On The Bridge January 6, 2012
Gesher Jewish Day School 11 Tevet, 5772
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| Shabbat Shalom | |
שבת שלום
Candlelighting: 4:44pm
Vayechi
ויחי
Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28 - 50:26
Haftarah: I Kings 2:1 - 2:12
Yasher Koach to today's Torah readers: Talia B., Miryam M. and Mollie S.
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| Greetings! | |
Our Technology program has come a long long way this year- and it's not just Edmodo! Mrs. Seibold is a fount of ideas- like Rabbi Elazer ben Arach- a maayan mitgaber- an overflowing spring. With her guidance and encouragement, our teachers are doing tremendous things, like, for example, Mrs. Stern, who organized her second graders to make a Chanukah cookbook this year using the skills they are picking up in Microsoft Word. Ms. Russo has her reading group using Voice Threads to draw a picture and record their thoughts about the book they are reading. Mrs. Granek has her Spanish language students speaking in Spanish on video which they can post and share on vimeo (the site that we used to post the Chanukah musical). Ms. Katz has her students working collaboratively on documents and presentations using Googledocs. They can even work simultaneously on the same assignment. Mr. Gensler has his students create their own websites complete with maps and timelines to tell the story of the history of Ancient Israel. Mrs. Gordon has her Civics students analyzing news stories and blogging their responses.
We are also upgrading our technology infrastructure- we are five years in our new facility and the time has come. Our bandwidth will imminently be increased from 1.5 MB to 50 MB, over thirty times over- the better to stream our video. Next year we will need to tackle other upgrades.
They say that education for the 21st Century is about fusing the 3 R's with the 4 C's: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration. Our teachers are ready to use the technological tools that are available to do this- and our students take to learning this way like fish to water.
Shabbat Shalom!
Dr. Zvi Schoenburg
Head of School
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Upcoming Events
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See our full calendar of events!
January 7 - PTO BINGO! Starting at 6:30pm
January 13 - Kitah Dalet Kabbalat Shabbat Siyum
January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School
January 17 & 19 - MAP Winter Sessions begin
January 20 - End of Marking Period, Noon Dismissal
January 22 - Admissions Event: Open Toddler Gym, 10am January 23-27 - Middle School Interdisciplinary Week, Topic: Africa January 23 - Board Meeting, 8pm January 24 - Kitah Gimel Amidah Siyum, 8:30am January 27 - Parents Coffee, 8:30 am January 30- Kitah Alef Siddur Ceremony, 7:00 pm February 3 - Head of School Circle Breakfast NOTE: Graduation and Middle School Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 (instead of Thursday, June 14). Please mark your 2012 calendars!
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| SCHOOL NEWS | |
Gesher and Camp Achva of the JCCNV will Team Up This Summer
We are delighted to announce that Gesher and Camp Achva of the JCCNV will be teaming up this summer to offer two weeks of summer specialty camping here in our school facility. From July 23 to 27, and again from July 30 to August 3, kids can take Computer Creation or Environmental Envy. Check it all out on page 8 of the JCC Camp Brochure. For a sneak peak, come to a special
event at the JCC on January 16. See the link under Community below!
Front Office News
Did you know that after school hours Meredith has been pursuing a degree in Art History at George Mason University? As part of her course of study, she is doing a geo-archeology Study Abroad session in Rome, Italy from Jan. 3-17. During her time away, Or Granek, Mrs. Granek's son, will be minding the front desk and checking Meredith's voice and e-mail daily. Please help us out by using the automated web-based systems to communicate dismissal changes and late hot-lunch orders.
