Abrams Extra 12/16/16

Abrams Extra December 16, 2016

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ABRAMS EXTRA

In This Issue

Candle Lighting

Budowsphere

OSTC Scholarships

Student Government

5th Grade Poem Published

Parenting Meeting

After School Art Club

EITC Update

Lunch Menu

Security Reminders

Car Pool Rules

Abrams Notes

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31 W. College Ave.

Yardley, PA

(215) 493-1800
abramsonline.org

December 16, 2016/ Kislev

Candle Lighting 4:20 pm/ Vayishlach

Budowsphere

Dear Parents:

This week I’d like to talk about Jewish education post-middle school. I have attached a link to an article in the Lookstein Digest about rankings for Jewish high schools across the U.S.:

Ranking Jewish High Schools for information purposes. I am not saying that I am totally enthusiastic about the practice of ranking schools, but the article does show that Jewish high school tuition rates average $20,000-more than $40,000 per year. This means that sending a child to a Jewish high school can cost as much as tuition at a public college.

Obviously, these high costs act as a significant deterrent to Jewish families- it is extremely difficult for most parents to pay such high tuition rates for high school when they know they will soon be faced with another four years of similar or greater expenses for college.

I have always been committed to our graduates continuing their Jewish educations at Jewish high schools, and attendance at area schools like Barrack and Kohelet is something I promote and strongly encourage among our families. However, I am aware that not all of our graduates are able to go on to attend Jewish high school and am equally cognizant that the high school years are formative in shaping their future lives. Without Jewish education, as these important years go by, these children may be less inclined to continue living their lives in accordance with Jewish values.

That being said, I am happy to announce that a generous donor has offered to provide the start-up funding for an after school high school learning program beginning in 2017-18. The classes will meet twice a week to study Hebrew language and Jewish texts. This program will consist of a high level, rigorous curriculum and be open to Abrams graduates and selected outside students who already have a strong foundation in Jewish studies and Hebrew language.

The cost for this program will be extremely reasonable, and it will be taught by both Abrams’ teachers and outside professionals. It is an opportunity for Abrams alumni to stay connected with their classmates who live nearby, keep their love of Zionism and Judaism alive, and socialize and learn with their Jewish contemporaries. We are also looking into the possibility of earning college credit for these courses.

Please call me if you are interested in this exciting new opportunity at Abrams. We will let you know when the website is living, and there will be plenty of pertinent information to follow shortly!

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Ira Budow

New OSTC Scholarships

4 OSTC Scholarships Available for

NEW Students

OSTC financial aid is provided through the same program as EITC, but is limited to students whose local schools are rated as under-performing by the State of PA.

We now have funding available for NEW students who enroll at Abrams and would otherwise attend an under-performing school as designated by PA. The link to the list is: PA OSTC eligible schools.

Abrams is able to provide full tuition for the first 4 students who enroll at Abrams whose assigned public school is listed on the State’s publication (above link).

Please call Rabbi Budow if you know families who can take advantage of this incredible opportunity!

Student Government News

Student Government News

December 23rd-

Karaoke Day s

ign-up:

Lexi Schachter, Abner Gordan, Maya Shavit, or Isabelle Waksman or DM @AHA_Student_Government

Must sign up by TODAY-

December 16

Popcorn will be sold for 50 cents

Menorah Contest

This Week:

Abrams’ annual Menorah contest!

Make your most creative Menorah

Deadline: December 21st

*Must be kosher

**Does not have to be usable

Winner will be announced at

Karaoke Day, December 23

Instagram

Student Government has its own Instagram!

Follow @AHA_ Student_Government for updates and pictures from events

5th Grade Hebrew Language Poetry

Morah Raya’s 5th Grade Poets

Morah Raya submitted a poem composed by her 5th grade class to “Ivrit,” a monthly Hebrew language publication sent to Jewish day schools internationally.

The publishers liked the poem so much that they posted their comments on Facebook and published the poem in this month’s edition of the magazine!

Mazal Tov to Morah Raya and all of her talented student poets. Click below for the publication and the poem.

5th Grade Poets Published

Parenting Meeting with Dr. P

Next Parenting Meeting January 10, 2017

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

8:30 a.m.

Thanks to those who participated in the “parenting styles” meeting. Our next group will focus on acquiring literacy skill.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Dr. P

P.S. We now have a coffee maker!

Art Club

After School Art Club

After School Art Club with Donna Moskowitz begins January 9, 2017.

Dates: Monday Afternoons (8 classes)

Jan. 9, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 27, March 6, 13

Time: 3:30pm -5pm

Cost: $100

Winter 2017 After School Art Club

EITC Update

Thanks to everyone who came forward to participate in the EITC program for individuals so quickly! We have over $70,000 committed to the program for this year’s bonus funding and are grateful to our AHA community for its support, particularly on such short notice.

Now that we have completed the process for individuals to participate in 2016 our next task is to identify businesses that pay PA taxes and would be willing to participate in EITC on Abrams’ behalf.

The date for new business applications to the EITC program is July 1, 2017.

As you know, the business receives a tax credit in PA and a tax deduction on federal income taxes.

If you or someone you know has a business that can take advantage of this opportunity and help Abrams to offer financial assistance to our qualifying families, please contact Rabbi Ira Budow at 215-584-7919.

**We are starting now so that everyone is ready for he July 1, 2017 application date. The applications are ALL submitted on the same day, on a first-come, first-served basis, so timing is very critical.

Thank you for your consideration.

Lunch Menu

LUNCH MENU

Monday-Thursday-

Food from Espresso Cafe:

Monday:

Penne with vegetables & Feta

Israeli salad

Tuesday:

American cheese baguette

Caesar salad

Wednesday:

Fettuccine with marinara sauce

Greek salad

Thursday:

Egg salad & tuna salad sandwiches

Friday:

Pizza

Available Every Day:

Bagels, butter & cream cheese

French Fries

Hash Browns

Egg

Lunch cost: $5 per day

Safety and Security Reminders

padlock

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.o rg.

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

Wednesday of the target week.