February 27, 2009 Adar 3, 5769Dear MJCDS Parents, Ms. Oskin wants to share with you the fact that the Madison Jewish Community Council was kind enough to help provide for her learning opportunity last week as well as to provide for her and for HaMorah Meisha to be part of their annual educators' learning sessions. These sessions allow for community strengthening as well as providing learning. Let it be known that we are grateful for this support and hope that all of Federation actions strengthen in the years to come. At this time our focus continues to be truly on our students even as we begin to consider next year's enrollment. We know that we will continue to provide excellence in education and hope that our numbers will grow substantially as well as donations from various community members. In General Studies our students had an exciting week with both the celebration of 100 days of school as well as the beginning of the wonderful month of Adar. Needless to say, we made this a joyous time as we come closer and closer to our celebration for Purim. As this special time approaches we do many fun activities and now are looking for good jokes. If you have one do write it down and send it in for us to share. Our 100th Day itself was especially fun filled with counting various items, reading 100 minutes, having guest readers: Simone Glinberg and Felice Rudin. We extend our hearty thanks to them for reading. We too appreciated Mr. Steve Morrison's visit especially as many of our girls recognize his smiling face. Reading, comprehension, and writing skills grew as students wrote poems for art and wrote about animals in the rain forest. Students shared their rain forest animal presentations including where the animal lived in the rain forest: at the forest floor, in the understory, in the canopy or in the emergent layer. Students also continued individual reading. During Hebrew and Judaic studies students learned about the temporary mishkan used in the desert as well as created their own personal mishkan because we learned that while HaShem was to dwell within a sanctuary He wished to dwell "within them." The plural usage taught students that there needs to be space within each one personally to have for HaShem. Students also officially started their studies for Purim and learned about lots, the lottery, and joy! Students learned about games of chance and games of skill. It is important to have good cheer for all -whomever wins. This past week all were filled with good cheer. May our entire month be as joyous as this past week. Faygie visited on Tuesday and extended our parasha lesson. She had our students creating an item that they would place in the mishkan. The also built the mishkan out of legos as well as heard a song about the mishkan. Last week, she taught the students a song as well. The words are: There are two little magic words that will open any door with ease. The first little word is thanks and the second little word is please. You'd be so surprised what those two little words can do. They'll open any door for me and they'll open any door for you. When you want the __(fill in)_____________ say please pass the ____________. Manners are never out of style. When you get the ________________________say thanks for the ___________________. Say it with a great big happy smile. Reminder: Please have children come to school on time. Please send in an art smock if you have not done so already in addition to an extra set of clothing that your child(ren) can change into as needed! Please SEND IN SHOE BOXES! We need this for a special activity. Upcoming Events: March 5th: Trip to the library. March 6th: Rabbi Biatch visit (Kabbalat Shabbat). March 13th: Rabbi J. Ben Gideon visit (Kabbalat Shabbat) . March 9th: Purim basket preparations. March 10th: Purim celebration! March 11th: Shushan Purim fieldtrip! March 20th: Father's Day Shabbat! (1:15 pm) Until next timeÖ have a sweet Shabbat. Kol tuv, Meisha and Jodi |