The Monthly Roar. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Save the Date... 2 Advancement... 3 AJA Happenings...4-6

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "The Monthly Roar. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Save the Date... 2 Advancement... 3 AJA Happenings...4-6"

Tobias Owen
6 years ago
Views:

1 The Monthly Roar 15 of Adar II, 5776 March 25, 2016 LETTER FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL AJA kids don t know how to play. Many of our behavior problems occur during recess - one of the few unstructured times at school. Our kids have difficulty navigating winning and losing, following the rules, and working things out with words. A couple of weeks ago, I found a kindergarten child sprawled on the floor crying. The five year old willingly came and sat next to me in the office. I inquired what was the matter and through her tears she shared dramatically, I lost the game, and I am very sad. In my attempt to console her, I imparted my wisdom of knowing how hard it is to lose yet games are so much fun to play that we have to learn to overcome the disappointment. She sighed and reiterated her deep sadness. I gave her a big hug and then allowed her to compose herself before scurrying back to class. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Save the Date... 2 Advancement... 3 AJA Happenings SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST Transitional Kindergarten Announcement Invitation to AJA presents: A Night in the Big Apple Tisha recently sent me a link to an article written by the Principal at Cresthill Middle School in Colorado. He referred to a university professor who wrote a piece about the fragility of today s students. Apparently, university professors have a new term for this phenomenon which they call, teacup kids they look beautiful on the outside but are liable to chip and break with even the slightest bumping. For sure, parenting is no easy feat. From my own experience, I understand the desire to shelter our young ones and to rush in to rescue even when the stakes are less than high. However, what I have come to learn is that as parents, we are guides. When we become the fixer, we send the message that our children are not capable to deal with everyday difficulties. Play is the perfect opportunity for children to practice and acquire a number of skills by using the tools we model for them: how to take turns, follow rules, negotiate, navigate relationships, use their imagination, and yes, learn how to lose. All of these are necessary life skills needed to become a respectful, productive citizen of the world. Next time you play Chutes and Ladders, Mario Party, or Uno, be a good parent and let your child lose and remember this loving guidance I overheard at drop off last week, Honey, you ll just have to deal with it. Shabbat Shalom! Cheryl Hersh

2 SAVE THE DATE! Friday, March 25 Shushan Purim Fifth grade Farm Visit from 8:15 am - 2:45 pm at Green Gate Farms Basketball End of Season Party from 3:15-4:15 pm at the JCC gym Wednesday, March 30 Third grade University of Texas Field Trip from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm on the UT Campus Thursday, March 31 Class Photo Day Thursday, March 31 - Saturday, April 2 State Science Fair Friday, April 1 Fifth grade Farm Visit from 8:15 am - 2:45 pm at Green Gate Farms Second grade Kabbalat Shabbat Ceremony from 1:30-2:30 pm in the Multipurpose Room Sunday, April 3 Middle School Family Fun Day from 12:30-2:30 pm on the JCC Lower Field Tuesday, April 5 Board Meeting from 7:00-9:00 pm in the Science and Innovation Center Wednesday, April 6 First grade Siddur Ceremony 8:30-9:00 am in the Congregation Agudas Achim Chapel Second grade field trip to Crowes Nest Farm 10:00 am - 1:45 pm Mix-It-Up Lunch for fifth grade and middle school Third grade field trip to the Texas Museum of Science and Technology from 12:45-3:30 pm Friday, April 8 Jonathan Adam Ross visits middle school Jewish Studies class from 8:00-10:00 am Mix-It-Up Lunch for kindergarten through fourth grade Fifth grade Farm Visit from 8:15 am - 2:45 pm at Green Gate Farms Sunday, April 10 AJA presents: A Night in the Big Apple family dance in the Agudas Achim Social Hall from 5:00-7:00 pm. Purchase tickets here! Community members welcome! Monday, April 11 - Wednesday, April 13 ERB Testing Tuesday, April 12 Parent Association Meeting in the Becker Science Center from 8:00-9:00 am Thursday, April 14 Sifriyat Pijama B America from 5:00-6:00 pm in the Library Friday, April 15 Fifth grade Farm Visit from 8:15 am - 2:45 pm at Green Gate Farms Environment Expo from 3:00-5:00 pm in the Science and Innovation Center Tuesday, April 19 Passover program from 1:00-3:30 pm Friday, April 22 - Friday, April 29 Passover Break - AJA Closed Monday, May 2 Professional Development - AJA Closed for students 2

Update from the AJA Development Office THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS FOR AMPLIFYING AJA AND AUSTIN. WE RAISED $1,642 BECAUSE OF YOU! TRIBUTES In Memory of Clement M.

