aaeds/blog

Leadership Blog: Start with the Heart - The Annual Fund Launch

Dear Parents:

Today, we mailed out materials inviting you to participate in the 2018-19 Day School Annual Fund. This is a big milestone for our community, as it is the first formal Annual Fund campaign that the Day School has had in many years. This signifies so much for our School and where it stands today. While you might be inclined to think that this fundraising initiative is a sign that we are in financial trouble, an Annual Fund �" at any school �" actually represents the exact opposite. Here are some key points about what our Annual Fund means for us and why you should participate:

1. Because we are growing and building on an already stable foundation, we have more confidence in asking for gifts of this kind.

2. Participation matters �" at whatever level is meaningful to you. No gift amount is too small (or too big), but the amount of families who give means EVERYTHING.

3. Our Day School Governing Board and Faculty have already made gifts, and their participation in just a short time is remarkable and much appreciated.

4. Annual Fund dollars raised help bridge the gap between the cost of tuition and the many programs, facility upgrades, and “extras” from which your children benefit.

5. Giving helps us fulfill our mission by upholding one of our key tenets �" gemilut hasadim �" acts of loving kindness.

Our goal is 100% participation in 100 days. Day 1 starts on Monday and will continue through the end of the calendar year, among other reasons, so that we can all benefit from the tax write-offs associated with gifts of this nature. We are counting on your support, your show of strength, your gifts that “start with the heart”.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss the Annual Fund in greater depth, feel free to contact me at any time.

Shabbat Shalom,

Shara

Inside The Classroom

Click below to view the classroom pages:

TK

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

6th Grade

In the Community

Register for our 3rd Annual Day School Family Shabbaton

We are excited to open registration for our 3rd Annual Day School Family Shabbaton at Camp Ramah - - Friday, November 2, 4:00 PM until Sunday, November 4 at 11:00 AM in Ojai. Last year was so much fun, and we are excited to build on our experience with all of our new and returning families. You can find the link to the registration page here.

Some highlights of our time together will include challah braiding, student-led Kabbalat Shabbat, creative Shabbat morning service with student Torah readers, an incredible ropes course experience (unless it rains, in which case we will have something else fun), hikes, yoga, Havdalah, campfire, FUN parent socials, and time to be together and build community.

We will have a Gan (nursery) for ECC age kids (2 and older), programming for TK & K, and programming for 1st-6th graders.  Depending on how many 7th grade and older kids we have, we will determine the best fit for them in this experience - either jr. counselors, or teen programming.  Please be advised that the Gan will be open at various times throughout the weekend (about 6 hours total) so that families will spend most of the weekend together.  Children in 2nd grade and older are encouraged to sleep in the bunks with counselors.  There will be evening Shmira (babysitting) in the lobby of buildings with kids sleeping in adult rooms. Adults have private rooms with bathrooms - motel style. Fee includes lodging, meals, and all activities.

Please note ways to get involved on the registration form-- we would love your help!

We are grateful to have generous sponsors again this year such that we can offer a discount of $250 per family to the first 30 families who register. A non-refundable deposit of $200 is due by Friday, October 5th in the office in order to confirm your reservation. The balance is due on Monday, October 22.  Please see registration form for full pricing information.

For more information or to register please visit the registration page.

Save-the-Dates

The entire Los Angeles community is invited to join Stephen Wise Temple and Wise School as they welcome guest speaker 
New York Times columnist Ron Lieber
​The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded and Generous
Tuesday, October 16 at 7 p.m.
Do you shy away from the topic of money when talking to your kids? Do you find yourself stumped about some of the questions they ask? Ron Lieber
discusses how, when, and why to talk to kids about money, whether they are three years old or teenagers. He offers a practical and values-based philosophy articulating the best ways to handle the basics: the tooth fairy, allowance, chores, charity, saving, birthdays, holidays, and cell phones. He will help us identify a set of traits and virtues that embody “the opposite of spoiled” and how approaching the topic of money can help parents impart lessons reflecting the family's values.

Click here to register

Ron Lieber's The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money, was an instant New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller in 2015. He has been the “Your Money” columnist for the Times since 2008.

Tour de Summer Camp:

Did you go to Jewish summer camp? Did your time there shape who you are today? Join us to support sending thousands of kids to Jewish summer camp. Ride, spin or cheer with Shara and Team Adat Ari El for the Tour de Summer Camps. Register now for a day of "cycling, activities and laughter."

Click here to sign up: www.tourdesummercamps.org

Around Campus

Library Birthday Book

We would like to invite you to participate in an exciting opportunity to contribute to our library and honor your child's birthday by purchasing a Library Birthday Book. This program will raise money for the library and excite kids about reading. 

If you would like to participate, send $18 (Chai) on your child's birthday, and your may child come to the library and choose a new book that's designated for this program. 

For $18 donation, the student gets a sticker with their name, occasion, and adult's name placed in the book.  You then get to take the book home for a week to read and enjoy. Then, bring the book back to the library to be added to the library's circulation!

We hope you'll keep ADAT's library in mind during this year's child's birthday and help the library grow. Please see the image of the dedication sticker below.

Adult Art Class with Mimi Klabon

Two 4-class sessions

Session 1:   October 10, 17, 24, November 14

Session 2:   November 28, December 5, 12, 19

Wednesdays: 7-8:30 p.m.

Cost: $65 per session

Sign up for one or both sessions.

Supplies are included.

Class size is limited to 8. 

Join artist and ADATeducator, Mimi Klabon, in a series of guided painting experiences inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe.Immerse yourself in the creative process designed for all skill levels.

Send an email to Sari Goodman, Director of Parent Education at sgoodman@aaeds.org to reserve your spot.

Havdalah Highlights

We start each week gathered together as a school for a Havdalah ceremony, during which we highlight students who we have noticed acting in ways that carry out our mission. Because we are so proud of our students, we wanted to share their stories with you!

William S. in TK volunteered to help put the blocks away in the construction area, even though he had been working in another area.

Noah W. in TK Noah helped tidy up the boys' bathroom even though the mess wasn't his.

In Kindergarten, some art supplies spilled on the floor and Levi B. picked everything up and I didn't even ask! So proud of him! 

Cate W. in fourth grade has been patient and kind to her fellow math students. She always takes the time to help her friends.

Idan M. assisted a friend after the friend hurt himself in PE. Idan M. often looks after his peers and friends and shows concern and offers aid when people need it.

From the Synagogue

We join together in the Labowe Outdoor Chapel for a special service that will include blessing our Adat Ari El pets. All well-behaved doggies on leash are welcome. Led by Rabbi Jessica Yarkin.

Date and Time: Friday, October 12, 2018 - 6:00pm to 7:15pm

Calendar

Mark your calendars for these important dates:

• October 9: PA Meeting 8:15am or 7:30pm
• October 17: Coffee, Kibbitz & Connect - 8:15am
• October 22: Race to Nowhere - Film Screening 7:00pm
• October 23: Parent Education - w/ Lori Getz 8:30am
• October 29: Challah Bake

*click here to view the full calendar

Jewish Trivia question of the week

Each week, we'll pose a Jewish Trivia question of the week and will reveal the answer in the following week's newsletter! Here's this week's question: How many megillot (scrolls) are in the Bible?

a. 35

b. 2

c. 10

d. 5

ANSWER from last week's question: On Simchat Torah what is the minimum age you must be in order to receive an Aliyah?​

d. Old enough to walk up to the Bimah