including mini-lessons led by our kindergarten teachers. Come and get a taste of what's ahead next year in kindergarten. Please RSVP to admissions@kadimadayschool.org.
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Hot Lunch Menu
The new December hot lunch menu (in English and Hebrew) is now available. To order hot lunch, please visit: https://www.kadimadayschool.org/hot-lunch to order hot lunch for your K-8th grade student. We are in the process of making improvements to the menu starting January - stay tuned!
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2025-26 Admission Applications Now Open
Admission applications are now being accepted for the 2025-26 school year.
Remember, you do not need to reapply annually for admission. Returning students will be receiving their re-enrollment contracts in February.
For priority consideration, please submit admission applications for new Kadima siblings by January 31, 2025. Please visit your FACTS portal to apply, or click here.
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Ramah Day Camp LA is ready or YOU! Join us for another summer of fun, friends, and joyful Judaism. Enrollment is OPEN to rising K - 5th grade with early enrollment discounts available through January 3. Questions? Contact daycamp@ramah.org or check out our website www.ramahdaycampla.org.
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Top 10 Conversation Starters: Parashat Vayetze
By Dr. Steven Lorch, Head of School
#10 - When Ya'akov is running away from his brother Esav and leaving Eretz Yisrael, he stops at night to sleep and dreams of angels climbing up and down a ladder (B'reshit 28, 12). Why is Ya'akov dreaming about a ladder? Why is he dreaming about angels?
#9 - According to the dream, where are the angels starting from - heaven or earth? How can you tell? (Hint: Reread #10.) Why is this strange? What does it mean?
#8 - When Ya'akov stops to sleep, he takes a stone and puts it near his head, or under his head (28, 11 - the text can be read either way). If it's near his head, why would he do that? If it's under his head, why would he choose a stone as a pillow, instead of something softer, or even just the ground?
#7 - When Ya'akov wakes up from his dream, he says that he didn't know before the dream that God was in that place (28, 16). Why not? Did he think God wasn't in that place? Was he not sure? Or had he just never thought about it before?
#6 - In addition to saying that (a) God is in that place, Ya'akov also says that (b) he's afraid and feels awe in that place, (c) that place is God's house, and (d) that place is the gateway to heaven (28, 16-17). How many of these four things are unique to this one place? How many are true of this place and other places too? What does Ya'akov think? What do you think?
#5 - Ya'akov promises God that if God protects him, Ya'akov will give God one-tenth of everything God gives him (28, 22). What does it mean that Ya'akov will give God his property? What will he give? Where will he give it? When? To whom, or to what?
#4 - Ya'akov makes a deal to work for his uncle Lavan and to marry Rachel as his reward (29, 18). But Lavan tricks him and gives him his older daughter Leah instead (29, 23). In how many ways is this similar to things Ya'akov did to his family members? Does Ya'akov deserve to be treated this way?
#3 - Think about Leah on the wedding night. She knows that Ya'akov loves her little sister Rachel and thinks that she is Rachel. Still, she marries him and doesn't reveal that she isn't Rachel. Why does Leah agree to marry Ya'akov in this way? How does she feel? Is she upset with her father and new husband, is she ashamed, or is she happy?
#2 - When Rachel has trouble becoming pregnant, she complains to Ya'akov and demands that he give her children, or she'll die. Ya'akov becomes angry and says that he's not God (30, 1-2). Is Ya'akov right to be angry? Is he saying something that he thinks will make his wife feel better? That he thinks will teach her something? Or is he just being insensitive?
#1 - When Ya'akov leaves Lavan to go back to Eretz Yisrael, Rachel secretly takes her father's household idols with her (31, 19). Why? Does she want them (if so, why?), or does she want her father not to have them?
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