HMJDS Happenings

Re-Enrollment Packages to be Mailed Soon

Re-enrollment packages will be sent out via US mail to all current families early next week!  Signed forms and a $600 deposit per child will be due to HMJDS by March 5, one week after school resumes from Mid-Winter Break, to secure a spot for the 2010-11 school year. Families who applied for financial consideration through SSS online will receive preliminary financial assistance packages with their re-enrollment forms. Our Board remains committed to meeting each family’s needs. If you have any questions or concerns--academic, social, financial, or spiritual--about re-enrolling your child, please reach out to Ray, Abbe, or the member of our Administrative Team with whom you feel most comfortable. Please be sure to speak with us before actively considering other school options. During these unique times, we want to be able to provide maximum stability for your child(ren).

In the spirit of our commitment to being a school for the whole family, you are invited to experience first-hand a snapshot of learning, “HMJDS-style.” Mini-classes led by students, faculty, and administrators will give you a taste of classroom instruction strategies and styles across the curriculum. All sessions will be held from 8:15 to 9:15, right after morning drop-off. Space is limited to approximately 20 parents per class.

It’s easy to RSVP for all events through the interactive calendar on our website. Just go to the date of the class you’re interested in, click on the event listing, and click “Sign Up.” You can also RSVP by contacting Ethan Tarshish, Admissions Assistant, at 952.381.3506 or etarshish@HeilicherJDS.org.

A limited number of spaces is available in each class so RSVP early--we look forward to seeing you there!

Upcoming Classes:

You Too Can Speak Hebrew!
Thursday, April 15

Way Beyond and Hunt and Peck: How Your Children Learn Technology at HMJDS
Tuesday, May 11

Do you want to get more involved and do something to make a critical difference for our school? We are looking for volunteers to help with the
2010 Annual Fund!

If you are interested or have questions, please contact Lynn Lederman at (952) 381-3535 or Llederman@HeilicherJDS.org.

We're Hungry for Your Feedback! HMJDS Dining Room Survey Coming Soon

Next week all HMJDS parents will be receiving an email via Constant Contact (the same distribution mechanism that brings you Kesher) an HMJDS Dining Room Survey.  Please take the time to fill the survey out and share with us your opinions on the lunch program. 

Developed in conjunction with Taher Food Service, the Healthy Eating Initiative Committee and Day School administrators, the survey is designed to help us understand how and why families make lunch purchasing decisions at HMJDS.  We know many families see our Dining Room program as a benefit—and we want to continue to serve (no pun intended) all of our students in the best ways possible. 

The survey will remain open for two weeks after initial distribution.  Upper School students will take the survey during the school day. Thank you in advance for your time in filling out the survey.  We will share the data we collect with you in a future Kesher issue.

Beth El/HMJDS Partnership Shabbat

Celebrate with your Beth El/Day School Community: Friday, February 12 / 29 Sh'vat 5770

Services at 5:45 pm, Dinner at 6:45 pm
$10 for adults, $5 for children 10 and under

All Beth El/HMJDS students, Kindergarten through Grade 8, are invited to participate in the service.

RSVPs are required by February 3.

For more information, please contact Partnership Shabbat Chairs Laura Kaplan (lauraskaplan@yahoo.com or 612.926.8005) or Lauren Weiser (lpweiser@ymail.com or 952.546.5578).

On February 1, new 4th grade student Mica Greenburg, her sister Aviv, and her parents Benny and Illit from Israel will join the HMJDS community. Welcome!

Happy New Year to the Trees: A Tu Bishvat  Gathering for
HMJDS Kindergarten Applicants and Their Families

Sunday, January 31 / 16 Sh'vat 5770
10:15-11:30 am -- Meet in the Atrium between the Beit Knesset and the Dining Room

Join other applicant families for a unique opportunity to connect with your prospective new school and community! Enjoy a variety of interactive Tu Bishvat activities with HMJDS staff.

