Denver Jewish Day School

Shofar – May 17, 2012

dmartin — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:29:24 +0000

You can click on one of the links below to jump directly to that section of the Shofar. Better yet, scroll through the entire newsletter to read all about the new and important happenings at our school this week.

Head of School/CEO
Support Your School
Admission – Grow Your School
Lower Division News
Upper Division News
Learning Resource Center
Parent Teacher Organization Update
Community News

Calendar of Upcoming Events

May 23 – Senior Graduation
May 25 – Deadline for placing orders from Laura Mahony Photography
May 28 – No School – Memorial Day and Shavuot
May 30 – Athletics and Activities Banquet (UD) – 6:30pm
May 31 – Denver JDS 2011-12 Parent Survey Closes at 5:00pm
May 31 – Last PTO Meeting of the year – details here
June 1 – Kabbalat Shabbat for K-5, 2:15pm
June 6 – 5th Grade Bridging Ceremony – 10:30am
June 7 – Last Day of School

- K-5 – Closing Ceremony at 11:00am, Dismissal at 11:30am
- Class picnics or other activities organized by room parents following dismissal
- 6-12 at Elitches

Head of School/CEO

2011-12 Denver JDS Parent Survey

We want to know how Denver JDS parents feel about our school. Your opinion is important to us and we always want to improve in ways that are important to our parent body. One great way for us to collect information is to have parents complete an on-line survey concerning a wide range of things that go on at school. For the past several years we have used a similar on-line survey, which enables us to track and compare information from year to year. The 2011-12 Parent Survey will go live on Friday, May 18 and I do hope that you will take a few minutes to fill it out.

The link to 2011-12 Denver JDS on-line Parent Survey will be will be sent to parents in a separate email on Friday, May 18th. The survey will remain open until Thursday, May 31st at 5:00 pm. The Denver JDS administrative team will carefully analyze the survey results and the data will be used to help with our decision making as we move into the 2012-13 school year.

Senior Graduation

Senior graduation will take place on Wednesday, May 23 at 7:00 pm in the Elaine Wolf Theater at the JCC. Attending a Denver JDS graduation is an absolutely amazing experience. Having graduation at the new Elaine Wolf Theater promises to make the experience more intimate and enjoyable for everyone. I hope you will come see just how powerful a Denver JDS graduation really is. I am very proud of the accomplishments of our soon-to-be graduates and I look forward to sharing much nachas with them on May 23.

Shabbat Shalom,
Avi Halzel
Head of School/CEO

Summer Blast at DenverJDS

This coming summer we are pleased that Camp Shai will once again be located at Denver JDS. In addition to Camp Shai, we will be offering our own camp offerings that compliment the Camp Shai program. Our camp program is called Summer Blast at Denver JDS. Summer Blast will consist of an exciting selection of one-week specialty camps including sports, science, technology, lego and art. Please click here to register or contact Josh Lake at jlake@denverjds.org or 720-449-9558

You’re invited to celebrate volunteerism at Denver JDS

Please click here for the details.

Follow us on Facebook. School updates are published on our Fan Page

Support Your School

Legacy Society Tree

Check out the NEW Denver JDS Legacy Society Tree Logo. Click here to read the cover letter and testimonial bequest. Consider adding your Legacy Leaf to our Legacy Tree. Click here for more information. Please contact Krista Boscoe, 720-449-9552, kboscoe@denverjds.org for more information about including the school in your estate plans AND helping the school get incentive grant dollars from Rose Community Foundation for Live On III.

King Soopers Gift Cards

Thanks for thinking of Denver JDS and the 363 students who attend when shopping for your family. With your donation (yes, it’s just like you wrote a check) and other like-minded shoppers and Denver JDS supporters we received nearly $1,000 monthly from King Soopers. We hope you will continue to remember us when shopping at King Soopers in the Denver area, City Market in the mountains of Colorado or any Kroger/Ralph’s in the US. Please, encourage family members and friends to obtain a card from Krista at 720-449-9552 or email her for a card to be mailed to you or put in a student’s backpack.

Alumni News

There is a “match” on the table to raise $10,000 from our school alumni and we will then receive matching funds from Rose Community Foundation. We are pleased to announce that we are just $964 away from meeting our alumni match goal of $10,000! If you are an alum or alumni parent, please help us reach our goal, and help support school teachers and programming!

David Banjavic is searching for alumni contact information, so if you are in contact with any alumni (friend, family member), please ask them to contact David at dbanjavic@denverjds.org. We also have an Alumni Facebook group.

Giving Tree

If you have Rockies tickets or other sporting event tickets you can’t use, remember to donate them to the school for our teachers to use and get a tax/thank you letter in return. Call or email Krista if you have tickets, kboscoe@denverjds.org, 720-449-9552.

Push to finish off the school year

If you haven’t contributed to the annual appeal campaign started last fall with the Apple Walk & Kidz Karnival, please consider doing so before the end of the school year. These dollars help pay teacher salaries and provide classroom materials. You can go online and click on the “Donate Now” button in the black bar on the home page or send a check made payable to the school with Annual Appeal written in the memo line. Thank you.

Contact Krista Boscoe, Director of Development 720-449-9552 or kboscoe@denverjds.org

Admission – Grow Your School

Make sure to attend Celebrate Family! at the Robert E. Loup JCC this Sunday between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. Denver JDS is sponsoring the bounce castle, and we will also have a table at the event. Make sure to stop by and visit us when you are there!

Speak Hebrew at home? Have children ages 3-6? You are eligible for free, Hebrew books through Sifriyat Pijama b’America. Register to receive your books by attending a Hebrew story time with your children at Denver JDS on May 21 or June 6 at 4:00 PM. Call Donna Martin at 720-449-9522 to RSVP for one of these story times or send an email to dmartin@denverjds.org. Click here for more information about Sifriyat Pijama b’America.

Lower Division News

Mr. Miller with the 5th grade at the Rockies game

Dear Parents,
We have had such a busy week. It has been so much fun! Avid4 Adventure has been a great experience for all kids. We have climbed the climbing wall (sometimes blindfolded), rafted, played games, and ridden bikes. In addition, 4th grade returned safely from the night in the Museum. 5th grade had fun at the Rockies game. We also are completing our Spring round of MAP testing. We don’t get results yet though as we have another full week in our testing window.

Helping Hands projects are wrapping up too. Please join us on June 1st for our final Kabbalat Shabbat at 2:15 where each grade level will present their check and representatives from the charities will be present.

4th Grade Helping Hands is sponsoring a movie night for all students directly after school on May 30th from 3:45 -5:45. The movie will be “Mr. Poppers Penguins”. Tickets are a $5.00 donation to the Allied Jewish Federation. Look for information in next week’s Thursday folders.

A big THANK YOU to the PTO for the wonderful Faculty Appreciation Week. Don’t forget to write your teachers a note of appreciation. Faculty Affirmation Bags will be given to teachers tomorrow at the Kabbalat Shabbat. Please join us for this last Kabbalat Shabbat of the year.

Thanks to everyone who volunteered at the Scholastic Book Fair and especially to Lisa Engbar (Malka-2, Levi-K) and her amazing leadership. We made 18% more than last year. What an appropriate number!

5th grade parents please save the date on June 6th at 10:30 for 5th grade Bridging Ceremony.

K-4 parents please remember that June 7th is a 11:30 dismissal. This is our last day of school.

B’Shalom,
Susan and Marcie

Liberated Parents, Liberated Children – Your Guide To A Happier Family

A 6-part course for moms, integrating the Torah’s timeless wisdom with the approach of world-renowned child psychologist, Dr. Haim Ginott, Tuesdays beginning May 1st in the Denver JDS Discovery Lab from 2:30-3:30 pm. The cost is $80 for six classes. To register, call 303-820-2855. Please click here for all the details.

“Playdate with 5th Grade” is back!

All proceeds benefit Wish for Wheels; the organization that will help DJDS 5th grade purchase new bicycles and helmets for the graduating kindergarteners of Rose Hill Elementary School in Commerce City. Friday, May 18. Click here for all the details and how to register.

Upper Division News

Some Important Upcoming Dates

May 18 Yearbook distribution and signing Periods 8 and 9 1:05-2:30
May 21 and 22- 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Graduation Rehearsal
May 23 7:00 Graduation at the Elaine Wolf Theater at the JCC (Seniors should be there at 6:15.)
May 30 6:30 Athletics and Activities Banquet
May 31 Last PTO meeting
June 5-7 Final Exams
June 6- Siyyum grade 6 7:55-9:30
June 7-10:00-4:15 Elitches

Elitches

Please click here for information regarding Elitches this year. All students grades 6-12 are welcome. The trip will take place on Wednesday, June 7^th. The form must be turned in by May 30^th. Contact Jerry Rotenberg with any questions at jrotenberg@denverjds.org

Final Exam Schedule and Information

Tuesday, June 5	Wednesday, June 6	Thursday, June 7
7:55-9:15 English	7:55-9:15 Hebrew	7:55-9:15 Science
9:25-11:25 Math	9:25-10:55 Social Studies
11:35-12:55 Spanish	11:05-12:25 Judaic Core

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High school students should plan to arrive at school five to ten minutes before their first final each day. They will be dismissed to leave school when they finish their last exam for the day. Finals usually account for approximately 20% of the semester grade and will be important in determining course averages. Students should plan to review past tests, notes and class work in getting ready for exams.

Please Note: Students in grades 6 through 8 will attend regularly scheduled classes during high school finals with one exception. Students in grade 8 will take a final exam in math only on Tuesday, June 5 at 9:25. Eighth graders are not required to be at school until five to ten minutes before the final begins, but may be here at the beginning of the school day. After eighth grade students finish their exam, they will have a short break and return to their regular classes.

Yearbooks – Last Chance!

There are only a handful of yearbooks left so do not delay on ordering your yearbook. Write a check for $45 to Lifetouch and turn it in to the Upper Division front office.

Seniors doing the Senior Development Program (SDP)

SDP is an end–of-year program for seniors that provides bridging experiences between high school and college by incorporating practical life lessons, community service and the “real-world” experiences in the world of work. Thank you to David Kaufman for creating and executing this program and for his continued support of this program now in its third year.

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In this last week of the SDP they have spent time at the Denver county Detention Center, the Lindsey-Flanigan Justice Center and the Capitol Building. Thanks to Bob Lackner for leading the tour. The group also visited and participated in numerous activities at the WELLS center (Work, Education and Lifelong Learning Simulation), Intertech Plastics and Blacksmith Farrior. (Insert pics)

6th Grade – Holocaust Learning

6th grade has learned about the Holocaust this year by listening to the voices of survivors. Throughout the year, the students have read and kept journals about several short memoirs from Alan Zullo’s collection of children survivor stories. This quarter, we studied the beautiful novel Torn Thread, developing deeper insights and understandings. Students are now choosing novels and memoirs to read in small groups.

On May 9th, we honored to have as a guest speaker, Mr. Jack Welner, great-grandfather of 6th grader, Cameron Zall. Mr. Welner gave an eloquent rendering of his horrific experiences as a very young man living in the ghetto at Lodz and later surviving the death camps of Auschwitz, Dachau, and a satellite camp of Bergen-Belsen.

6th Grade Trip

Our 6th grade returned last week from their annual class trip to Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado. While there they participated in two day of fun and activities, which included outdoor studies and team building with field instructors from the YMCA, as well as great times in the Kiva Recreation Center playing basketball and ping pong, and showing off their roller skating skills. And of course, Rabbi Gerson’s movie and discussion about Bar/Bat Mitzvah perspectives is always a highlight. This wonderful community time has always been a special part of the 6th grade curriculum and this year’s trip was a huge success.

7th Grade Trip

The students packed food boxes at The Food Bank of the Rockies, took a daytime “Turf Tour” of downtown Denver, learning about where Denver’s homeless teens make their home each night with a group called Dry Bones, took a tour of The Crossing, a transitional housing facility for families and men, where they also heard a testimonial, made blankets for homeless adults and children, watched “The Blind Side”, slept outside, unloaded a food truck and arranged the food neatly on the shelves at the Weinberg Food Pantry for individuals facing hunger and food insecurity, toured the Denver Rescue Mission, a downtown facility serving homeless men, where they heard a second testimonial, and then did an urban scavenger hunt on the 16th Street Mall.

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8th Grade Trip

The 8th grade just returned from their annual class trip to the Four Corners. The class first visited the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. There students had the opportunity to watch a video presentation explaining how the Sand Dunes are formed. Later students walked on the Sand Dunes and attempted to climb its many hills.

On the second day of the trip, the class visited Mesa Verde National Park. Students got a private tour thanks to guide Chuck Haspels. The class drove around the park stopping at important and historic locations. In the afternoon, the class hiked to an area called the “Cliff Palace” to get a closer look at the history of the Ancestral Puebloans and their world.

That night, students enjoyed swimming, basketball and working out at the Durango Recreation Center. The third and final day of exploring Durango was spent rafting on the Animas River.

