Beren Buzz Header
Parashat Vayishlach         Shabbat Candle Lighting 5:04 p.m.            Havdalah 6:12 p.m.
THE  MIDDAH (JEWISH VALUE) FOR THE MONTH OF KISLEV IS 
IDUD/CHIZUK - ENCOURAGEMENT
RMBA is a proud partner of

STAFF HOLIDAY GIFT CAMPAIGN 
Thank you to all who have already supported our Staff Gift Campaign. To show your appreciation of the RMBA staff, make your online donation  here and scroll down to Staff Gifts.
HOT LUNCHES
Please click here to order and purchase your hot lunches for the year catered by Saba's Restaurant. 
YEARBOOKS
Yearbooks are now on sale! You may purchase your yearbook here and then enter Robert M. Beren Academy and 2015 Yearbook when prompted. Yearbooks are currently on sale for $55.   Senior Pages are also purchasable online under the Ad section for $100.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Yeshivat Orayta Presentation 
Thursday, December 4, 2014
8 p.m. (approximately)  
Shiur (class) followed by Orayta presentation with Rav Binny Freedman, Rosh Yeshivat Orayta, for anyone interested, especially prospective students and/or parents. 
Following the 6:30 p.m. Beren Academy vs Emery/Weiner Boys High School Basketball Game
home of Nancy Beren and Larry Jefferson*
Parents of Alexander Jefferson, Orayta Inaugural Class 2009
To RSVP and receive address click here

Saturday, December 6, 2014
Post Kiddush shiur with Rav Binny Freedman
United Orthodox Synagogues (UOS)

Sunday, December 7, 2014
10 a.m. 
Shiur (class) followed by Orayta presentation with Rav Binny Freedman, Rosh Yeshivat Orayta, for anyone interested, especially prospective students and/or parents 
home of Nancy Beren and Larry Jefferson*
To RSVP and receive address click here
Maleva Malka at Carmels
6th-8th Grade Mothers & Daughters
Saturday, December 6, 2014 
8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
SAT Testing
Sunday, December 7  
7:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
5th Grade International Festival 
Tuesday, December 9, 2014 
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
First Semester Finals 
8th - 12th Grade 
Wednesday, December 10 - Tuesday, December 16 
Lower School Student Council Sponsored Blood Drive 
Thursday, December 11, 2014 
8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Parents and communityare invited to donate blood in the small ulam. 
Click here for more info.
After School Program Ballet Performances 
Thursday, December 11, 2014 
EC2 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
EC3 - 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
EC4/K - 2:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m.
Bingo Night Phonathon
Thursday, December 11, 2014 
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Committee will be contacting RMBA families to ask for their support for our fundraising event. 
Torah Pizza Gym TPG#2
Saturday, December 13, 2014 
7:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
2nd-6th Grade students and families 
ACT Testing
Sunday, December 14 
7:45 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
First Night Chanukah 
Tuesday, December 16, 2014 
Candle Lighting after  
6:03 p.m.
Chanukah Class Performances 
Thursday, December 18, 2014 
Early Childhood - 
9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Kindergarten -
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
First Grade -
3:20 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Upper School Chanukah Parties at Teachers' Homes
Thursday, December 18 
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Lower School Talent Show  
Friday, December 19, 2014 
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
End of First Semester 
Friday, December 19 
3:00 p.m. 
Calendar of Weekly Events
Chess Club EC 4-K
Monday
2 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Chess Club 1-3 Grade
Monday 
4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Girls on Track 
Monday
4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Girls on the Run
Monday  
4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Happy Hands EC3 
Tuesday
12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. 
Mad Science EC3 
Wednesday
2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Mad Science EC4-K
Wednesday 
3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Upper School Torah Cafe 
Wednesday
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
If you are interested in sponsoring Torah Cafe  for a week, please contact Rabbi Aaron Levitt
Girls on Track 
Wednesday
4:15 - 5:30 p.m.
Girls on the Run
Wednesday
4:15 pm. - 5:30 p.m.
Ballet EC2
Thursday
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Ballet EC3
Thursday
2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Ballet EC4-K
Thursday
2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
EC & K Oneg Shabbat 
Friday
10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
High School Bnei Akiva Shabbaton in Hollywood, FL
December 5-7, 2014 
Limmud B'Yachad
Sunday, December 7, 2014
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
A day of learning for 6th, 7th & 8th Grade religious school students coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston hosted at RMBA.
Camp Nesher - now in their 20th year of serving Jewish communities worldwide!

