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The Agnon Agenda
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Early Summer 2011
Issue #4
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WELCOME TO THE SUMMER EDITION OF THE AGNON AGENDA!
It's that time of the school year when Agnon students lift their eyes from their work and realize that the sun is shining, the weather is warm -- and that all those months of math, hours of Hebrew, reams of research and pages of pre-writing have paid off. This issue of the Agnon Agenda is dedicated to our students' many accomplishments, from the first graders whose hard work prepared them to receive their first siddurs to alumni fours years out of Agnon whose hard work has earned them acceptance to a variety of excellent colleges and programs.
We hope you enjoy discovering our students' successes as much as we have. Have a great summer!
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 WE BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
Agnon students start with a solid intellectual and ethical foundation and graduate with the confidence to excel at the best high schools, colleges and beyond. Congratulations to our 8th grade graduates!
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Class of 2011
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Mazal tov to our 2007 alumni, graduating high school and attending:
● Boston University ● Bowling Green State University ● Brandeis University ● Indiana University ● Kent State University ● Maryland Institute College of Art ● Miami University ● Montgomery College ● Muhlenberg College ● New York University
● Northwestern University ● Oberlin College ● Ohio State University - Honors
● Princeton University ● Rochester Institute of Technology ● Tufts University ● Tulane University ● University of Cincinnati ● University of Illinois ● University of Maryland
● University of Michigan ● Washington University ● Yale University
And, best wishes to our 2007 alumni who will first study abroad in Israel.
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1ST GRADER FAMILIES ENJOY KABBALAT SIDDUR PROGRAM
Surrounded by family and friends, Agnon 1st graders recently participated in a meaningful Kabbalat Siddur ceremony. Each student received their own siddur that they will use throughout their 2nd grade year at Agnon. In addition, the ceremony included prayers, songs, Israeli dancing and a special reception. 
Kabbalat Siddur is the culminating event after a year-long Judaics program that began in the fall with 1st graders studying Hebrew letters and vowels. By spring, they could successfully read and decode Hebrew. To celebrate this milestone, each student created a personalized siddur that included pictures of them reciting prayers. The class also discussed the importance of the siddur and its meaning to the Jewish people as well as the significance of t'fillah as a way to communicate with G-d. |
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AGNON CELEBRATES ISRAELI HOLIDAYS
On May 10th, Agnon students donned blue and white to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut - Israel's Independence Day. They participated in a variety of festive activities including an Israeli flag-raising ceremony, lively parade, Israeli dancing and a school-wide picnic. David Ben Gurion (who later became Israel's first prime minister) declared the establishment of the state of Isra el on May 14, 1948. Yom HaAtzmaut is celebrated there with fireworks, barbecues and public concerts. Outside of Israel, Jewish communities host parties and gatherings to commemorate Israel's declaration of independence.
Yom HaAtzmaut is always preceded the day before by Yom HaZikaron - Israel's National Memorial Day. On Monday, May 9th, Agnon students remembered Israeli fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism by holding a memorial service and lowering the Israeli flag to half-staff. Observing Israel's Memorial Day before Yom HaAtzmaut reminds students of the sacrifices made for independence.
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AGNON 8th GRADERS HELP ETHIOPIAN CHILDREN IN ISRAEL
Before packing their own suitcases for Israel, Agnon 8th graders first filled duffle bags with new clothes for Ethiopian children in need as part of a tzedakah project. International travelers may take two  bags abroad at no additional cost. But, they can only transport items that they have packed themselves. So, students checked in one of their own suitcases and one duffle bag before they departed for Israel on April 27th. What's more, the 8th graders personally delivered the duffle bags and spent time with the Ethiopian recipients. "Since it costs a tremendous amount to mail packages to Israel, this project not only saved money, it also added to the significance of an already meaningful journey," said Leah Spector, Assistant Head of School and Director of Judaics and Hebrew. Agnon students in every grade participate in social justice projects. "Our curriculum includes teaching students to engage in acts of tzedakah - or righteousness - through volunteer work and through charitable giving. It's one of our core values," said Jerry Isaak-Shapiro, Head of School. "This instills a sense of responsibility for each other and for the larger world in which our students live." |
| AUCTION WINNER GOES FLY FISHING
Agnon 8th grader Zachary Reizes recently went fly fishing at Mentor Headlands with middle school science teacher Nathan Olsen. The Reizes family won a fishing trip with Nathan at Agnon's 22nd Annual Spring Benefit Auction. Thanks to strong raffle ticket sales and lively bidding from the sold-out crowd, this special event was one Agnon's most successful fundraisers.