For two nights, students stayed at Congregation Har Shalom—Durango’s only Synagogue. Rabbi Elliot Baskin helped make the arrangements for us last year and Herb Brodsky, President of Har Shalom, was more than happy to see us again. It was a great class bonding trip for our 8th graders who learned a lot about the Four Corners area.

Learning Resource Center

For information about the Learning Resource Center, please use the following link to the LRC webpage: www.denverjds.org/learning-resource-center/

Parent Teacher Organization Update

Last PTO Meeting

Join us for the last PTO meeting of the year on Thursday, May 31st at 8:30 am (after drop off). We will be meeting at the Tenoch Mexican Coffee Shop which is on the corner of Wabash and Iliff, near Subway. Although most coffee is considered kosher by nature, the coffee at Tenoch does not have a kosher hekhsher. Feel free to bring your own Starbucks if you want coffee that is glott kosher. The PTO will offer you a drink at Tenoch, so please join us and get to know this neighbor if you haven’t already done so.

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week

Shanit Oesterle (Daniel-3, Nitai-K) and her team including Roni Deych (Ben-2, Matan-1), put together a week of yummy activities to show our appreciation for our faculty and staff. Monday was lunch, Tuesday smoothies, Thursday fruit and ice cream, and Friday coffee, muffins and cookies. On Wednesday, Roberta Linkow (Shira-2, Sadie and Dahlia-1) and her team (Hannah Katz, Elanna Lozow, Laurie Morris, Kris Stern, Rikki Mor, Patricia Lackner and Debbie Biship) worked with Mary Fabrikant to put together a scrumptious breakfast and coffee bar. The theme was “Teachers and Staff Work Magic”. Ask your teachers if they learned any new tricks!!! Special thanks to all from the PTO as well as the faculty and staff for doing such a marvelous job of recognizing what a great team we have at our school.

Avid4 Adventure

We hope your Lower Division students enjoyed participating in Avid4 Adventure. Please let the PTO know if you would like to see this event return in a few years.

Laura Mahony Photography

Wow! Have you seen the fabulous photos of your kids? What a great Fathers’ Day gift they would make! Be sure to place your orders by May 25th (although the link will remain active a little longer). Contact Brandi Pelz in the Lower Division office if you can’t find the link to your child’s photos. Also, please let the PTO know if you would like to see Ms. Mahony return in the fall to take pictures that can be turned into holiday cards or gifts.

Get Ready for Camp

Name labels are available for purchase at www.denverjds.mabel.ca. If you order through this link, the PTO will receive a small percentage of sales.

End of year Faculty/Staff Gifts

As a reminder, the PTO does not collect for end of year gifts. If you are interested in offering something, please discuss this with your Room Parents or do something individually.

Volunteer of the Week

Kudos to Shanit Oesterle (Daniel-3rd, Nitai-K) and Roberta Linkow (Shira-2, Sadie and Dahlia-1) and their teams. Shanit planned wonderful events every day this past week to thank our faculty and staff for doing such a wonderful job all year. Roberta organized the special Faculty/Staff Appreciation Breakfast that was held during our late start on Wednesday. Both of you have earned a Starbucks gift card!

Ice Cream Fridays

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM FRIDAYS.

Friday ice cream is back…This is one of Denver Jewish Day School’s fun traditions. Come enjoy ice cream and hang out after school on Friday afternoons.

This tradition is supported by individual families who generously sponsor each class’s ice cream treats. The cost to sponsor one week is just $40. If a class goes unsponsored, lower division kids and upper division kids can buy a treat for $1.

We would like to thank last week’s sponsors:
Kindergarten: Rebecca Gruen-Wener and family
1st Grade: Koby Gruenwald and family
2nd Grade: Michael Green and family
3rd Grade: Elaine Abrams and family
4th Grade: Jesse Hettleman and family
5th Grade: Abby Foster and family

AND THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS:
Kindergarten: Eli Gien and family
1st Grade: Jack Freimann and family
2nd Grade: Lila and Noah Rubin and family
3rd Grade: Yonaton Manor and family
4th Grade: Shannon Silberman and family
5th Grade: Michael Guber and family
6th Grade: Ethan and Louis Stein and family

Please be a hero to your child and his/her friends and contact Ronit Williamson, at 720-260-0033 or jratw@yahoo.com to sponsor an upcoming Friday Ice Cream. We are still looking for sponsors for the next two weeks!!!

Community News

JCC Youth Programs

2012 JCC Camps Registration Open

Be Active. Be Adventurous. Belong.Day Camp, Sports Camps, Art and Theatre Classes, Overnight Camps -everything you could want for an action-packed summer! Camp Shai North will be held on our school’s campus for kids going into Kindergarten through going into grade 10. Buses are available from other parts of town. Get more information or register now for Camp Shai or JCC Ranch Camp at www.jccdenver.org/camps.

JCC is starting a Sunday soccer league!
May 20-July 8, Grades K-3, Sundays, times vary, $75 S&F members; $85 JCC members; $105 guests. Our main goal is to teach the kids soccer skills and apply them in a game setting. We allow all kids the opportunity to have fun and enjoy the skills they learn. Your kids will be playing soccer games for the rest of their lives. Lets teach them the skills they need first, the fun they can have with those skills, and then how to apply those skills in the game. Let’s play soccer. We will have practice and games on Sunday (all games and practices will be at Denver JDS). Register with Cory Smith 303 316 6304 or csmith@jccdenver.org.

JCC Intergenerational Family Israel Trip
June 10 – 21, 2012. This unique trip is created for families with children 4 – 10 years old and grandparents. Please click here to review the brochure and itinerary. Email cblanke@jccdenver.org for more information.Creative Journeys

Creative Journeys
The Mizel Museum is proud to present our third year of Creative Journeys, a remarkable line-up of artists-in-residence who will guide kids ages 3-14 in exploring their inner talents and expressing themselves through a wide variety of fun and exciting activities. Each camp is a unique journey with renowned teaching artists who combine cultural content with visual arts, theater, music, movement, photography and more. We’re hearing such a positive buzz about Creative Journeys and we know it’s because there’s no program like it! Kids take up residence in the Mizel Museum and at our partner locations with teaching artists who are passionate about their disciplines and working with kids. Kids of all interests and backgrounds develop skills, self-confidence, teamwork and friendships. Camp size is limited to allow the leader and visiting artists to work individually with campers. Kids of all interests and backgrounds develop skills, self-confidence, teamwork and friendships. For more information go to: www.mizelmuseum.org and download brochure at: http://mizelmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/MM2012CampSMALL.. Scholarships and after-camp options available call Jan with any questions at 303-749-5015. Scholarships and after-camp options available

HEA Youth Programs

Hebrew Educational Alliance offers programing for Jewish Youth 4^th-12^th grade in the 3 co-ed Youth Groups: Atid, Kadima, and Mile High USY. HEA also offers gender specific programing for teenage boys and girls. By becoming involved in the programing it is the hope of HEA that Jewish Youth will deepen their sense Kehilla Kedusha (a Holy Community), build character and heightened values, strengthen their connection with the natural world, and become empowered to play their role in creating a better world for all. For a complete calendar of events click here: www.headenver.org/youth.htm

Summer Choral Workshop

The Colorado Hebrew Chorale presents a summer choral workshop with Dr. Joshua R. Jacobson, Thursday, July 19, 2012, 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 22, 2012, 7:00 pm. Please click here for details.

Bnei Akiva Update

Yom Yerushalim Sunday May 20th 5:30 PM EDOS traditional Israeli food, interactive Jerusalem trivia contest with prizes, and live music sing along, with SPECIAL guest accordion player, Irving Fox $18/ per person MINIMUM donation; Reservations preferred call EDOS at 303-322-7943;

Saturday night May 26th: Teen TikunLayl Shavuot 8th grade and above, 11 PM – 4:45 AM at DAT, with Rabbi Sunshine, and more! Food, learning, and FUN! Come and join your friends for a wonderful evening of learning and camaraderie!

Weekend of May 31-June3rd: National Bnei Akiva Shabbaton and Israel Day Parade in New York City!

June 8-9th Shabbaton, details TBA

White Water Rafting on Clear Creek June 10th Sunday morning with Performance Tours: Intermediate and Beginner half-day trips; Intermediate is for ages 14 and above: $42.35; beginner for ages 10-11 is $33.88; beginner over 12 yrs is $37.73, ADVANCED RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! Call DIRECTLY to Performance Tours Rafting 800-328-7238, and mention Bnei Akiva to get the reduced rate. Bring an extra $5 for lunch. Questions? Call Steve at 720-394-3020 or vetcare6611@yahoo.com;

Weeky meeting for Madrichim and high school students interested in programming: Wednesdays at EDOS, 7:30 PM, in the basement teen lounge.

Tikun Layl Shavuot at DAT starting at 11pm until 4:45 am. Food, learning, fun!!

Rafting…June 10th. Call in to Performance tours to make reservations. Decide on Beginners trip (ages 10 and above) or Intermediate (14 and above). Ages may change depending on water conditions. Same fees as stated before. Call and tell them you’re with Bnei Akiva of Denver to get the reduced rate. Performance Tours Rafting 800-328-7238

Questions? Call or contact any of your Bnei Akiva Madrichim! Roshei Snif: Elyana Feldman, 720-323-2688, Miriam Clayman, 303-862-0233, Eli Tessler, 303-681-1594, or Steve Feldman, 720-394-3020

Shofar – May 10, 2012

dmartin — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:36:39 +0000

Head of School/CEO
Support Your School
Admission – Grow Your School
Lower Division News
Upper Division News
Learning Resource Center
Parent Teacher Organization Update
Student Council
Lunch Menu
Community News

Calendar of Upcoming Events

May 14 – Athletics and Activities Banquet (UD) – 6:30 pm (click to register)
May 14-25 – Grades 2-5 MAP Tests
May 14-18 – Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week
May 16 – Late Start for Professional Development
May 16 – Advid4 Adventure for 4th and 5th grades
May 17 – Advid4 Adventure for 1st and 2nd grades
May 18 – Advid4 Adventure for 3rd grade and kindergarten
May 18 – K-3 Kabbalat Shabbat – 2:15 pm
May 21 – 9^th Grade Parent Meeting about ICE Program (see below) 8:00am
May 23 – Senior Graduation (click to register)
May 28 – No School – Memorial Day and Shavuot
June 1 – Kabbalat Shabbat for K-5, 2:15pm
June 5-7 – Upper Division Finals
June 6 – 5^th Grade Bridging Program – 10:30 am
June 7 – Last Day of School, 11:30 Dismissal for K-5, 6-12 at Elitches

Athletics Calendar

Head of School/CEO

Senior Graduation

Senior graduation will take place on Wednesday, May 23 at 7:00pm in the Elaine Wolf Theater at the JCC. Attending a Denver JDS graduation is an absolutely amazing experience. Having graduation at the new Elaine Wolf Theater promises to make the experience more intimate and enjoyable for everyone. I hope you will come see just how powerful a Denver JDS graduation really is. Seating is limited so please click here to register. I am very proud of the accomplishments of our soon-to-be graduates and I look forward to sharing much nachas with them on May 23.

HIP In Reverse

A 9th grade parent meeting has been scheduled to talk about the ICE Program and HIP. The meeting will take place on Monday, May 21 at 8:00 am in Judaic Library. What follows are details about the new Ice Program.

For six years now, Denver JDS has sent 10th grade students on a powerful and educational six-week Israel experience called HIP (Hebrew Immersion Program). The students stay in Ramat Negev, our sister community in Israel, and establish strong ties with the students who attend the Environmental High School where the Hebrew Ulpan takes place.

Now, in conjunction with the Allied Jewish Federation, I am pleased to announce that students from Ramat Negev will be coming to Denver and to Denver Jewish Day School. Ten students from the Environmental High School will participate in a new exchange program that will be called the Israel Colorado Exchange or ICE. The students will come to Denver in August 2012 for seventeen days. They will participate in some classes and special programs at Denver JDS, tour Denver and take a trip to the mountains. The plan is for some of our current 9th grade families to host the students so we will be calling a parent meeting later in May to discuss this in detail. Meanwhile, we can all be proud of this exciting new program that will deepen our connection to Israel and the people of Ramat Negev.

Shabbat Shalom,
Avi Halzel
Head of School/CEO

Summer Blast at DenverJDS

Follow us on Facebook. School updates are published on our Fan Page

Support Your School

Alumni News

Giving Tree

Push to finish off the school year

Denver JDS Legacy Society – We welcome Cary & Stacey Chapman, Bernie & Sheila Silverman and Peter & Lisa Gergely as newest Legacy Society donors. as the newest members to the Legacy Society. Click here to see the latest testimonial piece for the Legacy Society. Please contact Krista Boscoe, 720-449-9552, kboscoe@denverjds.org for more information about including the school in your estate plans AND helping the school get incentive grant dollars from Rose Community Foundation for Live On III.

