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January 18, 2013 |
7 Shevat 5773
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Chadashot: What's New at BYDS? |
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BYDS Spellers Shine in Bee Competition
The BYDS 2013 Spelling Bee placed 18 students on the Freedman-Levit bima for the school's championship competition, and in the end we had a repeat winner--Fifth Grade student Jacob Trachtenberg spelled two consecutive words from the "Additional Words" list and landed the first place trophy. Standing there alongside Jacob during the final rounds were Third Grade student Aria Jochnau (second runner-up) and Fourth Grade student Jack Greenberg (first runner-up). The competition went two hours before there were three left standing. Congratulations to Jacob, Jack, and Aria, and to all the classroom spelling leaders, for their accomplishments!
 
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Texans' Superstar JJ Watt Visits BYDS
High-Fives Students; Does Classroom Q&A
 Houston Texans' star defensive lineman JJ Watt surprised the BYDS community on Tuesday afternoon, arriving on campus to pay a visit with his pals Peter, Aaron, and Willa Berry in Mindy Rosenthal's office. After he horsed around with the Berry kids, he was escorted through the hallways moments after Ms. Annie asked teachers via the intercom to have their students line the hallways to greet our special guest, JJ Watt. The 6' 6" football star, already a legend here in Houston and just named AFC defensive player of the year, walked the hallways behind Peter and Aaron, with Willa both by his side and on his shoulders, and slapped hands with the students who were chanting his name.
JJ Watt then visited three classrooms--Ms. Yudelevich, Ms. Sydow, and Ms,  Rubenstein--and fielded questions from the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Grade students. Here is just a few of the questions students asked and JJ's answers:
What do you do before games? I have breakfast, relax, listen to music, and then 5 seconds before the game I turn into a monster.
What do you do after games? I go home, lay on my couch, and stare at the ceiling.
What kind of car do you have? A truck and a Lexus.
What other sports did you play? Hockey (when he was 3).
What's it like playing against Adrian Peterson? Awesome-it's great going against the best player in football.
How tall were you when you were 10? I was average. Just average height.
Do you enjoy sacking quarterbacks? Yes. I thoroughly enjoy my job.
When did you first start playing football? In 5th grade.
Have you ever tackled anybody so hard that you broke their bones? Yes. 3 times.
Which NFL team do you like the least? The next team we are playing.
 Ms. Rosenthal asked JJ Watt if he would be able to join them for Prospective Parent Night in order to endorse BYDS--of course, JJ does indeed endorse BYDS, but unfortunately he had another commitment and couldn't be at BYDS to make that endorsement in person.
All of us are so thrilled about JJ's visit and we wish him and his family a great time next week in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, a great off-season, and best of luck as he prepares for next year's run for the Super Bowl!
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Alums Glow About BYDS Days and Impact
Two BYDS alumnae--Halle Brazda and Margeaux Epner--returned to BYDS on Tuesday night this week to regale prospective parents about their BYDS experiences and the impact that their day school education has had on their lives. Halle is now a ninth grade student at The Kinkaid School, while Marqeaux, who attended St. John's School after graduating from BYDS, is now a first year student at Rice University. Halle's and Marqeaux's appearance was part of the BYDS admissions event that showcased the Elementary School's core curriculum along with the Judaics and Hebrew program and celebrations. A tour of the school and a chance to meet with some teachers in their classrooms capped the event. Prior to the event, both Halle and Margeaux had their messages taped by videographer Scott Ross, and the school plans to include these testimonies on its website.
We thank Halle and Margeaux for taking time out of their busy student lives and sharing their many positives experiences with our future families!
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BYDS Kindergarten Traditions |
Tradition and Learning Highlight
Kindergarten Seder Leil Shabbat
 Tablecloths, candles, challah, and families graced Reiches Hall this morning for the Kindergarten Seder Leil Shabbat program. The beautiful set-up and the splash of morning sunlight made for an attractive atmosphere, as Rabbi Strauss guided the Shabbat teachings and introduced the traditional songs. A video of the Kindergarten students was shown on the large Reiches monitor; BYDS parent Mark Strug produced and edited the film, and we thank him for his super work. Dora Lee Grinberg played the role of songleader, and Betty Gorme accompanied the Kindergarteners on piano. Several families and their children played leadership roles for the array of blessings. We thank the Kindergarten teachers-Ms. Golden, Mrs. Goodman Silverman, Ms. Rader, Morah Hadar, Morah Olitzki, Morah Knafo, and Mrs. Gold for all they do on behalf of the students. We also thank BYDS Parent Rene Shapiro, the Judaic Program Liaison for the Kindergarten class, for doing the lion's share of organizing this morning's program.
