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| The Agnon Agenda | March 2013 Issue | |
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WELCOME TO THE MARCH ISSUE OF THE AGNON AGENDA
The costumes and groggers have gone back into storage, and the hamantashen and mischloach manot are just a delicious memory. Can spring be far behind . . . even in Cleveland?
This is the perfect time to reach out to families you know who may be thinking about a Jewish day school education for their children next year. The stories below go a long way toward demonstrating how much our students experience and accomplish in so many areas of study. But, there's no substitute for walking inside the Agnon building and witnessing firsthand the Agnon experience, whether it's in the form of the artful and complex multi-disciplinary projects displayed on our walls, or a glimpse at the hushed enthusiasm of Kindergartners gathered around an open Torah scroll, or a conversation with our 8th graders about what they're studying and why it matters.
Please invite prospective parents to tour Agnon, visit classes, meet staff members and learn about our advanced curriculum at our:
ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013
9:00 A.M. -- EARLY CHILDHOOD TOUR
1:30 P.M. -- KINDERGARTEN - 8TH GRADE TOUR
Reservations are requested. Interested families should contact Laura Simon, Director of Admissions, at (216) 464-4055 ext. 106, to reserve a spot. (And, if you know someone who can't make it that day, have them call Laura anyway; she's happy to do private tours of our school any time.) IN THIS ISSUE:
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AGNON STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR
Eleven Agnon Middle School students are participating in the 60th Annual Northeastern Ohio Science and Engineering Fair (NEOSEF) at John Carroll University, March 4 - 7. To qualify for this competition, the following Agnon 7th and 8th graders first competed in Agnon's February Science Fair. The winners and their topics are as follows:
 EIGHTH GRADE WINNERS ● 1st Place: Noah Horowitz - How does metal type affect galvanic cell voltage? ● 2nd Place: Gabe Sugerman - What is the effect of temperature on carbonation? ● 3rd Place: Gilda Weinstock - What type of wood will burn the most in a given amount of time? EIGHTH GRADE HONORABLE MENTIONS ● Julian Barnett - What are the sliding frictions of different materials in a vertical shaft? ● Kayla Giterman - How does temperature affect bubble duration?  SEVENTH GRADE WINNERS
● 1st Place: Logan Goldberg - How does color affect eye fatigue? ● 2nd Place: Jessica Linden - How do different types of music affect a person's heart rate? ● 3rd Place: Leah Frydenberg - How does yeast affect decomposition of different foods? SEVENTH GRADE HONORABLE MENTIONS ● Callie Gordon - How does Red Bull affect heart rate? ● Rachael Grossman - How does temperature affect heart rate? ● Leah Rudow - How do different essential oils affect heart rate? The following 6th graders were also Agnon Science Fair winners, but cannot compete in the regional science fair which is only open to 7th - 12th graders.  SIXTH GRADE WINNERS ● 1st Place: Ethan Solomon - How does the Greenhouse Effect affect the atmosphere? ● 2nd Place: Nick Chernyshev - How does the process of osmosis affect the weight of dialysis tubing? ● 3rd Place: Maya Neyman - How does acid rain affect wood spray painted surfaces? SIXTH GRADE HONORABLE MENTIONS ● Rachel Kelly - How does the height of slope affect soil erosion? ● Becky Maly - How does heat affect different minerals? ● Yotam Roth - How does rock formation affect porosity? |
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STUDENTS ENJOY YOM HAYELED
The Agnon PTA treated students to a  variety of fun activities during Yom HaYeled, also known as the "Day of the Child." This lively event featured a festive lunch, face painting plus a raffle with prizes. A professional clown entertained younger students, while older students danced to music provided by Rock The House. |
 JV BASKETBALL TEAM WINS IT ALL!
Congratulations to Agnon's JV Basketball Team who recently won the league tournament championship against Fuchs Mizrachi!
 Prior to the big game, Agnon held a Basketball Pep Rally to honor both the Boys' and the Girls' Basketball Teams. Team players paraded around the school, while fellow students cheered them on with drawings and banners. |
| HEBREW SPELLING BEE ENRICHES VOCABULARY
 Agnon recently held its seventh annual Hebrew Spelling Bee for students in 4th - 8th grade, giving them an opportunity to enrich their Hebrew vocabulary in a fun and motivating way. The challenge generated much enthusiasm among Agnon students who studied up to 200 Hebrew words, along with their definitions, to compete for exciting prizes.
One challenge was held for 4th and 5th graders, while another was held for Middle School students in grades 6-8. The final championship rounds took place during the school's annual Yom HaYeled festivities.
Top prize went to Omer Sarig (5th grade) for the 4th - 5th grade challenge. Avital Arena (5th grade) placed second and Rylan Polster (5th grade) placed third.
