WEEKLY NEWS FROM KRIEGER SCHECHTER - 11.19.2017
Grade 3 Uses Makerspace to Study Coding, Robots, and the Underground Railroad--All Together!
Third graders are learning to create blocks of code using Dash robots and Blockly, a supporting coding program. After completing various coding challenges designed to teach the students about the functions available in Blockly, students were challenged with a final coding opportunity. Integrating with their social studies unit about the Underground Railroad, this challenge asks students to create code so their robot travels "north to freedom" from a southern plantation, overcoming obstacles and hazards along the way.
"Half Day of Service"--November 22
On Wednesday, November 22, KSDS will again participate in a "Half Day of Service" as a way to give back to our community. The Lower School will engage in activities to support isolated seniors, servicemen and servicewomen overseas, and animals in the care of the SPCA. This year in the Middle School, students will be traveling to and assisting at:


If you are not sure where your child will be traveling to on this day, please email [email protected] . If you know that your child will not be in school on Wednesday, November 22, also let Karen know. Middle School s tudents should not bring books or backpacks to school this day, but may bring a drawstring bag to take on the bus.

Note to parents: on this day all LS and MS students will be dismissed from the Berman Entrance / Rosenbloom Lobby .
Sponsoring 36 Families--Collection Continues Through December 1!
In keeping with our mission to incorporate hesed in our 36th celebration, KSDS is sponsoring 36 families for Hanukkah . In the near future, we will provide more details about the profiles of the families. We are asking families to donate NEW books, toys, or games. Please see the KSDS 36th Anniversary Section below for suggestions for which types of items students in each grade could donate, and also for general gift ideas.
KSDS Open House on November 29 at 7pm--Spread the Word!
If you know any families who are interested in learning more about our amazing school, invite them to come for a comprehensive overview during our Open House on Wednesday, November 29 at 7pm. They can learn about our academic program through a student work showcase, speak with Lower and Middle School teachers, and hear from an alumni panel about how KSDS has shaped their high school success. Encourage them to register to attend HERE .
KSDS 36th Anniversary Celebration
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Sponsoring 36 Families--Collection Continues Through December 1
In keeping with our mission to incorporate hesed in our 36th celebration, KSDS is sponsoring 36 families for Hanukkah . We are so thrilled to be partnering with Jewish organizations in our community-- Jewish Volunteer Connection , Jewish Community Services , and CHANA --to support this effort. In the near future, we will provide more details about the profiles of the families. To begin our campaign, we are asking families to donate NEW books, toys, or games. Please see below for your child’s grade:

  • Kindergarten and Grade 1: Gifts for infants to 6-year-olds.
  • Grades 2 to 4: Gifts for 7- to 10-year-olds
  • Middle School: Gifts for preteens to teens

Gift ideas include:

Children : arts and crafts kits and materials, coloring books, diaries, dolls, LEGO™ bricks or other building toys, board games, sports equipment, hats, gloves, slippers and gift cards
 
Moms : pajamas, slippers, scarves, hats, gloves, costume jewelry and gift cards

We have been asked to be mindful of the size of the toys, as space is often limited in the homes. If you prefer, you can donate gift cards to Target, Walmart or Giant to be used for clothing and household items.

This program will run through December 1. We are hopeful that the Schechter community will support this effort to enhance the celebration of Hanukkah by giving to other families in our community.

“Donate 36 Cents” Project is Continuing
The 36 cents collection jar is still on the counter outside the LS Office. This is a great way to weed out your pocket change or purse and help our family sponsorship project as well!

Menashe Film Showing SOLD OUT
Tickets already purchased through KSDS will be available for pick up at Will Call at the Gordon Center from 2-3pm today just prior to the showing. 

Save the Dates!

KSDS Annual Alumni Reunion Brunch
Please help us spread the word to our alumni! All alumni are invited to join us THIS Friday, November 24 at 11am in the Esterson Lobby for our annual Thanksgiving weekend Alumni Brunch. Enjoy great food while reconnecting with old friends! RSVP to Donna Friedman at [email protected] . Look HERE for the invitation.

 KSDS Alumni Talks
The talks will take place on December 10th from 1:30-4pm. This inspiring event will feature successful alumni who will speak about their experiences, accomplishments and their KSDS education. Everyone is welcome to join us for an afternoon of engagement, networking and celebration of our community. Register to attend HERE .

