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| The Agnon Agenda | The Be-Happy-It's-Adar Edition
March 2012 | |
BE HAPPY, IT'S ADAR!
The Jewish month of Adar is always a fun time at Agnon. This year, during a full week of playful theme days (Wear Your Pajamas to School Day; Silly Hat Day, etc.) each day began with a special session of Israeli Dance (and Agnon students love their Israeli Dance classes). The week culminated in Yom HaYeled (The Day of the Child -- read more below), and the fun returned a few days later, when the whole school participated in the school's Megillah reading and Purim activities.
As you can see in the photos and articles which follow, our students' achievements have continued to grow at a rapid pace. Head of School Jerry Isaak-Shapiro has embarked upon a new project this spring: His "Shabbat Shalom from the Head of School" column should be appearing in your e-mail box each Friday (if it isn't, e-mail kpeskin@agnon.org). The weekly columns, which are archived under From the Head of School on the Agnon website and posted on Agnon's Facebook page each week, have already garnered tons of praise and Facebook "Likes" from parent and alumni readers.
IN THIS ISSUE:
 
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 DADS' CAMP IN HIGHLIGHTS
by Scott Simon, Agnon Parent, Board Member and Dads' Camp-In Chair
For the fourth consecutive year, Agnon was the scene of a unforgettable 17-hour family extravaganza. Nearly 150 dads, special people and their children played, ate, sang, danced . . . and some actually slept. Highlights? A fantastic dance competition, dads vs. kids dodgeball, a Tamir Goodman basketball clinic, an unforgettable havdallah service led by Agnon teacher Becca Ress, and a dads-only modern dance performance of Styx's classic "Mr. Roboto" (bootleg copies are available). Agnon food guru Toni Scalabrino cooked a great meal, everyone enjoyed playing games and watching movies, the dads had a special "dads-only" feast and poker game, and so much more. The end result? Some sore backs and needed naps, but great Agnon family memories to last a lifetime!
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AGNON ACCOLADES 
Mazal tov to Agnon 8th grader Aaron Dobres, who was one of 56 students to compete The Plain Dealer Cuyahoga County Scripps Spelling Bee. Aaron finished in a three-way tie for 4th place.  Mazal tov to Agnon 5th grader Noa Marcus who had a successful day as Head of School on February 3. Her schedule included a meeting with Jerry Isaak-Shapiro, observing classes, attending a special Gan Shoresh / Preschool program, leading prayers at lunch and preparing for a Kabbalat Shabbat assembly. Noa's parents, Rabbi Sharon and John Marcus, bid on this activity for Noa during last year's Spring Benefit Auction. This year's Auction is April 22.
Mazal tov to Agnon (Class of 2008) graduate and Orange High School senior Simon Sugerman who was recruited to play soccer at the University of Vermont, a Division One school. Read more about Simon in the Feb. 9 Cleveland Jewish News: Area Soccer Players Select Colleges. |
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100 DAYS AT AGNON
On Feb. 9, Agnon Kindergarteners showed their math skills and creativity when they exhibited displays illustrating the first 100 days of school. Each student discussed their project with pride.
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YOM HAYELED FESTIVITIES SPREAD
JOY THROUGHOUT AGNON
In conjunction with the Hebrew Spelling Bee, Agnon held its annual Yom HaYeled (Day of the Child) celebration on Feb. 24. The day featured a magician, dancing to music provided by Rock The House, a festive lunch, face painting, a raffle and prizes. 
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COMMUNITY PROJECT JOINS TWO GRADES
Recently, Agnon 3rd and 4th graders participated in a joint two-day community project. After listening to and discussing The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau (in which a generous quiltmaker helps a greedy king find happiness by giving away his possessions), each student created a quilt square that  demonstrated an act of kindness they would fulfill. The squares were then assembled into a large, community quilt representing both grades.
Next, the students created a life-size tree for Tu B'Shevat with leaves and fruit listing each Agnon student and faculty member. Both projects are displayed in the front hall.
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U.S. ATTORNEY VISITS AGNON
United States Attorney Steven Dettelbach
 recently visited Agnon to discuss the federal criminal process and trial tactics with 8th graders. He helped them prepare for their annual moot trial in federal court based on the famous Julius and Ethel Rosenberg case. He then joined Michele Sudow's Kindergarten class in a spirited discussion about criminal law, while sharing some tools used to enforce the law.
