Abrams Extra November 10, 2017

 

 

New AHA logo 2011

ABRAMS EXTRA

In This Issue
Candle Lighting
Translate the Extra
Budowsphere
MBM/SBM Registration
Thanksgiving Celebration
Outdoor Classroom
Basketball Practice/Game Schedules
Parent Meetings
Recruitment
Donor Support
Oorah
School Lunches
Security Reminders
Car Pool Rules
Abrams Notes
Dress Code Rules

Join Our List
 

November 10, 2017/ 21 Cheshvan
Candle Lighting 4:30pm/Chayei Sara
 

Translate the Extra-
Hebrew and Russian 
Translate the Abrams Extra:
Translated by Google Translate

 

Budowsphere

Rabbi Budow
Dear Parents:
 
I met Anna Heyden z”l, our beloved Gizzy’s sister, when I first came to Abrams as its director 37 years ago.  Anna worked in the kitchen for many years when the school was located in Trenton, NJ and worked with me in Yardley for 13 years. It was always my honor to know her- I saw the tattooed numbers on her arm and admired her courage and grit as she made a life for herself in the U.S. However, the Holocaust and her unspeakable experiences in the concentration camps damaged her forever in many ways, large and small.
One of the discussions she and I had often was her relationship with food. Anna could not bear to throw out anything, even when it seemed ridiculous. I felt that she would keep food for too long, serve miniscule portions to the children, and watch every morsel of food that came into or left her kitchen. When I would gently remind her that the children needed to eat enough lunch, or that the portions needed to be larger, she would say, “I know, I know. I can’t help it. After everything that I went through I cannot stand to waste any bit of nourishment.” How do you respond to that?
It was a joy to know Anna, and through the years I relished our conversations and valued her wisdom and advice. She had lost everything in Hungary and had a difficult life in the U.S., as well, but she retained her intelligence and warmth. The Holocaust changed her forever, and she never wanted to talk about that black part of her history. However, I finally convinced her to talk about her experiences to the children, and the overarching message she gave them was that she never stopped believing in the Torah and was always proud to be a Jew.
Why am I telling you about Anna now? I watched Larry David host Saturday Night Live this past weekend and couldn’t believe my eyes and ears. I thought he had really crossed the line when he made fun of blind people and sexual predators, but it got even worse. He continued with his monologue and delivered attempted “jokes” about the Holocaust and how one might go about picking up a woman while living in a concentration camp. It was truly a new low for any performer and an embarrassment to fellow Jews.
Many other Jewish comedians have poked fun at themselves and other Jews, and some, like Mel Brooks, even made fun of the Nazis. However, Mel Brooks always said that the greatest revenge on Hitler was to make him a laughingstock and buffoon, rather than any kind of leader or hero. Someone once asked him if he would ever make jokes about the concentration camps, and he said, “Never.”
In response to Larry David, I did my own SNL performance on Facebook and let everyone know how tragic I found this so-called bit of “humor.” My wife was so enraged that she tweeted about it on Larry David’s account and left an on-line message for NBC in protest.
Whatever denomination of Jew you are, none of us should accept trivializing and making fun of the Holocaust. Millions of people died or had their lives irretrievably changed or even ruined by this genocide- there is nothing funny or comedic about it. “Never again, never again.”
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Ira Budow

 

Math and Science By Mail
Math by Mail Forum 2011
 
MATH BY MAIL AND SCIENCE BY MAIL
 
Join us after school on Tuesdays for an online world forum of math and science enrichment for grades 4-6 created by The Weizmann Institute in Israel.
The cost of the program is $60 for one class or $120 for both classes, and will be offered on alternating Tuesdays, beginning with MBM on November 7th from 3:45 P.M. to 4:45 P.M. 
 
Science by Mail will start on November 14th.  The programs will run until May 15th.
 
 
Pick up time is promptly at 4:45 P.M. at the front door of the school.  Any children not picked up by 4:45 will be sent to aftercare, and you will be charged for the service.
You can register online using Google Chrome at:  MBM/SBM Registration
There are separate links to register for Math by Mail, Science by Mail, and to register for both classes.  Click on your choice and follow the directions provided.
Once you have registered, please let Mrs. Lamkey (jlamkey@abramsonline.org) or Mrs. Hamacher (ahamacher@abramsonline.org) know so that they can give you the necessary paperwork to be filled out prior to the start of the class.