Camp Director Jeff Braverman will be speaking and answering all questions about Camp Nesher, a modern orthodox summer sleepaway camp for children entering 3rd - 10th grade, located in Lakewood, PA. Short Stay options are available for younger first time campers entering 3rd - 6th grade.

Sunday December 14th 8:00PM The Abramson residence. 
4323 Lemac Dr.
To RSVP for the meeting please email [email protected] or call  713 589 2922. 
For more information about Camp Nesher, please email 
[email protected] or call (973) 575-3333 ext. 111
Community Chanukah Bash
Wednesday, December 17 
5:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
UOS
Click here for more details
SAVE THE DATE
RMBA PRESENTS
BEREN'S BINGO BONANZA WITH A TWIST
Saturday, January 10, 2015 
8 p.m. 
Click here for more info OR to purchase tickets online click here
NURSE'S NOOK
Please help keep our students healthy! If your child has an illness, infection or has something that is potentially contagious, PLEASE let me know! All information told to me will remain 
strictly confidential. Making me aware of your children's ailments will enable me to help prevent the spread of infection to others.

We are in the midst of cold and flu season. To prevent the spread of infection please remember to always practice excellent hand hygiene!

If you have not already done so, please get your flu shot!

Lastly, I am looking for parents volunteers to  help with lice check on January 6th, after winter break. Please contact me at
[email protected] if you can help. 
Thank you in advance!
BNOT SHEIRUT
Interested in getting to know our wonderful Bnot Sheirut, Aya and Neta who work with our children at school? They are free on Wednesday nights for dinner.  Families are encouraged to invite them for a Kosher dinner and get to know them. You do not need to cook, you can order in or take out from any of the 
Kosher establishments in Houston. If you live in the UOS eruv, you are welcome to sign up for a Shabbat meal.

To access Bnot Sheirut's CareCalendar site, 

visit http://www.carecalendar.org/logon/189215 and enter
the following information in the appropriate spaces:

     Calendar ID   :   189215
     Security code :   5327

COLLEGE CORNER
The 2014-2015 SAT registration packets and study guides have arrived. First time SAT test takers must use the paper registration form.  They are available in Mr. Stabell's office.
RMBA SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND 
Robert M. Beren Academy has created a Scholarship Endowment Fund in honor of Dr. Alan Hoffman.  For more information about how you can support the Endowment Fund contact the Development Director Leigh Levine
December 4, 2014                                                                 12 Kislev, 5775
WEEKLY VIDEO FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL


Click on the photo above to view Rabbi Carmel's Weekly Video 


Sincerely,

Rabbi Aharoni Carmel

 
BEREN'S BINGO BONANZA

RMBA Families and Supporters, 

We are thrilled to be hosting Beren's Bingo Bonanza at 8:30 P.M. at Robert M. Beren Academy.  We invite you to break out your bell bottoms and join us for a groovy evening of dinner, drinks, auction, playing blacklight bingo and a chance to win fabulous prizes. All proceeds benefit our generous Financial Assistance Program.  we are proud to offer over $1.2 million in financial assistance on an annual basis to nearly 60% of our student body. We would greatly appreciate your support and attendance. To purchase your tickets online, click here
PAST RMBA HIGHLIGHTS 
GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS
Last week Wednesday, the Lower School welcomed their grandparents and special friends for a wonderful RMBA experience. A reception breakfast was followed by classroom visits, student performances, fun art projects and a visit to the RMBA PTO bookfair.


HAVE PASSPORT WILL TRAVEL
Our Bnot Sheirut have begun a unique weekly program with our K-5 grade students. Their goal is to educate about the land of Israel in Hebrew classes tackling a different topic each week such as cities, historical events and cultures. The first week involved students making their own passports as they embark on a magical adventure to Israel. 



WE ARE ONE
Our EC 3 and 4 classes are currently learning about Chanukah and incorporating the themes into their weekly studies.  In math they are working on addition and subtraction between one and eight while learning about the concept of ratios. In art they learned about mixing colors and created beautiful menorahs using colorful toothpicks as candles or their hands to paint! 