Read more:
► United States Attorney Visits Beachwood ● Sun News ● Feb. 6, 2012 |
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ADULT LEARNING SERIES
Agnon hosts a series of adult learning classes dedicated to bringing important parenting, education and Judaic information to the community. All classes are at Agnon and are free and open to the public.
 Pesach, Omer & Shavuot: From Freedom to Revelation
March 14, 8:30 am
Speaker: Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, Fairmount Temple
 Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, & Yom HaAtzmuat: Through an Israeli Lens
March 29, 7:30 pm
Speaker: Rabbi Steven Weiss,
B'nai Jeshurun |
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AGNON STUDENTS ENSURE SUCCESSFUL BLOOD DRIVE
In February, Agnon hosted a successful four-hour "Pint Size Heroes" blood drive. Participants donated 16 pints of blood to the American Red Cross, helping to save 48 lives.
Agnon students played a key role in collecting lifesaving blood for those in need. While attending an American Red Cross educational assembly, they learned about the importance of donating blood and then encouraged their parents and other adults to join Agnon's blood drive.
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IT'S A SMALL WORLD
During a unit on immigration and cultural origins, 2nd graders explored different cultures that shaped their national heritage. They also discovered that their own lineage started elsewhere in the world and that classmates represent more than 35 different countries!
Through books, research, interviews, journaling and many other activities, students learned to appreciate their cultural differences while celebrating their commonalities.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER VISITS EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASS
Middle School teacher Diane Lavin created much excitement in one of Agnon's Gan Alonim / PreK classes after she visited them and read a story.
"This simple gesture brought our students much joy, and we know Diane valued the experience, too," said Gan Alonim / PreK teachers Val Jones and Diane Wachsman. "Now when Diane Lavin greets them in the hallway, our students get so much pleasure. This interaction built community in a way that makes our students feel they belong here."
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"TALK SHOW" BRINGS FAMOUS PEOPLE TO LIFE
 After reading a biography on a person who interest-ed them, 3rd grade stu-dents wrote a report in the form of a pizza. Each slice repre-sented a different time in that par-ticular per-son's life. Next, 3rd grade teacher Halle Dubin hosted a "talk show" that brought each famous person to life. Dressed as the person they read about, students took on the persona of that individual and answered questions. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, Abe Lincoln, Helen Keller and Rosa Parks were just a few of the celebrities who were in the building! |
HEBREW SPELLING BEE ENRICHES VOCABULARY
Agnon recently held its sixth annual Hebrew
Spelling Bee for students in 4th - 8th grade, giving them an opportunity to enrich their Hebrew vocabulary in a fun and motivating way. The challenge generated much enthusiasm among Agnon students who studied up to 400 Hebrew words, along with their definitions, to compete for exciting prizes donated by Agnon alumni parent Anat Nurko.
Top prize went to Omer Sarig (4th grade) for the 4th - 5th grade challenge, while Andrew Saks (5th grade) placed second and Carly Stewart (5th grade) placed third.
David Buchinsky (7th grade) won the Middle School challenge. Callie Gordon (6th grade) and Nicole Rzepka (6th grade) tied for second place and Rotem Avisar (8th grade) placed third.
Guest judges - Nili Adler from the Siegal College of Judaic Studies and Rabbi David Kosak from Congregation Shaarey Tikvah - added to the event. Agnon teachers - Etti Berkman and Moshe Glauber - also served as judges, in addition to Anat Nurko.
Anat introduced the Hebrew Spelling Bee to Agnon in 2007 and sponsors the event through the Abraham Slomianski Israel Culture Fund, established in memory of her father.
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AGNON FUND CONTRIBUTIONS  |
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AGNON STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR
Twelve Agnon middle school students are participating in the 2012 Northeastern Ohio Science and Engineering Fair (NEOSEF) at Cleveland State University, March 12 - 15. Approximately 600 students from more than 80 area schools will also participate and vie for special awards with cash prizes.
To be eligible, the following Agnon 7th and 8th graders first competed in Agnon's February Science Fair. The winners and their topics are as follows:
EIGHTH GRADE WINNERS
● 1st Place: Barak Spector - What Is the Effect of Solutes on Boiling Point and Rate?
