In the News
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THE FIRST BITE OF KNOWLEDGE
SAR Student Benjamin Telushkin was published in the Jewish Week. Click here to read his article |
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| Important Dates |
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Tues, Oct 27
HS Blood Drive
Wed, Oct 28
3:30 Dimissal
Fri, Nov 6
Early Friday Dismissal Begins (1:40 pm)
Fri-Sat, Nov 6-7 10th Grade Shabbaton
Wed, Nov 11
11th grade Initiation of the College Selection Process
Mon, Nov 16
Israel Night for 12th Grade Parents and Students
Wed, Nov 18
Parent Teacher Conferences
Early Dismissal -4:30pm
Tues, Nov 24
Parent Teacher Conferences
Early Dismissal -4:30pm
Wed, Nov 25
Noon Dismissal
Thur-Fri, Nov 26-27
Thanksgiving
No Sessions |
| AUCTION SUCCESS! |
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Congratulations to all of the Auction winners!
If you have not done so already, please come to the Business Office (located at the Academy) to pick up your winnings. | |
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5 Cheshvan 5770 * Oct 23 Candlelighting Fri 5:47PM
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Noach
Havdalah 6:50PM |
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Dear Parents and Students,
Two learning opportunities - one for parents and one for students - have recently begun at SAR and I would like to encourage your participation in them. FLASH is a program that gives students the opportunity to learn with fellows after school. It is wonderful to visit the Bet Midrash after school hours and see people engaged in Talmud Torah. In addition, the SAR Adult Education program has begun. Thank you to Daphne Eidman for organizing the program, to the SAR faculty who are teaching classes and facilitating groups and to all of the parents who are participating. It is a vital part of further developing SAR HS into a community of learners.
Thank you to parents for making a serious effort to adhere to arrival and dismissal procedures each day. I know that it can be trying in the daily rush to take the extra time. It is important to note that arrival and dismissal is now meaningfully safer. In addition, it has dramatically improved the traffic flow in the area.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Tully Harcsztark |
| Programs that Enrich Classroom Learning |
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Eight Sophomores Spend Time at the Dolan DNA Learning Center Doing Weeklong Summer Seminars
The Science Department would like to recognize eight students who participated in the Dolan DNA Learning Center workshops this past summer learning to carry out lab techniques such as creating recombinant DNA using restriction enzymes, and doing gel electrophoresis. Whether taking the workshop in Cold Spring Harbor, Lake Success, or the Harlem site, they all reported having positive experiences. Says one of the students, "I really loved doing the Dolan DNA lab program because you're not just learning about a technique or simulating it; you actually do it. We made actual recombinant DNA in bacterial plasmids."
Students study DNA and related biotechnology in 9th grade biology. This past summer's participants in the workshops were: Joey Adler, Tanna Bogursky, Aviva Friedman, Leore Lavin, Amalya Levy, Dani Moskowitz, Matt Parker, Aaron Wolff.
--Tobie Brandriss
Living and traveling abroad is the topic that the 11th and 12th grade Arabic classes have been discussing over the past month and a half. The 11th grade recently listened to a conversation in Levantine colloquial Arabic regarding Walid who finally came home to visit his family after living in America for three years. The tears and expressions of love were imitated amongst the students in groups of two as they pretended to reunite with a long lost relative. While the 11th grade is busy preparing a presentation in colloquial Arabic about the challenges and rewards of native Arabic speakers living abroad, the 12th grade is focusing on explorers who studied the Middle East in the century. Each student presented an Orientalist to the class--Yael Bellin proudly spoke of the accomplishments of Gertrude Bell while Daniel Chamudot did a remarkable imitation of Richard Burton. Additionally, we read an article about Ibn Batuta, one of the most prominent explorers and significant travelers during the Middle Ages.
 The film Amreeka fit just perfectly into our class conversations about cross cultural interactions. Amreeka, shown at the Lincoln Plaza Cinema, describes the experience of a Palestinian family that immigrates to Chicago and is filmed in Arabic. The values that Muna is trying to teach her son Fadi are remarkably similar, Emily Cooper explained, to those her family stresses. For example, the importance of family and the centrality of food. These were some of the last points we discussed before leaving to spend 8 days with our families for succot.
