Top Krieger Schechter Day School     
Week of April 6, 2014 
In This Issue
News and Announcements
Kolot
Tzedakah
Mazal Tovs
PA Announcements
Sports
Week at a Glance
Upcoming Events
In Our Community
"Beauty and the Beast"

 

Our Grade 8 play "Beauty and the Beast" premiered this week and the reviews are in...the audiences loved it! We are so proud of our Grade 8 students and faculty. Here, Lindsay R. (Belle) and Alex. R. (Maurice), pose before taking the stage on Thursday.

News and Announcements

  

Encore!

"Beauty and the Beast" was amazing and we are so proud of our Grade 8 students and staff. Thanks to the generosity of the KSDS community of alumni, alumni parents, and current families we have raised $10,000 through the Rally campaign; combined with the matching funds that brings our total to $20,000.

 

Though the curtain has closed, you can still show your support for the Grade 8 play by contributing to the "encore" of the Rally campaign. Now, having seen "Beauty and the Beast," we hope that you will be inspired to give and help us exceed our original campaign goal.

 

Make a contribution now by visiting https://rally.org/KSDS. All donors will be recognized for their gift in the KSDS Annual Report.

 

Hot Lunch Orders

Time to order May & June Hot Lunches - The ordering period for the months of May & June is from April 5 through April 20. Please be mindful of the many field trips during the month of May. All lunches have to be pre-ordered and paid via www.orderlunches.com. If you haven't previously ordered, registration is required and is VERY easy. Please follow the directions on this flyer .

 

Be a Summer Reading Volunteer

Rising Grade 7 and 8 students are invited to earn community service hours at Baltimore County Public Library this summer. Limited openings are available. Do not delay: registration is open from April 7 - April 18 only, see this flyer for more information.
 

Get a Taste of Bil's Cooking - RSVP Deadline Today!

Food-blogger and food lover, Huppit Miller, will host her final cooking class on Tuesday, April 8 at 7 pm at the home of Bil Zarch. Bil is an amazing cook by his own right and will be cooking along side Huppit, which will be an exciting and rare experience. Space is limited so RSVP by April 6 to Liz at [email protected].

 

Registration Ongoing - Schechter on the Move 5K Race!
Registration continues for the 3rd Annual Schechter on the Move 5K Race and 1 Mile Family Fun Run on Sunday, June 1 at 8 am. Join us for the race and the Post-Race Festivities, which are sure to be a blast for the whole family! Visit this link to register and for more information.

  

  

Train for the Schechter on the Move 5K!

Always wanted to walk/run a 5K, but never thought you could? Now you can! This 6-week program is designed for everyone from beginner to advanced walkers or runners. Meet with a trainer twice a week for a variety of different workouts. Charm City Run will provide your entire plan for the seven weeks to prepare you to walk/run the Schechter on the Move 5K Race. The group will meet outside the entrance with the security desk at 8:15 am on Wednesday and Friday mornings starting April 23. Program cost is $75, please fill out the attached form to register.

 

Sponsor the Schechter on the Move 5K Race!

Do you own, work for, or know a business that might be interested in sponsoring the Schechter on the Move 5K Race and 1 Mile Family Fun Run? This is a fantastic marketing opportunity to reach Schechter families and the wider community! There are a variety of sponsorship giving levels (click here to view them) and 100% of your sponsorship goes towards scholarship. Even your family can be a sponsor if you want to support KSDS and receive special recognition.

  

Please ask your employer, tell your friends, and consider sponsoring KSDS through this amazing community event! If you have any questions or want to inquire further, please contact Alison in the KSDS Development Office at [email protected] by April 11.


 

 Kolot

 

Welcome to Kolot, where we feature reflections from KSDS community members. This week's Kolot comes to us from Robyn Blum, Assistant Head of the Middle School.

  

What does April Fool's Day mean at a Jewish Day School? When thinking about major holidays in the life of a Jewish Day School, April Fool's isn't necessarily the first one that would occur to most of us. Purim, sure. Learning about Passover, absolutely. Celebrating Chanukah and Sukkot together? Of course! But April Fool's? This week showed me something about April Fool's Day, however, that I think is important and, in fact, perfect, about what it means to be part of the Krieger Schechter Day School family. 