Carly Stewart (6th grade) won the Middle School challenge. Second place went to Rayna Langholt (7th grade) and Asaf Roth (8th grade) placed third.  Guest judges - Nili Adler from the Siegal Lifelong Learning Program at Case Western Reserve University, Rabbi David Kosak from Congregation Shaarey Tikvah, Rabbi Zushe Greenberg from Chadad Jewish Center of Solon and Agnon alumni parent Anat Nurko - added to the event. Anat first introduced the Hebrew Spelling Bee concept to Agnon in 2007, after learning about a similar program organized in Florida. This special event is sponsored by Agnon's "Abraham Slomianski Israel Culture Fund" established by the Nurko family in memory of Anat's father. |
FACULTY FOCUS: STEPHANIE SAAD
 Speech Language Path-ologist (SPL) Stephanie Saad began working at the school this past August, but she's no stranger to Agnon because she was once a student here herself (Class of 1999). Stephanie provides services to students in Gan Shoresh (Preschool) - 8th grade, working with them to improve their individual communication abilities in a fun and nurturing way. She wants her students to enjoy their sessions, make great strides and feel good about themselves and their accomplishments. "Agnon has always been a very important part of my life. It gave me a strong foundation for high school and college and helped me to become the person that I am today. I still keep in touch with my Agnon friends and have wonderful memories of my years here," said Stephanie. "I am excited to now be a part of the staff and hope to create the same kind of positive experiences for my students." After graduating from Agnon, Stephanie attended Beachwood High School. She went on to receive a BA in Speech and Hearing from The Ohio State University and then an MS in Communications Disorders from the University of Wisconsin. Stephanie, a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association, has also worked for the Galvin Therapy Center as an SPL. In New Jersey, she worked in early intervention, interacting with young children and their families to facilitate early language learning. A resident of Cleveland Heights, Stephanie and her husband, Justin, have two sons. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. Favorite Food: Sushi Favorite Book: The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Favorite Film: Pride and Prejudice
Favorite TV Show: Lost
Favorite Music: 8th Day |
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SAM GLASER DELIVERS WINNING PERFORMANCE
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Sam Glaser (right) jams with Brynna Fish.
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 More than 175 people attended Agnon's February Benefit Concert featuring musician Sam Glaser. His energetic style and passionate delivery was enjoyed by young and old alike. Sam also entertained Agnon students in several grades and joined the school's Kabbalat Shabbat assembly. This benefit was sponsored by the Merle and Arlene Gordon Memorial Concert Series which seeks to bring quality Jewish music to the Cleveland community.
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AGNON ACCOLADES
Mazal tov to Julian Barnett who will represent Agnon at the Cuyahoga County Spelling Bee
this month. Ilana Solomon is the alternate.
Mazal tov to the following students who will participate in Power of the Pen creative writing program:
7th Grade Participants
Sarah Borow, Sophie Browner, Callie Gordon, Tamara Joseph, Rayna Langholt and Caleb Segar ● Alternate - Leah Rudow
8th Grade Participants
Julian Barnett, Sascha Roberts, Gabriel Shapera, Ilana Solomon, Gabe Sugerman and Gilda Weinstock ● Alternate - Casey Gregory
Mazal tov to Agnon parent Rachel Kabb-Effron for making the "Ohio Rising Star" list as reported in this Cleveland Jewish News article. |
| BENEFIT AUCTION CORPORATE SPONSORS
Agnon's Benefit Auction, our largest fundraiser, contributed more than $90,000 to our operating budget last year, in addition to raising substantial funds for the school-wide technology upgrades.
Many thanks to this year's Corporate Sponsors for helping ensure another successful event:
Presenting Sponsors
Forest City
University Hospitals Urology Institute/
Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital
Peter and Aliki Rzepka
Signature Sponsor
American Greetings
Benefactor Sponsors
Fathom
Penske Cleveland
Mitchell and Kyla Schneider
Patron Sponsors
Rochelle and Harley Gross
The KSB Group/Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Legacy Village
Lorex
Please note, there is still time to have your company listed as a corporate sponsor. Contact Laura Leventhal, Director of Development, at (216) 464-4055, ext. 126. |
RESERVE YOUR SPOT AGNON'S ANNUAL BENEFIT AUCTION
 Mark your calendars for SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. for Agnon's 24th annual Benefit Auction featuring both silent and live auctions plus several raffles.
Open to the community, individual tickets cost $55.00 each and include dinner with an open bar (dietary laws observed). A portion of the admission cost is tax deductible. Sponsorships are available.
For more information, contact Laura Leventhal, Director of Development, at (216) 464-4055, ext. 124. Or buy tickets online now! |
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WHO'S THE BOSS?
MOVING FAMILIES FROM CONFLICT TO COLLABORATION
 
Join child-care experts and authors
ARTHUR LAVIN, MD
SUSAN GLASER, MA
who will present effective solutions to common parenting problems
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013
6:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. |
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| PHOTO GALLERY: Be Happy, It's Adar!
Pajama Day, Hat Day, Crazy Hair Day, and Purim
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| AGNON FUND CONTRIBUTIONS
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COMMENTS, CORRECTIONS OR FEEDBACK?
Please e-mail Kathy Peskin, Director of Marketing, at The Agnon School. |
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