Friday Letter

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Dear Schechter Parents,  

This past Sunday afternoon, a screening of the documentary film Race to Nowhere, was held at the Upper School campus.  Parents, teachers, students and members of the general community filled the gym to watch this moving film and to reflect upon the pressures facing young people in school nowadays.

After the screening, Schechter parent and event chair Miriam Eckstein-Koas presented the results of surveys given to our own middle and high school students.  The majority of 7^th and 8^thgraders polled reported sleeping at least 7 hours per night, in contrast with the 57% of high schoolers who reported sleeping under 6 hours a night.  Most of the middle school students spend 1-2 hours a night on homework, while 40% of high schoolers reported doing more than 3 hours of homework per night.  Schechter’s elementary school psychologist Dr. Sol Tiegerman and Ms. Bonnie Cahn of the high school facilitated the sharing of comments from the audience on the issues presented in the movie.  Surveys were available at each person’s seat, and they were collected at the end of the film.  Parent results indicated a desire for less homework, particularly over school vacations, as well as less emphasis on testing and more emphasis on being a mensch over being a “super-achiever.” 

The purpose of showing the film was for the school community to carefully assess how we are protecting children from and/or contributing to stress, resilience and achievement. Then the school community can find ways to maximize the benefits our students receive at Schechter.

The PA, who co-sponsored this event along with Student Life, wants to thank the school administration, Miriam Eckstein-Koas, Nancy Berlow, and student volunteers who gave of their time to make this event happen.

The Schechter administration is eager to hear what parents have to say on issues related to student stress and achievement, and invites you to respond to  a very short survey found at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PHTTNJX

On Tuesday, January 31st, Red's Recycle-O-Ramaperformed for our K-5 students.  Comical performer, Rick Adam, became Red, the old-timer who has been the head honcho of the local recycling station for the past 20 years.  With the help of his puppet dog, Rusty, he demonstrated the how and why of recycling.  He presented the imaginative musical saga of Farmer Abel and his motorized picnic table, used hand shadows to present a Native American story about respecting the environment, got volunteers to play Red's Recycle-O-Rama Game, and performed Red's One Man Junk Band. 

Through this active, fun, and participatory performance, Red gave reasons for recycling, advice on how to save energy, and suggestions on how to create less waste.  The children were inspired to become active participants in conservation, and came away with useful tips to reduce, reuse, and recycle.  A huge thank you to Jaime Lewis and Beth Finger, our In-School Program coordinators for bringing in this wonderful programming!

The 4th grade family evening program took place on Wednesday, February 1st at the Williston Park campus.  The theme for the evening was Jerusalem.  The families were led through a guided tour of Jerusalem by Mrs. Ofra Hiltzik, our upper school assistant principal, who welcomed all the families.  Under the guidance of our wonderful Cantor Marcey Wagner and Schechter parents and PA Family Education grade wide evening programs co-coordinators Sheri Balsam and Tammy Feman-Serfaty, each family made a Mizrach - wall-hanging that hangs on the eastern wall of a Jewish home to remind us of our tradition to pray towards Jerusalem.  The families learned about mizrachim and examples of mizrachimthroughout history. 

A slide show featuring the main tourist sites in Jerusalem was shown and photos of the fourth grade families during recent trips to Israel were shown on the screen.  The children truly enjoyed seeing themselves and reliving their experiences in Jerusalem.  The children immediately felt comfortable listening to Mrs. Hiltzik as she discussed the sites on the screen.  She then added her own personal experiences while growing up in Israel.  Mrs. Hiltzik has a natural gift for connecting with children and the fourth graders were captivated and engaged throughout her session.

Then the families participated in a game show focused on what they had learned in class and for their recent play about Jerusalem.  Cantor Wagner was the “Game Show Host.”  This was a fabulous, fun, energized game show enjoyed by all participants.  The game show ended in a tie for both 4A and 4P.  Congratulations to the fourth grade for successfully demonstrating their knowledge of Jerusalem.

We fondly thank our inspiring elementary school principal, Cantor Marcey Wagner, who envisioned the Mizrach art project and for her talented portrayal of a game show host.  A special thank you to Sheri Balsam and Tammy Feman-Serfaty, for their boundless energy and dedication toward making this evening and each grade's family evening program so meaningful. 

We would also like to thank Mrs. Sokoler, our elementary school computer teacher who assisted in preparing our Jerusalem slide show, the staff at the Williston Park campus: Frankie for set up and Boris for technical support. 

Ladies Night Out is quickly approaching - taking place on February 13, 2012, at 7:00PM - at Colbeh in Great Neck with award winning comedian Nancy Redman, who appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show and received the Best Comedian Award at the United Solo Theatre Festival 2011 for her performance in a one woman play.  Please see attached flyer and RSVP by sending your check in to the school in an envelope labeled "Ladies Night Out".

With Purim taking place on March 8th, the PA is proud to offer Purim Baskets/Mishloach Manot to our community.  The order deadline is February 14th, 2012.  Please return your completed order form to school with your check in an envelope labeled "Purim Baskets."  The Mishloach Manot committee needs volunteers to help pack the baskets and distribute them.  Packing will take place on Thursday, March 1st and Friday, March 2nd in Bellmore (a 15 minute drive from Jericho).  The baskets will be distributed on Purim (March 8th).  Please contact ssdspa@gmail.com or Debbie Gubin at zuchmeer@aol.com if you can participate on any of these three days.

The PA will host its annual Purim Carnival on Thursday, March 8th.  This event is parent run.  We need volunteers to make this event as amazing as in previous years.  Please contact Debbie Gubin at zuchmeer@aol.combefore February break if you have an idea for a booth and are available to run one.  We look forward to your participation in this wonderful event.

      PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE FOLLOWING UPCOMING EVENTS: 

* February 13, 2012, 7:00PM- Ladies Night Out - At Colbeh in Great neck with comedian Nancy Redman (Please see attached flyer).

 SAVE THE DATE:

** March 8, 2012 - Distribution of Schoolwide Mishloach Manot and Elementary School Purim Carnival

** Spring Book Fair - Thursday, March 29 and Friday, March 30                                       The PA is asking for Volunteers to assist during our Spring Book Fair during the following days and times:

Tuesday, March 27, 10:00AM-2:00PM for set up
Wednesday, March 28, 9:00AM-1:00PM for class visits
Thursday, March 29, 6:00PM-10:00PM during school conferences

Friday, March 30, 8:00AM-12PM during school conferences

Sunday, April 1, TBD
Monday, April 2, 10:00AM-2:00PM - pack up

If you are available to assist, please contact Lahna Bidner at solahna@aol.com

** Passover Miss Chocolate Fundraiser (see attached flyer)

** June 3, 2012 - Celebrate Israel Parade - As possible, please avoid scheduling conflicting events, birthday parties etc. on this day.

 REMINDERS:

* Box tops monthly winners - Mrs. Swerdloff will announce the class with the most box tops at the end of February, April and June.  Please continue to send in Box tops and write your child's name and class on them.

* PA MEMBERSHIP – Please join to support our school.

Don't forget to join our facebook group SSDS Nassau PA and receive updates and alerts

Please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments, and suggestions.

Debbie Gubin and Orna Neutra

ssdspa@gmail.com

 

 

PDF files

Purim Basket order forms
Ladies Night Out flyer
Purim Carnival 2012 flyer
Passover Candy flyer