 

I watched this week as middle school students spent time thinking creatively and planning various kinds of April Fool's jokes that they could play on their teachers. In some school environments, there might be great concern about students playing pranks on their teachers. But, at KSDS, where derekh eretz is the common vocabulary, and where we work consistently together to help students grow and learn in how we care for each others' feelings, April Fool's Day is not something to be concerned about. Rather, something special occurs. When students care enough to plan, prepare, come to school early and work together to gently, creatively, and with derekh eretz, do something to make their teacher laugh, there is a love and admiration that becomes evident. The relationship that our middle school students have with their teachers - respect, combined with a deep sense of caring and partnership - is evident through students' excitement and comfort level in playing harmless, fun tricks on their teachers on this day. It almost seems, in fact, to be borne out of a desire to show admiration to their teachers, and to receive their teachers' laughter and respect in return.

We know that KSDS teachers appreciate cleverness and creativity, and boy do our students use April Fool's as an opportunity to showcase their talents in that area! We love that our school environment fosters such a close relationship between students and teachers that students can feel comfortable playing jokes on April Fool's Day, while still understanding that their teachers are respected figures in their world. Students - you have a full year ahead of you to plan for next year, and we look forward to seeing the results of your originality, collaboration and sense of derekh eretz - all rolled into one fun day!

 

Tzedakah

 

Lower School Tzedakah

Maot Chitim refers to the old custom of gathering wheat to provide the poor with matzah and other items for the observance of Pesach. At Passover time, it is customary to honor the custom of Maot Chitim by providing monetary aid to needy families, enabling them to purchase necessities for Passover. The tzedakah collected in the Lower School on Friday, April 11 will be directed to Ahavas Yisrael, a charitable organization with the mission to provide assistance, especially food, to local individuals and families in need in a dignified, discreet manner. Cash and checks (made payable to Ahavas Yisrael) will be collected before the Lower School model seder on Friday. Please encourage your children to give generously to support local families in need.

Middle School Tzedakah

Once again, this week's tzedakah collection will go to the "Pennies for Patients" campaign of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org). Schoolchildren all over the country help raise money to aid thousands of children and adults in the fight against blood cancers like leukemia. The LLS funds research and provides resources and support to patients and their families. Cash and checks payable to 'Leukemia and Lymphoma Society' will be collected during first period on Friday.  

 

Mazal Tov to...

 

Grade 8 students and parents, and the KSDS faculty, on a wonderful Grade 8 play.

 

Gillian B. (Grade 5) on being the Maryland state winner for the Library of Congress "Letters About Literature" contest in the 4th-6th grade division. 

 

 

PA Announcements

 

Register for Shabbat Share

Come enjoy a home-based, relaxing, social and meaningful Shabbat dinner experience with other KSDS families on May 16! With dinner provided by Catering by Yaffa, your family can host a dinner, or be a guest at another family's home. 

 

Register by April 28 by clicking here: www.ksds.edu/news/shabbatshare/. 

 

 

 

Making Pesach Preparations Fun
As you're preparing for Passover with all of cleaning and changing and cooking, consider a Box Tops for Education Scavenger hunt. Challenge your children to spot and clip those tops off of a variety of products from trashbags, toilet paper and tissues to t-shirts and underwear to your chometz.
Chag Kasher v'Sameah. A very happy, healthy, and Kosher holiday!
 

 

1st Annual KSDS Family Fun Fest-  Sunday, April 6 

Join KSDS for the Family Spring Event sponsored 100% by the Parent Association. On Sunday, April 6, KSDS PA rented out Larry Sheets' Players, beginning at 3:30 pm. KSDS students along with the whole family (this is not a drop-off event) are invited to join in the fun for an afternoon of bumper cars, glo golf, laser tag, batting cages, indoor jungle gyms, inflatables and dancing! Kosher snacks will be served and this event is free for all KSDS students, siblings and parents.  