King Soopers gift card – help the school break the $1,000 monthly usage mark. Thank you for using your card to load new dollars every month. If you need another King Soopers gift card for yourself or want to get one for your spouse, grandparents, your students who drive (for gas $$) then call Krista at 720-449-9552 or email her for a card to be mailed to you or put in a student’s backpack – kboscoe@denverjds.org.

Contact Krista Boscoe, Director of Development 720-449-9552 kboscoe@denverjds.org

Admission – Grow Your School

Check back next week for Admission news.

Lower Division News

Dear Lower Division Families,
It has been an exciting week at DJDS Lower Division. We had a great 2nd grade Poetry Slam, Kindergarten Field Trip to the Children’s Museum, Bookfair and DJDS Annual Board Meeting. Field Day and the Art Extravaganza were wonderful fun events for everyone. We appreciate the parents, staff and community members that make these events special. Learning happened this week also, 4th grade finished their historical fiction projects (check out the display case), the Middot panels are hung in the Lunchroom, and the Helping Hands projects have been a focus of the week.

MAP testing and Avid for Adventure are next week. So is the 4th grade overnight! Join us for the Kabbalat Shabbat on May18th.

In the spirit of appreciation, Faculty and Staff appreciation week is next week. We thank the PTO for the wonderful events planned and want to include all students and parents in our appreciation of the staff. Starting on Monday, you will see paper affirmation bags with staff names lining the hall of the LD. Please write small notes to show your appreciation of our staff and put them in the bags all week. We will present these to the staff on Friday to show them how much they mean to our community. Thanks for participating in this small token of our thanks for all the wonderful things the teachers and staff do all year long! Hopefully, all the bags will be brimming!
B’Shalom,

Susan and Marcie

Liberated Parents, Liberated Children – Your Guide To A Happier Family

“Playdate with 5th Grade” is back!

Upper Division News

Some Important Upcoming Dates

April 23-May 18- Senior Internship/Development Program
May 2-4 6^th Grade Trip to Snow Mtn. Ranch
May 8-11 – 8^th Grade Trip to Durango
May 10-11 – 7^th Grade Trip
May 14, 6:30 pm – Athletics and Activities Banquet
May 21 and 22 – Graduation Rehearsal
May 23, 7:00 pm – Graduation at the Elaine Wolf Theater at the JCC (Seniors should be there at 6:15)
June 5-7 – Finals
June 7 – Elitches

Spring Shabbaton

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Two weekends ago, more than 110 students in grades 7^th-12^th went up to Glacier View Ranch in Ward, Colorado for the annual Out-of-Town Shabbaton! The weekend’s activities began on Friday when two full buses brought students to Gateway Fun Center for some go-cart racing, mini-golf, and arcade games. From there, the students went up to Glacier View Ranch in time to prepare for Shabbat. Students sang and danced to welcome in the Sabbath Friday night and ate a festive Shabbat meal. During dinner, more than one thousand “Shabbatograms,” or written messages which students wrote earlier in the week to each other, were distributed.

On Saturday, after shacharit, students participated in activities that the student council had planned including an all school Shabbat walk around the lake, Silly Games – including the fan favorite Moo game, and boys and girls separate programs. The culmination of the Shabbaton was Saturday night when many of the seniors delivered inspiring D’var Torahs as they spoke to the rest of the school for the final time, and when underclassmen had the opportunity to speak to each senior. The night is traditionally a very emotional evening, and it was no different this year. After many tears, the night concluded with havdallah and the annual Shabbaton Talent Show.

This year’s Shabbaton was definitely one of the best and left everyone feeling great about the school. Special thanks to the student council who runs the Shabbaton with the help of Jerry Rotenberg. Also thank you to Josh Lake, Jason Snyder, Melanie Knowles, Rabbi Goodman, Mr. Hay, and Shelly Rotenberg who helped supervise during the weekend. (Insert Pics Here)

Elitches

Final Exam Schedule and Information

Tuesday, June 5	Wednesday, June 6	Thursday, June 7
7:55-9:15 English	7:55-9:15 Hebrew	7:55-9:15 Science
9:25-11:25 Math	9:25-10:55 Social Studies
11:35-12:55 Spanish	11:05-12:25 Judaic Core

Academic Policies

The school has a policy regarding failures, which states that all classes must be passed at the minimum “D” level. No credit is earned for failures, which must be made up in a manner acceptable to the school. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to gain approval for make up work before it is undertaken. Students cannot earn credit for the second semester of a two-semester course (such as algebra) until they have successfully passed the first semester. Students will not be enrolled in the fall if they have not made up any failures incurred during the previous year.

All students are expected to keep and maintain a grade point average of at least a “C” level. Should a student’s grades fall below this level, he or she will be considered on academic probation, which is not permitted for more than one semester. Students who fail to bring up their overall grade point average by the end of the semester of probation will be advised not to return to Denver Jewish Day School Upper School Division. (See the Upper Division Family Handbook for more complete information.

2012-2013 Schedule

We are in the process of finalizing the schedule for the 2012-13 school year. For rising 6-9th graders the classes are generally prescribed and, with the exception of Judaic Studies classes, there is little choice. Parents of rising 10th – 12th graders do have some choice, and parents are encouraged to have conversations with their students regarding these choices.

There is also an alternative option available to 10-12 graders who desire a different course than what Denver JDS offers. Our students can take online classes through Virtual High School. For any questions on next year’s schedule, contact Mr. Snyder at jsnyder@denverjds.org or 303-369-0663 x277 . )

Yearbooks – Last Chance!

There are only a handful of yearbooks left so do not delay on ordering your yearbook. Write a check for $45 to Lifetouch and turn it in to the Upper Division front office.

Seniors doing the Senior Development Program (SDP)

This week they have spent time at Rose hospital (Thank you to Rabbi Kaye for helping arrange that activity), Myers-Briggs, Altitude Sports and a day downtown at the Lindsey- Flanigan court house.

[Show as slideshow]

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams Coming Up

Please note the upcoming dates for DJDS AP exams:

Wednesday, May 9 – Calculus AB 8 a.m.
Thursday, May 10- English Literature and Composition 8 a.m.
Friday, May 11- U.S. History 8a.m. European History 12 p.m.
Wednesday, May 16 – English Language and Composition 8 a.m.
Thursday, May 17 – Macroeconomics 8 a.m.

Learning Resource Center

For information about the Learning Resource Center, please use the following link to the LRC webpage: www.denverjds.org/learning-resource-center/

Parent Teacher Organization Update

Next week is Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week

Although the “official” Teacher Appreciation Week was this past week, we deferred our celebration to this coming week. During our late start on Wednesday, your faculty and all staff members will be treated to a yummy breakfast funded with PTO dollars and to special presentations including awards for years of service. This event is not open to parents or students. Please be sure to thank your child’s teachers and all of the school staff for the exceptional job they do all year making our kids’ time spent at school so wonderful. Each day there will be a special treat. See if you can recognize the great things that Shanit Oesterle and her team put together!

Avid4 Adventure

Lower Division students will be participating in outdoor non-competitive recreational activities on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next week. This program is provided by an outside company and partially paid for with your PTO dollars. Remember, your Lower Division student may participate after school hours on Wednesday and Thursday with a parent supervising. Any student who does not have a liability waiver signed (online or on paper with Brandi) will need to sit out and watch their classmates have fun. This is company policy.

It’s not too late to give a donation in recognition of our Faculty and Staff

If you did not participate in giving to the Faculty/Staff gift in December, you have not contributed to our May Faculty/Staff Appreciation. Please consider placing a donation in the envelope in either the Upper or Lower Division front offices. The more we collect, the better we can reward those who make our children’s’ time spent at school so wonderful.

Get Ready for Camp

Name labels are available for purchase at www.denverjds.mabel.ca. If you order through this link, the PTO will receive a small percentage of sales.

Volunteer of the Week

Colleen Beatty outdid herself, along with Tracey Douglas, last week’s Volunteer of the Week. Did you love the picnic and Art Extravaganza? Let these ladies know!!! Colleen, breathe a sigh of relief for a job super well done, and enjoy a Starbucks on the PTO!

Student Council

Check back for Student Council updates.

Lunch Menu

Mon May 7	Tues May 8	Wed May 9	Thur May 10	Fri May 11
Grilled Cheese	Burritos or	Bagels or	Pasta	Tacos or
Moroccan Lentil Soup	Chik’n Nuggets	Fried Rice	US Sauce: Basil Alfredo	Chik’n Nuggets
Brownies	Apple Sauce O.R. Cookies	Yogurt/Granola Sprinkles	Cut Fresh Fruit	Bananas
		Choc Chip Cookies	Choc Chip Banana Bread	Peppermint Patties

Community News

Lab B’Omer at Ekar Farm at DAT

Come celebrate Lab’Omer and Mother’s Day with your family at Ekar, Sunday May 13, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. Please click here for all the details.

What does it mean to be pro-Israel in America Today?

J Street Colorado presents a panel discussion, “What Does It Mean to Be Pro-Israel in America Today?” Wednesday, May 16, 7 p.m., Hebrew Educational Alliance; 3600 S. Ivanhoe St., Denver CO 80237.

Rabbis Richard Rheins (Temple Sinai) and Salomon Gruenwald (HEA), together with Professor Caryn Aviv (University of Colorado and Judaism Your Way) and Yona Eshkanazi (Stand With Us) will discuss diverse approaches to supporting Israel in the 21st Century. Former Denver Post Columnist, Mike Littwin will serve as moderator, and Rabbi Bruce Dollin (HEA) will open the program with an overview of the issues involved. No charge. For additional information call J Street Colorado at 303-748-4815.

JCC Youth Programs

Battle of the Sexes Overnight
Saturday May 12, 7 pm-May 13, 9 am, Grades 8-10, Cost: $18

Spend the evening competing for the bragging rights to say your gender is the best! Girls and boys will participate in challenges to help their teams win the ultimate battle of the sexes. You will test your physical abilities, intellect and more!

2012 JCC Camps Registration Open

JCC is starting a Sunday soccer league!

May 20-July 8, Grades K-3, Sundays, times vary, $75 S&F members; $85 JCC members; $105 guests. Our main goal is to teach the kids soccer skills and apply them in a game setting. We allow all kids the opportunity to have fun and enjoy the skills they learn. Your kids will be playing soccer games for the rest of their lives. Lets teach them the skills they need first, the fun they can have with those skills, and then how to apply those skills in the game. Let’s play soccer. We will have practice and games on Sunday (all games and practices will be at Denver JDS).Register with Cory Smith 303 316 6304 or csmith@jccdenver.org.

JCC Intergenerational Family Israel Trip

June 10 – 21, 2012. This unique trip is created for families with children 4 – 10 years old and grandparents. Please click here to review the brochure and itinerary. Email cblanke@jccdenver.org for more information.Creative Journeys

HEA Youth Programs

Summer Choral Workshop

The Colorado Hebrew Chorale presents a summer choral workshop with Dr. Joshua R. Jacobson, Thursday, July 19, 2012, 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 22, 2012, 7:00 pm. Please click here for details.

Bnei Akiva Update

This Shabbat May 12th 6:30 PM at DAT for Madrichim and high school age kids:
Meet with Avi Baldesare, former IDF company commander and representative of Yashar L’Chayal; Avi was a Bnei Akiva madrich in Ma’ale Adumim.

Yom Yerushalim Sunday May 20th 5:30 PM EDOS traditional Israeli food, interactive Jerusalem trivia contest with prizes, and live music sing along, with SPECIAL guest accordian player, Irving Fox $18/ per person MINIMUM donation; Reservations preferred call EDOS at 303-322-7943;

Saturday night May 26th: Teen Tikun Layl Shavuot 8th grade and above, 11 PM at DAT, with Rabbi Sunshine, and more! Food at 2 AM; Come and join your friends for a wonderful evening of learning and camaraderie!

Weekend of May 31-June3rd: National Bnei Akiva Shabbaton and Israel Day Parade in New York City!

June 8-9th Shabbaton, details TBA

White Water Rafting on Clear Creek June 10th Sunday with Performance Tours: Intermediate and Beginner half-day trips; Intermediate is for ages 14 and above: $45; beginner for ages 10-11 is $35; beginner over 12 yrs is $40, with lunch provided by Bnei Akiva; ADVANCED RESERVATIONS REQUIRED call Steve at 720-394-3020 or vetcare6611@yahoo.com;

Weeky meeting for Madrichim and high school students interested in programming: Wednesdays at EDOS, 7:30 PM, in the basement teen lounge.