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Carpool changes need to be submitted to the homeroom teacher in the morning. If a situation arises during the day, a phone call must be made to the school reception by 2:55 p.m. so that the carpool change can be marked on the list.
Carpool changes are not to be given during carpool. Please follow these rules. |
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JANUARY
Friday, 18th - Progress Reports sent home
Friday, 18th - ES Kindergarten Seder Leil Shabbat 8:30 am
Monday, 21st - Martin Luther King Jr. day, NO BYDS/EDC/ASA
Wednesday, 23rd - PTO Meeting/ Parent Education 9 am
Wednesday, 30th - $ Free Dress Day
Tuesday, 29th - PreK, K, 1st, 3rd and 5th grade Hearing Screening
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 Mazal Tov to Jessica and Josh Samet
(Laine and Olivia in the 2s)
on the birth of their precious son,
Owen Peirce on
January 15th.
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We have 2 new students (twins) in CDO (currently 3 days - MWF):
Amelia and Madison Koong
Parents: Sarah and John
Address: 2410 Dorrington St. Unit C Houston TX 77030
Cell: 832-868-8833
Email: sarahkoong@gmail.com |
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Tfillot
Yasher Koach to all students who led the Tfillot this past two week:
Chazzanim/Chazzaniot: Emma Suensom, Josh Cororve, Abby Cowan, Sophie Kalmin, Aaron Stein, Aria Jochnau, Julia Danziger, Rachel Gittleman
Torah readers: Alex Plotkin, Alex Moore, Joshua Romero
Aliyot: Micah Guttman, Koby Sheldon, Hayden Deutsch
Gabbaim : Ofir Kadosh, Abe Behar
Kabbalat Shabbat
Yasher Koach to our Kabbalat Shabbat leaders on Friday:
Alex Wigder, Rafa Camhi, Joshua Costa, Sara Goldberg, Adam Katz
*To follow our services schedule and assigned leaders please go to http://byds.org/academics/jewish-community-highlights/judaic-studies
Mensch of the Week
- We continue our character education program which includes a monthly value that will be discussed during the school day and during services. Our January theme is Hayea Mishpacha (Life of the Family)חיי משפחה , and we emphasize the importance of Shlom Bayit (peaceful home), respect our siblings, and assume family responsibilities.
- Number of the students presented high values of kindness and entered the Mensch Box (which is located in the Administration lobby):
Tzedakah
Thanks for the wonderful participation this past week. 100% Tzedakah was collected by all classes grades K-5!
Molly Turboff, 1st - lending a friend a jacket so she wouldn't be cold.
Judith Roisman, 3rd - hugging a younger student who was crying in the hallway.
Meier Turboff, 1st- picking up all of the leftover trash in the lunch room.
Emma Seunsom, 3rd -helping Mrs. Bormaster get her big rolling cart in the building by holding doors for her.
Julia Danziger, 3rd - offering her classmates to use her pencils when they misplaced their own.
Sarah Goldberg, 2nd -helping a classmate pick up supplies that fell.
Walter Garrett, 2nd - helping a classmate pick up supplies that fell.
Hannah Swartz, 1st- always helping people in our class find misplaced items.
Mattie Pogach, 4th- AR leveling books in Ms. Sydow's library.
Sam Rosen, 5th-being a great Tefilla buddy.
Sam Berman, 2nd -always doing the right thing and reminding his friends to do the same.
Noa Strauss, 3rd -stayed with her friend while the teacher helped a student come down from the slide.
Micah Weinstock, 2nd-stayed with her friend while the teacher helped a student come down from the slide.
Thanks to Lillie Rosen and Julia Strug for coordinating this weeks' project. We continue to collect coins every week and we are very excited to see such an overwhelming participation. The students will decide be the end of the semester where these monies should go to.
Kufsat Shabbat
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