Musical Havdallah

This past Motzei Shabbat, over 120 people gathered for our Musical Havdalah event that beautifully blended our traditions bringing Shabbat to an end with community building and creativity. The evening featured the talented Danny Gavin leading us in a beautiful havdallah ceremony, followed by some of our favorite songs.  Attendees also enjoyed roasting marshmallows and making smores and engaging in a meaningful craft activity with the Living Legacy organization to create their own havdallah candles dipped in multiple layers of wax. 

Unlocking the Pieces to 1st Grade

This week we hosted our First Grade Preview event for our kindergarten parents, offering a comprehensive look into our educational tracks. Parents observed mock Hebrew and Judaic Studies sessions, as well as lessons in both Traditional and Montessori classrooms, to assist in making informed decisions for their child's enrollment. While parents engaged with our administrators and teachers, children and their siblings enjoyed a lively after-care program featuring pizza, popsicles, and took home creative coloring puzzles. We appreciate all who participated and look forward to welcoming our new first graders.

Defense Mechanisms

This week, Mr. Cell's 11th-12th grade on-level psychology class delved into the concept of defense mechanisms within psychoanalysis. Students explored various unconscious strategies individuals use to protect themselves from anxiety and internal conflict, gaining a deeper understanding of human behavior.

Welcome Furnanda

Incorporating pets into Montessori classrooms enhances environmental stewardship and practical life skills. Ms. Sarah's class recently welcomed Furnanda, a Chilean Rose tarantula, to their learning environment. Prior to Furnanda's arrival, Ms. Sarah read a book about spiders and students engaged in note-taking exercises and discussed key information they remembered, and collaboratively composed a paragraph based on their notes on the board. This approach not only prepared them for Furnanda's introduction but also fostered teamwork and writing skills.

Flip for Factors & Multiples

This week, Ms. Morrison’s 4th-grade class embraced hands-on learning as they tackled the concepts of factors and multiples. The highlight of their math lessons was the creation of multiple flip books, an engaging project designed to solidify their understanding of these essential topics. The flip books allowed students to practice repeated addition and skip counting, key strategies for identifying and working with multiples. As students flipped through their creations, they discovered fascinating patterns and relationships between numbers, sparking lively discussions about math concepts.

Autumn Adventures

This week, Morah Aviva's EC4A class embarked on their Fall/Thanksgiving unit. Students practiced early writing skills on dry erase boards to enhance letter recognition and fine motor abilities. They collaborated on a mural using the foil print and paint technique to create a vibrant fall tree and painted individual fall trees, labeling them "Fall Tree." In the science center, activities included leaf sorting and a texture-matching game to distinguish between feathers, fur, and scales, connecting them to their respective animals. The class also practiced gross motor skills during Share and Tell by "jumping" for the letter "J."

Analyzing Short Stories

This week, Ms. Ruben's Middle School English Language Arts classes engaged in writing literary analysis essays on short stories. Students practiced organizing their thoughts into coherent paragraphs and essays, utilizing a clear thesis statement and supporting evidence from the text. This exercise enhanced their skills in critical thinking and structured writing.

Kindergarten Gratitude

In preparation for Thanksgiving, Morah Tzippe's kindergarten Judaic studies class focused on expressing gratitude to Hashem. Students completed the sentence, "I am thankful to Hashem for..." and shared their reflections with their friends. This activity encouraged mindfulness and appreciation among the young learners.

Colonial Life Exploration

Third-grade students in Mr. Simon's class explored life in colonial America, discovering that not all colonists were farmers; some were cabinet makers, blacksmiths, printers, and shipbuilders. They were shocked to learn about the enslaved Africans and indentured servants who worked on plantations. The class also studied apprenticeships, understanding how young individuals, like Benjamin Franklin, were trained in various trades. As they continue their study of early colonial life, they are preparing to delve into the events leading up to the Revolutionary War.

Electoral Ethics

Rabbi Ouzzan's High School Judaic Elective recently engaged in a discussion on the pros and cons of Torah-observant Jews participating in national elections. Drawing from Torah sources and concepts, students presented their perspectives, fostering a thoughtful exploration of this topic. 

Exploring the Micro-World

This week in science, 2nd graders in Ms. Morrison’s class had a blast discovering the hidden wonders of the micro-world with microscopes! Students had the chance to closely examine fascinating specimens, including frog's blood, a fly's leg, and pollen. This hands-on experience not only sparked curiosity but also helped develop important skills like observation, critical thinking, and attention to detail. By carefully studying the small details of each specimen, students learned how to make predictions, ask questions, and record their findings. It was an exciting way to bring science to life while building skills that support their learning.

Seasonal Learning

This week, Morah Clara's EC3B class engaged in fall activities, exploring Thanksgiving and Parshat Vayera. Students practiced fine motor skills, colors, and numbers while learning about turkeys. In their study of Parshat Vayera, the class sang songs and learned about Hachnasat Orchim (welcoming guests). They also engaged with a 2D project featuring Abraham's tent, Sarah, and the Malachim (angels).

Sarah’s Miracles

This week, Morah Sandy's EC3A class learned about the three miracles that occurred during Sarah's lifetime: a cloud of Hashem's presence hovered over her tent, her challah remained fresh throughout the week, and her Shabbat candles stayed lit from one week to the next. To illustrate these miracles, students created a craft depicting the cloud over Sarah's tent, symbolizing Hashem's essence.

Book Fair

RMBA’s PTO is excited to announce the upcoming Scholastic Book Fair, scheduled for December 16–20. This event offers a wonderful opportunity to foster a love of reading among our students while supporting our school's initiatives. We invite parents and community members to volunteer and help make this Book Fair a success. Volunteering is a great way to engage with the school community and encourage literacy.