This week I attended all of the events celebrating our Sephardic community and during the course of the four days learned many things that I did not know. The history, spirit, and davening we shared during this week resulted in a unique and meaningful understanding of the Sephardic culture, and it was truly worthwhile. As a result, we will incorporate Sephardic melodies into our regular minyanim going forward.
I must say that the most noteworthy insight that I gained from the week was the knowledge that we, the Jewish people, are all united by the Torah. Despite the differences in some of the traditions, rituals and customs that Jews from all over the world practice, the Torah is the common strong bond that holds us all together. This feeling of unity is truly awe-inspiring, and I am very proud that we were able to share this communal experience with one another.
Our annual Thanksgiving celebration will be here before we know it, and I am once again grateful to the PTO for offering to organize the holiday luncheon, complete with fried turkeys!
Thanksgiving is the time when we offer gratitude for many things, not the least of which is our freedom to live in the U.S. The United States is one of the very few countries the Jews have never been forced to flee, and our teachers and children will prepare a morning of Thanksgiving programming that celebrates our freedom and gratefulness for the many blessings we enjoy.
Parents, grandparents, and other family and friends are all invited to join us on Wednesday, November 22, 2017. Families will visit their children’s classrooms, be entertained by the students, and enjoy a wonderful communal Thanksgiving lunch. (Programming details to follow).
*All are welcome, but PLEASE RSVP to the office by November 15, 2017 to let us know how many people we will be serving!
Finally, on another very important note, I want to talk about EITC. This year we were awarded almost $500,000 in funding to provide scholarship aid to students who would not otherwise be able to afford day school. We are eligible to receive $750,000 per year, so with more participants in the program there is the potential for an additional $250,000 in funding.
We begin working on recruiting new participants a year in advance, so it is not too early to begin identifying potential participants for the July 2 deadline NOW. We have already held meetings with three significant businesses whose participation could give AHA significant scholarship aid for our students and are hoping that these “possibles” become “yeses.” I ask you to please help us in this quest- if you can identify a business that pays PA state income taxes or an individual who lives in PA and pays $6300 or more in PA state income taxes please let me know. The process is time-consuming because people must involve their lawyers and accountants to see if the program works for their particular financial positions, so we need to start identifying potential participants as soon as possible. Once a person is identified and contacted we have experts who work with Philadelphia Federation and the Jewish Scholarship Fund (for individuals) and the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools (for businesses) who will walk people through the entire process.
EITC will keep the school solvent and give Abrams increased capacity to educate Jewish children in a day school environment. Please try to identify potential participants who will gain a tax credit for themselves and help our school at the same time.
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Ira Budow
Book Fair
AHA Book Fair
Monday, Nov 6- Friday, Nov 10
Support the PTO and the school by purchasing books at our semi-annual book fair. Proceeds are used to purchase books for the Abrams school library and benefit everyone.
Help is needed! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Meryl Widensky at waksmans@comcast.net.
Mon, Tues, Thursday
8:30 am-4pm
Wednesday
2 pm -6 pm
Friday
8:30 am-12 Noon
Math and Science By Mail
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.
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.
PTO News
Meet…Greet…Shop
On Tuesday, November 7 from 8:45 – 10:45, join us for a PTO parent breakfast.
All parents of Abrams students are automatically PTO members!
Come meet other families, schmooze, and shop at our Scholastic Book Fair.
The book fair raises funds to buy new books for the school library.
We hope to see you there!
Questions? Contact Efrat Attoun at Efratrose@yahoo.com
Outdoor Classroom
Construction Begins on the
Outdoor Classroom
More exciting news this week-
Watch the construction on the outdoor classroom as it unfolds…..
Rabbi L Repairs a Torah
Torah Repair
Rabbi Leizerowski demonstrates the process of repairing a Torah to his Talmud class.
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.
Sephardic Week
Sephardic week was a huge success! The week was filled with information about the history, traditions, prayer rituals, and food associated with the Sephardic community. Thanks to everyone who generously gave of their time, money, and efforts to make this a wonderful experience.
Parent Meetings
Parent Meeting with AHA School Psychologist- Dr. Donna Porwancher
What does it takes to be ” the modern parent?”
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
8:30 a.m.
Room 24
Basketball Tryouts
BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
Grades 6-8
Boys Tryouts Girls Tryouts
Monday Tuesday
November 6, 2017 November 7, 2017
Abrams Gymnasium- 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm
All students must be picked up no later than 5:00 pm
For further information please see Mr. Gowton
Girl’s first practice: Thursday, Nov. 9
Boy’s first practice: Monday, Nov. 113
All practices will be held in the Samuel Abrams Gymnasium from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm.
Final roster will be posted in the gymnasium the day after tryouts.
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.
* 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
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.