Rabbi Finkelstein has passed on the following message:
Mrs. Simes has asked the students of Hillel to continue to pray for the Rabbi's well-being and recovery. Rabbi Simes and his family believe very strongly in the power of prayer, and they are appreciative of Hillel students' efforts to help Rabbi Simes both in terms of prayer and in raising needed money for the family. Equally, the family is appreciative of all of the help and support shown by the families and staff of Hillel Academy in this difficult time. Mrs. Simes also asks if the Hillel students can take on themselves to do one extra mitzvah during the summer in Rabbi Simes' merit.

We have several teachers and staff leaving us this year. Morah Zahava, who has taught Hebrew and Judaics to our kindergarten classes for 29 years, is retiring from teaching. For years, if you went to Hillel for Kindergarten or Junior Kindergarten, you were taught by Morah Zahava. We know the students will always remember her energy and kindness and how she made what they were learning fun.
 
 Morah Tal, our Resource coordinator, has also been a parent and teacher at Hillel for almost 20 years. When she started as Resource coordinator, it was a department of one. This year, it has 4 full-time teachers, and provides extra support and enrichment in every subject. She should be very proud of this legacy. Tal is moving to Montreal to be with her husband and we know she will make her mark there as well.

Rabbi Burger and Pearl Beausoleil have both been here 10 years, and it will be very hard to see them go. Pearl has managed all the school's finances with an incredible and admirable attention to detail and we aren't quite sure how we will cope without her. Rabbi Burger taught the older students a wide range of Judaic topics - mishna, navi, Torah, tefillah - demonstrating great knowledge of all of them, and we know he'll be successful wherever he goes.
 
We are also saying goodbye to Morah Carmit and Madame Kettles. Morah Carmit has only been with us for a year, teaching extended Hebrew. The kids loved her classes and we are sorry to see her go. Madame Kettles will also be missed by everyone. She has only been here a few years, but between Gym and French, she has taught more of the students at one time than anyone else. She is remarkably organized and has tons of energy and we know she will do well in her new job.
 
All our departing teachers will be sorely missed, but we know this won't really be good-bye, but only l'hitraot - we'll see you again!

On Tuesday morning, the school had its last assembly, awarding the students for their special contributions and achievements over the year. Right, Sadie, in grade 1, poses with Liz Vered, who co-sponsored the Arnie and Liz Vered Book Award won by Sadie this year.

Below are the members of the Libarary Squad, honoured by Mrs. Mackintosh for their hard work in keeping the library organized and running smoothly this year.

Congratulations to all our award winners!

The 4th grade students have been learning about rocks and minerals. To better understand issues around mining, Ms. Coghlin split the students into 3 groups - the "We Love Money" company, the community group against mining and the jury. Ms. Coghlin was the judge. Below, the proceedings started off with protests outside the courthouse. Below that, Judge Coghlin presides and Michael gives opening arguments for the We Love Money group on how important gold is to the economy and why mining will benefit the local residents.

The results: in one class, the jury voted with the mining company and in the other, they voted with the community group.

Above, the students and teachers of 1L enjoy the pool party the class won for raising the most money at the Walkathon. 4A raised the same amount, and enjoyed their reward the next day.

Last Friday afternoon, the grade 8 students took the field in the annual Grade 8s v. Teachers baseball game. Traditionally, the teachers have won, but this year they were missing a couple of their best players. And so they finally went down to defeat, but they still had a lot of fun doing it, as did all the students.

Below top, Bram pitches, Eadan hits, and Shira successfully reaches home base before Mr. Cinanni can tag her out. Bottom, Mr. Morenstein has fun in his new position at 2nd base. The students pile into the shade to watch the game, and Ms. Coghlin keeps 3rd base safe.