Questions? Call or contact any of your Bnei Akiva Madrichim! Roshei Snif: Elyana Feldman, 720-323-2688, Miriam Clayman, 303-862-0233, Eli Tessler, 303-681-1594, or Steve Feldman, 720-394-3020

Shofar – May 3, 2012

dmartin — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:30:59 +0000

Calendar of Upcoming Events

May 7 – 2nd Grade Poetry Slam, 6:45-8:15 pm, Discovery Lab
May 7-11 – Spring Scholastic Book Fair, Leftin Family Lobby
May 8 – Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees, 7:45 am, Discovery Lab
May 9 – Laura Mahony, after school sibling/Upper Division photos by appointment
May 9 – Deadline to sign up for Avid4 Adventure (Lower Division)
May 10 – Lower Division Art Extravaganza and Lag B’Omer Picnic (11:30 dismissal K-5 only). Click here for more information.
May 14 – Athletics and Activities Banquet (UD) – 6:30 pm (click to register)
May 14-25 – Grades 2-5 MAP Tests
May 16 – Late Start for Professional Development
May 16 – Advid4 Adventure for 4th and 5th grades
May 17 – Advid4 Adventure for 1st and 2nd grades
May 18 – Advid4 Adventure for 3rd grade and kindergarten
May 18 – K-3 Kabbalat Shabbat – 2:15 pm
May 23 – Senior Graduation (click to register)

Athletics Calendar

Head of School/CEO

Denver JDS Annual Meeting

Dear Parents – as members of the Corporation of Denver JDS, you are hereby notified that the Denver JDS Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2011 in the Lower School Division Discovery Lab. Continental breakfast will begin at 7:45 a.m. and the meeting will start at 8:00 am. Here is the slate of officers and trustees.

HIP In Reverse

For six years now Denver JDS has sent 10th grade students on a powerful and educational six-week Israel experience called HIP (Hebrew Immersion Program). The students stay in Ramat Negev, our sister community in Israel, and establish strong ties with the students who attend the Environmental High School where the Hebrew Ulpan takes place.

Shabbat Shalom,
Avi Halzel
Head of School/CEO

Summer Blast at DenverJDS

Follow us on Facebook. School updates are published on our Fan Page

Support Your School

Any Development or Fundraising Questions???

Contact Krista Boscoe, Director of Development 720-449-9552 kboscoe@denverjds.org

Check back next week for more development updates. Have a great weekend.

Admission – Grow Your School

Please invite anybody you know with children in preschool to our Art Extravaganza next Thursday from 11:30 AM-2:00 PM. This is a great opportunity for us to show off our amazing school to prospective families! No RSVP is necessary for families to come and enjoy all the fun on our campus that afternoon.

I want to share with you the eloquent words of 5th grader Max Topelson, who acted as “Principal for a Day” today. Max shared the following welcome with Kindergartners and their families at this morning’s Kindergarten parent breakfast. Thanks, Max, for inspiring us all with your heartfelt message!

“Hello. My name is Max Topelson. I am a fifth grader here at Denver Jewish Day School. You may recognize me from around the school. During these last few months, I, and every fifth grader have gotten to know your children very well through the “Hebrew Lunch Buddy” program. As a matter of fact, I started there too. Every day after school my little friends will come up to me and ask me for hugs, showing we have made a good bond in friendship. This would be something for your kids to experience if they stay here until fifth grade. But there is a long path til they reach fifth grade. During this time many great things will happen to them. In the third grade they will have their first over nighter with their class…definitely something to look forward to. Starting in fourth grade, they will take two days out of school to join the Upper Division in Color War, where two teams compete against each other in sports and acting. They can also go to glee club with the other fourth and fifth graders. I have experienced doing amazing things such as performing at the Boettcher Concert hall in front of hundreds of people including Governor Hickenlooper and the Mayor. In fifth grade, your child will be part of Hebrew Lunch Buddies where they take time out of their day to play games and spend time with the kindergartners. They will also get to go to Keystone, where they will get to go hiking in the snow, play games with their roommates, and just have a blast with their class on a three-day over nighter. I hope your child will experience these things and many more amazing things over the years.”

Lower Division News

Dear Lower Division Families,

We would like to thank those parents and students who joined us last night for an enjoyable and informative evening that highlighted our Hebrew curriculum. Each teacher taught a lesson from the Israel unit in the TaL AM curriculum. Parents had the opportunity to observe how the curriculum spirals throughout the grades, how vocabulary is developed, use of Hebrew conversation and the various skills that are taught. We are including a link to the power point presentation that was shared that highlights the various components of the curriculum. We would like to thank our very talented Hebrew staff for the wonderful presentation they put together last night. Parents are always welcome in the classroom to observe these lessons. Please click here to view the presentation.

On Thursday, May 10^th Field Day/Lag B’Omer will be celebrated in the Lower Division. Ms. Imhoff has planned special stations for the students. Students will participate in multi-age teams led by our fifth grade students. Please remember to send hats, water bottles and sunscreen with your students. Dismissal for ALL Lower Division students is 11:30 am. Pick-up will be from the classrooms. Students intending to stay for the Art Extravaganza must have a parent or guardian who is responsible for them. There is no staff supervision after 11:30 this day.

We invite all families to join us after Field Day for the Art Extravaganza from 11:30am – 2:00pm in the Allon Family Quadrangle. All students will have art work on display and there will be art and handcrafted items from various vendors for sale. There will also be live music and hands-on art activities. Bring a pareve/dairy lunch and join us for this exciting and fun afternoon.

The PTO Book Fair will open next week starting after school on May 7^th. Please make sure to stop by during the week.

IMPORTANT AVID4 ADVENTURE INFORMATION

This outdoor adventure company will be bringing the Lower Division a climbing tower, a kayak basin, mountain bikes and terrain, and other non-competitive outdoor activities.
Visit www.avid4.com/school-programs/school-partners/djds by 5/9/2012 to ensure your child’s participation.
Students without signed release forms will not be allowed to participate.

B’Shalom,

Susan and Marcie

Liberated Parents, Liberated Children – Your Guide To A Happier Family

“Playdate with 5th Grade” is back!

All proceeds benefit Wish for Wheels; the organization that will help DJDS 5th grade purchase new bicycles and helmets for the graduating kindergarteners of Rose Hill Elementary School in Commerce City. Friday May 4th and Friday, May 18. Click here for all the details and how to register.

Upper Division News

Some Important Upcoming Dates

April 23-May 18- Senior Internship/Development Program
May 2-4 6^th Grade Trip to Snow Mtn. Ranch
May 8-11 – 8^th Grade Trip to Durango
May 10-11 – 7^th Grade Trip
May 14, 6:30 pm – Athletics and Activities Banquet
May 21 and 22 – Graduation Rehearsal
May 23, 7:00 pm – Graduation at the Elaine Wolf Theater at the JCC (Seniors should be there at 6:15)
June 5-7 – Finals
June 7 – Elitches

Final Exam Schedule and Information

Tuesday, June 5	Wednesday, June 6	Thursday, June 7
7:55-9:15 English	7:55-9:15 Hebrew	7:55-9:15 Science
9:25-11:25 Math	9:25-10:55 Social Studies
11:35-12:55 Spanish	11:05-12:25 Judaic Core

Academic Policies

Art Extravaganza

On May 10^th PTO is sponsoring an Art show with K-8 student art displays, art and handcrafted items for sale from parents, students and community members. There will be live music, other art performances and arts and crafts activities. Pleaase bring a parve/dairy lunch.

Athletic and Activities Banquet

Make sure to save the date: May 14^th at 6:30 p.m. for the Athletics and Activities Banquet. This event will be held in the Strear Family Gymnasium. Click here to register (link to the black tie registration for this event.) Deadline to register is May 10^th.

Yearbooks are running out….

There are only a handful of yearbooks left so do not delay on ordering your yearbook. Write a check for $45 to Lifetouch and turn it in to the Upper Division front office.

Seniors doing the Senior Development Program (SDP)

[Show as slideshow]

This week they have spent time with a physical therapist, a skin specialist, Allosource, The Donor Alliance, 9News, Atlas Metals and Habitat for Humanity.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams Coming Up

Please note the upcoming dates for DJDS AP exams:

Wednesday, May 9 – Calculus AB 8 a.m.
Thursday, May 10- English Literature and Composition 8 a.m.
Friday, May 11- U.S. History 8a.m. European History 12 p.m.
Wednesday, May 16 – English Language and Composition 8 a.m.
Thursday, May 17 – Macroeconomics 8 a.m.

Learning Resource Center

Thank you to all of the parents and students that generously gave donations to help David Last purchase assistive technology. Below is a note from David.

Thank you so much for donating the money for me to get an iPad. The iPad has helped me so much in school and in general life. I use it for math, science, writing and reading. With the camera on the iPad, I am able to take pictures of worksheets and make them bigger. Then I can work directly on the enlarged worksheets on the screen of the iPad. This has made a huge impact in my ability to take in the information taught at school. Thanks again.

Sincerely,
David Last

For information about the Learning Resource Center, please use the following link to the LRC webpage: www.denverjds.org/learning-resource-center/

Parent Teacher Organization Update

Volunteer of the Week

Way to go Tracey Douglas! Tracey has been working hard to make next Thursday’s Art Extravaganza a huge success. Tracey, the PTO hopes you can enjoy a Starbuck’s gift card for either a little caffeine before the event or a soothing break afterward.

Avid4 Adventure Registration is Open!

This is our second time bringing this outdoor adventure company to our campus for the Lower Division. Thanks to successful fundraising efforts, the PTO is able to pay for a greater portion of the fees for each child. The cost this year will be $15 per student (was $18 two years ago). Please go to http://www.avid4.com/school-programs/school-partners/djds/ to sign the required waiver form and to pay for your child’s participation. Donations will be accepted in the Lower Division office if you would like to help sponsor any children who require scholarships.

Laura Mahony Photography

If you wish to have photos of sibling groups or Upper Division students, please email [ mailto:laura@lauramahonyphotography.com ]laura@lauramahonyphotography.com to set up an appointment time. Lower Division students were photographed on 5/1 and 5/3 and some sibling groups were able to be photographed. A secure online link will be provided soon to view and purchase photos if desired. If you don’t know Ms. Mahony’s work, check out the photos of your kids – they’ll make great Father’s Day gifts! A portion of your purchase goes to the PTO.

The Book Fair is Coming!

The Spring Scholastic Book Fair is scheduled for May 7th-11th. Thursday, the 10th, is Field Day and the Art Extravaganza, so there will be a lot of reasons to stick around after our early dismissal. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for set up May 7th, tear down on May 11th, and selling before and after school! Please contact Lisa Engbar (VLML@mac.com) or Brandi Pelz in the Lower Division front office (bpelz@denverjds.org) to volunteer. Tje online bookfair which is running from April 30th through May 20th. Please use this link: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/denverjewishdayschool

Get Ready for Camp

Name labels are available for purchase at www.denverjds.mabel.ca. If you order through this link, the PTO will receive a small percentage of sales.

It’s not too late to give a donation in recognition of our Faculty and Staff

Get ready for the Art Extravaganza and Lag b’Omer Picnic

Thursday, May 10th from 11:30 – 2:00, immediately following field day, parental supervision required. There will be a lot of fun activities, including student art displays (K-8), arts and crafts presentations, and hands-on activities from community members. There will be a wide variety of vendors, so bring your wallets!!! We are still looking for parent and student artists to participate as vendors and for parent volunteers to supervise in shifts. Contact Tracey Douglas at tkdouglas@comcast.net. Bring your own dairy or pareve picnic lunch and enjoy music performances out on the quad.

Events to include student art displays (K-8) as well as art, presentations and hands-on activates from community members. There will be a wide variety of vendors so bring your change.

Parents: Do you know which of your child/ren’s art pieces will be included in the art extravaganza? We are offering a raffle ticket to the first five parents who send a description of at least one piece that their child will be showcasing in the student art gallery. (Check in with your student if you do not already know.) Email responses to tkdouglas@comcast.net. The raffle prizes, all donations from our vendors, will be drawn at 2:00 PM. Each DJDS student will receive a raffle ticket at the end of field day. Winners need to be present at the drawing to claim prizes.

COMPLETE LIST OF VENDORS (remember Mother’s Day is May 13th):
Andrea Napoli – Embellished Frames and Crafts
Anne Franklin – Jewelry from Repurposed and Vintage Items
Anita Bohrer – Henna Artist
Barb McKistry – Mezuzot, Jewelry, China
Belle Penzenstatler – Serendipity Sundresses and Tanks
Camille Falk – Upcycled and Repurposed Earrings
Cheryl Breiner – Hats and Bags
Denise Lines – Greeting cards from The Gathering Place
Dina Pierce (Parent) – Bittersweet Bakery, Cake Pops
Dominique Goldbar – Fashion Headbands
Fifth-grade Students – Crafts, Books and Wrist Bands
Flo Crouter – Embellished Hula Hoops and Jewelry
Heather Oginsky (Parent) and Joanne Scarbeary – Upcycled Clothing
Jennifer Chick-Grey – Aprons, Napkins and Headbands
Joel Douglas (Student) – JoDo Creations: Duct Tape Creations
Jordan and Marla Kassanoff (Students) – Soap Creations
JoyAnn Ruscha (Parent) – Kippot
Kayle Lamar (Parent) – Upscaled Children’s Clothing
Lara Sparks (2nd-grade teacher) – Face painting and jewels
LeeAnn Wilmott – Knitting
Loie Strait – Bodywork and Massage
Molly Brown – Art Instruction
Natalie Franciose – Hula hoop birthday party packages
Neil Rosenfeld – Fine-art Photography
Noteable Kids – Kids’ Art and Enrichment
Rachel Goldman (parent) – Jewelry, Wall Hangings, Note cards, Coasters and Bowls
Shannon Reisweig – Pet Accessories
Shanti Hazan – Charcoal Drawings
VW Peaceworks – Tie Dyes
Zen and Now – Vintage Arts and Clothes

Performance Schedule for Main stage during the Art Extravaganza
11:30-11:50- The Jamieson’s, Acoustic Bluegrass
11:55-12:00- Sol Vida Dance
12:05-12:55- Bluefolk Dreamers
1:00-1:05- Karate Blast Demo
1:10- 2:00-The Bagels (Avi and Friends)
2:00- Raffle Winner Announced

Student Council

Check back for Student Council updates.

