Mush, mush!  The first graders held their annual Iditarod C.T.A. race last Friday.  As a culmination of their study of the Alaskan Tundra, the Iditarod is an opportunity for the whole Lower School and many parents and grandparents came to celebrate with the 1st graders. 

While the weather was a little bit too cold to complete the mock race outdoors, the halls of CTA were transformed into a race course lined with cheering fans for The Speedy Cheetahs, The Fire Blades, The Fire Blading Giants, The Iditarod Speed Huskies, The Ohio Speed Cardinals, and The Snow Hamster Dogs.  

The 6 teams, which each included one musher to ride in the team sled and several "dogs" to pull, ran the race course as quickly as possible, stopping at checkpoints along the way to figure out the math, science, social studies, and problem-solving challenges presented to them.  The teams progressed through the checkpoints until finally crossing the finish line on their team-created sleds made of cardboard, rope and canvas. 

The official Alaskan Iditarod kicked off on March 1 and the 1st graders check the progress of their favorite teams each day. 

Thanks you to all the parents and guests who attended, those that helped at checkpoints and setting up, and all the teachers, especially Miss Tanenbaum, who take great care that the 1st graders learn so much.

How lucky we are this year to be celebrating 2 Adars.  Last Friday, we welcomed in the second Adar by having "Tacky Day."  It was fun to see the different clothing choices and students' smiles, as they walked through the halls.  Children from other classes visited one another, while dancing and singing "Mishenichnas Adar."  Everyone is always very proud to wear their Purim stickers supplied by their friends in the Shiloh school.  This year, a special program was introduced called, "Vnahafochu," where things were turned around and the students had the chance to be the teachers for a period of time.  Of course, Hamentashen were given out and added to the spirit of the day.  Needless to say, if the children had their way, they would add an Adar 3! 

Yasher Koach to the bentchers of the month:  Natalie Slutsky, Aviel Metz, and Avrohom Yosef Finegold.

Next Friday, we will celebrate Purim in our school.  Shabbat Shalom!

The Upper School students celebrated Rosh Chodesh Adar Bet, during Shishi Ivrit, our monthly Hebrew Award Ceremony. The students watched a presentation about current events in Israel.  After the presentations the students had the opportunity to ask questions and to sing Hebrew songs. As part of the program, awards were given to students who excelled in their Hebrew studies during the last two months. The teachers had a hard time choosing the awardees among many excellent students.

Moreh David Adar awarded Rochel Kaltmann, Hannah Blumenfeld, Aleeza Hartstein, Neil Kalef, Sivan Import and David Polster for excellence in Achievements.

Morah Kelly Adar awarded Roston Shore for improving his conversational Hebrew and Mira Cassell for excellence in Hebrew studies.

Morah Galit Golan awarded Basya Fedorovskaya and Leilah Abelman for excellence in Hebrew studies.

Mazal Tov and Yishar Koach to all our students! Shabbat Shalom!

The anticipation was mounting for weeks in the Upper School as the High School and Junior High versions of IRONMENSCH were presented this week.  Participated in by the two appropriate divisions, student teams were divided up and competed in a series of Judaic Studies questions and physical challenges.  Questions like, "Name the Ten Commandments in Hebrew and English," "Who is Avimelech and how do we remember him?"  Challenges included completing the most amount of mitzvot in a minute.  The Judaic knowledge that our students learn at CTA was demonstrated fully and the enthusiasm with which they share their knowledge was paramount during the event.  Do you know the answers?  Ask a student at CTA.

Writer-in-Residence, Amy Greenberg, has joined with the 2nd and 5th grade classes this week for our Annual Writing Workshop.  The intensive workshop with this talented artist, gives the students a chance to focus on their writing development.  Second grade is emphasizing poetry and fifth is working on short stories.  Both will present their complete works and a compiled anthology at a March 31 Sharing Night for parents and the community.  Details are forthcoming.  Thank you to parent volunteers and teachers for their work on this program.

Junior Becky Portman will be participating in a Juried Member Art Show at the Jewish Center beginning Sunday, March 9 through Tuesday, April 1. Enjoy a light reception and talk to the artists this Sunday, March 9, at 2:00 p.m.

It has been a time-honored Jewish tradition to give tzedakah in recognition of important events. Todah Rabah to the following for their donation:

To the Scholarship Fund:

Steven and Smadar Import in memory of Gordon Zacks

Jonathan and Agi Hartstein in memory of Norman Katz

Paul and Karan Tanenbaum in memory of Celia Cohen, wife of Eugene

    Cohen, and Orna Hulati, sister of Smadar Melmed

Chad Silverstein in honor of Rabbi Drandoff and family, and in honor of his

    family celebration at Columbus Torah Academy

Abby (Schwarz) and Eldad Cnaan for their donation of the purchase of a

    new scoreboard for the gym

The Metz Family for their donation to PTO in honor of Shmuel Yehuda's

    Bar Mitzvah. "Mazal Tov," Shmuel