Abrams Extra February 2, 2018

 

 

New AHA logo 2011

ABRAMS EXTRA

In This Issue
Candle Lighting
Translate the Extra
Budowsphere
EITC Opportunity Update
Annual Matching Campaign
New Jersey Open House
Tu B’Shevat Celebration
Cell Phone Rules
Parenting Meeting with Dr. P
Recruitment
Beth El (East Windsor)
Espresso Cafe Catering
Food and Sock Drive
Claire Segal and CTeen Award
After School Art
Basketball Practice/Game Schedules
Donor Support
Oorah
School Lunches
Security Reminders
Car Pool Rules
Abrams Notes
Dress Code Rules

Join Our List
 

February 2, 2018/ 17 Sh’vat
Candle Lighting 5:03 pm /Yitro
 

Translate the Extra-
Hebrew and Russian 
Translate the Abrams Extra:

 

Translated by Google Translate

 

 

 

Budowsphere

Rabbi Budow

 

Dear Parents:
One of the sites in Israel that we visit every year during our 8th grade trip is the Jerusalem Machane Yehuda in Jerusalem- the “Shuk.” The shuk is an Israeli marketplace that dates back to the Ottoman period, where you can find everything from clothes to house wares, flowers, art, and every variety of fresh and specialty foods. It is a gathering place like none other, and each time we visit the shuk during the early afternoon Erev Shabbat we see all of Israel on display.
The market is a noisy, crowded, and chaotic mass of people hurrying to purchase their meat, fish, vegetables, spices, etc. before Shabbat and is still an incredible experience for me every time I go. The market has changed through the years, and today the shuk offers a modern, vibrant nightlife with restaurants, bars, and music clubs, in addition to the traditional marketplace fare. I remember visiting one year during Chanukah and eating sufganiyot from which I am still recovering!
Rabbi O, Morahs Bracha and Shoshana, our Judaic Studies and Hebrew language faculty, the Bnot Sherut women, Sarah Weinstein, and the 8th grade class worked tirelessly to recreate the shuk in celebration of Tu B’Shevat. When they brought this idea to me I wondered how they were going to achieve the feeling that one gets in the midst of the Machane Yehuda, but when it was completed I could not believe how they managed to not only showcase the Israeli foods, music, and other offerings prevalent at the shuk, but to replicate the excitement, “buzz,” and emotions that one feels at the Machane Yehuda,
It was heartwarming when I saw the amazement on the students’ faces as they walked down the crowded corridor of the school and realized that it had been transformed into a different world! It was also gratifying to be told by many of the Israeli parents who came to see the shuk that it looked and felt like “being at home.”
At Abrams it is important to teach not only the history and facts about Israel, but to bring the actual feeling of this modern, living land to its students, and this event definitely accomplished that goal. As they say, a picture is worth 1,000 words, so please enjoy the photos in the Extra, as well as many more photos and live video on Facebook.
Kudos to everyone who helped to create the first Israeli marketplace at Abrams.
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Ira Budow

 

 

 EITC Opportunity Update

 

Update on 

 

EITC Opportunity 
for a One Year Commitment
Abrams now has commitments of $85,000 from 3 new EITC participants thanks to the help of Brandon Swartz!!
 
The Jewish Scholarship LLC still has $100,000 available, but this opportunity only lasts for the next 2 weeks.
 
If you are able to participate yourself or know someone whom you believe would be interested, please contact Rabbi Budow immediately!
 
This funding will make a significant positive impact on AHA’s 2018-19 budget- you can make the difference!!
 

 

 

 

2018 Annual Matching Campaign
2018 ANNUAL ON-LINE CHARIDY MATCHING CAMPAIGN
 
Our annual matching fundraising campaign (organized through Charidy) will be held for 24 hours starting Tuesday, March 13 at 1 pm.  Donations on-line will be recorded as they are made, so you will be able to see your donation and monitor our progress at: charidy.com/abrams.
This is our opportunity to raise the funds we need to ensure that Abrams can continue to provide a stellar education to our children and also honor our dedicated faculty and staff members who have devoted 10 years or more of service to the Abrams community.
Our mailed piece is on its way, and it is not too early to make your donation- it will be added to our total on the day of the campaign and will quadrupled in value!  
A $100 donation = $400 thanks to our generous benefactors who have provided this great opportunity to maximize your gift.
Please note that all donations of $1,000 and more will qualify for a display ad on our digital monitor outside of the office. Your ad will run for the entire year and be seen by everyone who comes into the school. Send your CAMERA-READY ads to dsattin@abramsonline.org so that they can be uploaded to our monitor as soon as possible!
Volunteers are needed on March 13 and March 14 to make calls! If you are able to volunteer, even for a short period of time, please let Ellen Weiss elkie519@aol.com  or dsattin@abramsonline.org know as soon as possible. Last year the volunteers had a lot of fun, so please consider joining us in helping Abrams once again achieve its goal.
More information to follow…..

