Friday Letter

Dear Schechter Parents and Guardians,

Chanukah is Still Here!

Rosalie Goldstein, Riki Joselewitz, Levana Lichter, and Pamela Shampan, are the members of our Kindergarten teaching team. During the week of Chanukah these four outstanding educators created activities that engaged our children and brought families together. The spirit of Chanukah was palpable as the children showcased their abilities through songs and storytelling. With help from their teachers the Kindergarten children  peeled potatoes, grated onions, and mixed eggs to make delicious latkes (fried potato pancakes). On Wednesday morning parents were invited to join their children for a Chanukah celebration where the children showcased their Hebrew abilities through singing.  

During Chanukah we enjoy reflecting on modern miracles. While the true miracles are our students, we take pride in our other miracles - our teachers. Pamela Shampan and Rosalie Goldstein, are master educators in general studies.  Their years of experience provide them with expertise to determine the needs of their students and tailor lessons that ensure productive learning. Assessment of children’s development and open communication with parents create the kind of school community that fosters strong academic growth.

Ms. Shampan’s love of teaching kindergarten is evident the moment you walk into her room. The children have a sense of wonder and delight and love being in her class. Whether they are talking about the calendar or creating graphs on the weather, they are always attentive and engaged in learning. Her natural warmth and sense of humor wins over the hearts of her students each and every day.

Ms. Goldstein, likewise captures the hearts of her students with her friendly and humorous nature. She has an innate ability to encourage children to take positive risks. Both she and Ms. Joselewitz have witnessed shy and introverted young learners slowly warm up to the environment and participate in conversations and classroom activities.  They are gently guided by their teachers’ helping hands that assist them every step of the way.

This is literally true for Ms. Joselewitz, who helps our children attend to the care of their bodies as well as their minds and souls. While teaching our children about Judaism through the language of our ancestors, Ms. Joselewitz’s creativity can always be seen and heard. Her students love of Torah and history is obvious as soon as you walk into the classroom. In addition, they enjoy moving around the classroom and dancing with passion and enthusiasm

With a sense of compassion, Ms. Lichter shares a love of Judaism that strengthens each child’s connection with God. From expressions such as, “Baruch Ha Shem” (blessed be God) to “yehiya yoteir tov” (it will be better), children understand that our Jewish world stands on our relationship with God. Ms. Lichter provides our students with lessons on history and heritage along with prayer, Hebrew, and science.

We are truly blessed to have such teachers. We know that for us they are our Chanukah gifts.

Worthy of Mention

Thanks to Ms. Jena Swerdloff, and to Ms. Lisa Cermak, principal of Portledge Elementary School, for inviting our fourth grade students to attend a special presentation of Cinderella on Friday, December 14, 2007. This was particularly exciting for our students as they know that they will write their own original Cinderella stories both in Hebrew and English as one of their year end activities. We thank the Portledge Elementary School for this kind invitation. We believe it will not only enhance our students’ writings, but strengthen their appreciation for drama.

Please Remember: Tuesday December 18^th is the Annual Sports Night Super Bowl Raffle at 7:00 Pm in the Jericho Building.

Worthy of Repeat Mention

During this Chanukah season, when latkes seem plentiful and sufguyniot are abundant, please be mindful to help the less fortunate. The Alix Rubinger Kosher Food Pantry, located at Congregation Beth-El in Massapequa, is open Monday and Thursday mornings from 10 am – noon. It is in need of non-perishable kosher foods especially sugar, oil, flour, cereal, ketchup, mayonnaise, and soup.  If you are unable to donate directly to the Pantry, please bring your non-perishable food items to school before December 20, 2007. A bin will be placed outside the school office for all food collection.

Todah Rabbah—Thank You

On Monday Chanukah happiness continued as the fourth grade students lead Havdalah and the Chanukah blessings in the gym. In keeping with tradition, jelly donuts were enjoyed by all students later that morning. On Tuesday, the third grade students led the Chanukah blessings and songs, and our student body received chocolate gelt and dreidels to further extend their Chanukah joy. On Wednesday all students met in the auditorium to collectively say the Chanukah brachot. Later that day a final treat of hot chocolate accompanied lunch. These daily additions heightened the holiday spirit and brought smiles and good cheer to the entire campus. A hearty todah rabbah, thank you, goes out to our PA for providing these delightful treats and to our teachers for preparing our students to recite the brachot and sing the songs of Chanukah with tenderness and warmth.

Please read below for some important information from our Assistant Principal, Sandi Swerdloff.

Thank you for reading.  Shabbat Shalom and kol tuv,

Meisha Leibson
Principal, Elementary School
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Dear Parents and Guardians,

Now that the weather is getting colder it is important to dress your children appropriately for outdoor recess. We will go outside as long as the temperature is above 32 degrees and it is not raining or snowing. Fresh air is vital for good health. Children should bring hats, scarves, boots, and gloves to wear when they go outside to play. If your child is in school, he/she is expected to participate in recess even when it is held outside.

When we have indoor recess, we have the younger children in grades K-3 play board games, color, and listen to popular music. We have a well stocked toy closet that has many games that the children can enjoy. We are asking that children leave their own games and toys at home-especially any electronic toys. Too often we hear about children trading toys during lunch only to regret their actions later on in the day.

Please remember to visit the teacher websites to get a glimpse of happenings in the classrooms. In addition, I have posted monthly articles that talk about education and children that you may find interesting. I also post our school slide shows so that you can enjoy watching them in the comfort of your home.  

Shabbat Shalom,