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Capitalism - A Love Story
 This week, the three 11th and 12th grade Economic classes traveled to good ol' Bronxville to see the motion picture, Capitalism - A Love Story. Michael Moore directed, produced, and wrote the film which describes the current economic crises facing America and especially the lower and middle classes. Several tragic examples were presented including a farmer foreclosed out of his property, and Chicago factory workers who took action against Bank of America for withholding their contractual pay. The movie focuses on major corporations' vast power in the American government and, specifically, the 700 billion dollar bailout. Although the information may all be true, it seemed somewhat partisan and propaganda-like, and incriminated all of Wall Street as "greedy financial executives."
All in all we enjoyed watching the film with our array of snacks provided by our economics teacher, Ms. Schneider. The film brought up much debate and criticism amongst the students. They walked out of the theater with a sense of some of the gloomier things going on in the US and now feel that their eyes are opened more widely to the way the US economy works. We would like to thank Ms. Schneider for treating us to this screening and Mr. Courtney for joining us on the trip.
--Donny Greenberg ('10), Matt Greenberg ('10), and Jeff Dobrinsky('10) | |
| Only at SAR |
SAR Rosh Chodesh Chagigah
 The first Rosh Chodesh chagigah of the year was a big hit. We began the program with everyone assembled in the gym for a little game. Rabbi Kroll challenged the entire group to know the names of every single member of the school community including all staff and all students. In addition to knowing the names we thought it would be good to learn a little bit about some of the teachers. So students competed in a quick game of teacher trivia. Some of the highlights included the following questions. (Answers are at the end of the article.) a. Which teacher's nephew is the reigning Mr. Olympia of the State of Israel? b. Which teacher has a twin sister? c. Which teacher's father and grandfather each played in the Rose Bowl?  Following the trivia game the students, led by an extremely exuberant senior class, danced and celebrated with great vigor. The celebration (including a round of Od Yishama for Avi Kilimnick our recently engaged fellow) was capped at the end as it always is by the singing of Hatikvah. It was a great first chagigah, and we all look forward to Rosh Chodesh Kislev. Answers: a. Rabbi Kivelevitz b. Rabbi Spierer c. Mr. Huber
Students Attend Lecture by Richard Dawkins through the On the Brink Program at the 92nd Street Y This past Sunday evening, Oct 18, ten 11th and 12th grade SAR students, accompanied by Rabbi Harcsztark, Rabbi Kroll, Mr. Goodman, Ms. Krieger, and Ms. Brandriss, attended a presentation by Professor Richard Dawkins, professor at Oxford University, who spoke about evolution. Professor Dawkins was interviewed by Robert Krulwich, as part of the 92nd Street Y's On the Brink series.  Professor Dawkins' newest book, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution follows his controversial critique of religion, The God Delusion. Because of the controversial nature of his views on science and religion (he believes the two cannot be reconciled!) we arranged for Rabbi Harcsztark and Rabbi Kroll to meet with the students both before and after the event to discuss why we decided to attend, what they might expect to hear and their reactions to the talk. Rabbi Kroll gave the students three reviews to read, including an excellent review of The God Delusion that appeared in the New York Times on October 22, 2006, entitled "Beyond Belief" by Jim Holt.
The students were pleased to discover that they were quite familiar with the concepts of evolution discussed at the event. Professor Dawkins and his interviewer in fact did not directly address his views on religion, but rather focused on the process of evolution itself. Students described the event as "tame". Perhaps most important were the conversations that occurred in school around the event and the students' experience of having their rabbis and teachers present and ready to confront with them the topic of evolution and religion. --Tobie Brandriss --Bob Goodman
SAR Math Peer Tutoring Program
This year SAR is once again offering juniors and seniors the opportunity to become a Math Peer Tutor. Tutors meet about once a week during lunch with a student they are paired with from the 9th or 10th grade to go over their math curriculum and answer questions they may have. Math Peer Tutoring offers a wonderful opportunity for the tutor to help a fellow student, reinforce their own math skills and meet new and interesting people as well as develop the volunteer section of their job or college resume. Students eligible to be peer tutors demonstrate math competency as well patience, good people skills, and the ability to follow through with a commitment. If a junior or senior is interested in the Math Peer Tutoring opportunity they should email Mr. Krausz at krausa@sarhighschool.org. 9th and 10th graders interested in signing up should also email Mr. Krausz. Click here to see more details about the program. |
| Post-High School: College and Israel Planning |
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The past few weeks have certainly been busy in the College Counseling world! There is a buzz in the air as many members of the senior class are busy filling out Early Decision and Early Action applications to a variety of universities. The students are wrapping up the final drafts of their college essays, along with short answer questions and supplementary essays. We have also had the privilege to welcome 16 college admissions representatives from universities around the country, with an additional 14 coming over the next three weeks. The majority of these admissions counselors will be the first readers of the applications from SAR students before presenting our students' files to committee.
