31 Nadolny Sachs Pr.
613-722-0020
www.hillelacademy.ca
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September 25, 2009
Volume 2, Issue 32
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In this issue ...
- Terry Fox Run.
- H1N1 update
- Study Skills class.
- Kapparot with Grade 8.
- Uniform policy details.
- We are looking for...
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Coming Up ...
- School closed Monday, September 28th for Yom Kippur.
- SGM on Thursday, October 1, at 7:15 pm at the school.
- 3 pm early dismissal Friday, October 2nd for Sukkot.
- Grade 7 and 8 vaccinations on Friday, October 9th.
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Web Site Reminder
Two of the sections on our web site - 'Parents' and 'School Life' are password protected. In order to view them, you need the login, which is 'parent' and the password, which is 'parent101'.
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From the Administration
We have to give out a huge thank you for the parents who came out today and helped us with the Terry Fox Run. We really could not do what we do without the help of the parents who give their time to us and we want you to know how much we appreciate you.
We also hope our volunteers had as much fun as we did during the Run. It was a great experience for everyone. Fund raising can be fun! Look below for some photos, and on the web site for more (each week, the Photo Gallery section is updated with more photos from the week).
Yesterday, information went home with the grade 7 students and the grade 8 girls about the vaccines offered in the school. Public health vaccinates against Hepatitis B in grade 7 and HPV in grade 8. Please take a moment to read the information. More importantly, the parents of the girls in grade 8 must sign the form and return it to their homeroom teacher or the office before their daughters can be vaccinated on October 9th.
We won't see everyone back until Tuesday, so we hope you all have a great weekend and an easy and meaningful fast on Monday.
Donna Palmer-Dodds and Wendy Waxman
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We Had A GREAT Terry Fox Run!
 We could not have asked for a better day to hold our inaugural Terry Fox Run. The weather was cool and the sun was shining as our entire student body and teachers started to run around the campus. Some students walked, some ran and some raced around, completing the campus loop 5 or 6 times. The enthusiasm was a delight to see. You should be very proud of your children for the spirit they showed and their efforts in raising money for a good cause. We also owe a huge thank you for the parent volunteers who came out to guide and cheer on our runners. We really could not have done it without you. - Julie Kettles (Right, Hannah and Noah's mom holds all the coats she collected from students mid-run, as they warmed up and shed their outer layers. Below, the students race around the front of the school as the Run begins.) |
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| Uniforms Again
Our uniform policy keeps evolving as issues arise. People
have been asking questions about headbands, for example. Just as the boys can
wear any colour of kippah, the girls can wear coloured headbands. We just
require that they be tasteful.
We would like to remind you that tights need to be navy or
black. Also, while obviously students may wear any sweater or coat they wish to
school, once they are in school, they must not wear non-uniform sweatshirts or sweaters in class.
Cardigans and fleeces are both available as pieces of the uniforms from Top
Marks. Boots can also only be worn outside; only shoes indoors.
Finally, please remember to label your child's uniforms. Rather than just sitting in the Lost and Found, we promise if your labeled uniform pieces end up there, they will be delivered back to their owners. Also, while we are starting to get reports of lost items, nothing has turned up so far in the Lost and Found. So please do occasional quick checks to make sure that your kids haven't accidentally picked up something belonging to another student.
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Yitzhak Rabin High School held a fund-raising breakfast before the Terry Fox Run, and then their students ran before Hillel's. But YRHS's students then stuck around to cheer on the younger students. Above, high-fives for Itay and Sasha.
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Grade Eight's Present a Kapparot Ceremony Rabbi Simes' 8th graders presented a kapparot ceremony to the whole school by using the broadcast system in the school. As with the Rosh Hashanah presentation last week, most of the students spread out to the classrooms while Bram and Zoe, supervised by Rabbi Simes, (right) broadcast on the PA. They led the student body through the ceremony from their classrooms, then collected the kapparot donations. Eighteen cents can certainly add up. They collected over $50 to go to the Kosher Food bank. (Below, Shira takes a 2nd grade class through the ceremony and bracha.)
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H1N1 Update
As you are aware, H1N1 is still a big concern and we want to
insure parents that the school is taking pro-active steps to do everything we
can to reduce the risk to our students and staff.
We are thankful that a generous family came forward to donate
the rest of the hand sanitizer dispensers needed for the school. As well, the
teachers have been instructing the students on appropriate hand washing
techniques, which are reinforced by posters placed in bathrooms and around the
building.
Also important is the technique of teaching the children to cough or
sneeze into their elbows to prevent the airborne transmission of viruses. (Left, Noa from ADK demonstrates that even the 5-year-olds know how to sneeze into their sleeves.)
We also want to let you know that we receive regular
communications from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Ottawa Public Health so we keep and
follow their recommendations. For example, our custodial staff is now very
careful to regularly wipe down commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs and
light switches.
Finally, we send home any child with a fever or bad cough. You can help
us in our efforts to keep our school population healthy by keeping any sick
children home, and keeping them away from school for 24 hours after their fever
is gone.
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Study Skills for the Upper Grades
We told you last week about the study skills class Mrs. Waxman is teaching the 5th grade. Grades 6-8 also have a study skills class, taught by Mrs. Mandel-Carsen and Mrs. Graham. The students are learning how to research and organize information in order to write essays and create effective projects. Studying for exams and tests will also be covered. Below, Mrs. Mandel-Carsen teaches the 6th grade class to sort information effectively.  |
Several weeks ago, Ms. Coghlin's 4th graders each created their own "About Me" quilt squares. Then Ms. Coghlin's very kind mom sewed them together to create a unique quilt. Here is 4B with the finished piece.
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 The students were all able to start visiting the library this week. For links and a schedule, check out the 'library' section on our web site.
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We Are Looking For
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Exercise Ball
Stands
Morah Sheli, our Hebrew Resource teacher, has discovered that children with ADHD learn better in her class while they are allowed to move. The school now has several exercise balls, but she could still use stands so the kids can't bounce all over the place. If you have an unused stand or would like to donate the funds for one, please contact Ellie in the office.
Small Coffee Cans
The coffee cans are starting to arrive, but we could still use more. If you have any small, clean coffee or matzah meal cans, we would love to use them to make tzedakah boxes. Please drop them off in the office.
Library Furniture
A big thank you to the families who donated the children's comfy little rockers and chair to our library. We are still in search of bar stools for the teen section. If you have anything you would like to donate, please contact Mrs. Mackintosh.
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Noya and Hannah had a great time during the Run. (photo by Beata Myhill)
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