Chanukah Musical Video! If you missed it, or want an encore, you can see it online. Visit https://www.gesher-jds.org/parents.php to get the link and the password to see and download the whole show. To protect the privacy of our students, do not post the video or link on any public site. This is provided for the use and enjoyment of Gesher families. You are encouraged to download and save the video yourself and create your own disc. However, if you prefer, Mrs. Seibold will burn discs of the performance for you for $10/disc. Funds raised will be applied to the Technology Department. To order, contact Mrs. Seibold at hseibold@gesher-jds.org. Yom HaShoah Commemoration 2012 Gesher Jewish Day School will be hosting the Northern Virginia Yom HaShoah Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration this year. The program, to be held April 22, is organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council and draws people from all across the region. Last year over 400 attended at George Mason University. There will be a seminar, a candle-lighting ceremony, and a program for teens to meet survivors. Gesher volunteers will be needed and our art department together with the JCCNV Community Shlichah will be organizing a visual display celebrating Jewish life in Europe. Please read the attached letter. Community Yom Hashoah CommemorationOn the Bridge Change in Plans: During Mrs. Strouse's maternity leave, which has begun!, please send all items for On the Bridge to Ms. Meredith's email address: mparnes@gesher-jds.org. We'll take them from there. Winter MAP is coming Don't forget to sign your child up for MAP classes! They begin soon, on Jan 17 and Jan 19. This time we have lots of new and interesting classes to choose from, plus some old favorites! Here is an overview of the new offerings: - On Tuesdays we have not one, but two classes on Lego Robotics, one for K-3 and one for 3-6. Both classes are taught by Fairfax Collegiate and are 90 minutes long.
- Dana Shwartz, who already teaches many of our students, will be leading Intro to Dance on Tuesdays for grades K-3. She has been a dancer all her life!
- Also on Tuesday is American Sign Language which will be taught by Gesher mom Elyssa Brecher. This is for K-4.
- Thursday's new offerings include Chess Wizards. Students in K-5 will learn to play this challenging game, or learn to play it better.
- Our gym teacher, Ms. Russo is conducting a Math Club (1-4). She has extensive experience as a math teacher and will use games and puzzles to excite students.
- Mrs. Brecher is also offering photography. She is a professional photographer with a life time of experience.
- Gesher 8th grader Miryam Mendelson will teach knitting, with the goal of creating blankets for African orphans.
- Mrs. Rosenblatt, our resident quilter extraordinaire is offering to teach quilting to students in grades 4-8.
Returning favorites include: - Noah's Arc with Mrs. Cohen (Tuesday K-3). Children will learn about different animals through art projects and games.
- Sports spectacular (Tuesday K-4)with Overtime Athletics.
- Fencing (Tuesday 3-8) with Coach Liang-Smith, who also coached the US Olympic fencing team.
- Bringing puppets to life (Thursday K-3) with Miss Sandy, a professional puppeteer with over 20 years experience.
- Mad Science (Thursday K-4) which is always fun and exciting.
- Basketball (Thursday K-6) with House of Hoops.
- Karate (Thursday K-6) which teaches respect, along with kicks.
- Pottery (Thursday 2-6) where artists learn new techniques for working with clay.
With so many choices it can be hard to decide. But registration ends next week, so contact Mrs. Leckert, jleckert@gesher-jds.org soon! The complete brochure is HERE. Pictures:
 | | Klezmer musicians Jonathan S. and Nathan G. make beautiful music |
 | | Wedding at Anatevka |
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| Gesher Green | 
Greentime for Sleep Time
It can often be a challenge to get children to sleep each night. According to an article in the National Wildlife Federation's Magazine, often what they need is more time outside. Natural light can help to regulate the body's internal clock so that children are more alert during the day and more tired at night. Also, the outdoors is more relaxing and calming than a world of television and electronic games. That calmness can improve learning. Independent outside play will help develop motor skills and creativity. NWF has developed a 12-page parent's guide called "Greentime for Sleep Time" which is available at www.nwf.org/sleepreport. Kevin Coyle, the author of the guide and NWF's vice president of education and training, says: "Part of having a well-rested child involves trading some screen time for green time." See if it helps your child ~ and you! ~ get a better night's sleep.
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Head, Heart and Hand
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Ve-ahavta La-re'echa Kamocha
The books and puzzles that the second graders bought for the kids at the Kate Hanley Family Shelter were well received. Each of the children at the shelter was given a new book or puzzle to keep in their own rooms. Any of the "leftover" books were placed on the shelves for everyone to use in the homework room at the shelter. It was a wonderful way for our children to perform the mitzvah to "love thy neighbor as thy self" - ("ve-ahavta la're'echa kamocha"). Hearing back from the staff at the homeless shelter, it was rewarding to find out that the children were elated and grateful for the fantastic gifts that they could call their own and take back to their own rooms.
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| PTO | |
B-I-N-G-O!
Mark your calendars for this wildly popular family event. BINGO night will take place on
Saturday, January 7 at 6:30 pm.
Get Caught Wearing Purple...Don't forget to show your school spirit by wearing purple and/or white on Fridays.Those in need of GesherWear may contact Naomi Hutchins at neshicot1029@verizon.net.
