31 Nadolny Sachs Pr.
613-722-0020
www.hillelacademy.ca
| November 19, 2010
Volume 3, Issue 79
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In this issue ...
- Important Notes.
- Senior School Green Projects.
- Looking for Scientists.
- YRHS Shadow Day.
- Grade 3 presents Book in a Bag.
- D'var Torah - Rabbi Finkelstein.
- Looking for ...
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Coming Up ...
- P/T interviews, Mon. Nov. 22 (2 pm dismissal) and Wed Nov. 24.
- PD day, Fri. Nov. 26.
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Early Dismissal Dates:
Nov. 19 - 2:30
Nov. 26 - PD Day
Dec. 3 - 2:00
Dec. 10 - 2:00
Dec. 17 - 2:00
Jan. 7 - 2:00
Jan. 14 - 2:30
Jan. 21 - 2:30
Jan. 28 - 2:30
Feb. 4 - 3:00
Feb. 11 - 3:00
Feb. 18 - PD Day
Feb. 25 - 3:00
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From the Administration
We know we have talked about this before, but the topic is so important that we can't help but bring it up again - tikkun olam. As you know, we instituted a number of tikkun olam projects last year, under the guidance of Rabbi Simes. Rabbi Simes isn't here this year, but that hasn't stopped the students and our other teachers from following in his footsteps. We have already collected the same number of socks as last year - 1000 pairs - and are still collecting, towards our goal of doubling that contribution this year. And the snowsuits are starting to pile up for the Snowsuit Fund.
As most of you know, Hillel is working hard to become more environmentally responsible, also fitting in with tikkun olam. From the recycling program the Environmental Club introduced last year to our new trees and community garden, our students and teachers are learning more about our impact on the world around us.
This term in science, the grade 7 and 8 students are not just learning about our impact on the environment and how to make a 'green' difference, they have been challenged to put those ideas into action. Their science projects require them to find a way to have a positive effect on the environment and then report on their success in implementing that idea. So you will see a lot about our 'Green Projects' in the Hadashot in the coming weeks, asking you to get involved too. We are sure you will give our students the support they need for successful projects!
Shabbat Shalom,
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Some Important Notes
- The PTA December hot lunch forms are available on our website. Please return them to the PTA box by Tuesday, Nov. 23. Please note that Dave Smith is providing a complimentary hot meal for all our students on Dec. 9 - smoked meat sandwiches, potato latkes and pickles.
- The PTA needs a few parent volunteers for the Dec. 16th hot dog day. If you can spare some time at lunch time, please contact Linda Melamed.
- Please let your children know that our freetime library hours are Monday at lunch and Tuesday at first recess.
- The grade 8s will be starting a fundraiser next week, selling school supplies and water bottles. They will be selling stainless steel water bottles, to go along with their Green Projects - helping to keep our school 'green and clean'. Their table will be in front of the chapel on Tuesday and Thursday at all recesses.
- Photo retake orders are due back on Monday, Nov. 22.
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Senior School Green Projects
This week, grade 8 students Meera and Hannah worked hard to promote litterless lunches among their fellow students. They went around to the classes to see how all the grades did and provide encouragement, and were delighted with the response (Right, grade 1 shows off their reusable containers - photo by Meera).
There are other 8th grade students who could use your help with their projects. Abigail is recycling eletronics, so please drop off any old electronics in the office. She's accepting all old computer equipment, phones, cameras, ipods, etc. If you have any questions about what can be recycled, you can check here.
Matthew and Jacob are recycling batteries and Sarina has set up a bin in the front foyer (beside the Snowsuit Fund collection) for cardboard. Joseph is collecting pop cans. While no doubt you toss your cans into your own recycling bin at home, please encourage your kids to recycle them while they are at school.
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Are You a Scientist?
Hillel mom Justine Sider is looking to organize a day - or a few days, depending on the interest - devoted to "How Things Work". The event will be held in conjunction with our Science Fair in the spring. The idea is that parents who have a background in science would work with students in all stages of a scientific experiment or demonstration.
For example, Justine has lined up the Radio Amateurs of Canada to do a demonstration on wireless communications. Members of the RAC would work with the students to set up a transmitting/receiving station and an antenna and teach the basics of communications. Antennas have enabled wireless communications, from Morse Code stations on the Titanic to today's smart phones. Who knows - during this experiment, we may even wind up communicating with a scientific research station in the Antarctic!
It is Justine's hope to complement the science program at Hillel Academy by teaching some hands-on experimentation to all the children - from SK to grade 8. If you think you'd like to work with the children on a scientific experiment, please email Justine.
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Our grade 8 students spent the morning up at Yitzhak Rabin, learning what our high school is like, having lunch and cake with their students. Above, math teacher Mr. Hazen demonstrates the Smart Board.
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The students in grade 3 presented their Books in a Bag this week. Book in a Bag is a creative and fun way for students to present a book report. After reading their books, the students decorated bags to reflect the main ideas and characters of the books. They then filled the bags with props to help them present their book reports to their classmates - good practice for public speaking! Above, Jonah and Kayla pose with their decorated bags.
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The Board of Governors got a treat on Thursday morning, when the grade 1s, 3s and our choir performed several songs from our upcoming Hanukkah celebration.
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D'var Torah - The Blessings of Adequacy
Jacob anticipates nervously his meeting with his brother, Esau, who has sworn that he will kill Jacob for having stolen the birthright and his father's blessing. Prior to that meeting, Jacob is engaged in a confrontation with an angel who injures him on his thigh, causing him to limp. With the passage of time, the Torah relates that Jacob recuperates from his injury. The Hebrew word used to describe Jacob's recovery is 'shalem' or 'complete', prompting the statement of the rabbis of the Talmud cited by Rashi, that Jacob has not only recovered physically, but is fully secure financially and spiritually. In a sense we, descendants of Jacob in our capacity as educators and parents, ensure that our children will be secure in terms of their health, economic well-being and spiritual welfare. We owe no less to our children. Shabbat Shalom..
- Rabbi Howard Finkelstein |
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Looking For ...
- Morah Ruthie is looking for more empty yogurt, cottage cheese or margarine containers for painting. You can drop any you have off at the office.
- Morah Ann-Lynn is looking for Little People garages, towns and fire stations.
- Snowsuits and socks and cardboard and old batteries and electronics!
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