In the 6th grade Hebrew class we are working in two groups. The first group is working with the "Haverim beIvrit" book, with the topic of "Things and Stories". Students participate in many games and reading activities to help them learn new Hebrew words and expressions.

The second group is starting a Hebrew language art program called "Tal Sela 6". The first topic that we learn is "Everybody and Me". We are talking about society and our place in the world, about individuals, and different types of groups. Of course everyone is doing their best when talking in Hebrew!

Please take a minute to welcome Rahel, our new class member from Israel!   

Third Grade General Studies with Ms. Roseman

Third Grade has been off to a great start. In Math we have completed place value up to the ten thousands and numbers in standard and expanded form. Now that we have finished celebrating the Jewish holidays, we are beginning our new reading series. This week we read a great story called Charlie McButton Loses Power. It was very enlightening to the students, because rarely do we lose power for a long period of time and have to amuse ourselves with activities that do not include plugs. A fun dinner conversation may be, let's list ten things we can do if we lose power all afternoon!  

Nancy Wassner

Which years did you attend The Silver Academy?   Including Ganeinu, 1986-1996

Where did you grow up?  I grew up in Hershey.

Where did you go to school after The Silver Academy?  Hershey High School, then the Young Judaea Year Course in Israel, Wesleyan University, and Lesley University

Where are you now?  I live in Rockville, MD. 

What do you do?  I teach English in grades 7-12 at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. 

What was your favorite class at The Silver Academy?  English class, obviously.  I remember reading A Light in the Forest with Mrs. Gold and To Kill a Mockingbird with Mrs. Nussbaum.  I also liked Jewish History and Social Studies.

What was your favorite lunch at The Silver Academy?  The best lunch was obviously pizza Fridays!  With chocolate pudding for dessert.

How many times were you sent to the principals office?  I don't remember ever being sent to the principal's office because I was in trouble.  I did go myself a few times to complain and organize things for Student Council.

What was your favorite memory and/or do you have any funny stories about The Silver Academy?  There are so many good memories.  I loved playing kickball at recess in Rabbi Stein's class, 3-on-3 touch football in 5th grade, and the time we accidentally flooded the girls' dorm on our Oceanography trip. I also loved playing on the girls' basketball team.   But my favorite story is from our Israel trip in February 1996.  We tried to climb down Nachal Yagur, which is supposed to be a 3-hour hike.  It was so muddy and slippery that it took us six hours, and my friend Talia accidentally (sort of) pushed me off a small cliff. Then it started getting dark and we had trouble finding the trail, so we had to keep calling to each other to make sure we were going in the right direction.  Finally, at the end, to get back to the bus, we had to run in the dark through Kibbutz Yagur past very clear "No Trespassing" signs and lots of barking dogs.  We were all completely filthy and exhausted, but it was such a fun day!

What was your favorite thing to do at the JCC?  Play basketball and swim

Who was your biggest role model in Harrisburg?  Lynn Wuestner, our basketball coach, was one role model.  She was such a cool grownup, and I wanted to be just like her.  She was a great coach, too, and she rewarded hard work.  If you showed up to every practice, she would put you in the game, no matter how small you were.  Now that I'm a teacher, I think my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Lenda also had a very great influence on me.  She encouraged me to write, and she introduced me to some classic American novels by reading aloud to us every day.  I have a bookshelf in my classroom now for kids to borrow from, and a lot of the books are ones Mrs. Lenda recommended to me.