MJDS elementary and middle school students marked this week Rosh Chodes Adar the beginning of the new Hebrew month. Rosh Chodesh, literally means "head of the month," special prayers are added to the daily service; we wish each other "chodesh tov," a good month. The word "chodesh" comes from the root chadash, which means new. Rosh Chodesh offers us the opportunity to begin anew, not just once a year, but once a month. On this occasion Kita Magen David hosted Kita Shalhevet and Kita Rimon to mark the event.

Adar is a beginning of a month full of happiness and celebration as we welcome Purim.

״משנכנסאדרמרביןבשמחה״

When Adar arrives, our joy increases!

Rosh Chodes Adar Picassa Album

This week the classes at MJDS were seeing red as studies turned to the Chinese New Year. Kita Zohar explored symbols of the Chinese New Year through their senses, while Kita Mazal and Kita Gefen made Chinese Lanterns and discussed the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Kita Magen David read and discussed articles from a local newspaper addressing the customs of the festival. They also solved word problems related to the holiday.  Kita Shalhevet and Kita Rimon cooked baby bok choi with sesame oil for lunch.

It only takes a spark to ignite the Lower Elementary classroom into spontaneous activity. This week we saw a creative art idea ignite a Hebrew writing experience that was enjoyed by all. See these creations yourself as you enter the foyer on Monday.

Over the last month the focus of the Upper Elementary and Middle School Physical Education lessons has been to develop the student's leadership by giving them the responsibility to plan their own lessons. Two or more students were tasked to come with a lesson plan that included an objective and steps for implementation. We discussed the plan and then the students tried the activity. As a conclusion, we reviewed the lesson plan to see if the goals had been reached. If the goals had not been met, then we looked at what aspects of the lesson should be modified in order to reach those goals, or if the goals should be modified instead. In true Montessori spirit, the educational idea behind these student-created physical education lessons is to give the students an opportunity to lead the group as well as expose them to the process involved in both the preparation and execution of a lesson plan, and what to do in case a challenge occurs.

COMING SOON TO A THEATRE NEAR YOU! 

THE MJDS FILM FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER EVENT!

DATE:                        Friday March 6th, 2015
TIME:                         Noon-3:00 p.m. (Note: Formal school day ends at Noon on March 6 for Purim.)
LOCATION:               MJDS
REGISTRATION:       $20/student, additional siblings: $15/sibling

(Registration includes: Games and film-related activities, viewing of films and a snack.)

MJDS students are invited to the first MJDS FILM FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER EVENT! Participants will enjoy a variety of games and film-related activities. This will be followed by a special theatrical presentation of selected short films created by MJDS student filmmakers from the Clapboard Kids Film Workshops after-school program! Freshly made popcorn will be served during the film screening as a snack. Student filmmakers and Clapboard Kids film teacher, Valerie Weiss will be in attendance to do a Q&A after the film showings. 

So, have your children come and support MJDS while enjoying a fabulous fun and film-filled afternoon!

Event registration forms were distributed on Friday for full day children in Casa and older. Completed forms with payment can be returned to the school office, in the envelope marked: MJDS FILM FESTIVAL EVENT. 

Please note: Registration is open until March 5^th and will not be possible on the day of the event. 

For questions regarding the event, please contact Valerie Weiss at: timepie@rogers.com

The help of parent volunteers for this event would be greatly appreciated. If interested, please contact Valerie directly.

Zimriyah, the Toronto Jewish Choir Festival, is taking place on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Adath Israel Congregation.

Tickets can be purchased online ($10.00 per ticket) commencing February 2, 2015.   

Please note - On the day of the performance a limited number of tickets (if available) will be sold at the door - $15.00 CASH ONLY.