FUN AGNON FACTOID: DRAMA

Agnon has 52 students enrolled in drama, which is more than 25% of our combined Kindergarten - 5th grade students!  Stay tuned for the next production - "The Wizard of Ag" - on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:00 p.m.

AGNON DEBUTS TV SPOT ON WVIZ

On October 26, Agnon scheduled its first Admissions Open House of the school year.  In conjunction with this Open House, the school produced a television spot that aired 30 times during a one week period on WVIZ  PBS TV during the station's "PBS Kids" programming.  To view the spot, click on this link: 

 http://www.ideastream.org/preview/agnon

ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012

8:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.

Please invite prospective parents to take a guided tour of The Agnon School.  They'll visit classes, meet staff members and learn about our advanced curriculum that blends outstanding general and Jewish studies together throughout the day.

Parents and students are welcome. Reservations are requested.  Please have interested parties contact Laura Simon, Director of Admissions, at (216) 464-4055, ext. 106, to reserve this date.

NEW PHILANTHROPY COURSE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Agnon 7th and 8th graders are engaged in a new semester-long philanthropy course entitled "Do Unto Others."  The program is taught by Barbara Gross, a professional fundraiser with 35 years of non-profit fundraising experience in the Jewish community.

Students not only learn about the characteristics of a non-profit organization, they also break into smaller groups and select one Cleveland non-profit organization to research.  After gathering background information, each group will visit their selected non-profit organization and make a presentation about that agency to their entire class.

"This worthwhile endeavor teaches our children about the non-profit world, in addition to the tremendous service these agencies provide to our community," said Leah Spector, Assistant Head of School / Director of Hebrew and Judaics.  "The entire exercise dovetails with our framework of educating Agnon students about specific Jewish and general social values," she added.

TRANSPORTATION GRANT AWARDED

Agnon was recently awarded a $400 Capitol Square Transportation Foundation Grant for a 4th grade class trip to Columbus.  Funded by Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. and the Wal-Mart Foundation, the school received this grant to help defray the cost of visiting the Ohio Statehouse and other areas of interest.  

"We're so pleased that Agnon is one of 80 Ohio schools to receive this transportation grant," said Karil Bialostosky, Endowment Director and Grants Coordinator.  "The Columbus trip will allow our students to learn about the historic Ohio Statehouse as well as state government.  It will also allow them to visit other pertinent sites in our state's capitol."

BATTLING BULLYING

2012-2013 AGNON ADULT EDUCATION SERIES

Please join us at our next Adult Education program.  This series is free and open to the community.

SPEAKER:  Theresa Markowitz, Ph.D.

TOPIC:  Battling Bullying

DATE:  Tuesday November 27

TIME:  7:00 p.m.

PLACE:  The Agnon School

Theresa Markowitz is a clinical psychologist, and her passion for the last 13 years has been reducing peer aggression in schools.  She was involved with some of the first national programming developed for schools related to girls' bullying.  As a resident of Solon and parent of two, Dr. Markowitz introduced and headed an anti-bullying program in Solon's school system, now in its 12th year.  For this effort, she was named the 2004 Solon Herald Sun "CitiSun" of the Year.

JEWISH COMIC BOOK CREATOR VISITS AGNON

Visiting comic book author and illustrator, J. T.

Waldman recently presented an interactive program to Agnon 4th and 5th graders entitled "Jewish Comix Creators."  Students learned about several Jewish pioneers in the comic book industry including:

• Harvey Pekar, a popular Cleveland author
• Will Eisner, father of the modern graphic novel
• Jack Kirby, creator of the Xmen, Fantastic Four and Thor
• Harvey Kurtzman, founder of Mad Magazine
• Trina Robbins, a feminist writer 

J. T. also shared the elements of producing a comic book, using an interactive Smart Board to demonstrate how he generates illustrations.  Students then viewed illustrations from his first graphic novel, a unique interpretation of The Megillat Esther.  J.T. began illustrating comics in 4th grade after receiving his first sketch book, and he encouraged Agnon students to do the same.   

His newest graphic novel, Not The Israel My Parents Promised, was co-authored with Harvey Pekar and completed after Pekar's death in 2010.  For more information, visit www.jtwaldman.com.         

NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER

Is there an Agnon teacher who has inspired,

challenged, supported and helped your child realize his or her true potential? Then nominate that extraordinary educator for The Plain Dealer newspaper's "Crystal Apple" Award. 

There are three remaining recognition periods to nominate a teacher:

November 16, 2012

February 15, 2013

March 15, 2013

For more information or to nominate an Agnon teacher, go to:

http://nie.plaindealer.com/crystal-apple.html

Agnon Kindergarten teacher Michele Sudow was a 2009 - 2010 Crystal Apple award recipient.  She was nominated by Agnon parent Karil Bialostosky.

FACULTY FOCUS:  ABBY LAUSIN

Abby Lausin has taught at The Agnon School since 2010.  As a 2nd grade teacher, she is responsible for Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Community Time -- Agnon's social and emotional growth curriculum.  In 4th grade, Abby works with Kim Favor, teaching the same subjects.

In addition, Abby is responsible for creating and implementing the Community Time program for students in Kindergarten - 8th grade.  The curriculum covers peer tolerance, anti-bullying, positive self-image, teamwork and self-esteem. 

"For me, teaching is an opportunity to invest in the future.  I believe students are agents of change.  And, in order for them to succeed in this society, we need to teach the basics as well as empower students in social and community responsibility," said Abby. 

A talented thespian, Abby founded the school's popular Drama Club which performs Broadway shows each winter and original shows each spring.  As the director, she writes or adapts scripts for the students.  Abby also leads Agnon's monthly Early Childhood Shabbat Sing program and entertains families at grade level Shabbat dinners.  Her performances involve singing, telling stories and leading the blessings.

With a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and a B.A. in psychology from Ursuline College, Abby also holds a certificate in 4th and 5th grade Reading Endorsement.  Prior to working at Agnon, she was an Administrative Assistant at the Gross Schechter Day School and a Youth Service Supervisor at the Mandel JCC.

Outside of Agnon, Abby runs Kadima, Park Synagogue's 6th - 8th grade youth group.  In the summer, she is the Assistant Director of the Mayfield Sand Ridge Country Club Day Camp.  When not at Agnon, Abby can be found choreographing dance routines for a variety of local theaters.

Born in Cleveland, Abby lives in Lyndhurst with her cat Tango.

Favorite Food:  Grandma's Chicken Paprikash
Favorite Book:  Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Favorite Film:  50 First Dates
Favorite Music:  Latin and Musical Theater
Favorite TV Shows:  Modern Family, Raising Hope, New Girl