In Memory of Karen Swedlow The AJA community sends condolences to the Swedlow family on the passing of Sharon s step-mother Karen Swedlow. Who Supports Our Scholarship Fund?

providing a Jewish education to children living in small and medium sized American Jewish communities.

3 Update from the AJA Development Office THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS FOR AMPLIFYING AJA AND AUSTIN. WE RAISED $1,642 BECAUSE OF YOU! TRIBUTES In Memory of Clement M. Evans The AJA community sends condolences to the Ginor family on the passing of Diana s father Clement M. Evans. In Memory of Karen Swedlow The AJA community sends condolences to the Swedlow family on the passing of Sharon s step-mother Karen Swedlow. Who Supports Our Scholarship Fund? We are the proud recipients of scholarship funding from the Legacy Heritage Emergency Fund for Jewish Education established to ease the financial burden of parents and schools in providing a Jewish education to children living in small and medium sized American Jewish communities. This grant was received for the school year and has been instrumental in supporting our families. WE ARE ALMOST THERE! DONATE NOW to the Inspire Annual Campaign to ensure we reach our goal of $255,000 and 100% participation. To make your donation click here or contact Robin Littrell, Development Associate at or Robin Littrell.

Middle School STEAM After their study of evolution and adaptions, middle school students in life science spent the last few weeks immersed in comparative anatomy.

The Innovation Center had a spring makeover in time for our big community event: The Environment Expo on April 14th.

PURIM SPIRIT WEEK All this week, students and teachers have been wearing costumes and having special activities for Purim Spirit Week.

4 Middle School STEAM After their study of evolution and adaptions, middle school students in life science spent the last few weeks immersed in comparative anatomy. Their dissections of many animals revealed an array of body plans and structures, and all levels of complexity. The Innovation Center had a spring makeover in time for our big community event: The Environment Expo on April 14th. Students will present service projects, eco-films, alternative energy prototypes, solar panels, aquaponics, compost, rain collection efforts and MORE! Stay tuned for more information! PURIM SPIRIT WEEK All this week, students and teachers have been wearing costumes and having special activities for Purim Spirit Week. From funny hats to superheroes and villains and pajamas, we have been celebrating the topsyturvy nature of Adar and Chag Purim. On Thursday the 24, Mr. Hazan lead our middle school students in creating an incredible Purim program. Students paraded through the campus in costume, delivering mishloach manot (baskets of goodies) to the other organizations on campus. The school gathered for a Purim carnival with games and activities directed by our middle schoolers. We had hamentashen aplenty and Purim spirit in spades! SOCCER SEASON BEGINS! The Lions won the soccer season opener 2-0 against Veritas. Check out the Game Schedule below and join us in supporting our team! (Games with * are 5th-7th grade games.) Date Time Location/Opponent *Wednesday 3/23 AJA vs Veritas *Tuesday 3/29 St Andrews Thursday 4/7 St Louis Thursday 4/14 Regents Wednesday 4/13 AJA vs Holy Family Wednesday 4/20 AJA vs Paragon Thursday 5/5 St Andrews 4

KINDness: RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK Caring, Friendly, Thoughtful, Warmhearted, Generous, Concern, Gentleness, Assertiveness, Compassion March 7 through 11, students, teachers, and families

This week, we worked together, going out of our way to do something special for someone else. Below you can see two 5th graders surprising their 3rd grade classmates with a story.

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. Together we create a kinder, better environment at AJA.

5 KINDness: RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK Caring, Friendly, Thoughtful, Warmhearted, Generous, Concern, Gentleness, Assertiveness, Compassion March 7 through 11, students, teachers, and families participated in Random Acts of Kindness Week. We came together to breathe for a moment, notice the needs around us, and respond from the heart to those who share our world. This week, we worked together, going out of our way to do something special for someone else. Below you can see two 5th graders surprising their 3rd grade classmates with a story. Look at the joy on the faces of Mrs. Duncan s kindergarten class as they make a special effort to help set up lunch for the school. Lao Tzu once said, Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. Together we create a kinder, better environment at AJA. SCHOOLWIDE SHABBAT March 4 of this year marked our second annual schoolwide Shabbat dinner, and it was a beautiful evening. Families gathered together for a delicious meal and unparalleled company. Students lead everyone in the Shabbat prayers before enjoying the scrumptious food. This event and those like it are part of the magic that creates our AJA family feeling. 5

Fifth Grade Farm Trips As any current or former student of Mrs. Hidalgo s fifth grade will tell you, working on the farm is one of the most special educational experiences.

As March began, students read and learned about migrant farmers, highlighting Cesar Chavez and his amazing, peaceful activism.

Students and teachers gathered together for a special performance by University of Rochester s all-male acapella group, The Midnight Ramblers.

6 Fifth Grade Farm Trips As any current or former student of Mrs. Hidalgo s fifth grade will tell you, working on the farm is one of the most special educational experiences. The class has been incorporating farm issues and themes into their reading, writing, math and science curriculum in relevant ways. As March began, students read and learned about migrant farmers, highlighting Cesar Chavez and his amazing, peaceful activism. Students learned about the challenges of migrant farm work, and that many of these families even live in Texas and surrounding areas. ACAPELLA COMES TO AUSTIN! Students and teachers gathered together for a special performance by University of Rochester s all-male acapella group, The Midnight Ramblers. These pitch perfect visitors performed a series of songs for our delighted student body. Students were treated to a beat-boxing workshop too! It was wonderful to see our students clapping, smiling, and singing along. From our school musicals to show choir, music class and our Rock Band middle school elective, our kids are hitting all the right notes! 6

7 7

Community Events Calling all Jewish Teens Ages 13 16!

www.shalomaustin.org/maccabi for a complete list of team, individual sports and art tracks. JCC Summer Camps Registration Now Open! Register for JCC Summer Camps!

Location: JCC Community Hall Stage 7300 Hart Lane Fees: $15 members/ $18 non members Contact: crystal.connally@shalomaustin.

8 Community Events Calling all Jewish Teens Ages 13 16! Join Team Austin in Stamford, CT - August 7-12 JCC Maccabi Games Team Tryouts Sunday, January 24 & PM Arts Fest Auditions: Sunday, January PM JCC Austin, 7300 Hart Lane Go to for a complete list of team, individual sports and art tracks. JCC Summer Camps Registration Now Open! Register for JCC Summer Camps! New options this summer include Transportation from Lakeline Mall; Legorobotics and Archery in weekly Camp Shalom activities; Ultimate Arts Olympics; Day Camp for Grandparents and Grandchildren; and more! Visit to sign up. Comedy at The J! MODI in concert Sat, 9 Apr, :00 PM - 10:00 PM Bring a Friend, laugh, drink, enjoy the Comedy of MODI! Location: JCC Community Hall Stage 7300 Hart Lane Fees: $15 members/ $18 non members Contact: crystal.connally@shalomaustin.org Women's Division Mosaic Luncheon Monday, April 11, 2016 Hyatt Regency, Zilker Ballroom, 208 Barton Springs Now in its 17th year, the Mosaic Luncheon has become an annual tradition for our community of women to come together to be inspired to nurture and sustain the Jewish Community and celebrate our Woman of Valor. This year, we are proud to honor Margo Smith as our 2016 Woman of Valor and welcome Director and Philanthropist, Nancy Spielberg as our keynote speaker. Event Co-Chairs: Marcia Levy, Deborah Rudy & Robyn Sperling To register, or for more information, visit shalomaustin.org/ mosaic 8

9 9

10 10

11 On behalf of the staff at Austin Jewish Academy, we would like to wish you and your families a Shabbat Shalom! 12

Shabbat Chai & Hebrew School

2018-2019 Shabbat Chai & Hebrew School Pre-Kindergarten through 7th Inside: Program Overview Curriculum Retreat Opportunities Calendars 2018-19 / 5779 Aron & Sala Samueli Religious School 2A Liberty Aliso