The Israel trip is only a few days away, and the excitement at Abrams is palpable! The 8th grade students cannot wait to board the bus to the airport, and staff members, accompanying parents, and I are feeling the enthusiasm for this adventure mounting by the minute. It is incredible that from the first trip I led in 1999 until today my energy for this adventure has only grown. Abrams alumni consistently tell me that the Israel trip remains one of the most important and meaningful parts of their entire education, and we are about to give our current soon-to-be graduates that same experience.
We are going to Israel at an auspicious time in its history, during the 70th anniversary of its independence. I plan to buy my 70th anniversary sweatshirt and other memorabilia while we are there, and it is indeed a fortuitous time to visit and celebrate the existence of the State of Israel in person.
It is also historic since we will be in Israel only days before the U.S. Embassy is moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 14. My friends in the Army tell me that there is enormous excitement about this extraordinary occasion, but it also is a precarious time involving maximum security measures. Approximately 200 U.S. government officials are expected to visit Jerusalem for this momentous event, so the logistics of getting around the city will be challenging, to say the least! I intend to take our group to visit the site of the new embassy and let them see where it will stand, but fortunately we will be gone before May 14.
I cannot wait to depart for this latest adventure, and I hope that someday I will be leading the trip with your children. Make sure to follow our trip on Instagram- Abrams.18- we will be communicating with you regularly!
L’Shalom-
Rabbi Ira Budow
Teach PA Mission to Harrisburg
Mission to Harrisburg – We Need YOU!
Join us on Wednesday, May 2nd — We need YOU in Harrisburg to advocate for Jewish day schools!
Spend the day meeting with state legislators and advocating for critical funding for nonpublic schools, with the focus on EITC and security!
A highlight of the day will be joining a coalition of school and advocacy groups, representing different faiths and affiliations, in the annual REACH EITC APPRECIATION RALLY on the Capitol steps.
Make sure your school is sending a delegation. Students, community members, parents and grandparents
–– We Need You!
Share this email with friends and family!
Schedule:
Arrival in Harrisburg at 10:30am
Departure at 2:45 pm
Lunch provided
For more information contact Arielle Frankston-Morris atariellefm@ou.org
Did you know that being a Girl Scout is more than just selling cookies? The organization and its volunteers offer exciting and challenging opportunities for young women to engage in their communities and develop leadership skills through badge work, trips and service projects. The highest community service awards a Girl Scout can earn are Bronze, Silver and Gold. The Gold Award is equivalent to the Boy Scout Eagle Scout Award.
For her Silver Award, Gavriella Weinstein of AHA Troop 266 and 2178, was interested in how she could contribute to making learning fun at Abrams. She decided to collaborate with Science teacher Amy Hamacher to help with the new outdoor classroom installation. Gavriella committed to making 8 six-foot convertible benches so that students could not just explore the outdoor space but enjoy lessons, take notes, and observe flora and fauna naturally.
Gavriella led her team through the stages of bench construction, teaching some of them how to use power tools safely and offering guidance to assembling and sanding the benches. In addition to Ms. Hamacher, Gavriella’s team includes Andrew Hamacher (Ms. Hamacher’s son), Michaela Eley, Eden Shavit, and the Scouts of Troop 266.
Kudos and many thanks to Gavriella, her team, and Mrs. Hamacher, for their incredible efforts and the beautiful results!
5-6-70 Israel Celebration!
5-6-70 Israel!
The ultimate birthday party for
Israel’s 70th
A celebration packed with cooking demos, wine and olive oil tastings, Israeli dancing, Gaga courts, short Israeli films, a kids’ area featuring theater and Israeli-made toys, a marine science exhibit, craft vendors, local music and the hit Israeli cover band Capaim. Hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
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.
* 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.