● 2nd Place: Dani Bieler - What Is the Effect of Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers on Moisture Wicking?
● 3rd Place: Ariana Starkman - How Does Solute Type and Concentration Affect Capillarity?
EIGHTH GRADE HONORABLE MENTIONS
● Dani Zborovsky - What Is the Effect of Color on Burning Time?
● Mitchell Maly - What Is the Effect of Temperature on the Corrosion Rate of Aluminum?
● Rotem Avisar - What Is the Effect of Different Surfaces on Motion?
SEVENTH GRADE WINNERS
● 1st Place: Micki Reisman - How Do Different Types of Soap Affect Oiled Bird Feathers?
● 2nd Place: Gabe Sugerman - How Does Temperature Affect Strength and Flexibility of the Male Hamstring Muscle?
● 3rd Place: Noah Horowitz - How Does Food Affect Memory?
SEVENTH GRADE HONORABLE MENTIONS
● William Goldstein - How Do Different Types of Camouflage Affect Ability to Remain Hidden?
● Gabriel Shapera - How Does Music Affect Heart Rate?
● Julian Barnett - How Does Physical Exertion Affect Ability to Concentrate?
The following 6th graders were also Agnon Science Fair winners, but are not eligible to compete in the regional science fair which is only open to 7th - 12th graders.
SIXTH GRADE WINNERS
● 1st Place: Logan Goldberg - How Does Acid Rain Affect Different Types of Roofing Shingles?
● 2nd Place: Jessica Linden - How Does the Height of a Meteor's Fall Affect the Depth of the Resulting Indentation?
● 3rd Place: Nikki Rzepka - How Does Acid Rain Affect Rock Erosion?
SIXTH GRADE HONORABLE MENTIONS
● Alan Shvartsman - How Do Different Materials Affect Water Filtration?
● Rachael Grossman - How Does Acid Affect Limestone?
● Tamara Joseph - How Does Temperature Affect Soap?
For more information, go to www.neosef.org. |
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FACULTY FOCUS: CHRISTINE CATALOGNA
 Second grade teacher, Christine Catalogna, began working at Agnon in 2009 and is responsible for Language Arts, Social Studies and Science. Her teaching philosophy is to "Educate, Motivate and Inspire." Christine achieves this by creating a spark that makes her students want to discover more. In addition, she honors each child's individuality, potential and unique background.
"I encourage my students to make deeper connections between what is learned in class and what exists beyond our walls," comments Christine. "I also strive to make subjects more comprehensible through hands-on and experiential activities."
With a B.A. in Psychology and Cognitive Science from the University of Virginia in 2007, Christine also earned an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Ursuline College in 2009. Currently, she is Secretary for the Cleveland Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta -- an international education honors society and professional association -- receiving the organization's Classroom Project Grant Award in 2010.
When not at Agnon, Christine enjoys reading, working on projects around her Shaker Heights home and spending time with friends and family.
Favorite Food: Galumbki - a Polish dish from her great-grandmother (Babci)
Favorite Book: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Favorite Film: The Shawshank Redemption
Favorite Music: Classic Rock (Thanks to her dad)
Birth Place: Framingham, Massachusetts
Family: Husband - David, Parents (who live in Cleveland's Warehouse District) and a Sister (who also lives in Shaker Heights)
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| AGNON IN THE NEWS
► Award Winner / Class Notes ● Cleveland Jewish News ● January 13, 2012
► Agnon Students Celebrate MLK Day ● Beachwood Patch ● January 18, 2011
► Camp Letters Bring Back Laughs, Lessons ● Cleveland Jewish News ● January 27, 2012
► Book Awards Spotlight Jewish Themes / Power of the Pen / Class Notes ● Cleveland Jewish News ● January 27, 2012
► Agnon Remembers Music of Debbie Friedman ● Cleveland Jewish News ● February 8, 2012
► Barak Spector and Ariana Starkman ● Cleveland Jewish News ● February 8, 2012
► Day Schools Optimistic Despite Some Challenges ● Cleveland Jewish News ● February 8, 2012
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COMMENTS, CORRECTIONS OR FEEDBACK?
Please e-mail Kathy Peskin, Director of Marketing, at The Agnon School. |
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