The Great Outdoors

A sampling of Aleph Bet students will show that one of the best days of the school year arrives like the flowers each spring: Lag B'Omer. Israeli Field Day at Aleph Bet is not to be missed. It's a day full of archery and lacrosse, tests of strength and teamwork. And, of course, there's the joy of being outside in the warmth of a Maryland spring day.

As an added adventure this spring, our fourth and fifth graders spent four days at TEVA camp. They returned home full of stories about sunset hikes, wild edibles, stream wading, 7:30 a.m. t'filah services, paper-making, chickens and goats, and so much more. For several of the students, it was a first time away from home, and for all it was an opportunity to bond with each other and also be part of a much larger group of Jewish children. The outdoor adventures, led by charismatic young Jewish adults, provided a way for our kids to see Jewish values--with a focus on the environment--in action. 

Who's Who Among Aleph Bet Graduates

Another Aleph Bet graduate, Lexi Suberi, was recently named Teen of the Week by the Capital newspaper. Lexi distinguished herself with impressive academic credentials, including a daunting schedule of eight advanced placement courses. Despite the challenge, Lexi was ranked first in her class of 446 seniors at South River High School. Her post-graduation plans include a year abroad teaching in a small Nepali village. Go, Lexi!

Save the Date: 5K Fun Run/Walk

Aleph Bet Jewish Day School

2010 Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk

Sunday, April 18, 8:00 am

Great company, great exercise! Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to meet other Aleph Bet families and join our lively community for a scenic dash through the neighborhood. All are welcome: young and old, runners and walkers. There will be prizes for top adult finishers and ribbons for all participating kids.

For details and registration information, please see the flyer on our website: http://www.alephbet.org/pdf/5k2010.pdf

$1500 Grant Approved!

Great news for the families of soon-to-be Aleph Bet kindergartners--your bottom line just got smaller.

In response to the uncertain financial climate, Aleph Bet Jewish Day School is offering a financial incentive for application to kindergarten. Our Board of Trustees approved a $1500 grant to all incoming kindergartners for the 2010-11 school year.

Remember, you may still apply for additional financial aid.

A Glimpse into the Classroom

Ever wonder what it's like to be a student at Aleph Bet? What do classrooms look like? What do the kids study? Where do they go on field trips? Of course, you can always ask for a tour of the school, which will answer these questions and more.  You can also hop over to classjump.com. This link will take you to the homepage of Aleph Bet's first grade class, led by Jessica Carter. Other class pages are linked by teacher name under the heading Aleph Bet Jewish Day School in a navigational bar on the left side of the first grade page. 

Classjump.com is one of the ways our teachers stay connected with parents and students. Teachers might post assignments, pictures from special events, calendars, or general updates about the class. This website offers you a glimpse into our classrooms, hopefully answering the most important question of all: Why do Aleph Bet students love coming to school?

Who's Who Among Aleph Bet Graduates

Sadie Klam, Aleph Bet Class of 2009

Aleph Bet graduates Sadie Klam and Katerina Jojic (Class of 2008) have been named as two of six finalists at Annapolis Middle School chosen to compete for a Carson Scholar's Fund scholarship. This scholarship recognizes students who strive for academic excellence and demonstrate a strong commitment to their community. Sadie and Katerina were selected based on teacher nomination, high grade point average (3.75 or above), personal essay, and community volunteer work.

Noa Davidson, 17, Aleph Bet Graduate

Noa Davidson, a senior at Annapolis High School and also an Aleph Bet graduate, was named "Teen of the Week" by the Capital newspaper. In an article available on-line at  http://www.hometownannapolis.com/..., Noa's many achievements are cited, including academic ranking in the top ten in her class, class president four years running, varsity soccer and varsity tennis, sports equipment drives, Annapolis Ambassador, and the list goes on...

At Aleph Bet, we encourage children's natural creativity to instill a love of learning and to promote awareness of and caring for the world around them. We are immensely proud of Sadie, Katerina, and Noa--for their brilliant minds, their caring hearts, and their initiative in combining these strengths to take action in their community.

Financial Aid at Aleph Bet

Aleph Bet Jewish Day School's mission is to provide a Jewish education to all those who seek it. We encourage our families to apply for financial assistance online through the FACTS Tuition Management Program. FACTS evaluates the financial information provided in the aid application and advises Aleph Bet regarding each applicant's ability to pay. The Aleph Bet Financial Aid Committee reviews this and any other information you provide in making aid determinations.

To learn more about the FACTS program or to complete the financial aid application, please visit their website www.factsmgt.com. 

Sharing Toasty Treats

January 2010 has dished up some frigid temperatures, but the Aleph Bet community is staying warm:

• Each Thursday this month the PTO is serving hot chocolate to our students after recess. Yummy!
• On January 26, we will host our annual Empty Bowls Soup Night. PTO volunteers provide a delicious dinner of soup, salad, and bread, and our students create and decorate bowls for our guests to take home. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the local Lighthouse Shelter and to Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Especially when the weather is cold, we can appreciate the importance of helping to feed the hungry. 
• In February, the PTO will provide hot lunch for the children on Thursdays. Students love this special break from bag lunches.

Three great ways to warm up and remember the value of giving.

Reminder: Open House Coming Up

Happy Hanukkah!

At Aleph Bet, we like to celebrate Hanukkah by putting on a show for family and friends. This year, as usual, the students delivered a joyous performance, full of laughter, singing, and holiday spirit. Under the guidance of art teacher Christina Palko, the kids created colorful, eye-catching stage decorations, while music teacher Elizabeth Melvin came up with some new and fun songs for the kids to sing (over and over and over on the ride home). Happy Hanukkah!