 

Lower School Model Seder Set-Up/ Volunteers Needed

Now that Purim is past, Pesach is upon us! Volunteers are needed to help set up the Lower School Model Seder on Friday, April 11, beginning at 8:00 am in the Stulman (cafeteria). Your time will be needed for no more than 2 hours. Volunteers will be setting out the food and seder plates for the model seder later in the day. If you cannot get there until 9, no worries -any time is appreciated! If you are available to help, please email Jill Aizenstein: [email protected].

 

 

Sports

 

KSDS Basketball Skills Clinic - Boys and Girls Grades 3-8

June 16 - 18, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm. The focus of the clinic is to teach and reinforce the fundamentals of basketball with an emphasis on shooting. Students will learn proper form, self confidence, and how to self analyze and correct. The players will improve their knowledge and skills through individual and group instruction. Enrollment is limited to the first 30 players. This sold out last year!! Register early, please use the attached form.      

 

Monday, April 7

Baseball - practice 4:00-6:00

Softball at GFS 3:45

Girls Lax at KSDS vs. Jemicy 3:30

Boys Lax at Jemicy 3:30

 

Tuesday, April 8

Baseball - practice 4:00-6:00

Softball - practice 4:00-5:30

Girls Lax - practice 4:00-5:30

Change in Boys Lax Schedule: Boys Lax vs SEED at KSDS 3:30

This game was originally scheduled for Thursday at SEED..

Track - practice 4:00-5:00

 

Wednesday, April 9

Baseball - practice 4:00-6:00

Softball - practice 4:00-5:30

Girls Lax  at GFS 3:45

Boys Lax - OFF

Track - practice 4:00-5:00

 

Thursday, April 10

Baseball vs. St. Ignatius 3:45 - Game is played at Riverside Park, 301 E. Randall St. Baltimore 21230

Softball vs. Beth Tfiloh 4:00 - played at Baltimore Hebrew Fields

Girls Lax - practice 4:00-5:30

Boys Lax - OFF

Track - practice 4:00-5:00

 

 

Week at a Glance

 

Important Dates to Note

 

Monday, April 7:
  • Third Trimester Safety Induction during Makom 8:45 am
  • Grade 2 field trip to the Matza factory
Tuesday, April 8:
  • Grade 4 Model Seder at Myerberg Senior Center, 11 am - 1 pm
  • Huppit Miller cooking class, 7 pm at Bil's house
Thursday, April 10:
  • Grade 7 Trip to Gettysburg
Friday, April 11:
  • LS Model Seder, 1:30-2:30 pm, in the Stulman

 

Mark Your Calendars

 

Upcoming Events

 

Monday, April 14 - Tuesday, April 22:
  • School Closed: Passover
Wednesday, April 23:
  • School now a regular teaching day
Monday, April 28:
  • MS Yom HaShoah Observance, 9 am in the Sanctuary (parents welcome) 
  • LS Yom HaShoah Observance, 9 am in the Chapel (students only)  
Tuesday, April 29:
  • PA Board Meeting, 7:15 pm
Wednesday, April 30:
  • Dress down day
  • MS Rosh Hodesh minyan, 8 am in the Sanctuary (students only)
Thursday, May 1:
  • MS Instructional Showcase, 7 pm in the Krieger (students & parents) 
Friday, May 2:
  • All school Ta'am Shabbat, 2:55 pm in the Sanctuary (open to parents)

Monday, May 5:

  • Yom HaZikaron (Israel Memorial Day) Ceremony, 9 am (Grades 2-8 students; parents welcome) 

Tuesday, May 6:

  • Grade 4 plant sale, 8:30 am - 4 pm in the Rosenbloom Lobby 
  • Yom HaAtzma'ut (Israel Independence Day) Yom Zemer (Day of Song), 9 am in the Krieger (parents welcome) 
Wednesday, May 7:
  • Grade 4 plant sale, 8:30 am - 4 pm in the Rosenbloom Lobby 
  • Grade 2 Field trip to National Museum of American Indians, 8:30 am - 3 pm
  • Kindergarten trip to CCBC Planetarium, 9:30 am -11:45 am 

