This week, I am honored to share the space for my weekly D'var Torah column with the PPP who has an important message to communicate with all of you in advance of Tu Bish'vat. Leadership is about role modeling and the leadership gift that the PPP is making to purchase trees in Israel this year is an example for us to follow and I hope you will all join me in following them! Please take a moment to read the letter from PPP Co-Chairs, Marnie Greenwald and Joanna Wasel below.  

 

Shabbat Shalom and Hodesh Tov!

 

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Dear VTT Parents,

 

Part of the mission of Vancouver Talmud Torah's Parent Participation Program is to provide our families and community with ways to be able to bring the celebration of the Jewish festivals that are at the heart of our school and our people home to you. Today, we write this letter to all of our families to accompany the Jewish National Fund (JNF) Tu Bish'vat package that has been sent home. Tu Bish'vat - The New Year of the Trees - draws our attention both to the environmental mitzvot of the Jewish tradition and to the on-going miraculous achievements of the JNF in greening the Land of Israel, transforming it from desert wasteland into fertile forests and farmland. Each year, the PPP sets aside part of its budget for Tu Bish'vat and we would like to share our allocation decision with all of you and encourage you to join us! Read more online... 

 

This year, under the leadership of Belinda Gutman and Megan Laskin, the Directory is undergoing a major update. 30 PPP volunteers have been calling every name in the Directory to ensure that the contact information is correct. The team is also encouraging the VTT community and members of the community at-large to add their names, if they are not in it already. The more names we have, the better able we are to sell advertising, which is where most of the revenue comes from.

 

We are encouraging everyone to ensure that they are "in" - both listed and if you have a business, small or large, to advertise. Not only will your business benefit for the next two years, but you will be supporting VTT! For more information, click here.

Each year, VTT's Grade 7 students embark on the Strathcona trip - a week long excursion to Vancouver Island where they learn outdoor skills, build their confidence and further deepen the bonds with their classmates before embarking on the next chapter of their lives. For many, it represents the highlight of their time at VTT.

 

In order to cover the costs of the program, each family is required to contribute money and then fundraise the rest. This year's goal is $18,000.

 

Community Games Night, a fun-filled community event each January, is the marquee Strathcona fundraiser. Funds are raised through sponsorship, games, and other activities. In recent years, we have been fortunate to have so many VTT families and community partners support this important event.

 

This year, we are pleased to acknowledge the presenting sponsor of Games Night and Strathcona 2013, e-Renter.com. More opportunities to promote your business and support this event are available. For more information, please click here.

SCHOOL NEWS (photos from December)

K2 students received a special visit from the VTT parent Jory Simkim and his Roaming Dragon food truck to support the students' unit study on jobs in our community.

Remember our one December snowfall? Seemed like so long ago... Kindergarten students loved building a snowman with some help from Mr. Cohen.
Grade 4 students also joined in the fun and created their own snow sculpture.

Avoid disappointment and submit your registration to Tammy in the office.

Visit this link to download registration forms or pick up hard copies at the office

Not quite sure how DIGIVATIONS incorporates STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) + ARTS into their program? Check out the students' YouTube video.