Lunch Menu

Mon May 7	Tues May 8	Wed May 9	Thur May 10	Fri May 11
Grilled Cheese	Burritos or	Bagels or	Pasta	Tacos or
Moroccan Lentil Soup	Chik’n Nuggets	Fried Rice	US Sauce: Basil Alfredo	Chik’n Nuggets
Brownies	Apple Sauce O.R. Cookies	Yogurt/Granola Sprinkles	Cut Fresh Fruit	Bananas
		Choc Chip Cookies	Choc Chip Banana Bread	Peppermint Patties

Community News

Lab B’Omer at Ekar Farm at DAT

Come celebrate Lab’Omer and Mother’s Day with your family at Ekar, Sunday May 13, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. Please click here for all the details.

What does it mean to be pro-Israel in America Today?

J Street Colorado presents a panel discussion, “What Does It Mean to Be Pro-Israel in America Today?” Wednesday, May 16, 7 p.m., Hebrew Educational Alliance; 3600 S. Ivanhoe St., Denver CO 80237.

JCC Youth Programs

Lag B’Omer Bike Ride @ Ranch Camp
Sunday, May 6, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Grades 7-9, Cost: $20

Come enjoy a sunny spring afternoon biking in the Black Forest and celebrate Lag B’Omer in true Israeli fashion with our Shaliach, Noam Dahary. Lag B’Omer is the Jewish holiday that falls between Passover and Shavuot where we celebrate Jewish bravery. We will spend the afternoon biking and end the day with a festive bon fire.

Contact Noam Dahary at ndahary@jccdenver.org with questions or to register for the program.

Teen Production: Our Town Directed by Kelly McAllister
May 9, 10, 13 at 6:30 pm; May 12 at 8 pm, Pluss Theatre, $12 General Admission/$10 Students

See your friends on stage! Thornton Wilder’s masterpiece (winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama) chronicles the lives of several key people from Grover’s Corner. www.maccjcc.org for tickets.

Battle of the Sexes Overnight
Saturday May 12, 7 pm-May 13, 9 am, Grades 8-10, Cost: $18

2012 JCC Camps Registration Open

JCC is starting a Sunday soccer league!

JCC Intergenerational Family Israel Trip

HEA Youth Programs

Hebrew for Travelers

April 16-May 21, Mondays 7-8:30 pm. B’nai Havurah @ 6445 E Ohio Ave #600 Denver, CO; Beginners through Intermediate; Cost: $136 ($100 for members of B’nai Havurah). If you’re planning a trip to Israel or seeking an introduction to the language, this course is for you. Learn the most-used words and phrases in an engaging and participatory environment. The course comprises six sessions, each covering a specific topic — from greetings and courtesies to emergencies.

Session 1 – Greetings and Courtesies
Session 2 – Introduction to Basic Grammar: letters, vowels, nouns, adjectives, verb conjugation
Session 3 – Food and Directions: time to eat and how do I get to that restaurant?
Session 4 – How Much Does it Cost?: shopping in Hebrew
Session 5 – It’s All About You: I want, I need, I love, I have, plus question words.
Session 6 – The Most-Used Words and Phrases by Travelers

Note: No previous knowledge is required, although an ability to read Hebrew letters will be helpful. Register online at www.caje-co.org/melton or contact: spgerson@caje-co.org

Seedlings for Peace

Sunday, May 6, 2012; 1:00-3:30 p.m.; Delaney Farms, 170 S Chambers Road, Aurora. Abrahamic Initiative & Colorado Interfaith Power and Light present Seedlings for Peace. Jews, Christians and Muslims invite people of all faiths to help restore our earth, foster community and create a living symbol of our shared stewardship of creation by planting over 100 shrubs and trees together in peace.. Free – all are welcome to help plant. Register by emailing Heather Oginsky (DJDS lower division parent): serendipity75@comcast.net.And please Sponsor a Tree through Paypal here – or mail a check made out to Saint John’s- Abrahamic Initiative and mail to 481 S Magnolia St., Denver CO 80224. Contribution levels: Shrub: $25; Tree: $50; Cluster: $100; Grove: $500; Forest: $1000; Branch for Peace: whatever you can afford.

This is a great event for b’nai mitzvah students and for community service credits. This is a very family friendly event so bring your whole family. If you have questions about Seedlings for Peace, please contact Heather Oginsky at serendipity75@comcast.net or (720)284-9056.

Summer Choral Workshop

The Colorado Hebrew Chorale presents a summer choral workshop with Dr. Joshua R. Jacobson, Thursday, July 19, 2012, 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 22, 2012, 7:00 pm. Please click here for details.

Bnei Akiva Update

Bnei Akiva Happenings:

Sunday May 20th: Yom Yerushalayim Israeli Dinner and Bnei Akiva “Chidon” (Israel Trivia Contest) followed by Shira Bitzibur – a group sing-a-long!! 5:30pm EDOS!

Saturday Night May 26th: Teen Tikun Layl Shavuot Program 11:00 PM!

Weekend of May 31-June3rd: National Bnei Akiva Shabbaton and Israel Day Parade in New York City!

Sunday June 10th- Annual Bnei Akiva White Water Rafting Trip down Clear Creek Canyon!!

Weeky meeting for high school students interested in programming: Wednesdays at EDOS, 7:30 PM, in the basement teen lounge.

Questions? Call or contact any of your Bnei Akiva Madrichim! Roshei Snif: Elyana Feldman, 720-323-2688, Miriam Clayman, 303-862-0233, Eli Tessler, 303-681-1594, or Steve Feldman, 720-394-3020

Shofar – April 26, 2012

dmartin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:39:32 +0000

Calendar of Upcoming Events

April 27-29 – Spring Shabbaton – Upper Division
May 2 – Hebrew Information Night (Lower Division), 7:00-8:30 pm
May 3 – Kindergarten Parent Breakfast
May 7 – 2nd Grade Poetry Slam, 6:45-8:15 pm, Discovery Lab
May 7-11 – Spring Scholastic Book Fair, Leftin Family Lobby
May 8 – Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees, 7:45 am, Discovery Lab
May 10 – Lower Division Art Extravaganza and Lag B’Omer Picnic (11:30 dismissal K-5 only). Click here for more information.

Athletics Calendar

Head of School/CEO

Sunny Days

Sunny days and warmer weather are upon us. Our students will be spending more time outside and it is important to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays. Please consider the following recommendations:

Send your child to school with a bottle of your preferred sunscreen.
Consider applying sunscreen in the morning before school. We will encourage students to apply sunscreen before they go outside for recess or PE.
Hats with a brim and sunglasses are also encouraged for protection from the sun.

Here is a 7News feature with Dr. Joel Cohen (Tillie-2) speaking about the new AAP guidelines on sun exposure for children.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/video/27721095/index.html

Here is an informative article entitled “Even Young Teens Show Signs of Sun Damage.”
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=663569

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom,

Avi Halzel
Head of School/CEO

Follow us on Facebook. School updates are published on our Fan Page

Support Your School

Giving Tree

Push to finish off the school year

Denver JDS Legacy Society

We welcome Adam and Melana Jackson (Geddy-2, Jonah-K) as the newest members to the Legacy Society. Please contact Krista Boscoe, 720-449-9552, kboscoe@denverjds.org for more information about including the school in your estate plans AND helping the school get incentive grant dollars from Rose Community Foundation for Live On III.

King Soopers gift card

Help the school break the $1,000 monthly usage mark. The school received $995.96 March 18 through April 14!! Thank you for using your card to load new dollars every month. If you need another King Soopers gift card for yourself or want to get one for your spouse, grandparents, your students who drive (for gas $$) then call Krista at 720-449-9552 or email her for a card to be mailed to you or put in a student’s backpack – kboscoe@denverjds.org.

Contact Krista Boscoe at 720-449-9552 or kboscoe@denverjds.org with any questions or ideas to share. Thank you.

Admission – Grow Your School

Denver Jewish Day School is proud to partner with several philanthropic foundations across the county to offer Sifriyat Pijama b’America here in Denver. We will host two recruitment events here on our campus where Israeli-American families can sign up to receive Hebrew children’s books for free. Families who speak Hebrew at home and have children ages 3-6 are eligible to register. Click here for more information about this program. Visit www.SP-BA.org for more information.

Our recruitment events will take place on Monday, May 21 and Wednesday, June 6. Both are at 4:00 pm in the Lower Division Discovery Lab. Call Shayna Friedman with questions or if you’d like to be involved at 720-449-9550.

Lower Division News

Dear Parents,
I would like to invite you to participate in our Hebrew education night on May 2nd from 7 -8:30. This program will give you an overview of the Tal Am Hebrew program, the scope and sequence of skills gained through our Hebrew curriculum, and a chance to experience first hand a lesson in the full immersion method. Please bring your children with you as they are our most valuable teachers. This is sure to be a fun night filled with Hebrew, learning, and laughter.

I also wanted to let you know that we were selected to receive a grant for $4800 for our Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers to attend the F.A.S.T. reading training. F.A.S.T is an Orton Gillingham-based reading program that will complement our new adoption of F.A.S.T spelling in grades K – 3. In addition, I would like to thank PTO for providing $600 of funds for classroom materials to support this grant.

As my first year is coming to a close, I wanted to share with you some of our accomplishments this year:

Full adoption of the Math in Focus Curriculum
MAP testing in grades 2-5; evaluation of other assessment systems to ensure student academic growth
Establishment of Scope and Sequence and alignment of Social Studies, Hebrew and Science curriculum
Faculty study of Math Common Core standards and Judaics vertical curriculum
Establishment of school wide behavioral norms for common areas including “the clap”
Introduction and training of new technology in the classroom including iPads and document cameras
Many field experiences for students including overnights and field trips
Rebuilding of library curriculum and facilities
Monthly middot, helping hands, Kelso’s choice curriculum and establishment of the Profile of a Graduate
Establishment of student co curricular activities such as newspaper, Glee Club, and Student Leadership and expansion of BLAST offerings
Expansion of GT programming to include K-2 services and continue 3-5 services
Focus on parent communication including Get the Buzz with Susan, quarterly curriculum updates, weekly web updates, Glow and Grows, redesign of the school lobby, and an evaluation of report cards study
Adoption of new daily schedule for 2012-2013 that allows for community time in classrooms, full use of separate lunchroom for Grades 1-5, common planning time for teacher teams, regular access to library and technology courses, and maximum instruction for math and Hebrew. In addition, the new schedule ensures that differentiation of instruction for all types of learners is maximized and the services of GT and LRC teachers is consistent.
Integration of core subject goals into Music, Art and PE

There are many more things that we are proud of but the most important is that everydaywe get to interact with happy, curious, and secure children who love learning and have a passion for school! Next week, watch for information regarding our 2012-2013 goals.

Fourteen lower division students participated in the Colorado Math League contest: 5th graders Michael Guber, Max Topelson, Julia Fein-Ashley, Benjamin Fein-Ashley, Jacob Fein-Ashley, Pearl Clayman and Eli Asarch; 4th graders Jesse Hettleman, Rebecca Chapman, Kalon Shepard, Gabe Dorra, David Rafailov, Alexandra Kaufman; and 3rd grader Jonas Rosenthal. Congratulations to the runners up Gabe Dorra, Max Topelson, Jesse Hettleman, Eli Asarch and Pearl Clayman and to the top scorers Benjamin Fein-Ashley and Michael Guber. Thanks to teachers Becky Sheinbaum, Rachel Leber, Lisa Bornstein and Terri Otto who served as coaches and Elana Shapiro who sponsored the contest.

Over one million students from the United States and Canada participate in Math League Contests each year. Every contest has questions from different areas of mathematics. The goal is to encourage student interest and confidence in mathematics through solving worthwhile problems. Schools also compete in statewide competitions.

B’Shalom,

Susan and Marcie

Liberated Parents, Liberated Children – Your Guide To A Happier Family

“Playdate with 5th Grade” is back!

