31 Nadolny Sachs Pr.
613-722-0020 www.hillelacademy.ca
| March 25, 2011
Volume 3, Issue 92 |
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In this issue ...
- Important Notes.
- Purim Carnival.
- Author Visit.
- "How Things Work".
- Vision Assembly.
- D'var Torah.
- Looking for ... |
| Upcoming Dates:
March 31 - reregistration due.
April 18 - Pesach break.
Aapril 7 - Grade 1 Siddur Celebration.
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From the Administration
Our older students, from grades 6 to 8, have been very busy this week, involved in the Entrepreneur Fair. This is an innovative 5-day program that shepherds the students through the process of creating a new businesses. From logos, to store layout, to a detailed budget, the students create every aspect of their businesses. It is great to see the excitement our students are displaying as they work together. By making this project as hands-on as possible, the organizer, Lin Dickson, takes what could be a very dry subject and injects it with a great deal of energy and fun. Next Tuesday, the groups will all be displaying models of their businesses, and we can't wait to see what they have come up with.
We would like to draw your attention to the ad we have at the bottom of the newsletter. AJA50+ is an organization for Jewish seniors that was created 10 years ago. As part of their 10th anniversary celebration, they are holding a Gala fundraiser, and the money raised will come to our school in the form of a scholarship fund. They have called the evening Bridging the Generations. Many AJA50+ members are bubbies and zaidies of our current students, and even former students themselves.
We are humbled by the way AJA50+ has generously reached out to our school, and we'd be delighted if our parent body showed its support. You can become a sponsor or attend the event, and all the contact information is below.
Shabbat shalom,
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Important Notes
- Parents of students in grades 6-8 are invited to view the Entrepreneur Fair on Tuesday, March 29, from 10 - 11 am.
- Reregistration forms are due back by March 31 in order to take advantage of the $350 discount per child. Please note that payment with VISA or MC incurs a 3% service charge and AMEX is a 3.25% service charge.
- There will be a Used Book Fair during the mornings of April 6 and 7, to raise funds for new library equipment. Paperbacks will be $1 and hardcovers/picture books will be $2.
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A Visit for the Silver Birch Club
Silver Birch Club and Grade 5 students enjoyed listening to author Kathy Clarke talking about the historical background to her novel, Guardian Angel House, set in Budapest during the last year of World War II. The students had many questions about the war and the experiences of Ms. Clarke's mother and aunt. This book has been nominated by the Ontario Library Association's Red Maple Programme as one of the 10 best non- fiction books of 2011.
Left, Diana poses with the author and her latest book.
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Learning About Science in the Real World
In two weeks, Hillel students will have an opportunity to explore 'how things work'. Hillel parent and scientist Justine Sider started the initiative, recruiting other parents to help show our students how science works outside the classroom.
On April 6 and 13, parent scientists and the Radio Amateurs of Canada will be taking students from grades 2 to 8 through a series of experiments and demonstrations to help them better understand the world of science and technology.
In the morning of April 6, Hillel mom, Dr. Elianna Saidenberg, has arranged for the senior school students to visit the blood bank of the Ottawa Hospital to learn the basics of blood types and blood transfusion.
In the morning of April 13, Hillel mom Dr. Lilach Aviram, who recently moved here from Israel, will lead the grades 2 and 3 students though a simple forensic mystery using acid-base chemical reactions. At the same time, two volunteers from the Radio Amateurs of Canada will teach students in grades 4 and 5 about wireless communications and the importance of antennas. Students will then get a chance to send their own Morse Code messages and participate in assembling an antenna.
Finally, Hillel dad Andrew McGregor will teach grade 6 students about understanding and inspecting elevators using acceleration meters, sound meters and thermal cameras.
Parent volunteers to help during these experiments would be most welcome. Please email Justine Sider if you would like to help out on the morning of April 13.
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Entrepreneur Fair Field Trip
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Entrepreneur Fair organizer Lin Dickson leads a field trip to the mall this week for grades 6-8. Above, she explains the function of store fronts in attracting business to a group of grade 6 students.
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Vision Assembly
Before the break, the students in grades 1 and 2 led an assembly about how their grades are promoting Hillel's vision. The grade 1s gave a presentation promoting respect and acceptance and the grade 2 talked about giving back to the community.
Right, Lucy reads her part of a poem her class wrote together. Below, Jessica, Sam, Dalia, Noah, Noa and Jessica from grade 5 show off the certificates awarded for being great lunch monitors. Sitting with them are their grade 1 presenters, Talia, Alexa and Evan.
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D'var Torah - Shmini-Parah
This week we read of the tragic deaths of Aaron's two sons, Nadav and Avihu, who bring a 'strange fire before G-d which they were not commanded to bring.' The tendency of many commentaries to pass judgment on the actions of these victims raises theological questions which too many hasten to answer without considering the ramifications of their responses.
While it is noteworthy that some of the medieval commentaries, such as the Kli Yakar, derive moral lessons from this terrible tragedy, modern day interpreters cast aspersions on the victims as if to say that their actions precipitated their demise. To the contrary, Moses, in comforting his brother Aaron, does not look for reasons or rationalizations about his nephews' deaths, but indicates to Aaron that G-d has been sanctified by these martyrs. In other words, they are not criminals, but righteous individuals who suffered a terrible end.
To engage in judgmental evaluations is neither theologically justifiable, nor appropriate. We do not understand the ways of G-d, nor do we condone evil when committed by man. Aaron's silence after hearing his brother's comments lend credence to the fact that there are matters that no human can understand. Faith becomes man's response instead.
- Rabbi Howard Finkelstein
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Looking For ...
- Baby stuff! Grade 2 is doing their part to support the school vision of "Giving Back to the Community" and collecting donations of baby items. Right, Kole and Aliza hold some of the most needed donations - diapers, baby food and formula. Donations can be brought to the grade 2 classroom, room 109.
- gently-used children's books for the Library Used Book Sale.
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