 
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AGNON IN THE NEWS
Click on the following links to read about Agnon in the news. Agnon School's Cross Wins Education Grant, Cleveland Jewish News, May 13, 2011 Dina Rock: Chagrin Solon Sun "Person of the Week," Chagrin Solon Sun, May 9, 201 Whiz Kid of the Week: David Kaye, Beachwood Patch, May 4, 2011 Eighth Grade Trip Benefits Children in Need, WEWS TV-5 News (ABC), April 27, 2011 Johannah Cross: Sun Press "Person of the Week," Sun Press, April 25, 2011 Agnon Kids' Lessons Take Them to Israel, Beachwood Patch, April 25, 2011 A Little Traveling Music ... (Benefit Auction), Cleveland Jewish News, April 22, 2011 Whiz Kid of the Week: Itamar Nurko, Beachwood Patch, April 20, 2011 Local Jewish Groups Help Others at Passover, Cleveland Jewish News, April 15, 2011
Trading Roles is Educational, Cleveland Jewish News, April 1, 2011 What's Cooking?, Cleveland Jewish News,March 25, 2011 Agnon Teacher Meets Obama, Cleveland Jewish News, March 25, 2011 |
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| AGNON MOMS BAKE CHALLAH
Agnon Kindergarten moms recently gathered at the home of Agnon parent Gena Page to learn about the mitzvah of baking challah. After participating in this fun activity, everyone went home with two delicious challot for Shabbat the following night.
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| COUGARS ON THE RUN
Mazal tov to Agnon's Cougars on the Run - our team of middle school girls who participated in the May 22nd "New Balance Girls on the Run 5k Race" in Akron. Coached by Lindsey Vander (Agnon health teacher) and Katelynn Patterson (Agnon 4th grade teacher), this after-school running program included challenging workouts and encouraged positive development. Team building, self empowerment, self respect, healthy lifestyles and positive decision making were stressed.
"The 5k race was awesome! Everyone finished and the girls had a blast," said Lindsey. "The team improved each week of practice. Katelynn and I are so proud of them and can't express how lucky we feel to have worked with such a great group of hard working young ladies."
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| 3RD GRADE "TALK SHOW" BRINGS FAMOUS PEOPLE TO LIFE
After reading a biography on a person who interested them, each 3rd grade student wrote a report shaped like a pizza, with individual slices representing a different time in that particular person's life. Then, teacher Halle Dubin hosted a "talk show" that brought each famous person to life. Dressed as the person they read about, each student took on the persona of that individual and answered questions. Elvis Presley, Serena Williams, Abraham Lincoln and Amelia Earhart were just some of the celebrities who were in the house!
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AGNON STUDENTS HAVE POWERFUL PENS
Twelve Agnon middle school students participated in this year's district "Power of the Pen" competition - a leading Ohio interscholastic program in written expression that challenges 7th and 8th grade students to write creatively. Coached by middle school teacher Diane Lavin, they wrote items in three types of genres, in three 40-minute sessions, on topics not known in advance. Four Agnon students continued on to the Regional Tournament. 
Congratulations to everyone who participated, and mazal tov to 7th graders Aaron Dobres, Charlie Rose and Ariana Starkman and 8th grader Zoe Farkas who moved on from the district level to qualify for the "Power of the Pen" Regional Tournament.
SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE Congratulations to Agnon 8th grader Sergy Prokvolit, who tied for ninth place against 58 contestants from around the region at the 2011 Scripps Spelling National Bee. Sergy also represented Agnon last year at this prestigious event. |
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STUDENT ESSAY DESCRIBES ISRAEL EXPERIENCE
The 8th grade Israel class trip is a profound experience for Agnon students. Danielle Buchinsky, 8th Grade Agnon Student, describes that journey in an essay, below.
The Connection
By Danielle Buchinsky, 8th Grade Agnon Student
Surreal. Memorable. Fascinating. As I touched the Wall filled with 2,000 years of history, I searched for words that would describe this indescribable moment. Placing handwritten notes in the narrow cracks, I prayed intensely and immediately felt an incredibly strong connection  with G-d. I felt like I never wanted to leave this amazing place, Jerusalem. As I took my hand off the Kotel and slowly stepped back in respect, I glanced at the Wall every moment that I could. This was the moment I had always waited for. This was the place that, for nine years, I desired to see. This was the trip I had been counting down the days for. This was Israel. Our Homeland. Our Jewish State. Our future. Our Agnon 2011 Israel trip - nothing will ever replace the significance of it. To me, nothing could be more religious than praying at Kibbutz Ketura on Shabbat or sweeter than the fruits purchased at the Shuk. Nothing could be saltier than the Dead Sea or hotter than the Negev. Nothing could be louder than the celebrations on Yom HaAtzmaut or more solemn as we stood in silence at the sound of the Yom HaZikaron siren. Nothing in the world could be better than having the Jewish State of Israel!
 
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ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Agnon's May 26th Annual Meeting celebrated the school's growth and accomplishments.
Board of Trustee Elections: Congratulations to new Board members -- Susan Hurwitz, Nancy Kumin, Anat Nurko, Meg Ratner and Jonathan Ross.
Staff Recognition: The following staff milestones were recognized --
- Connie Mafrici, Food Service Assistant / Retiring after 22 years
- Moran Chajmovic, 5th Grade Judaics Teacher / Retiring after 14 years
- Michele Sudow, Kindergarten Teacher / 30 years of service
- Diane Lavin, Middle School Teacher / 15 years of service
- Moshe Glauber, Technology Coordinator / 10 years of service
- Cathy Schreiber, Director of Early Childhood / 10 years of service
Volunteer Awards: Agnon's "Parent Volunteer of the Year" Award was presented to Lila Hanft. Mother to Sascha in 6th grade, Lila used her technology, internet, social media and journalism talents to design, build and continually improve the school's website. Agnon's "Grandparent Volunteer of the Year" Award went to Char Moses, grandmother of Max in Kindergarten and Jake in 3rd grade. Helping out at numerous programs, Char often captured events with her camera and created photo albums or DVDs for the entire class.
Alumni Scholarship Award: Noah Kirsch, a 2007 Agnon graduate attending Tufts University in the fall, was awarded this year's scholarship. In his winning essay, Noah writes, "Humility started with botched art projects, leadership began with a hand tentatively raised in science class. Curiosity was honed through experimentation, and passion was engendered by success. Those are the things that make Agnon special: the intimacy, the trust, the interdependency. It fosters true learning, true creativity, and a lifelong pursuit of success."
Jonathan and Suzanne Scharfstein and Jonathan's parents, Bernard and Barbara Scharfstein, established the Agnon School Alumni Scholarship and Staff Education Endowment Fund. The endowment provides a $1,000 merit-based college scholarship annually and up to $1,000 each year for staff conference travel. Active at Agnon for many years, Suzanne and Jonathan are the parents of three Agnon alumni.
 
 
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COMMENTS, CORRECTIONS OR FEEDBACK?
Please e-mail Kathy Peskin, Director of Marketing, at The Agnon School.
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