All proceeds benefit Wish for Wheels; the organization that will help DJDS 5th grade purchase new bicycles and helmets for the graduating kindergarteners of Rose Hill Elementary School in Commerce City. Friday May 4th and Friday, May 18. Click here for all the details and how to register.

Lower Division students celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut- Israel Independence Day 2012

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Upper Division News

Some Important Upcoming Dates

April 27-29 – 7-12 Spring Shabbaton at Glacier View Ranch
April 23-May 18 – Senior Internship/Development Program
May 2-4 – 6^th Grade trip to Granby, CO
May 8-11 – 8^th Grade Trip to Durango
May 10-11 – 7^th Grade Trip
May 14, 6:30 pm – Athletics and Activities Banquet
May 21 and 22 – Graduation Rehearsal
May 23, 7:00 pm – Graduation at the Elaine Wolf Theater at the JCC (Seniors should be there at 6:15)
June 5-7 – Finals
June 7 – Elitches

Baseball Team There for Their Coach

Since Passover break, the varsity baseball team has concluded each practice and game with a mincha service. They hold this service so that Coach Mark Barter can come help out the team, and still say Kaddish for his father. Coach Barter told the team, “My dad would have loved this – Kaddish on a baseball field.” This act of support for Coach Barter by upholding religious values is an example of how dual elements of Denver JDS come together in the daily life of the school. Denver JDS is both a religious and a college preparatory school. Our students can combine competitive athletics (The team hopes to make it to the playoffs again this year.) and Jewish traditions. Through programs and events like this, Denver JDS prepares students for a world in which one must find a balance between Jewish and secular life.

Athletic and Activities Banquet

Make sure to save the date: May 14th at 6:30 p.m. for the Athletics and Activities Banquet. This event will be held in the Strear Family Gymnasium. Click here to register. Deadline to register is May 10th.

College Update

Congratulations to our Class of 2012 who have collectively received acceptances from numerous schools nationwide in a very competitive year. Our seniors have been admitted to the following schools: Binghamton/NY, Boston University, Brandeis, Carnegie Mellon, Case Western Reserve, Claremont McKenna, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, Duke, Elon College, Emory, George Washington University, Goucher College, Indiana University, Muhlenberg, Pratt Institute, Stanford, Syracuse University, Tulane, University of Arizona, UCLA, UC San Diego, University of Colorado/Boulder, University of Delaware, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Northern Colorado, University of Pittsburgh, University of Texas, University of Vermont, University of Virginia, and University of Wisconsin.

Rachel Ship Wins Poetry Contest

Rachel Ship, a 7th grader in Mrs. Scarborough’s English class, is the most recent winner of the “Write about the Time Bandit” contest. The Time Bandit, a crab boat featured on Discovery Channel’s show The Deadliest Catch, has formed a partnership with Mrs. Scarborough to promote the creative writing of her students in a publicly recognized forum. Rachel’s poem will appear on the Time Bandit website at www.timebandit.tv. She will also receive a store credit for merchandise of her choice and a VISA gift card. Congratulations Rachel! Click here to read Rachel’s poem.

Outstanding Alumni

Congratulation to Channa Rotenberg, (Denver JDS Class of 2008) who is graduating this year from Goucher College and was selected to the Phi Beta Kappa society, noted national academic fraternity.

Congratulations to Cooper Kaminsky (Denver JDS Class of 2011) on his leading role and outstanding performance as Billy Flinn in the Berklee School of Music’s production in Boston of the musical Chicago on Apirl 24th.

Sponsor Morning Minyan

Denver JDS holds morning minyan services on Monday and Friday of each week at 7:00 AM. Services are held in the Judaic Library and are open to the entire Denver JDS community. We would love to have you come! If you have questions, would like to get involved, or are interested in sponsoring breakfast for the minyan, please contact Simon Kaufman (Upper Division senior) at sjk114@comcast.net. There will be no minyan tomorrow due to the Out-of-Town Shabbaton.
Seniors doing the Senior Development Program (SDP)

The first week is off to a fast start as our seniors are learning culinary skills form the DU school of hospitality, aviation at Centennial Airport and Federal Reserve Bank. That is in just the first two days. Other activities included this week involve Junior Achievement, Israel advocacy and a class with former Colorado governor Richard Lamm, and this is just the first week. SDP is an end–of- year program for seniors that incorporates the following components: life lessons, community service and the working world.

Thank you to David Kaufman for creating and executing this program and for his continued support of this program now in its third year.

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Advanced Placement (AP) Exams Coming Up

Please note the upcoming dates for AP exams:
Wednesday, May 9 – Calculus AB 8:00 am
Thursday, May 10 – English Literature and Composition 8:00 am
Friday, May 11 – U.S. History 8a.m. European History 12:00 pm
Wednesday, May 16 – English Language and Composition 8:00 am
Thursday, May 17 – Macroeconomics 8:00 am

Students do not need to attend classes after their AP exam.

Learning Resource Center

Thank you to all of the parents and students that generously gave donations to help David Last purchase assistive technology. Below is a note from David.

Sincerely,
David Last

For information about the Learning Resource Center, please use the following link to the LRC webpage: www.denverjds.org/learning-resource-center/

Parent Teacher Organization Update

Avid4 Adventure Registration is Open!

Laura Mahony Photography

If you wish to have photos of sibling groups or Upper Division students, please email laura@lauramahonyphotography.com to set up an appointment time. All Lower Division students who are not on the “Do Not Photograph” list will be photographed during normal school hours on Tuesday, May 1st and Thursday, May 3rd.

The Book Fair is Coming!

Get Ready for Camp

Name labels are available for purchase at www.denverjds.mabel.ca. If you order through this link, the PTO will receive a small percentage of sales.

It’s not too late to give a donation in recognition of our Faculty and Staff

Get ready for the Art Extravaganza and Lag b’Omer Picnic!

Events to include student art displays (K-8) as well as art, presentations and hands-on activates from community members. There will be a wide variety of vendors so bring your change.

We are still looking for parent and student artists to participate as vendors and parent volunteers to supervise in shifts. Contact Tracey Douglas: tkdouglas@comcast.net

Each week we will highlight some of the vendors who will participate in the Art Extravaganza. Here is this week’s sampling:

Flo’s Fab Jewelry & Hula Hoops – Flo Crouter

Handmade hula hoops in all sizes & weights for kids & adults. Custom designed jewelry & gifts made with love in Colorado, USA.

Chick-A-Dee Studio - Jennifer Chick-Gray
www.etsy.com/shop/chickknits

Creative headbands, aprons and napkins

Ariesrising – Barb McKinstry
www.AriesRising.etsy.com

A collection of mezuzah holders, jewelry, body adornments, fine china and vases. The jewelry is made from gold and silver wire and re-purposed gold and semi-precious stones.

Art Garage
www.artgaragedenver.com

Art Garage provides full service, visual art instruction in an open studio with great natural light in the Park Hill neighborhood.

The Gathering Place
A selection of hand-made greeting cards to benefit The Gathering Place
www.tgpdenver.org

Mutts and Mittens
A local Denver company specializing in stylish, hand-made collars and leashes for your furry four-legged friends

Neil Rosenfeld Photography
Fine-art photographic prints, both color and black & white.
www.neilrosenfeldphoto.com

The following faculty, parents and students will also be vendors at the Art Extravaganza:
Shanti Hazan – Charcoal drawings
Heather Oginsky and Joanne Scarbeary – Upcycled children’s clothing
Dina Pierce – Cake pops
Rachel Goldman – Jewelry, wall hangings, note card, coasters and bowls
Kayle Lamar – Upscaled children’s clothing
Joel Douglas – Duct tape creations
Marla and Jordan Kassanoff – Soap creations
Fifth-grade students – Craft items, books, wrist bands

Student Council

Check back for Student Council updates.

Community News

SUNBURST YOM HA’ATZMAUT SHABBAT EXPERIENCE

Friday, April 27, 5:30 pm Connect & Celebrate Israel 64 and Shabbat; BMH-BJ Congregation – 560 S Monaco Pkwy. An open extended community celebration – toast to Israel, Israeli music by Avy Schreiber, Israeli song and dance, a rocking Kabbalat Shabbat and Oneg (meal). $40 per family (household) unit, $15 per Individual. Early reservations recommended – Not to be missed! Call: 720-583-4SUN (4786) or 303-951-8231. Email: sunburst@bmh-bj.org

What does it mean to be pro-Israel in America Today?

J Street Colorado presents a panel discussion, “What Does It Mean to Be Pro-Israel in America Today?” Wednesday, May 16, 7 p.m., Hebrew Educational Alliance; 3600 S. Ivanhoe St., Denver CO 80237.

JCC Youth Programs

Lag B’Omer Bike Ride @ Ranch Camp

Sunday, May 6, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Grades 7-9, Cost: $20

Contact Noam Dahary at ndahary@jccdenver.org with questions or to register for the program.

2012 JCC Camps Registration Open

JCC is starting a Sunday soccer league!

JCC Intergenerational Family Israel Trip

HEA Youth Programs

Hebrew for Travelers

Session 1 – Greetings and Courtesies
Session 2 – Introduction to Basic Grammar: letters, vowels, nouns, adjectives, verb conjugation
Session 3 – Food and Directions: time to eat and how do I get to that restaurant?
Session 4 – How Much Does it Cost?: shopping in Hebrew
Session 5 – It’s All About You: I want, I need, I love, I have, plus question words.
Session 6 – The Most-Used Words and Phrases by Travelers

Note: No previous knowledge is required, although an ability to read Hebrew letters will be helpful. Register online at www.caje-co.org/melton or contact: spgerson@caje-co.org

Seedlings for Peace

Bnei Akiva Update

Sunday May 20th: Yom Yerushalayim Israeli Dinner and Bnei Akiva “Chidon” (Israel Trivia Contest) followed by Shira Bitzibur – a group sing-a-long!! 5:30pm EDOS (tentative)!

Saturday Night May 26th: Teen Tikun Layl Shavuot Program 11:00pm Place and program details TBA!

Weekend of May 31-June3rd: National Bnei Akiva Shabbaton and Israel Day Parade in New York City!

Sunday June 10th- Annual Bnei Akiva White Water Rafting Trip down Clear Creek Canyon!!

Questions? Call or contact any of your Bnei Akiva Madrichim! Roshei Snif: Elyana Feldman, 720-323-2688, Miriam Clayman, 303-862-0233, Eli Tessler, 303-681-1594, or Steve Feldman, 720-394-3020

Denver JDS Glee Club Performs at Boettcher Hall in Holocaust Remembrance Program

sjacobs — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:12:43 +0000

Shofar – April 19, 2012

dmartin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:10:25 +0000

Head of School/CEO
Support Your School
Admission – Grow Your School
Lower Division News
Upper Division News
Learning Resource Center
Parent Teacher Organization Update
Lunch Menu
Student Council
Community News

Calendar of Upcoming Events

April 20 – Kabbalat Shabbat for K-5, Strear Family Gymnasium, 2:15 pm
April 22 – Campus Clean Up Volunteer Morning, 9:00 am-noon
April 25 – Late Start For Professional Development
April 27-29 – Spring Shabbaton – Upper Division
May 2 – Hebrew Information Night (Lower Division), 7:00-8:30 pm
May 3 – Kindergarten Parent Breakfast

Athletics Calendar

Head of School/CEO

Anita Stieglitz

Our community was deeply saddened by the loss of our teacher and colleague Anita Stieglitz. Anita passed away just before Pesach after a long and difficult battle with lung disease. Anita taught and performed music in prior years with the Lower Division in addition to teaching Israeli politics, Jewish culture and Jewish History in the Upper Division. She challenged her students with tough questions and her penetrating intellect, while being a tremendously warm and caring person as well. She truly impacted the life of every person that came to know her.

On Wednesday, April 18, the Upper Division held a service commemorating her life and teaching. Students and faculty shared memories and stories, and psalms and prayers were said in her honor. May her memory be for a blessing, and may her friends and family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Volunteer Morning

We are having our second campus clean up volunteer morning this Sunday, April 22nd from 9:00am – noon. Children 10 and over are welcome to help out as well. A light breakfast will be served and then we will get to work outside making the school grounds look great. If you have them, we encourage you to bring rakes, shovels, gloves, brooms and anything else that will useful while working on the grounds. There is plenty to be done so I hope to see you here on Sunday.

The Aitz Chaim Project – Communities Take Roots

Denver JDS is involved in what we are calling the Aitz Chaim project, a competition called Communities Take Roots through which Denver JDS could win an apple orchard for the school. The competition began April 16th and will be spread across 4 rounds, each lasting about a month, with the 4 or 5 organizations with the most cumulative votes at the end of each round winning an orchard (final round ends August 31st). Currently, we are in the top 10 in votes overall, so we have a pretty good shot to win if we keep the momentum going. The intent is to share the produce from the orchard with Jewish welfare organizations. Please vote today and every day, and ask your friends to do the same. Visit www.communitiestakeroot.com/plant/index and select Denver Jewish Day School from the state tab. One vote per email address per day is allowed, and the winning communities are selected by receiving the most votes. Want to support our school, but not sure you’ll remember to vote everyday? Sign up at appleorchard@denverjds.org to receive regular reminders (and as soon as the contest ends, so will the emails from us). Click here to view the poster.