Please look HERE for a schedule of all of our events. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Stacey Thompson at [email protected] .
Celebrate 36 with the Middle School Reading Challenge
One of the ways our Middle School students are participating in the excitement for KSDS’s 36th anniversary is by taking part in the Celebrate 36 reading initiative. Each class will have the opportunity to use our school library to begin this venture of reading in any of 36 categories (click here for details) . Each student who participates will be able to track the progress of his or her grade and of the Middle School students as a whole in this group effort.
Box Tops for Education Collection Drive
The Lower School Student Council is continuing to spearhead our Box Tops for Education collection in the Lower School. Box Tops can be found on many household items such as General Mills cereal boxes, Kleenex tissue boxes, and Ziploc bag boxes. It is an easy way for us to earn cash for our school. Please send them in with your child, and have your child give them to his or her teacher.
December 2018 Chizuk Amuno Congregation and Schools Family Israel Trip
Thank you to the many families who attended the information meeting about the Israel trip. Here is the proposed itinerary with cost information. If you have questions, please contact Rabbi Moshe ( [email protected] ).
Important Dates for 2018-19 School Year
We are pleased to share these key dates for the 2018-2019 school calendar. A detailed calendar will be shared later this year.

First day of school
  • Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Last school day before winter break
  • Friday, December 21, 2018
School resumes after winter break
  • Tuesday, January 2, 2019
Last school day before Passover break
  • Wednesday, April 17, 2019
School resumes after Passover break
  • Monday, April 29, 2019
Last day of school
  • Friday, June 14, 2019
Upcoming Schedule
Basketball  

Monday, November 20
Boys A practice 3:30-5:00
Boys B practice 3:30-5:00
Girls A practice 5:00-6:30
Girls B practice 5:00-6:30

Tuesday, November 21
Boys A practice 4:00-5:15
Boys B OFF
5th Grade Boys practice 5:15-6:30
Girls A practice 4:00-5:15
Girls B OFF
5th Grade Girls practice 5:15-6:30

Basketball practices are scheduled in shifts on any given day, and the shifts switch from week to week so that the same students do not always have the early or later practice. KSDS provides a supervised study hall (at no cost) to students who are waiting for a later practice or game time. The study hall meets in Room 257. Students waiting for a later practice or game time must either be in the gym or in Room 257 while waiting, and should not be anywhere else in the building.

Yasher Koach to our Torah readers during November 13 school minyanim:
LS: Sophie P., Avi S., Eli S.
5th: Yoni A., Logan F., Lea G.
6th: Noah B., Josh D., Rachel K.
7th Grade: Ezra G. and Ellie B.
8th Grade: Gideon R.
Let's Thank Our Dedicated Teachers, Staff and Administrators
With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, we turn our attention to the wonderful group who help our children to grow and to flourish. The 2017-2018 KSDS teacher gift fund is now open. Your contribution to the fund will go towards a personal gift for every teacher, staff member and administrator at the end of the year. But it also allows us to make a charitable contribution on behalf of the KSDS faculty at Hanukkah time. You may make your onetime contribution by clicking HERE . Thank you for your support!
Please Note: Please read carefully, because some dates and times have changed since the school calendar was released last spring.