Thanksgiving Celebration
 
Turkey(2)
ABRAMS HEBREW ACADEMY
ANNUAL THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION
 
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017
 
Please join us for a morning of family fun and entertainment presented by AHA students and faculty.
Morning programming (Details TBA) will be followed by a delicious Thanksgiving feast at 11:15 AM.
**EVERYONE IS WELCOME! PLEASE RSVP TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE BY WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY SO THAT FOOD CAN BE ORDERED APPROPRIATELY!!

 

12:30 dismissal

 

Outdoor Classroom
 
Construction Continues on the 
Outdoor Classroom

 

 Outdoor classroom construction progresses….

Basketball 

Parent Meetings
 
Parent Meeting with AHA School Psychologist- Dr. Donna Porwancher
 
Please join us for a discussion of popularity 
and friendship.
 
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
8:30 a.m.
Room 24
 
I look forward to seeing you on the 7th day of Hanukkah!  – Dr. P
 

Recruitment
 
“New Family Recruitment”
Open houses in people’s homes is an effective way to meet with families who are potentially interested in enrolling their children at Abrams. Rabbi Budow and a small group of faculty members are happy to travel to meet informally with your friends and neighbors to discuss the advantages and opportunities that Abrams offers to Jewish children.
If you would like to volunteer to host one of these gatherings, please contact Rabbi Budow.

 

Support AHA Donor Businesess
Abrams is greatly appreciative of all of the benefactors who donate generously to the school through participation in EITC, LLC, grants, cash donations, etc. Many of these donors are business owners, and Abrams encourages the AHA community to support the businesses of these people whose largess supports the school.
Some of these generous people are:
McCaffrey’s Food Market
Team Toyota
Swartz & Culleton
Rothenberg Law Firm
Flager & Associates
Princeton Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Marcus & Auerbach

 

Marlowe, Zwillenberg & Ghaderi
Your Eyes Center

Espresso Cafe

Center For SmartLipo & Plastic Surgery
* This is not a complete list- we will add businesses throughout the year!
Thank you very much to all of our supporters!

Oorah
Abrams thanks Oorah, a nonprofit organization located in Lakewood, NJ for all of its financial support to our students.
Oorah sponsors numerous programs that all share the common goal of opening doors for Jewish children and families. The mission is to reach out to Jewish families everywhere with opportunities to make their Judaic heritage more personal, relevant and meaningful.
Abrams received $100,000 in scholarship aid for qualified families this year from Oorah and is extremely grateful for the generosity of this organization.

 

School Lunches

 
Please do not send meat lunches or snacks to school with your children. 
 
Food sent from home must be 
dairy or Pareve only!
 
Thank you very much for your cooperation

Safety and Security Reminders

 

padlock

Just a reminder of AHA security procedures:

  • All parents should use the front door to enter the school with key cards and not the back doors. Parent swipe cards only work at front door.
  • Please do not ask students to open any doors- parents must report to the front office and check-in before entering the school.
  • No student or other person should use the lunchroom doors other than for dismissal or emergency purposes.

These rules are for our children’s safety.

Thank you for your cooperation!

 

 

 

Car Pool Rules 

All Parents who Car Pool:

 

Please note that the car pool line is for grades N and K only. All other students are to be dropped off in the front of the building.

 

Parents who use the back for drop off should follow the directions of the teachers in the parking lot. They are there to assist students and maintain a safe environment.  

 

Under no circumstances are parents to park their cars in the middle of the line and leave them unattended to walk students into the building.  

 

** We ask that parents refrain from cellphone use in the parking areas while dropping off and picking up their children.

 

Abrams Notes
 

Birthday Celebrations at School
When sending birthday treats into school to celebrate that special day for your child, please consider sending in a healthy treat, such as frozen fruit bars, rice cakes, fruit salad or cups, sugar free pudding snacks, yogurt cake or pie, cheese sticks, light popcorn or air popped popcorn (when age appropriate), pretzels, carrots/celery (when age appropriate).

Please do not send anything with nuts due to allergies. 