Summer Blast at DenverJDS

Shabbat Shalom,
Avi Halzel

Follow us on Facebook. School updates are published on our Fan Page

Support Your School

Push to finish off the school year

If you haven’t contributed to the annual appeal campaign last started last fall with the Apple Walk & Kidz Karnival, please consider doing so before the end of the school year. These dollars help pay teacher salaries and provide classroom materials. You can go online and click on the “Donate Now” button in the black bar on the home page or send a check made payable to the school with Annual Appeal written in the memo line. Thank you.

2012-13 All-School Directory

If you want to place an ad in the directory given to every family in the fall, now is the time to let Sheryl Feiler (sfeiler@denverjds.org or 720-449-9549) know that you want to place an ad — great way to advertise your business to all our families.

Live On III and Denver JDS Legacy Society

Rose Community Foundation and Denver JDS have partnered to bring in new Legacy Society donors and get more cash for the school. Please contact Krista Boscoe, 720-449-9552, kboscoe@denverjds.orgfor more information about helping get incentive grant dollars for our school.

King Soopers Gift Cards

King Soopers gift card usage continues to bring in nearly $1,000 monthly for the school. Thank you for using your card to load new dollars onto every month. If you need another King Soopers gift card for yourself or want to get one for your spouse, grandparents, your students who drive (for gas $$) then call Krista at 720-449-9552 or email her for a card to be mailed to you or put in a student’s backpack – kboscoe@denverjds.org.

Contact Krista Boscoe at 720-449-9552 or kboscoe@denverjds.org with any questions or ideas to share. Thank you.

Admission – Grow Your School

Calling all Hebrew Speakers!

Denver Jewish Day School is pleased to partner with several Jewish philanthropic foundations across the country to bring free Hebrew books to Israeli-American families. This program is called Sifriyat Pijama b’America (PJ Library in America), and we were invited to be one of 30 Jewish day schools across the country to participate. Free Hebrew books are available to Hebrew speaking households with children aged 3 to 5. We will host two “sign up” events on our campus on the following dates:

Monday, May 21 from 4-5:30 pm
Wednesday, June 6 from 4-5:30 pm

Thanks to Ayelet Shumel (Barak-K) for helping to facilitate these events!

If you are interested in helping to meet and greet families who attend or know families who should be invited, please contact Shayna Friedman at 720-449-9550 or sfriedman@denverjds.org. We can fill as many as 50 subscriptions.

We will also host events for families who “subscribe” throughout the school year as well. This is a great way for even more families in Denver to get to know our school!

Lower Division News

Dear Lower Division Families,

I hope you had a restful break. We are so excited to be back at school with a host of Spring Time activities headed our way. Especially of note this coming week are the Glee club performance on Monday night at the Governor’s Holocaust program. Our students will be performing at Boettcher concert hall. Please contact Rufina Feld (rfeld@denverjd.org) for free tickets if you want to attend.

Additionally, be sure to ask your students about the following upcoming events:

April 25th: Memorial Day for Fallen Israeli Soldiers. Students should wear black and white.
April 26th: Israel Independence Day. Students should wear blue and white.
May 2nd: Hebrew Curriculum Night 7 -8:30
May 10th: Field Day and Lag BíOmer and Art Expo 11:30 dismissal — VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
May 14th – May 25th: MAPS Testing Window
May 16th – 18th: Avid 4 Adventure:

May 16th: 4th and 5th Grade
May 17th: 1st and 2nd Grade
May 18th: K and 3rd Grade

Exciting new Development!

Denver Jewish Day School will partner with the JCC to provide after-school care services for the 2012-2013 school year. This exciting program allows our students to take part in the many activities that the JCC offers during after-school care and vacation breaks. In addition, the JCC provides transportation from DJDS to the JCC daily. Families are required to pick their children up at the JCC.

A free preview day is available for any families interested in trying out the JCC program on May 1st after school. Please contact Brigitte to get on the list of interested participants by Friday April 27th. You can also explore the following link about programming and pricing for the after-school care program. http://www.jccdenver.org/k-6th-grade/club-j-after-school-program/

Dress Code

With the warmer weather comes a change in our clothing needs, so we ask that you please review our dress code guidelines and help us by reminding students to dress appropriately.

Proper dress plays a part in the dignity and atmosphere of a school. Appropriate attire helps create an environment conducive to learning. Students are expected to show respect for themselves and others through their appearance. Parents and visitors are
also expected to comply with the dress code while on school premises.

The guidelines are:

All clothing should be neat, clean, and in good repair. White t-shirts which are designed as underwear are not acceptable. Cut-offs and clothing with holes or other tears are not permitted. Shorts and skirts must be mid-thigh or longer. Shirts and blouses that can be tucked in should be tucked in during the school day.
All clothing and footwear should be consistent with maintaining the wearer’s health and safety. Students must wear athletic shoes for physical education classes and sports. Shoes are to be worn at all times.
Printing on clothing and shoes must be in good taste and appropriate for school. No vulgar language or references to drugs or alcohol are acceptable.
Hats and sunglasses may not be worn indoors at any time.
Tattoos or writing on body parts is not permitted. This includes body decorations, glitter and face painting, and hair coloring (except for holiday related events).
Excessive jewelry is not acceptable.

Please use this link to view all the guidelines.

Have a great week,
B’Shalom

Susan

Liberated Parents, Liberated Children – Your Guide To A Happier Family

Upper Division News

Some Important Upcoming Dates

April 20^th – Last day for Seniors
April 23 – 6^th and 8^th grade registration forms are due Monday
April 27-29 – 7-12 Spring Shabbaton at Glacier View Ranch
April 23-May 18 – Senior Internship/Development Program
May 2-4 – 6^th Grade trip to Granby, CO
May 8-11 – 8^th Grade Trip to Durango
May 10-11 – 7^th Grade Trip
May 14, 6:30 pm – Athletics and Activities Banquet
May 21 and 22 – Graduation Rehearsal
May 23, 7:00 pm – Graduation at the Elaine Wolf Theater at the JCC (Seniors should be there at 6:15)
June 5-7 – Finals
June 7 – Elitches

Announcing the Finalists for the Bryan M. Hay Chesed Club Award

Denver Jewish Day School is pleased to announce the finalists for the annual Bryan M. Hay Community Service (Chesed) Award. An anonymous donor has established a college scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to be awarded annually to an 11^th grade Denver JDS student.

Any Denver JDS 11^th grader who has promoted and undertaken various acts of loving kindness (chesed) in school and in the broader community will be eligible for the $1,000 cash award, with 10 percent of the award directed to the student’s charity of choice. Chesed activities that will be considered for this award can be in school, outside of school, part of an organized group or as individuals – anywhere and any way that they are meaningful to the student and the greater community.

We are proud to announce the finalists this year. Congratulations to Lior Schinagel, Zoe Kaminsky and Juliadele Male for this achievement.

Chesed Award History:

May 2010 – Talia Halfon, Class of 2011
May 2011- Asher Kaye, Class 0f 2012

Special Thanks!

To Perry and Della Jultak for running the front of the gym this volleyball and basketball seasons. Their dedication to the program is integral to its ongoing success.

Washington Trip a Success

Eleventh grade students returned from their trip to Washington D.C. where they participated in BBYO’s Panim seminar. Over 130 students from Barrack Hebrew Academy in Philadelphia, BJE Buffalo, Kol Ami in Utah, Jacksonville Jewish Center in Florida, Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, Kulanu School of Jewish Studies in New Jersey, Temple Beth El of Florida and Temple Sinai in California attended this year’s seminar. Not only did our students make new friends, they also learned about contemporary policy issues and how Jewish values might inform action on those issues. The class learned how to become “agents of positive change” in our community, our country and the world. Students learned firsthand of the homeless issues in Washington DC by participating in “Street Torah.” Street Torah is a program where students go to the streets of D.C. and interact with the homeless. Students also met with Representatives Dianna DeGette, Ed Perlmutter and Mike Coffman. As a protest against Health Care Reform was going on in front of the Supreme Court, our students had the opportunity to listen to both sides of this heated debate. As always the class enjoyed a meal at the Royal Dragon restaurant before returning home.

Spring Sports and Athletic and Activities Banquet

Make sure not to miss out on any of the upcoming soccer and baseball games coming up in the next few weeks.

Save the date: May 14^th at 6:30p.m. for Athletics and Activities Banquet. This event will be held in the Strear Family Gymnasium. Click here to register.

Moot Beit Din

Senior Abbie Bender and Freshmen Shira Cohen, Vivi Dollin, and Sarah Senkfor traveled with Mr. Levy to Ft. Lauderdale for this year’s Moot Beit Din competition. After three days of meeting Jewish students from all over North America, community service, Torah study, prayer and song sessions, they thoughtfully and effectively presented their ruling that indeed, Jewish teachers may join a union and go on strike for higher wages. Though they did not win this year, the had a great experience both socially and educationally, and even had some time to go to the beach and enjoy some authentic shawarma before returning to Denver.

Murder at DJDS—Crime Scene with Mr. Graesser

For the third year in a row, the senior forensic science class has embarked upon its final Crime Scene Investigation (CSI: DJDS). In the atrium of the Upper Division building the students encountered a perplexing scene: while there was no body, it was clear from the evidence that a murder had taken place. With spectators looking on, they spent the next several days combing the scene for evidence ranging from blood (both spatter and typing), to glass, to hair and fibers, and everything in between. Throughout the year, the seniors have combined their knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, and the scientific process with the techniques of criminal investigation to learn how the evolving field of criminalistics (applying science to the legal arena) works. Applying all of that knowledge is a daunting real-world task that the seniors have spent their high school careers preparing for. They will now spend their remaining weeks analyzing the evidence they have obtained. First, the students must examine the crime scene data in order to reconstruct the events leading up to and including the murder. Based on that information, they will then need to obtain suspect evidence based on warrant requests made to the “police.” Once they have that new information, it will be possible to compare the evidence from the crime scene with that of the suspects in order to exonerate some suspects and determine the most likely perpetrator. As their final weeks of school draw to a close, the seniors are in a race against time to discover the perpetrator and uncover the motives behind a foul murder.

Hazon California Ride with the Denver JDS Team

Join the Denver JDS Hazon Club and Rabbi Goodman in the Hazon California Ride—a three-day Shabbaton and bike ride to benefit Judaism and the environment. Can’t join us? Support the team with a donation! Go to http://www.hazon.org/programs/california-ride/participant-list/ and click on a ‘Team Colorado’ rider to support a Denver JDS team member.

Upper Division Community Service

Community service requirement for high school, 18 hours of service with 4 hours out of school. Please turn in forms to Josh Lake by May 4. Forms are available in the office.

Learning Resource Center

For information about the Learning Resource Center, please use the following link to the LRC webpage: www.denverjds.org/learning-resource-center/

Parent Teacher Organization Update

School Logo Clothing Sale

Need larger sizes for next school year? Take advantage of 30% savings and free shipping from Lands’ End April 20th – 23rd. Go to www.landsend.com and click on School Uniforms; then select our school at the bottom left of the page. The PTO receives a small percentage of all sales made with our school number 900125543. And if you purchase through the Box Tops for Education Marketplace, we’ll earn 4 eboxtops for each $10 spent. To do this, begin by signing in at http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/marketplace/SearchResults.aspx?criteria=lands+end. Woo hoo!

Get Ready for Camp

Name labels are available for purchase at www.denverjds.mabel.ca. If you order through this link, the PTO will receive a small percentage of sales.

Laura Mahoney Photography begins April 30th!

Candid outdoor photos of your Lower School Division children will be taken by this professional photographer unless they are on the “do not photograph” list. Plan to have your kids dressed appropriately all week as the schedule will be done on an “as possible” basis. No purchases are required. Photos will be visible online and any purchases made benefit the PTO. Laura is the photographer for the JCC Preschool and for The Logan School. Many of our parents are excited about this project. Sibling groups and Upper Division students will be scheduled during before or after school times. Please contact rubin_j@comcast.net if you are able to volunteer to help bring kids out to be photographed any day that week.

Picnic anyone?

You will soon see new picnic tables near the Baseball field, the courtyard of the Lower Division, the Upper Division, and outside of the After Care room. The PTO purchased these tables for the school using funds raised this year.

It’s not too late to give a donation in recognition of our Faculty and Staff

Avid4 Adventure is coming!