TODAY, November 19
  • Screening of Menashe at the Gordon Center, 3-5pm
Wednesday, November 22
  • Half-Day of Service
  • Early Dismissal, 12:30pm
Thursday and Friday, November 23 and 24
  • Thanksgiving Break--KSDS closed
Tuesday, November 28
  • Grade 6 Field Trip to Jewish Museum of Maryland, 12:15-2:30pm
Wednesday, November 29
  • KSDS Open House, 7-8:30pm
Thursday, November 30
  • Dress Down Day
  • Lower School Program (students only), 2-3pm
Friday, December 1
  • PA Meeting, 8:15 am
  • End of Trimester 1
Monday, December 4
  • Spirit Wear Day
Tuesday, December 5
  • Grade 4 Field Trip to Baltimore Museum of Industry, 8am - Noon
  • Grade 8 Field Trip to Holocaust Museum, 9:30am - 2:30pm
  • Grade 8 Israel Trip / Play Meeting, 7-8pm
Thursday, December 7
  • Grade 6 Reading Buddies field trip, 9:15-11am
Friday, December 8
  • Grade 7 Better Together field trip, 9-11am
Sunday, December 10
  • K Day for Applicants to Kindergarten and Grade 1, 10am
  • KSDS Alumni Talks, 1:30-4pm
Wednesday, December 13
  • Bunches of Lunches collection
  • KSDS Drop In Day for Prospective Parents, 9-11am
  • Grade 1 Oil Factory, 1:30-2:30pm
Thursday, December 14
  • KSDS Special Program (students only), 1-3pm
Saturday, December 16
  • Grade 4 Parent Social, 7-10pm
Hanukkah Dinner on Friday, December 15--Young Families of Chizuk Amuno
Pre-registration is required by December 6.  Activities begin at 5:30 pm followed by Hanukkah and Shabbat dinner at 6pm in the Stulman Auditorium. Go HERE to register and HERE to see the flyer. Please contact Melissa Berman at [email protected] if you have any questions.
CAC Sisterhood Judaica Shop--Blowout Sale Now Through November 30
Everything in the shop will be 25% off ( Hanukkah items, books, and parchment excluded) through November 30. Start your Hanukkah shopping early (we have great jewelry items!) and support the Judaica Shop at the same time.
CAC Sisterhood--What We Do for KSDS
Listed below are some of the direct benefits to KSDS students from Sisterhood dues, fundraising and profits of the Sisterhood Gift Shop (which is run 100% by Sisterhood Volunteers)
 
KSDS STEAM Showcase $1,000 sponsorship (profits of Purim Hamantaschen sales)
Kiddush Cup gift to all Chizuk Amuno Bar/Bat Mitzvah students
$1,500 Scholarship to Camp Ramah
$1,500 KSDS Scholarship
$1,000 KSDS Educational donation
 
Help Sisterhood fulfill its mission to support our synagogue and schools! This fiscal year, Sisterhood has committed $5,000 to KSDS--please help us increase that amount. Sisterhood yearly dues are only $28 if sent in before 12/31/17 ($30 afterwards). Members receive discounted ticket prices to our events (yearly savings of $12 for just opening and closing events). Make your check out to CAC Sisterhood and mail to CAC Sisterhood (8100 Stevenson Road, 21208) or drop it off in the CAC front office. You do not have to be a Chizuk Amuno member to join our Sisterhood. If you have any questions, please contact Ruth Silber, current President of the CAC Sisterhood, at [email protected]
Chizuk Amuno Introduces New Membership Plan for Younger Families
Look HERE for more information.
Have Fresh Challah Delivered to You at School Each Friday
Goldsmith ECEC’s Parent Association is taking Shabbat Express orders now. Look HERE for the order form, which can be filled in and turned in at the preschool office with your check made out to the GECEC PA. Many sizes and shapes of challah are available, along with a few other products. The Goldsmith PA requests that you turn in your order form at least one week before your first delivery date, and that you email all questions to [email protected] , using the subject line “ Challah .”
Confronting the Opioid Epidemic--THIS Tuesday, November 21
Get the information you need to fight this threat to our families and our community THIS Tuesday, November 21st at 6:30 pm at the Myerberg Center. Look HERE for more information and HERE to see the flyer.
SHEMESH Winter Workshop: Growing Confident Children--December 6
Dawn Huebner, Ph.D. and author of What to Do When You Worry Too Much and other “What to Do Guides for Kids,” returns to lead a workshop at which she will teach techniques for building confidence through competence, developing a growth mindset, and using praise effectively, among other things. The workshop will be held at Tuvin Hall at Beth Tfiloh Congregation. The cost is $10 for registrations received by November 30 and $15 after that. Go HERE to register, HERE to see the flyer, and HERE to see a short video featuring Dr. Huebner.
34th Annual Green Valley North Turkey Trot
This one-mile, three-mile, or five mile race will be held on Thanksgiving morning, November 23, at 9 a.m. The race proceeds go to several charitable organizations. Look HERE for more information and to register.
Free Subscriptions to The Jewish Times for KSDS Parents
The Baltimore Jewish Times would like to invite you to take advantage of this FREE gift. Visit jewishtimes.com/52weeks for a one-year subscription at no cost to you.