Abrams Extra March 16, 2018

 

 

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ABRAMS EXTRA

In This Issue
Candle Lighting
Translate the Extra
Budowsphere
Thank You!
Playground News
School Calendar Change
HomeFront Visit
Pampered Chef Fundraiser
Security Reminders
Cell Phone Rules
Recruitment
Donor Support
Oorah
School Lunches
Car Pool Rules
Abrams Notes
Dress Code Rules

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March 16, 2018/ 29 Adar

 

Candle Lighting 6:51 pm/ Pekudei

 

 

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Budowsphere

Rabbi Budow

 

  
Dear Parents:
I am thrilled to say that this year’s annual campaign raised almost $340,000! This figure surpassed our goal and represents the most money Abrams has ever raised in an annual campaign. Our success is due to the efforts of many people, and I’d like to thank some of them for their hard work on Abrams’ behalf. I apologize in advance if I have left anyone out.
First, I’d like to recognize the leadership of Ellen Weiss, our board president, who worked on this campaign tirelessly every day, despite having knee replacement surgery only a few weeks ago! Her outreach, logistical work, and fundraising efforts were ceaseless, and she did an incredible job from beginning to end.
Steve and Eve Milstein are true benefactors of the school, and I want to express my deepest appreciation and thanks to them. Their children graduated from Abrams a number of years ago, and they now live in NYC, but they still are staunch supporters of the school, giving their time and financial backing. I am a huge admirer of Steve’s attitude about fundraising; he believes that one should raise money and save money at the same time. He was the motivating force that led to the decision to forego the traditional “event” model and conduct an on-line fundraising campaign, which we began last year. Steve and Eve agreed to co-chair the committee and to be one of the 3 groups of “Matchers” for last year’s and this year’s campaigns. Not only did they contribute their own money, but they solicited many of their friends to donate, as well. They demonstrate Hakarat Hatov; they have gratitude for their own good fortune and for the education and foundation that Abrams provided their children and continues to provide to current students. They are true leaders and great examples to emulate.
The response of our alumni to calls from their former teachers was extremely gratifying and heart-warming for me. None of these former students wanted to say “no” to his/her teachers, and it is amazing that even students who graduated many years ago still remember Abrams and their mentors from “back in the day.” Alumni submitted videos, all of which were warm and/or funny, posted comments on Facebook, etc., and showed me how important it is for us to stay connected to our alumni.
Our parents were amazingly invested in and supportive of this campaign. I was amused at parent conferences when many of them approached me and said that they had been concerned about our reaching our goal when they looked at the Charidy site in the morning and saw that we weren’t at the finish line yet. Some people even told me that they looked at the site during the middle of the night! Our board members were also wonderful in donating generously themselves and in soliciting their friends and business associates to support the school.
I’d especially like to thank our development staff- Dale Sattin, Director of Development & Communications, and Debra Goldfarb, who truly make a winning combination. They have spent the last several months working tirelessly towards this goal, and our success is due in great part to their work, as well.
Finally, acharon, acharon, chaviv (last, but not least), 
I want to thank our teachers. Everyone felt part of the “team,” and the teachers spent their own time making calls from the “Operations Room” where their enthusiasm and ruach permeated the atmosphere late into the night. It was great to hear the faculty talking to parents and encouraging them to donate to the campaign. I appreciate all of our staff, board, parents, and faculty for their hard work.

 

Congratulations to all of you for a great campaign. It has been a very rewarding year so far- we have raised a significant amount of EITC funding for next year, and the annual campaign was a huge success.
Now, my focus shifts to my next venture- the Israel trip. I cannot wait!
L’Shalom-
Rabbi Ira Budow

 

 

 

 

2018 Annual Matching Campaign
 
We Raised $336,841
 
YOU DID IT!
 
The Abrams community came together to make this year’s annual campaign the most successful ever! Thank you to our parents, teachers, administrators, and community supporters who worked towards the common goal of ensuring that Abrams will continue to be “home” to Jewish education, values, and traditions for many years to come.
 
Thanks also go out to all of the volunteers who made calls, sent texts, posted on their Facebook pages, and did whatever they could do to increase donations from as many people as possible.
 
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of our generous “Matchers”- Steve and Eve Milstein, the Abrams Board of Directors, and Friends of Abrams. Special thanks to our Board President, Ellen Weiss, for her leadership and incredible hard work from beginning to end.
 
Finally, great appreciation goes to our director, Rabbi Ira Budow, whose dedication to Abrams is felt every day, and particularly at the helm of our successful 2018 Matching Campaign.
 
Mazal Tov to All!!

Playground

PLAYGROUND NEWS

Thanks to our generous donors, construction on the beautiful new playground will begin as the weather permits.

Stay tuned for more information as we make progress…..


 

School Calendar Change

 

Due to the inclement weather and loss of days due to snow closures, Abrams will be OPEN and classes WILL be held on 

Friday, May 18, 2018

  

 

HomeFront Visit

Grades 5-7 Visit HomeFront

 

 

 

 

Last week, Ms. Abramowitz and Dr. P took the students in grades 5-7 to deliver the donations from the Soup and Socks drive.

They toured HomeFront’s food pantry and family campus and saw first-hand the value of tzedkah in helping to address the challenges of homelessness, poverty, and hunger.

Thanks to all of the parents who generously contributed to the drive, and special thanks to Janet Zuazo for her hard work!

PTO Pampered Chef Fundraiser
chef
 
PTO Pampered Chef Pre-Pesach Fundraiser
 
Order on-line between March 12-19 and Abrams will receive up to 15% of total guest sales!
 

Safety and Security Reminders

 

padlock

Reminder- 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!

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

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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