This outdoor adventure company will be bringing the Lower Division a climbing tower, a kayak basin, mountain bikes and terrain, and other non-competitive outdoor activities. Grades 1 – 5 will be involved in these activities for the full day on which they are scheduled. Kindergarten will be split into two groups, each participating for a half day. The schedule is as follows:

May 16 – grades 4 and 5 (note late start, will not conflict with 4th grade sleepover)

May 17 – grades 1 and 2

May 18 – grades K and 3 (note Kabbalat Shabbat at 2:15)

Parents will be requested to go to a website to sign permission slips and pay their balance of $15 per student. This is less that what parents were required to pay in 2010 as the PTO is able to cover more of the costs this year due to our fundraising. Additional information will be provided and sign-ups will begin after the Passover Break.

Save the date for the May 10th Art Extravaganza

Thursday, May 10, 11:30-2:00, after field day. Parental supervision required

Events to include student art displays (K-8) as well as art, presentations and hands-on activates from community members. There will be a wide variety of vendors so bring your change. Bring your own picnic and enjoy music and other art displays.

We are still looking for parent and student artists to participate as vendors and parent volunteers to supervise in shifts. Contact Tracey Douglas: tkdouglas@comcast.net

Each week we will highlight some of the vendors who will participate in the Art Extravaganza. Here is this week’s sampling:

Flo’s Fab Jewelry & Hula Hoops - Flo Crouter

Handmade hula hoops in all sizes & weights for kids & adults. Custom designed jewelry & gifts made with love in Colorado, USA.

Chick-A-Dee Studio - Jennifer Chick-Gray
www.etsy.com/shop/chickknits

Creative headbands, aprons and napkins

Ariesrising – Barb McKinstry
www.AriesRising.etsy.com

A collection of mezuzah holders, jewelry, body adornments, fine china and vases. The jewelry is made from gold and silver wire and re-purposed gold and semi-precious stones.

Art Garage
www.artgaragedenver.com

Art Garage provides full service, visual art instruction in an open studio with great natural light in the Park Hill neighborhood.

Lunch Menu

Check back for new menus.

Student Council

Check back for Student Council updates.

Community News

Colorado Celebrates our Israel

Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado and Robert E Loup Jewish Community Center present Colorado Celebrates of Israel: Yom Ha’Zikaron, Tuesday, April 24, 7:00-8:30 pm and Yom Ha’Atzmant, Thursday, April 26, 5:00-8:00 pm. Please click here for all the details and click here to watch many of our students in a video promoting Yom Ha’Atzmant.

SUNBURST YOM HA’ATZMAUT SHABBAT EXPERIENCE

JCC Youth Programs

Passport to Israel Overnight

Saturday, April 21, 7 p.m. – Sunday, April 22, 9 a.m. Grades 5-7, cost: $36

The flight to Israel leaves at 7 p.m… don’t be late! Join us for an evening of Israeli adventure, meet the people of Israel and see the sites. Also get a glimpse at what makes the Negev so special on our rock climbing outing.

Camp Shai DISCOUNTS

Camp Friends are the Best Friends! Refer a friend to Camp Shai, and get $50 off your child’s Camp Shai tuition. Tell your friend to e-mail campcentral@jccdenver.org once they register online to let us know who referred them to Camp Shai. We will apply the discount to your family’s camp account. *Limit to two Camp Shai referrals only. Offer expires on Friday, April 20. For questions, contact 303.316.6307.

2012 JCC Camps Registration Open

JCC is starting a Sunday soccer league!

JCC Intergenerational Family Israel Trip

HEA Youth Programs

Hebrew for Travelers

Session 1 – Greetings and Courtesies
Session 2 – Introduction to Basic Grammar: letters, vowels, nouns, adjectives, verb conjugation
Session 3 – Food and Directions: time to eat and how do I get to that restaurant?
Session 4 – How Much Does it Cost?: shopping in Hebrew
Session 5 – It’s All About You: I want, I need, I love, I have, plus question words.
Session 6 – The Most-Used Words and Phrases by Travelers

Note: No previous knowledge is required, although an ability to read Hebrew letters will be helpful. Register online at www.caje-co.org/melton or contact: spgerson@caje-co.org

College Judaism Tour

Friday April 20-Sunday April 22, Boulder and Fort Collins: Join us for a weekend getaway to explore how to stay connected to Judaism in College! Even if you aren’t planning on attending CU or CSU, you will be sure to leave the weekend with some great ideas and organizations to look into for your future university. We will spend the weekend at Chabad, Hillel, Kosher Kitchen, Jewish Studies Classes, Jewish Fraternities and Sororities and MUCH more! Cost will be minimal but largely dependent on how many participants we will have. This trip is open to all Jewish Juniors and Seniors in High School. Scholarships are always available for Youth Programs, please inquire. Please click here to contact Kolby Morris to RSVP.

Mitzvah Mania

Sunday, April 22, 2012. Don’t miss Colorado’s best Bar/Bat Mitzvah showcase, MITZVAH MANIA, at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center!Mitzvah Mania offers families a FREE one-stop-shop, full of Colorado’s newest, hottest, and best Bar and Bat Mitzvah companies. You will have the ability to view hundreds of products and talk with 45+ companies and non-profits that service Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Event planners, entertainers, caterers, venues, photographers and videographers, as well as amusement, décor, invitation, and rental and production companies are all available under one roof. Mitzvah Mania will provide you with an incredible amount of knowledge and information no other showcase can provide.If you’re planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in the next few years, you do not want to miss this annual event. Interactive games, DJs, performances, and other activities will be provided for kids. Mitzvah Mania is a family event, so bring the WHOLE family!Pre-Register Today! http://mitzvahmania.info/guest-registration/. View Participating Vendors http://mitzvahmania.info/vendors/

The 2nd Annual Art Mart presented by Temple Emanuel Sisterhood

Sunday, April 22, 10:00 – 2:00 p.m: Join us for Art Mart presented by Temple Emanuel Sisterhood, featuring the Art Mart Café serving light lunch and sweets, music, and over 30 artists showing Judaic and secular works of art; Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape Street, Denver. With selections for every taste and budget, the Art Mart features pottery, paintings, drawings, glass, jewelry, and textiles.For information about the Art Mart or to inquire about becoming an Art Mart artist, contact Carol Ann Warren, 303-907-4118 or carol-warren@comcast.net

2012 Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Program

April 23, 2012, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Beottcher Concert Hall, Denver, ColoradoThe Mountain States office of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) will host its 31st Annual Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Program on Monday, April 23, 2012 from 6-7:30 PM.The free community program will feature Holocaust survivor Ela Weissberger, who played the Cat in all 55 performances of Brundibar, a children’s opera performed in the Terezin concentration camp.

CBS4′s Jim Benemann will conduct an on-stage conversation with Ms. Weissberger. Students at the Denver Jewish Day School Glee Club with Ms. Feld on piano will join Ms. Weissberger to perform a song from the opera following her remarks.The program will begin with a candle-lighting ceremony memorializing Holocaust victims and honoring Holocaust survivors, and will feature a special ‘Message to Colorado’ from the Governor.We thank the Feiner Family Foundation, the Curtiss-Lusher Family, and Multimedia Audio Visual, Inc., for their support of this event.For more information and to RSVP that you will attend, email Rufina Feld at rfeld@denverjds.org by April 17th, Tuesday, with your name and email, and number attending to be added to the RSVP list. You need an invitation to attend and your name on their list at the door. Rufina will get you the invitation once you email her.

Seedlings for Peace

Bnei Akiva Updat

Tuesday night April 24th: Yom Hazikaron Program at the JCC 7pm.

Wednesday Night April 25th: Yom Haatzmaut Program for 8th grade and above: Bnei Akiva Meeting ( especially for 8th graders interested in becoming Madrichim next year!) followed by a kumzitz, games, food, and fun!! 7pm at he Hechts Home (161 S. Glencoe)!

Thursday Night April 26th: JCC Yom Haatzmaut Program 5-7pm!

Sunday May 20th: Yom Yerushalayim Israeli Dinner and Bnei Akiva “Chidon” (Israel Trivia Contest) followed by Shira Bitzibur – a group sing-a-long!! 5:30pm EDOS (tentative)!

Saturday Night May 26th: Teen Tikun Layl Shavuot Program 11:00pm Place and program details TBA!

Weekend of May 31-June3rd: National Bnei Akiva Shabbaton and Israel Day Parade in New York City!

Sunday June 10th- Annual Bnei Akiva White Water Rafting Trip down Clear Creek Canyon!!

Questions? Call or contact any of your Bnei Akiva Madrichim! Roshei Snif: Elyana Feldman, 720-323-2688, Miriam Clayman, 303-862-0233, Eli Tessler, 303-681-1594, or Steve Feldman, 720-394-3020

Daily! – Vote for Denver JDS to win an apple orchard (click here)

sjacobs — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:50:24 +0000

Aitz Chaim Project Could Bring Apple Orchard to Denver JDS

sjacobs — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:17:51 +0000

Help bring an apple orchard to Denver JDS

Trees, particularly fruit trees, have always held a prominent place in Jewish tradition and education. From the holiday of Tu B’Shevat – to the tradition of planting trees in celebration, honor or memory of a loved one – to referring to our Bible as “The Tree of Life,” as Jews we know that trees provide sustenance both today and for generations to come.

As early as this fall, trees could have a powerful, hands-on impact on Denver Jewish Day School students – and the greater Jewish community. The school is participating in the Communities Take Root contest sponsored by Dreyer’s fruit bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. Winning communities – selected as such by accruing the highest number of online votes – will be awarded with an orchard of 25 trees, carefully selected by an arborist familiar with our climate, soil and sun exposure. If they get enough votes Denver JDS would receive 25 dwarf apple trees to plant alongside the school’s community garden, located in the old retention pond land on the south side of their campus.

Having an apple orchard on the campus at Denver JDS is an opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment and support Jewish education through nature. It will also give students the chance to learn firsthand about the stewardship of trees, pick and enjoy the fruits from the trees, and donate any surplus of apples grown to the Jewish Food Pantry or other local Jewish organizations that could benefit from the fruit.

The Communities Take Root contest begins April 16 and runs through August 31, and a total of 17 communities will be selected to receive the tree orchards. Winners will be determined by the number of votes collected per community, and one vote per email address per day is allowed. Sign up for regular reminders to vote at appleorchard@denverjds.org. Find the link to vote for DenverJDS at www.DenverJDS.org or Facebook.com/DenverJDS.

Denver JDS is the only community K-12 Jewish day school in the Rocky Mountain region. The school’s mission is to educate Jewish students through an integrated secular and Jewish studies program to thrive in college and beyond, and act ethically and powerfully in the world.

African Newcomers Get Help Adjusting to American Life – Chronicle of Philanthropy, Face of Philanthropy, April 1, 2012

dmartin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:33:56 +0000

This article is featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Face of Philanthropy, April 1, 2012. For more information visit http://philanthropy.com/section/Home/172

Photograph by Chris Takagi

A member of the Rose Youth Foundation visits an English-language class run by the Colorado African Organization.

By Nicole Lewis

In a Denver classroom, eager students learn the alphabet, colors, opposites, and numbers with help from cheerful posters on the wall. But the students are not young children enrolled in a typical school. Rather, the men and women come from Africa, and the classroom is part of the Colorado African Organization, a group that seeks to help Africans learn the skills they need to succeed in America while creating camaraderie among refugees and immigrants.

Success means getting a job that matches one’s abilities and living in a safe home, says Kit Taintor, the group’s executive director: “We are interested in that next step, as opposed to self-sufficiency.”

The Colorado African Organization was started in 2003 after a group of local African professionals met to discuss how they could make the transition to America easier for the next wave of Africans settling in Denver. (The group also works in a few other places in the state.)

Among the hardships for newcomers, many of whom have fled famine, war, or both and lived for years in perilous refugee camps: learning a new language, helping their children adapt to school, and finding a well-paying job. The assistance that the group provides goes beyond English, computer, and civics classes. African caseworkers help individuals and families navigate unfamiliar health, transportation, and housing systems. The group also organizes discussions led by Africans covering topics such as HIV testing and how to get actively involved in the education of children in the family.

The benefit is twofold, says Ms. Taintor: Africans receive valuable information in a manner comfortable to them, and the group leaders, who receive a small stipend from the Colorado African Organization, gain self respect, confidence, and often job skills by acting as leaders among their peers.

Ms. Taintor says the group, which helped about 4,000 people last year, faces many challenges, including serving a diverse population of people from 55 countries who speak 800 ethnic languages. Also, Africans account for less than 1 percent of Colorado’s population, making it difficult to gain attention and support, she says.

Nearly all of the group’s $550,000 budget comes from government grants. She would like to attract more assistance from organizations like the Rose Youth Foundation, which awarded the Colorado African Organization $15,500 in the past two years. Part of the Rose Community Foundation, Rose Youth trains Jewish teenagers how to give away money locally. While the money helped, the education the young grant makers received was even more valuable, says Ms. Taintor.

”There are international populations locally that really need support in the same way people abroad need support,” she says. “It’s great to see these kids realize this, and that their dollars can have a great impact in their home communities.”

2012-2013 School Directory Ad Orders

sjacobs — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:32:50 +0000