This week, we put on the calendar our second annual Pizza Pie and Apply night, a program that will take place for the entire senior class on Thursday evening, November 5th, from 5:30-7:30pm. To ensure that the students have time to relax during this hectic process, we are offering pizza to the students in a group gathering. Then, after finshing their food, the students will sit together and work with laptops on their college applications, with Ms. Jacobs, Mr. Courtney, and Ms. Grundman present and making the rounds to offer assistance.
October 21-23 will be an interesting three days as the College Board will host its annual forum in New York City for college admissions directors and high school counselors from around the world. Ms. Jacobs is the co-chair of the Local Arrangements Committee and Mr. Courtney is the co-chair of the Hospitality Committee, and they are hard at work in welcoming nearly 2,000 participants for the conference. Just prior to the start of the conference, the representatives from Vanderbilt, Stanford, SUNY Albany, and Northwestern will be visiting SAR High School and meeting with interested seniors. The SAR name is truly out there amongst the colleges and their admissions officials.
Israel Guidance
This is a busy season for Israel Guidance. We are in the midst of the second of our four individual rounds of meetings with each student. At these meetings we further examine the interests of each student and discuss specific yeshivot and programs. The goal is to generate a list of presentations that each student will attend in school and at our Israel night.
We are looking forward to the even busier month of November, during which we will host representatives from over 30 schools and programs in Israel. The representatives generally visit us twice - once to present the program to interested seniors and parents at our Israel night on November 16th and a second time during the school day to give interested students a taste of the learning or activities at the school. Following the November visits we will begin our third round of meetings in which we will discuss student impressions of the Israel night and school visits.
As always, we are happy to speak or meet with parents who have questions during any point in the process (see contact information below). We are impressed by how thoughtful the students have been in discussing options for a year in Israel and are greatly enjoying aiding them in this process.
Israel Guidance Team
Karen Goldscheider goldsk@sarhighschool.org
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| Co-Curricular News |
SARPAA
On Wednesday, October 14th, Ariel Futter and Sara Just Michael attended a meeting of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. The students, members of SAR's Political Action Alliance (formerly SARPAC), distributed their petition to Congress to allow the President to impose further sanctions on Iran to various organization's presidents and networked with others in attendance. The students also presented their petitiion to the meeting's keynote speaker, Israeli Cabinet Member Dan Merridor. Thank you to Haina Just-Michael for arranging the incredible opportunity.
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| Chessed and Tzedakah Programs |
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SAR Service Mission 2010, Destination: Buenos Aires, Argentina
This year's Alternative Spring Break Service Mission (February 4th - February 11th) will combine intensive community service with a meaningful study and exploration of Latin American culture. SAR will partner will Hillel Argentina to help rebuild Jewish institutions that have been devastated by Argentina's economic collapse, by supporting synagogues, congregations and Jewish schools that are still in need of resources. Our delegation of junior and senior students will become acquainted with the local Jewish community through visiting the most emblematic institutions and interacting with community leaders and students. SAR students will learn about the necessities of Latin American society by helping schools, soup kitchens and other service sites of the Jewish and general population.
The mission is open to SAR juniors and seniors. Students can sign-up now until the end of October. For more information, please email Ora Meier (meiero@sarhighschool.org). |
| SAR Athletics |
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SAR is about to begin its 2009-2010 sport season. Last year we won 7 division titles and one league championship. We are looking forward to an enjoyable and successful season for all.
The teams that have begun are:
Girls JV and Varsity Basketball
Boys JV and Varsity Basketball
Girls JV and Varsity Volleyball
Boys JV and Varsity Hockey
This year we added a Fencing Club that meets on Wednesdays and a Track (team) Club that meets on Tuesdays after school.
Good Luck to All - Have Fun!
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