Want to take a leadership role to make the Lag BaOmer Spring Fling a great success?  Come to a planning meeting this Sunday, March 15 at 7:30 pm at Shari's house.  (address furnished upon request).  If you are interested in volunteering that day, a sign up will be coming out soon or email [email protected] to volunteer.  Mark you calendar for Thursday, May 7 for Spring Fling Family Festival! 

Congratulations to 8th grade student, Hanna Wolfson, who is a semi-finalist in the Letters About Literature contest.  Hanna's letter was among the 165 letters that were advanced to the next level by the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress out of the 1,784 total letters which they had received from Ohio students.

In the contest students are asked to read a book, poem or speech and write to that author (living or dead) about how the book affected them personally.  Hanna wrote to Laurie Halse Anderson, the author of Fever 1793, an historical fiction book about the epidemic of fever that swept through the streets of 1793 Philadelphia.  

CTA is proud of the Professional Contributions of Dr. Matthew Kennedy, Upper School Science teacher.

In February, Dr. Kennedy addressed Science teachers across the state at a modeling conference on "advances in AP Physics models of rotational dynamics". In March, at Eastern Kentucky University, he is addressing the regional meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers on the topic of "Alternative Approaches to Teaching Rotational Motion for High School Physics."

Other current accomplishments of Dr. Kennedy include being Vice-President of HS physics teachers for the Southern Ohio Section of the AAPT (American Association of Physics Teachers), Spring 2014-Spring 2017; Modeling Workshop Leader for the AMTA (American Modeling Teachers Association), Summer 2015, Chemistry; member of AMTA Biology Modeling National Curriculum Development Committee; College Board AP Physics Rater (Reader), selected but not yet assigned for the reading.

If you would like to apply for ANY level of financial assistance, you must complete the appropriate PSAS (Private School Aid Service).  All deadlines must be adhered to. Forms are available online at www.torahacademy.org or you can apply and submit all information online at www.psas.org/4944.

Please note, PSAS will assess a $30 late fee for all applications received after March 20.  CTA will assess a $500 late fee for all non-kindergarten applications received after March 20.

The financial assistance form and documentation should be mailed, faxed or uploaded directly to PSAS along with a copy of your 2014 W-2's and 2014 1099's and, if available, 2014 tax return for their analysis. The results will be evaluated by the CTA Scholarship Committee.

If you have any questions about Financial Assistance or Payment Plans, contact Norman Leist at [email protected] or 864-0299, ext. 200.

Last Friday, the Hebrew department had a small Shishi Ivrit celebration for the month of Adar.  The Upper School classes enjoyed a Power Point presentation about the Purim story, received "the Best Student of the Month" award and finally learned and sang new Israeli folk songs.  Morah Eva awarded 11-12th grade Zack Sukienik, 9-10th grade Molly Cohen and 7-8th grade Addison Horwitz for best students of the month.  Morah Diana awarded 11-12 grade Josh Wolf , 9-10th grade Libby Klynn and 7-8th grade Isabella Abelman for best efforts and dedication. Morah Kelly Adar awarded 11-12th grade David Wolfson for excellence in achievements, Rosie Kalef for best adjustment and Batya Deitsch for excellence in class.  All students had a great time and enjoyed the activities. Looking forward to next month's Shishi Ivrit Nissan !!

Morah Elana's fifth grade class studied the Purim story from the perspective of "ve'nahapoch hu"- people or events that transformed and changed in an opposite manner. While many examples and themes of ve'nahapoch hu in the Purim story were studied, students were asked to write which example they thought represented the biggest or most impressive change.  To see some examples shared by Mina Schulman, Akiva Gisser, Cece Mastracci, Yaakov Newman and Eilyahu Ackerman, click here.

Ms. Meyer's Physics students exercised their creative side this week when they performed their self-created songs for their classmates. Ms. Meyer's 11th and 12th grade Physics course is currently learning about the different forms of energy. From catchy pop songs to raps about kinetic and potential energy, the students stole the spotlight! The "concert" was a big hit, and will announce tour dates soon!  To view a clip, click on image below. 

Physics Energy Songs

In legal news, the triple murder trial surrounding Victor Frankenstein began this week in the upper school. The one who responds to "The Creature," is accused of murdering the loved ones of his creator, Victor Frankenstein, the Geneva born scientist and anti hero of Mary Shelley's classic novel. The acrimonious trial conducted by Mr. Guinan's 11th and 12th grade classes has heard testimony from the various characters of the novel attempting to determine whether the individual or society is guilty of crimes committed therein. Judge Guinan, donning judicial garb that looks suspiciously like the CTA graduation robe, is ruling his courtroom with an iron fist. The verdict will be announced following jury deliberations next week. Stay tuned!  Throughout the year, double blocks are held at different class periods for all academic disciplines to make time for all classes to extend their learning.

In 2nd grade, as part of both Language Arts and Social Studies, the 2nd grade is studying "schools around the world". One of the ways they experienced this topic was with a discussion with Moreh Dror to learn about our sister school, the Shiloh School in Kfar Saba, Israel. We compared and contrasted topics like our school building, how we get to school, what we have for lunch and what subjects we study. We are looking forward to emailing Shiloh school to share photos and ask more questions.

Norm Leist, Chief Financial Officer of CTA, is hosting a volunteer day on Sunday, March 22 from 10 am to 2 pm to do some brush and small tree removal around the back of the school building.  The brush and small trees need to be cut back 10ft or so from the walkways around the backside of our building.  This is for maintenance, view, and security.  We are asking for men, women, and older children to help with the work.  You would need to wear appropriate clothing and bring gloves, pruners, tree saws and even a chainsaw if you have one.   We would like volunteers to prepare a lunch with sandwiches, chips, and drinks.   (Funding available) Norm and his two sons will be here to help with the work and oversee operations.  This is a great opportunity to work as a team to help CTA and to earn volunteer hours for Give & Get! Please email me, Norm Leist, at [email protected]  if you plan on helping!

  Bunk Connect: Think of a website like Expedia or Hotels.com, but instead of using it to find vacation deals you use it to connect kids to Jewish camps.The Foundation for Jewish Camp in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Columbus is offering a new program offering first-time campers from middle- and lower-income families camp sessions at prices that are 40-80 percent below the camps' standard rates.The BunkConnect program has made available discounted slots at many known camps around Ohio and its discounts are available to kids who attend day school. BunkConnect is only available to children who have not previously attended a Jewish overnight camp.   Those interested in searching for discounts can do so at: bunkconnect.org.

By demand, the E-Dateline will now be offering advertising space in its weekly newsletter.  Space is limited and rates are weekly as follows:

Weekly Dateline Sponsorship $150 (includes tribute line at top of newsletter)

Full Weekly E-Dateline Sponsorship:  $150 - Name at top

Full Size Submission:  $75 - size is 780 x 432 pixels/10 x 6"

Half Size Submission:  $50 - size is 390x 216 pixels/5.4 x 3"

1/3 Size Submission:  $30 - size is 260 x 144 pixels/3.6 x 2"

Rates are weekly and all submissions must be received by Wednesday at noon.  At this time advertising is only available in the e-Dateline, not paper version.  Advertising submissions are subject to content review. Contact [email protected] for more information.