INSPI(RED) 
In honor of AIDS Awareness, our high school students proudly wore red to show their support. The Senior Israel Trip Sweatshirt is red so needless to say many were proudly wearing these sweatshirts in solidarity.  


PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Our Lower School students have begun practicing for their annual Chanukah performances that will take place on the December 18th.  Geverit Erlichman's 1st grade students are seen diligently rehearsing for the big day while Kindergarten students are practicing being Sevivon (dreidels) that spin spin spin! 


USE YOUR VOICE 
Gila Chen's Israel Advocacy class was treated to a guest lecturer this week to discuss Israel advocacy. Amy Goldstein, an RMBA parent who ran national and international advocacy campaigns for the pro-Israel community for over 20 years shared insightful facts and ideas with the students about how to positively advocate for Israel. 

COACH COLE'S CORNER
BEREN ACADEMY STARS

Accessing Practice and Game Schedule 

Reminder: The spreadsheets that were sent out at the beginning of the year should not be used anymore.  The school calendar will be your only source of updated practices and games.  

To review the upcoming athletics schedule on our website calendar cick here


 

Weekly Basketball Recaps 
 
 

  • High School Girls continued their season with another tough loss against Duchene (TAPPS 5A), but are continuing to get better with each game. The girls are 1-6 overall (1-0 in district).
  • High School Boys have continued their season this week. The boys moved to 4-2 on the year (1-0 in district), after a loss against Lake Houston Home School.
  • Middle School Boys JV lost a tough one on Tuesday against Holy Spirit.  The JV boys are 3-1 on the season.
  • Middle School Boys varsity continued their season with a win against Holy Spirit. The varsity boys are 3-2 on the season.
  • Middle School Girls have dropped a tough game to Wesley. They are 2-2 on the season.

Middle School Basketball Reminders

  • All girls MUST wear an undershirt under their jersey. This shirt must be the same color as the primary color of the uniform (Home games - white; Away games - Royal blue). Boys don't need to wear an undershirt, but if they choose to do so, the same rules apply.

  • All players (boys and girls) need to purchase a royal blue pair of shorts if they do not already have. The shorts need to be completely royal blue with no stripes down the side. They can be purchased at Academy for about $6.00.

  • Some schools will charge admission at their schools to watch the game (most will not charge). We do not charge admission at Beren for middle school games.

  • Transportation to and from away games are the parents responsibility. The middle school girls do not have any away games until January. 

  • There will be games in which the middle school players will need to leave their last class early to make it to the games on time.

  • A list of Away game locations is posted on the website.

  • Updated practice schedules are on the school calendar and game schedules can be found on the school website and calendar.

  • Please use the Greenwillow gate for picking up students after games or practices.

  • If you have any questions, please e-mail me at [email protected].

 

High School Basketball Reminders

 

  • All girls MUST wear an undershirt under their jersey. This shirt must be the same color as the primary color of the uniform (Home games - white; Away games - Royal blue). Boys don't need to wear an undershirt, but if they choose to do so, the same rules apply.

  • Some schools will charge admission at their schools to watch the game (most High School's will charge). We charge admission at Beren for some high school games. Each family should have received tickets to games that anyone in your family or friends can use. They are reusable at any home Beren game. They are NOT able to be used at any away games. If you have not received these tickets, please let Coach Cole know.

  • A list of Away game locations is posted on the website.

  • Updated practice schedules are on the school calendar and game schedules can be found on the school website and calendar.

  • Please use the Greenwillow gate for picking up students after games or practices.

 

To review the upcoming athletics schedule on our website calendar cick here

CLICK HERE FOR CARPOOL PROCEDURES 

 

Always drive slowly and cautiously along Greenwillow and Cliffwood Drive.  


 

If there will be a change to your child's pick up situation during carpool please email this information by 3 p.m. that day to  [email protected] 

 

ATTENDANCE 

If your child is going to be late or not attending school on any given day please email [email protected]

 

STUDENT HANDBOOKS
Parents are reminded that the student handbooks are available online on our website.  To review our these guidelines and rules, please click here

      For questions related to the Beren Buzz please contact Leigh Levine at [email protected] 
SUPPORT RMBA
                                 
Target Code 16389                                                                                      
 
Robert M. Beren Academy | 713-723-7170 | [email protected] | http://www.berenacademy.org
11333 Cliffwood Drive
Houston, TX 77035



Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.