Thursday, May 8:

  • Grade 1 Field Trip to the Baltimore Zoo, 9:30 am - 1 pm
  • Sundaes with Grandparents (students & grandparents/special friends), 6:15 pm in the Krieger

Friday, May 9:

  • Grandparents/Special Friends Day (students and grandparents/special friends), 1 pm - 3:30 pm 

In Our Community 

 

A Place at the Table

Be a host for Passover seder! Chizuk Amuno Congregation is often contacted by college students, local hospitals, and also congregants who would like to share a Passover seder. If you have room at your table for new friends, please be in touch with Rabbi Wechsler.

 

Be a guest for a Passover seder! We have wonderful seder experiences with new Chizuk Amuno friends waiting for you. If you are in need of a seder to attend for either first or second night, please be in touch with Rabbi Wechsler. 

Shredding and eCycling Event!

Join the Chizuk Amuno Sisterhood on Sunday, May 4, for their semi-annual Shredding and eCycling event. 9 am-noon in the Chizuk Amuno Parking Lot. $10 for up to 5 bags/boxes of paper to be shredded. $10 for a trunk full of electronic items. See this flyer for more information and a list of acceptable and unacceptable items for recycling. For more information contact Marcia Scheer, 410-484-2480.

 

Passover Family Farm Day
April 20 from 10am-3pm at the Pearlstone CenterJoin us for our upcoming Family Farm Day, one of fun, family, friends, farming and festivities! Each month we explore a new theme, learn environmental skills you can use at home and enjoy listening to PJ Library story time. For this extended day, a Kosher for Passover lunch is included.  This month come create natural crafts, explore how compost works, meet our baby goats, chicks and ducklings, and participate in a milking demonstration and cheesemaking workshop.  For more information or to register (by April 7), visit www.pearlstonecenter.org/family-farm-days or contact Neely Snyder at [email protected] or 410-429-4400x246

 

Camp Tzedek

Looking for something after school ends and before camp begins? Sign your child up NOW for a meaningful and fun service camp - Camp Tzedek: Little Hands Doing Big Things. Children going into grades 1-5 (starting September 2014) will enjoy a variety of service learning projects while exploring key Jewish values. Field trips to service sites, swimming, arts & crafts, games and much more! Camp runs June 16 - 20, 2014 at the Owings Mills JCC. Camp Tzedek is a service camp hosted by Jewish Volunteer Connection, the hands-on volunteer branch of THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. *SIGN UP FAST! SPACE IS LIMITED! **We have half-week enrollment available*

For more information and to register, visit www.jvcbaltimore.org or contact Erica Bloom at (410) 369-9302,[email protected]. See this flyer for more information.

 

Host a Shinshin 

A Shinshin is an 18 year old Israeli who is selected for a year of service, and your family can be a host for one of the two who will be visiting Baltimore for 2014-2015! Please see this flyer for info on our shinshin, more information about who can host a shinshin, and how to further inquire. 


JCS Parenting Discussion Series Programming 
A Step in the Right Direction: Successful Step-Parenting 

More and more adults are finding themselves in the role of stepparent, but aren't quite sure what is expected of them by their spouse, their stepchildren, their own children and extended family. This program will help stepparents and their spouses explore the relationships, roles and boundaries in blended families. Wednesday, April 30 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm at JCS Owings Mills. Facilitated by Beth Land Hecht, LCSW-C. To register for this free program please click this link.

 

Family Farm Camp
Aug 7-11, 2014 at the Pearlstone Center. A fun-filled, exciting experience for the whole family! RETREAT: Relax in our natural setting and comfortable, care-free accommodations. FARM: Harvest fresh produce, milk out goats and taste the summer's abundance.  LEARN: Make cheese, pickles and soap using ingredients from our farm. CELEBRATE: Shabbat in a family-friendly environment. Adults $250, Children $50-150; limited financial aid is available.  For more information or to register, visit  www.pearlstonecenter.org/family-camp or contact Neely Snyder at [email protected] or 410-429-4400x246