We Want You...to volunteer.The PTO is always in need of extra hands. If you are interesting in helping out, please go to the PTO section of the Gesher website to sign up.
Thank you, Box Tops donors!
Our most recent submission of Box Tops earned Gesher $128.50. Box Tops never stop, so please keep sending in those Box Tops!
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| Admissions | |
Gesher Open Gym in Jan and Feb!
Need a warm place this winter for your little one to burn off some steam? Come to the Gesher gym on Sunday mornings for a Preschool Open Gym scheduled for Jan 22 and Feb 26 from 9:30-11AM. Age appropriate toys for toddlers and preschoolers. Free snack included! Tours of Gesher for those interested. Visit www.gesher-jds.org homepage to check for any weather related school closing.
Stay in touch with Gesher through Facebook and our new Twitter Feed on our homepage at www.gesher-jds.org
Community Family Fun Mitzvah Day at Gesher!
SAVE THE DATE for Family Fun Mitzvah Day on Sunday, March 25 from 1-4pm. Enjoy the funky sounds of the Mama Doni Band LIVE and participate in a number of community service projects that will be geared to families with young children. What a great way to celebrate our 30th anniversary year by helping others! If you are interested in participating in the Family Fun Mitzvah Day planning committee and/or volunteering that day, we need you!
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The Mama Doni Band!
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| Mitzvah Coupon Donations | |
For a speedy recovery to Pam Gershkoff
Ingrid and Dr. Zvi Schoenburg
In honor of Larry and Deanna Shuman's 50th Anniversary
Ingrid and Dr. Zvi Schoenburg
A donation to Shomrei Gesher in memory of Elizabeth Schwartzman
Rabbi Amy Schwartzman and Kevin Moss
A donation to Shomrei Gesher in memory of Linda Plotnick and in celebration of Anna P.'s Birthday
Myron Pauli
A donation to Shomrei Gesher in memory of Emma Kimmel
Iris and Biff Henley
A donation to Shomrei Gesher in memory of Allan Labowitz
Iris and Biff Henley
A donation to Shomrei Gesher in memory of Mollie Koffler
Samuel Koffler
Mitzvah Coupon donations can now be made on-line through our secure website, www.gesher-jds.org. Simply log in and click on the Donate link at the top of our homepage.
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| Caring Community | |
Mazel Tov!
Mazel Tov to Gesher Jewish Day School Counselor, Laura Strouse and husband, Daniel, on the New Year's Day arrival of Abigail Esther.
Mazel Tov!
Mazel Tov to the Rosen family on the arrival of their new son and brother, BoMe!
Visit Jconnect.org!
Jconnect.org is the one place where you can go to find information on everything Jewish in the Greater Washington community. This new community site features a robust community calendar that's easy to navigate for both posters and users. Please check the website often as the site is ever-changing!
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| Community Announcements |
Please click on the links below to view each flyer.The 7th grade will be selling hot chocolate 5th and 6th period every Friday in January and February. Each cup costs $1 and all proceed with go to Food & Friends.
The Washington Jewish Week is now available for purchase from the newsstand in the office for $1
Teens Philanthropy Programs in NoVA
Click here to view free Osem Coupons!
JCCNV Camps 2012 Promotional
Jewish Lens, a Jewish photography organization, is holding a Chanukah student photography contest! Students in grades 5 and up can submit their photos relating to the theme for a chance to win a digital camera and other prizes. Through January 10, 2012.
The Jewish Federation Wants to Help! If you are in need of financial
assistance at t his time, or if you know anyone in the community who
is in need, please do not hesitate to contact the Jewish Federation's Warm Line at 1-866-950-4AID.
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We welcome your inquiries. To schedule a tour, or for more information about admissions or making a donation to Gesher Jewish Day School, please contact us at (703)978-9789.
Sincerely,
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Gesher Jewish Day School
4800 Mattie Moore Court
Fairfax, VA 22030
phone: (703) 978-9789
fax: (703)978-2668
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Address or Email Changes
If you have changes to your email or mailing address, please send them to mparnes@gesher-jds.org so we can update your information. If you wish to be removed from the "On the Bridge" e-letter distribution list, please do not use the "SafeUnsubscribe" link below unless you wish to be removed from all email correspondence from Gesher Jewish Day School.
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