In order to maintain a consistent kashrut policy and to avoid confusion, ALL orders for birthday cakes/cupcakes MUST be ordered from Cramer’s Bakery, 16 E. Afton Avenue, Yardley. Cramer’s will deliver the order to the school at a discounted price.

Please call Kim Pierce at 215-321-5707 to place your cake/ cupcake order.

 

Celebrate Your Simcha at Abrams

 

Abrams Hebrew Academy is a perfect choice to host your family or social affair, business meeting or athletic event.  Whether you’re looking for an inviting space to celebrate a special occasion; a meeting area with state-of-the art technology; a fun, safe environment for a child’s birthday; or a gym or athletic field for a sporting event, Abrams can accommodate your needs and your budget.  For more information on room rentals at Abrams Hebrew Academy, call (215) 493-1800 or e-mail info@abramsonline.org.

Check Your Child’s Assignments with Homework Now

Parents- all homework will be posted on-line by all teachers grades K-8 by Sunday evening each week.

Instructions for use of homeworknow.com:

Click on homeworknow.com

Click on Parent and Student

Click on find school

Click on Pennsylvania

Click on Abrams Hebrew Academy

Click on your child’s teacher

View homework assignments

     

Share Abrams News With Others

Is there a family member (such as a grandparent) or friend who would be interested in hearing about everything going on at Abrams?  Sign them up for our e-mail list today!  Please contact the Main Office.

Information about the Extra

Please submit any information to be considered for inclusion in the Extra to Dale Sattin, Director of Development & Communications: dsattin@abramsonline.org. (215) 493-1800 ext. 22 by

Wednesday of the target week.

 

Abrams Dress Code
 
Dress Code
 
Studies have found that appropriate dress influences behavior and learning.  Abrams strives through the dress code to maximize the learning environment.
Respect for the sensitivities of others requires that students/parents/guests follow reasonable standards of modesty and privacy.  We ask that students/parents/guests dress in a manner befitting a Jewish day school when entering the building.
Dress Code for Grades 1-8
  • Clothing cannot advertise or advocate the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco or weapons.
  •  Clothing cannot display writing or pictures that are obscene or suggestive.
  • No writing or pictures on the back of pants.
  • No sleepwear or bedroom slippers to be worn at any time, unless pre-approved for a special occasion.
  • Heavy linked chains may not be worn as jewelry.
  • No extreme hair colors are permitted.
  • All boys must come to school wearing a kippah.  Baseball caps and other head coverings are NOT permitted.
  • No sleeveless shirts, tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, crop tops, belly shirts, or tight shirts.
Dress Code for Boys Grades 5-8
  • Shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, and tee-shirts should be appropriate for school.  Students may not wear undershirts.
  • Pants or denim jeans must be properly hemmed and not dragging on the floor.  Pants will not have rips, holes, or fraying and will not be too tight or over-sized.
  • Shorts must be to the knee.
  • Pants/shorts will not sag, as underwear may not be visible.
  • Boys are to be clean-shaven.
  • Hair is to be well groomed.  Partially or fully shaved heads and ponytails are not allowed.
  • Piercings of any kind are not allowed.
Dress Code for Girls Grades 5-8
 
  • Dresses/skirts/shorts must be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee.
  •  Pants or denim jeans must be properly hemmed and not dragging on the floor.  Pants or shorts will not have rips, holes, or fraying and will not be too tight.
  • Leggings of any type are not permitted to be worn in place of skirts or pants, but may be worn under clothing.  If worn, they must be accompanied by a fingertip length or longer, dress, skirt, or top.
  • Clothing that exposes any part of the midriff, cleavage (front or rear), or any clothing excessively revealing may not be worn.
  • Clothing materials for tops and bottoms must be opaque (not see-through).
Consequences for Students Who Do Not Follow the Dress Code:
  • 1st Offense – Explain to student what is wrong with his/her attire.  Student must change into appropriate clothing.
  • 2nd Offense – Written notification that requires parent signature.  Student must change into appropriate clothing.
  • 3rd Offense – Student must change clothes to follow guidelines and parent is called on the telephone immediately.
  • 4th Offense – Suspension from school.
  • Parent conference required for student to return to school.

 

 

Abrams Hebrew Academy, 31 West College Avenue, Yardley, PA 19067
Sent by dsattin@abramsonline.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact