PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW
 “Mixed emotions” perhaps best describes the feelings of our school family. The initial shock and pain we all felt when we learned of Joe’s tragic loss has given way to the void we feel at not seeing the smiling face that would welcome all of us each morning.
But there is another emotion that we should feel, the one of pride of being a member of Joe’s extended family. This wonderful man stood in front of Mariama’s open casket and told all of us of the heartrending decision he had to make. “Do I stay with my 300 children or do I go back to Fiji to my one? Regretfully, I must leave the three hundred for the one.”
We have every reason to be proud of what we, as a community, were able to do for Joe and his family. In 36 hours we raised over $18,000.00.
More important than the funds raised was the outpouring of sympathy, the tears that were shed, the notes from children and parents alike and Joe’s feelings for the students at S.P.H.D.S.
One never knows what draws hearts together but Joe’s heart and our hearts somehow magically connected. And we all felt just that little bit more secure with his presence and yes ”parting is such sweet sorrow.”
I have no doubt that he will treasure his time with us as we and our families treasure the time we had with him.
SIBLING REGISTRATION OPEN
We regard our school as family and families take care of their own. It is for this reason siblings of students currently enrolled at the school have priority acceptance in pre-school over those who have not yet joined the family. This priority is not ad - infinitum but will end on January 15th. Thereafter we will not be able to guarantee a place for siblings. All that is needed is a completed registrations form available from the office or on-line at www.sphds.org and a check for $75 for each child. Please prevent the heartache of suddenly discovering that a class is full. It really does happen.
Enrollment forms are also required for students entering kindergarten. Please contact Barbara Goldstein for tours of the preschool and Rabbi Schochet for K-8 tours. Both can be reached at (408) 738-3060.
ASIAN FUSION
Our first restaurant night was a sell out with over 120 happy patrons enjoying the kind of kosher culinary experience usually only found in New York or L.A.
For those who thought Argentinean was great, Asian Fusion promises to be a night to remember. Save the date - February 3rd 2008 from 6:30 p.m. in the M.P.R. RSVP early. If you reserve your spot ahead of time, the cost is $36 per person. If there is space available the night of the event, the cost is $45 per person. This event is being co-sponsored by Fran and Bobby Lent and all proceeds go to our grade 8 Israel trip.
MATHEMATICS COMPETITION
Mazal Tov to all our Algebra and Pre-Algebra students, who participated in the American Mathematics Competition. A special Mazal Tov to our school winners:
Elad Yanai- 1st place
Avi Rosenfeld- 2nd place
Yael Bublil- 3rd place
A super special Mazal Tov to Elad and Avi for their placement on the National Honor Roll in Mathematics. And in the background just getting naches for all her hard work our very special Math teacher Mrs. Levy.
OLIVE OIL PRESS
Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st Grade students learned how to make oil and wicks for Chanukah, and after Rabbi Hecht’s demonstrations the students had their own “hands-on” experiences.
They pitted the olives, put them through a special press where they were squeezed and the olive juice separated from the skin. It was then put into a centrifuge and spun until the oil was left. Then Rabbi Hecht showed how to make candle wicks and the students followed suit by taking small amounts of cotton and rolled them into candle wicks.
 
The students had a wonderful time creating these essential parts of Chanukah.
GAN AVIV OPEN HOUSE
Gan Aviv will have a family Open House on Sunday, January 27th, from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., for current families who want to learn more about the next age group’s program. New families who want to visit SPHDS and learn about its early childhood program are most welcome to attend, so please invite your family, friends and people from the community to come on January 27th.
BELMONT VILLAGE
 We are indeed blessed with very special students. They have discovered that school is not only facts and figures but also giving, sharing and caring. Ever since their first visit to the Belmont Retirement Village for Rosh Hashana, our grade five students have been agitating for a return visit. Thanks to the efforts of our Math Teacher, Mrs. Levy, they were able to present skits and stories and the lighting of the menorah to the Jewish residents. They have formed such a warm bond with the residents that they are now “adopting a grandparent” whom they undertake to visit regularly. A very special thank you to Mrs Levy for undertaking the organization of this visit and Sharon Dwek for assisting with the transportation.
 
IT IS COLD!!
Your children need their lost jackets, sweaters, hats and lunch boxes that are in the Lost and Found. It has turned cold and the weather people say that there will be rain in the near future.
Please check the Lost and Found, which is outside the school office, and perhaps your children’s lost item(s) will be “found.”
PARENTS' ASSOCIATION NEWS
Tuesday Morning Coffees
Many thanks to Meital Horesh who volunteered to bring the bagels, cream cheese and fruit for everyone to enjoy last Tuesday, and to Holly Mendel for volunteering this past Tuesday.
We appreciate the volunteers who pick-up the food at either Izzy’s in Palo Alto or Izzy’s in Sunnyvale. To volunteer, please contact Holly Mendel at 408 245-3144 or email her at Holly@TheMendels.org.
Challah Orders
The challah order forms you received before vacation need to be returned to school on the 1st day we're back to school, January 2nd. A challah order form is attached to the Chai Lights.
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