 

 

 

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
Abrams Hebrew Academy Associate Principal Leslie Kornsgold and her husband, Rabbi Jay Kornsgold, will host an open house at their home to talk about Abrams Hebrew Academy with potential new families and discuss new financial aid opportunities available to NJ residents. Prospective parents will meet with Rabbi Ira Budow, the school’s director, as well as faculty members in an informal setting.
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 the affordability of providing a Jewish day school education to our children.

 

Tu B’shevat Celebration
Tu B’shevat Celebration at Abrams
 
Abrams students enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Israeli shuk during the Tu B’Shevat celebration this week. The 8th graders were the vendors who sold their traditional and modern Israeli food and crafts to the Abrams community, who even used shekels for payment.
Thanks to the 8th grade, Rabbi O, Morah Bracha, Morah Shoshana, Sarah Weinstein, our Israeli Bnot Sherut, the Judaic Studies and Hebrew language faculty, and all of our other volunteers for their hard work in preparing and implementing this fun and informative afternoon.



 

Cell Phone Rules
 
REMINDER: Cell Phone Rules
 
Electronic devices have become a common means of communication and information access in today’s society.  However, these devices have the potential of disrupting the orderly operation of school.  Our cell phone/personal electronic devices policy is designed to keep the focus on education.
At the start of the school day, all cell phones MUST BE TURNED OFF (NOT IN SILENT MODE) AND STORED IN THE STUDENT’S LOCKER OR BOOK BAG FROM 8:30 AM UNTIL 3:30 PM. Students are not permitted to carry them on their person or to use them to make or receive any calls or text messages during the given time.
If a student has an emergency, and needs to be in contact with someone, she/he must use a school phone, or have the permission of  a faculty member, to use his/her cell phone.  Parents should contact the school office, if they have an emergency message for their
Child(ren).
Electric devices, such as iPods, or hand-held gaming devices may be used on the bus/van transportation to/from school, prior to school, and following school.   Students must turn off and place these items in their locker/backpack during school hours.
If any of these items are out at the inappropriate time, they will be confiscated by staff, and given to the director of discipline.
Students will be allowed to bring cell phones on school trips for emergency use only.  Any hand-held gaming device will be the responsibility of the students on a school trip.
The school is not responsible for lost, misplaced, damaged or stolen electronic devices/cell phones.
CONSEQUENCES FOR STUDENTS WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THE ABOVE RULES:
1st Offense – Phone confiscated, and returned at the end of the day.
2nd Offense – Phone confiscated, returned at the end of the day, and written notification that requires parent signature.
3rd Offense – Phone confiscated, and parent must pick up phone from director of discipline.
4th Offense – Suspension from school

 

 

Parenting Meeting
Parenting Meeting with Dr. P
February 13, 2018
8:30 a.m.
On February 13, our meeting will review the latest research on children’s friendships.  Join us with questions, concerns, and opinions!
See you then,
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.

 

Beth El (East Windsor)

Espresso Cafe
 
Espresso Cafe Catering 
 
Remember that Espresso Cafe, the restaurant that supplies our delicious dairy school lunches and is owned by Abrams parents Sharon and Liat Abergel, also caters!
Enjoy great food while you support members of our Abrams community at your next Simcha.

 

Canned Food and Socks Drive

 
Canned Food and Socks
 
Ms. Abramowitz and Ms. Zuazo will collect cans of food and warm socks for the homeless from now until February 16, 2018.
 
Abrams teaches our students the mitzvah of tzedakah, and providing food and warmth to people who are less fortunate benefits both the donors and the recipients.
 
Please bring or send donations of canned food and/or new socks to school with your children- Donations should be brought to Room 34.

CTeen Awards

 
Claire Segal and CTeen Awards
 
Abrams alumna Claire Segal is running to win a CTeen Award and needs your vote! Cast your ballot for Claire at Vote for Claire
CTeen is a Chabad teen network where teens learn about themselves and their heritage through giving to others and participating in interactive, hands-on activities. With over 200 chapters, in 19 countries, CTeen is the fastest growing network for Jewish teens.

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

 

 

 

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

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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