ARGENTINIAN RESTAURANT NIGHT @ SPHDS
It’s not too late to make reservations for this Sunday evening’s, Asado Argentino Kosher Maravilloso. an Argentinian BBQ, with all the trimmings – wine, hors d’oeuvres and dessert. Upon request fish or vegetarian options will be available.
Bring your friends along to enjoy a full course dinner; the cost is $36 per person. Supporting this special evening will help send the 8th graders on their graduation trip to Israel.
RSVP to Sharon Dwek before or after Shabbat at: Sharon.dwek@sphds.org.
TEACHER IN-SERVICE DAY
This Monday, November 12th is Teacher In-Service day, a professional development day for our faculty. Please note there will be no school nor day care for all students, preschool - grade 8. School and day care will resume, as usual, on Tuesday.
HAPPENINGS
The General Studies faculty under the direction of Academic Dean Melissa Lee have been reviewing the curriculum and setting goals for the year.
This project began during the summer vacation with an Appreciative Inquiry approach. By focusing on strengths, areas in need of review are identified. Priorities for this year include:
- reviewing the Language Arts program for K – 8
- researching and evaluating new materials for adoption
- reviewing the California State Content Standards for every subject K – 8
- analyzing how the SPHDS curriculum matches these standards
- creating a curriculum “map”
The faculty has met several times this year to work on this important project. During a recent after school meeting, the teachers spent time sharing the standards matching exercise findings. They are now working on mapping the current curriculum and reviewing samples of new materials.
Professional development opportunities have been vigorously pursued. David Kulka has just returned from the annual California Science Education Conference in Long Beach. Miri Levy is scheduled to attend the annual California Mathematics Council Conference in Asilomar. Rachel Orosco and Beth Kurlan are looking forward to an upcoming Writer’s Workshop 2-day training, sponsored by the San Mateo/Foster City District Office of Education. Teachers attending will share what they learn from these conferences and workshops so all faculty members may benefit.
“GIFT OF READING” DONATIONS
Gan Aviv preschool is once again participating in the San Jose Mercury News “Gift of Reading” program. Children and their families can donate new or gently used books for children of all ages, from 2 – 17. Books may be deposited in the boxes outside the classrooms.
This program promotes literacy for children in the greater Silicon Valley community who do not have access to books and introduces them to the joy of reading. At the same time it helps our students actualize the mitzvah of Tzedakah.
Our book drive will run from November 13th – November 30th. We aim to beat beat last year’s record of 600 donated books!
GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS’ DAY
Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day is a very special occasion where each student from preschool to Grade 8 has the opportunity to share the day with his/her own special guest whether it is a grandparent, cousin or neighbor. The special guests will join the students on Wednesday, November 21st, 8:45 a.m. for this unique morning of sharing.
Guests will get a glimpse of what happens in a normal school session. The students, grandparents and special friends will participate in classroom activities.
Pre-Kindergarten children will join the rest of the students at a Thanksgiving assembly.
Dismissal for everyone will be at 12:00; there will be no day care.
WHAT A GAME IT WAS!
 This past Friday morning, 100 children were yelling and cheering on the staff and the 8th graders in a fun, competitive and very physical volleyball game.
Baila Sherbin and Maor Rabinowitz played hard under the net while Sara Cramer kept the teachers on the run with her strong serve. But, the 8th graders could not keep up with Rachel Flores’ powerful serve and Sari Spector’s run for the ball which enabled the staff to tie the set.
When the 8th grade boys took to the net it was Avi Rosenfeld, whose payot seemed to make him 6 inches taller, who proved that dynamite comes in small packages. Sean Zaghi was fearless playing opposite Mr. Kulka, with his carefully placed slams.  Despite the lack of a volleyball class, in Yeshiva, the highly competitive nature of rabbinic students was clearly demonstrated by the superiority of the Rabbis over the students. Under Steve’s leadership and Joe’s serves, there was no question that the staff deserved the win in the men's division.
There was no question that the ones who had the most fun were the rest of the students screaming on the sidelines for both sides, and at the same time enjoying a lesson in school spirit and sportsmanship.
MINCHA MINYAN
We are fortunate to be able to offer a Mincha Minyan at 4:45 p.m. which is immediately followed by Ma'ariv.
BOX-TOPS WANTED
Remember to cut out box tops and bring them to the school office; there is a labeled box to put them in.
For more information or for a list of participating products – including Cheerio’s, Ziploc bags, Kleenex, and Gold Medal flour visit: boxtops4education.com.
PARENTS' ASSOCIATION NEWS
Tuesday Morning Coffees
Special thanks to Alisa Preil who brought bagels, cream cheese and fruit for all to enjoy at this week’s coffee.
Remember, we need volunteers to pick up bagels either from Izzy’s in Palo Alto or Izzy’s in Sunnyvale. It will be easy if parents alternate the weekly pick-ups.
Please contact Holly Mendel at 408 245-3144 or email: Holly@TheMendels.org
Book Club
The next Book Club will meet on December 20th at 12:00; the book to be discussed is Rashi’s Daughter, Book Two: Miriam by Maggie Anton. For more information please contact Lena Dickman: 650 251-9557 or lena@dickman.us
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