Hillel Hadashot 31 Nadolny Sachs Pr. 613-722-0020 www.hillelacademy.ca December 10, 2010 Volume 3, Issue 82 In this issue ... - Important Notes. - Hanukkah Celebration. - David Smith lunch. - Dreidel Competition. - Science fun in grade 4. - Grade 3 and 8 visit Hillel Lodge. - Looking for ... Early Dismissal Dates: Dec. 10 - 2:00 Dec. 17 - 12:00 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 From the Administration This week the students were in very high spirits as we continued to enjoy Hanukkah, ending with our 2nd annual Hanukkah Celebration on the 8th night. On Tuesday, we had a dress rehearsal in front of guests from Tamir, Hillel Lodge and the preschools. It was marvelous to see so many proud parents and grandparents at our school on Wednesday evening. We were delighted to show off all the great talent our students have to offer. Our performers ranged from our kindergarten students, to those in the high school and we are so proud of their success. The evening could not have been such a success without the hard work of all our teachers. Morah Ruthie has been working constantly since the summer, along with Shannon Eddy Smith. But, of course, they could not have pulled it off without the help of the other teachers, who were all at the school keeping things organized behind the scenes. We know you all appreciate the extra work our teachers do as much as we do. We also want to mention our great appreciation of our parent volunteers. Thursday, we had parents in helping to serve all our students (and our hardworking security and custodial staff) a free lunch provided by David Smith. Our hot lunch program has been a run-away success thanks to those and other parents who are willing to give us their time. Thank you. Shabbat Shalom, Some Important Notes Next Friday's dismissal will be at 12 noon. As you can see below, parent and professional photographer Howard Sandler did a beautiful job of photographing our Hanukkah Celebration. He kindly sent on a few photos for the Hadashot, and we will let you know when the rest are available. We are continuing with our food drive until the end of next week. If you would still like to donate a non-perishable food item, the boxes are in the front foyer. Next Friday is a dress-down day. Your children can donate a loonie or toonie, or bring an item for the food bank. All funds raised will also go to the food bank. The January hot lunch form is up on the website. It needs to be put in the PTA box no later than Thursday, December 16th.     Hanukkah Celebration Wednesday evening was great fun! Our students put on a play telling the Hanukkah story, punctuated by songs based on the music from the movie The Sound of Music (one of Morah Ruthie's favourite movies) with lyrics written by Morah Ruthie. Students from kindergarten to grade 7 sang and acted, with some help from students from the high school. The grade 8s were backstage organizers, runners and ushers. Right, Gabi and Max stand beside Lea as she sings her solo. Below, Justin, Isaac, Serenna and Ella act in the play. Below that, the third grade waits behind MCs Ander, Dalia and Dahlia.  (photos: Howard Sandler) YRHS students Cassandra, Emma, Sarah and Elana helped Sam Freedman decorate the 500 cookies she baked to give out to guests at the Hanukkah play.   There is such thing as a free lunch! Parent and grade 8 volunteers helped caterer David Smith serve a lunch of smoked meat, latkes, salad and donuts to the students. Grades 2 and 3 held dreidel-spinning contests in their classrooms and then pitted their champions against each other. Above, Matt from grade 2 and Yael from grade 3 face off in the championship. It was a close contest, but Matt emerged as the victor. Grade 4 has been learning about pulleys and gears in science. On Wednesday, they got to try building their own pulley structures and test them out. Above, Dalia, Jordan and Noah work on their pulley. Above, the grade 3 students visited Hillel Lodge this week to sing Hanukkah songs for the residents. (photo: Marilyn Adler) Above and below, the grade 7 students got to visit Hillel Lodge this week, and baked Hanukkah cookies with the residents. The Israeli students spent a couple of days this week getting to know the students in the elementary school. Above, the Israelis applaud a new Hanukkah song the students learned and sang. Looking For ... Morah Sarah is looking for some parents with sewing skills to help sew siddur covers for the grade 1 siddur party. If you can help, please email her at sarah.levinson@hillelacademy.ca. Morah Ruthie is looking for a small area rug and several plain-colour cushions for the seating area behind the security desk.