Abrams Extra January 5, 2018

 

 

New AHA logo 2011

ABRAMS EXTRA

In This Issue
Candle Lighting
Translate the Extra
Budowsphere
Annual Fundraising Campaign
EITC Opportunity
Espresso Cafe Open House
New Jersey Open House
Recruitment
After School Art
Parenting Meeting with Dr.P
Basketball Practice/Game Schedules
My Israel Story
Donor Support
Oorah
School Lunches
Security Reminders
Car Pool Rules
Abrams Notes
Dress Code Rules

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January 5, 2018/ 18 Tevet
Candle Lighting 4:32 pm /Shemot
 

Translate the Extra-
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Budowsphere

Rabbi Budow

 

Dear Parents:

 

I am sorry to say that a tragic loss occurred during our brief vacation- Yoni Mizrahi ’03 passed away at the age of 29. I knew Yoni very well, as he was not only a student in the school, but a classmate of my daughter Arielle. Yoni always had a smile on his face and was extremely well-liked by students and teachers alike. It was a tremendous shock for all of us to hear about his death.  Perhaps you are now asking why I am writing about this now, and my answer is that I want to use this tragedy as an opportunity to teach a difficult lesson.
As many of us already know, drug addiction is an enormous problem in our country- an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that close to 1,000 young people died of overdoses in Philadelphia last year. Rabbi Leizerowski told me that he performed 20 funerals for young, Jewish people in 2017, including Yoni’s.
Some years ago Abrams participated in the DARE program administered by the local police departments that focused on drug awareness and prevention. I always questioned why it was presented in 5th grade rather than immediately before entering high school, when I believe children are most vulnerable to the temptation of drugs. Yoni went through the DARE program while he attended Abrams, but unfortunately it did not save him from his addiction and tragic death.
I write to you today as a parent, and I urge you to be careful about where your children attend school after they graduate from Abrams. We are a small, intimate school where teachers and administrators pay attention to each child and notice even small changes that indicate something is wrong. Large schools are simply unable to pay close attention to each child, so parents must be vigilant on their child’s behalf.
Unfortunately, drugs are readily available in high school and college, and recreational drugs are now even legal in the State of CA. Many young people find it difficult to navigate their new environments and simply fall through the cracks. I ask you as parents to pay attention to your children, their friends, their habits, and any changes in their behavior or academic performance so that we can avoid more senseless losses of young Jewish lives.

 

L’Shalom,
Rabbi Ira Budow

 

 

 

 

2018 Annual Fundraising Campaign
2018 ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
 
This year we are honoring faculty and staff who have been at Abrams for 10 years or more, and it is very impressive that we have 17 people who have served Abrams and our students for over a decade!
 

 

* If you have photos you’d like to share of our faculty/staff honorees interacting with Abrams students (either current students or alumni) please email them to Debra Goldfarb dgoldfarb@abramsonline.org.

 


2018 Honorees (Donna Moskowitz not pictured)

 

 

Our faculty/staff honorees are:
Sonia Arusy
Dorit Borrus
Rabbi Ira Budow
Deborah Galing
Kevin Gowton
Chris Konopka
Leslie Kornsgold
Joan Lamkey
Rabbi Isaac Leizeroski
Albert Lopez
Debbie Marks
Donna Moskowitz
Rabbi Joshua Ottensoser
Vivian Shore
Rabbi Chaim Tesser
Carol Wallace
Janet Zuazo

EITC
 EITC Opportunity
The Jewish Scholarship LLC has funds available NOW for qualified people who pay PA state income taxes personally (not through their businesses) to participate in the EITC program. If you are able to participate yourself or know someone whom you could suggest, please contact Rabbi Budow immediately!
Thank you for your help- EITC is a huge benefit to the school and our children.

 

 

 

Espresso Cafe Open House
 

New Jersey Open House 
 
 
Open House
 
Hosted by:
 
Leslie and Jay Kornsgold
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
7:00 p.m.
49 Maple Stream Road
East Windsor, NJ
AHA Associate Principal Leslie Kornsgold and her husband, Rabbi Jay Kornsgold, will host an open house at their home to discuss new financial aid opportunities for NJ residents.
Through the generosity of an anonymous donor Abrams is able to offer financial aid (similar to the PA EITC program) to qualified NJ families who are interested in day school education for their children.
Please help to spread the word and invite any of your friends and family who may be interested in learning more about Abrams and its affordability.

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.

 

After School Art
 
pallette

After School Art Club with Donna Moskowitz begins January 22, 2018.
Dates:          Monday Afternoons (8 classes)
                     Jan. 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 26, March 5, 12, 19
Time:           3:30pm -5pm
Cost:            $100

 

 

Parenting Meeting
Parenting Meeting with Dr. P
January 16, 2018
8:30 a.m.
On January 16 our meeting will focus on financial literacy for children (of all ages).
Join us at 8:30 a.m. to share your ideas and hear what  the “experts” recommend.

 

Basketball 
AHA Boys/Girls Basketball
 
basketball-basket.jpg
 
Revised 11/15/17

My Israel Story

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
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