Pi Day Combines Math with Creativity

Pi Day at BYDS this year, which naturally falls on 3.14, was an exceptional and funky day of learning , as the Fifth Grade students pursued a host of projects dedicated to honoring Pi, the mathematical figure used in circumference and spherical volume calculations. Have you ever held a document in your hands that contained the first one million digits following the famous 3.14159... number? Well, Fifth Graders all had an opportunity to hold the thirty-one page document, with each page containing over 32,000 digits! There was a nifty creative language arts project during the activity section, with each Pi digit representing the number of letters in the word, like "Get a fake -
- a giant facsimile..." and on and on. Also, how about this question: what single digit is most represented in the first one hundred digits of Pi? Want to know the answer? Ask a Fifth Grade student!

Students brought their own spherical objects to school in order to measure circumference, and speaking of that math problem, how about reading Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi book...where you'll find all sorts of math and calculation characters!

First Grade Siddur Service Includes Dramatic Performance

On Thursday evening in Freedman-Levit, BYDS First Grade students were presented with their first siddurs at a big celebration and performance. The Chagigat HaSiddur program (Celebration of the Siddur) included two parts: a theatrical production plus a prayer service.  Students began the program by re-enacting classroom scenes, with images and stories from the school's Tal Am Program, with each student presenting a different Hebrew letter and explaining in Hebrew what is unique with their assigned letter. The presentation integrated songs, drama, costumes, music and visuals that are unique to the Tal Am Program studied throughout the year. Following this theatrical introduction, the 42 students changed out of their costumes, received their personal prayer books, and led the Tfilah together with Rabbi Brian Strauss.

The bridge between our modern, vanguard Judaic and Hebrew program and our traditional prayer book reflects the school's aim to modernize the traditional Judaic and Hebrew studies while incorporating language and visual arts.  Dr. Arnold Eisen, the Chancellor of The Jewish Theological Seminary and one of the world's experts on American Judaism, said in his visit to Beth Yeshurun recently that it is vital that the teachings of Jewish tradition be attractive, vibrant, creative and integrated with various subjects.

Kudos to the first grade team: Dina Knafo, Denise Olitzki, Dina Silberman, Ruth Adler, Amy Krost, Alexis Saperstein, and Dora Lee Grinberg,  who enabled our young students to grow in ways that are progressive and vibrant, helping to foster in the students a love of learning.  

BYDS and CBY to Host Big Mah Johngg Tournament

Beth Yeshurun Day School is joining forces with Congregation Beth Yeshurun to host a Mah Jongg Tournament this year on Sunday, April 29, with a check-in time of 9:30am. The Tournament, co-chaired by BYDS parents Shelley Sorkin and Sarah Gibbs, will be a big prize award event, and it's all in support of both BYDS and CBY. Among the winning prizes will be an entry in the National Mahj Tournament, plus many more high value prizes. Please see the flyers in this Express issue-you will find both the Tournament announcement and the registration flyers. There are lots of sponsorship opportunities available!   Let's Mahj!

Click Here for 2012 BYDS and CBY Mah Jongg Tournament Registration Form

 CALL TO PARENTS

A City of Bellaire Parking Permit was found in the BYDS Parking Lot. You must know address on permit to claim.

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