Please wear green clothing in celebration of the trees and this special earth-friendly holiday!

RSVP by Monday, January 25, to HMJDS Admissions Assistant Ethan Tarshish at etarshish@HeilicherJDS.org or 952.381.3566.

We look forward to seeing you there for a sneak peek at the creative teaching and learning offered at HMJDS!

Co-Curricular Offerings
It's Not Too Late to Sign Up!

The HMJDS Chess Club will be running on full school days from January 20 through June 2. Chess Club is open to students in all grades K-8; all skill levels are welcome. The cost for participation is $23, payable to HMJDS. The club will meet in the East Commons contact: Robin Altman, chess teacher and coach at robin@altmansoftwaredesign.com or 763-300-0200.

Extreme Legos: Pulleys for grades K-3 will be offered on Wednesdays from February 3 to March 24, 3:30-4:30 pm.
Robolab: NXT2 for grades 3-5 will be offered on Thursdays from February 4 to March 25, 3:30-4:30 pm.

The fee for each of these 6-week classes is $55; new and returning students are invited.

Thank you to Lisa Lederer for taking pictures of all the activities around school as we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.

     

The entire HMJDS community sends condolences to:

BatSheva and Jeremy Berman on the death of their mother Stepha Berman.

Caron Rubin, Marc, Colin, and Ethan Meirovitz on the death of their father and grandfather Manly Rubin.

Christina Schulte on the death of her mother-in-law Phyllis Schulte.

Leslie, Peter, Cole, and Mara Bacig on the death of their grandfather and great-grandfather Maurice Lava.

Andrew, Eliana, and Jared Grossman on the death of their father and grandfather Bud Grossman.

May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Lost and Found

Please stop by before Mid-Winter Break to check the Lost and Found for any items you're missing. Any unclaimed items will be donated over Mid-Winter Break.

Upcoming Arts Programming

February 18 - Upper School Arts Night, 7-9 pm. There will be a new format this year:

  • Musical and theatrical performances will be in the auditorium in a concert hall setting.
  • Student art work will be viewed during two art crawls, one at the beginning of the evening, and one after the performances.
  • Students will be available to talk about their art work; art appreciators may leave comments in gallery comment books located along the art crawl.
  • Refreshments will be in the East Commons.

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    March 3 - 6th Grade Parent/Child Talit Program, Wednesday @ 7pm

    April 21- 6th Grade After School Wax Workshop, Wednesday from 3:30-5:30pm. RSVP required to aorkin@HeilicherJDS.org.

    April 25 - Optional 6th Grade Talit Bag Workshop for one parent or grandparent-RSVP required to aorkin@HeilicherJDS.org.

    May 11 - 6th Grade after school Talit Workshop for all students not done with their talit.  Tuesday, 3:30-6:30pm. RSVP required to aorkin@HeilicherJDS.org.

    May 25 - 5th Grade Field Trip to the Walker Sculpture Garden, Tuesday from 12-1pm.

    June 7 - 6th Grade Talit and Ethical Will Ceremony, Monday @ 8am.

    As a community day school, we greatly value our strong partnerships with area congregations, early childhood programs, and summer camps! Below is a list of some upcoming collaborative events for your information:

    Friday, Feb 5

    Rabbi Cohen (Bet Shalom) visits Kindergarten Kabbalat Shabbat
    Rabbi Kaufman (Adath) visits Grades 3-4 Kabbalat Shabbat

    Saturday, Feb 6

    Dr. Levi leads Apples and Honey service at Beth El Synagogue.

    Friday, Feb 12

    Rabbi Ozarowski (Darchei Noam) visits Grades 1-2 Kabbalat Shabbat

    Friday, Mar 5

    Rabbi Locketz (Bet Shalom) visits Kindergarten Kabbalat Shabbat.

    Friday, Mar 12

    Rabbi Glaser (Temple Israel) visits Grades 1-2 Kabbalat Shabbat.