My goal as the school director has always been to ensure that Abrams lives on to educate the next generation. This objective has always worried me- as you know, the financial challenges to a Jewish day school are always difficult, and the school’s viability has frequently been a concern.
I still worry about the school, but as I have been discussing over the past two years, the PA EITC program has alleviated some of that angst. As you can see in this Extra, we have received a check for $276,000 from the State of PA for last year’s contributions, and my work with various business owners has resulted in participation that could bring us as much as $500,000 next summer! This money supports one of our most important missions- that of supporting needy Jewish children with scholarship assistance.
Please look at this check and envision what a difference this money will make to the school. Join us in identifying people who own businesses paying taxes in PA who could participate in the EITC program on Abrams’ behalf.
It is truly heart-warming that non-Jewish community leaders like Jim McCaffrey of McCaffrey’s Food markets and Paul Mueller of Team Toyota have embraced the EITC program on our behalf. They are incredible examples of generous spirits. I encourage you to follow their lead and help identify people who are eligible to participate in the program.
Finally, this has been an exciting opening week of school- Leslie Kornsgold has assumed her duties as Associate Principal, Dr. Donna Porwancher has begun her tenure as our school psychologist, and we have a newly re-vamped lunch program with food from Espresso Café, pizza, and Dunkin Donuts.
I wish everyone Shana Tova- thank you for being part of the Abrams Hebrew Academy family.
Rabbi Ira Budow
September Holiday Schedule
September:
7 Monday Labor Day – School Closed
8 Tuesday Back to School Night Nursery- 4
9 Wednesday Back to School Night Grades 5-8
14 Monday Rosh Hashanah – No School
15 Tuesday Rosh Hashanah – No School
22 Tuesday Erev Yom Kippur- No School
23 Wednesday Yom Kippur – No School
28 Monday Sukkot – No School
29 Tuesday Sukkot – No School
Back to School Nights
N-4
Tuesday, September 8
7:00 pm
Grades 4-8
Wednesday, September 9
7:00 pm
EITC Funding
EITC Check Arrives!
Our $276,500 EITC distribution check has arrived- just in time for the 2015-16 school year. It is great to see that our hard work has paid off!
In addition, we will shortly receive another check that will bring our total to over $300,000!
This demonstrable success shows that the EITC program really works, and that each of us is able to help Abrams by participating ourselves and/or encouraging friends and family with businesses paying taxes in PA to do so.
Abrams appreciates all of the people who participate in this program. EITC funding enables us to provide an excellent Jewish education to as many children as possible, regardless of their ability to pay.
Our goal is to build on our momentum and substantially increase our EITC participation in the next cycle.
L’Shalom-
Rabbi Ira Budow
Annual Community Family Fun Event
SAVE THE DATE
March 13, 2015
First Annual Abrams Family Fun Community Event
This is not going to be the same-old-same-old tired fund raising dinner! Abrams is shaking it up with new venues, a new time, and lots of exciting entertainment, food, and activities for all ages.
Seating will be limited, so make sure to RSVP early for this unbelievably exciting AFTERNOON event with something for everybody!!
At Abrams Hebrew Academy our online presence is very important. Not only do we have a website, but we have a private Facebook group page for parents and teachers only.
This private page enables parents and teachers to communicate with one another and lets you see what is happening in the classrooms.
If you are a new parent or are a current parent who needs information or help to become a member of this group please contact Arielle Budow, our social media and web person.
Search on Facebook for Arielle Budow Reyhan or follow the link below and request to join: Abrams Private Facebook Group.
Guidelines concerning appropriate topics to post will be provided shortly.
Rabbi Elliot Strom, Rabbi Emeritus of Shir Ami Congregation and author of “Rabbi, Run,” a novel about a congregational Rabbi, his struggle to balance his family and work life, and his faith.
Book Reading and Discussion (books will be available for purchase)
Thursday, October 15, 2015
7:00 pm
Refreshments will be served
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 avoid nuts because of 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
