SIA School Newsletter


February 1, 2023

Dear Parents, 


Next week is the Community’s Date with the State. This is a great opportunity to advocate for maintaining the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships Tax credit program and other initiatives vital to our community. If you are interested in more information, For more information please contact Elka Mednick, JCRC Assistant Director at EMednick@ujft.org.


February 1 -15, 2023 is Re-enrollment! Please check Parent Square for important information and instructions to re-enroll for the 2023-2024 school year. We are grateful that you have entrusted us with your children. We look forward to strengthening our partnership and to celebrating their many milestones with you. All re-enrollment contracts are due by Wednesday, February 15, 2023.  


Early Years Families please join us for a Tu B’sh’vat celebration on Monday, February 6, 2023 from 9:00am - 12:00pm. We are so excited to celebrate the Birthday of the Trees! More details will be posted in ParentSquare.


Primary Years Family Shabbat is coming up on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 1:45pm in the MPR. SIA PVO will have challah for sale for $6.50 per loaf so pick up a freshly baked loaf of challah for your family's Shabbat. We hope to see you there!


Please join us for an Evening of the Arts: How We Express Ourselves performance Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 6:00pm. Students in grades EY4-5th Grade will be singing songs, dancing, reciting poetry, a wax museum and so much more! We will also feature our strings classes. In addition, SIA will also host an Art Show from Monday, February 13 - Friday, 17, 2023 in the Cardo. There will be more information posted in Parentsquare in the coming weeks.


Below you will see some reminders for next week.  


Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!



Heather Moore

Head of School

Tuition Tax Documents

Tax season has begun and a many families are asking for backup documentation in order to file their taxes. To get the annual tuition amount you have paid for your child per calendar year please follow the following steps:



  • Login to your FACTS payment account
  • Click on the View details tab in the right corner.
  • Click on the View payment summary tab. You will find a form listing all the annual amounts of tuition paid for as many years as you have been in the FACTS system. Information also includes our school name, address and EIN number.


If you have any questions or pay annually and also need a tax document, Please contact Cheryl McAuley at cmcauley@strelitzacademy.org.

Weekly Highlights

Getting ready for the Holiday of the Trees!

This week all students throughout the grade levels are learning about Tu B'sh'vat. On Tu B'shevat, we celebrate the trees and learn about ecology. There are so many lessons that can be integrated across the curriculum including our IB Unit Sharing the Planet.

Mrs. B. teaches her fifth graders how to sort and bless produce from the ground vs the trees.

Gavin and Theo show off their tree crafts EY3.

Check out the amazing recycling displays outside of EY4 classrooms.

First Graders drew trees representing each season.

Alexa Kass had her family of the week in her EY4 class with her parents Aaron and Melissa Kass. Family of the Week in EY4 is an SIA Tradition!

Early Years is looking for PAPER TOWEL ROLLS

Early Years is looking for

PAPER TOWEL ROLLS

and BRANCHES (all sizes)

to complete our Tu B'Shevat projects for Monday's fun! Please drop off outside our MakerSpace next to Room 8. Thank you!

SIA Annual Donor Fund

Thank you SIA Parents!

We have raised $19,011 towards the 2022-2023 Annual Campaign.

Every dollar is matched up to $25,000!

Last day to give is June 30, 2023.

giving-hands-together.jpg

Recently we held our Parent and Faculty Campaign to raise funds for our Annual Donor Fund. The SIA Annual Donor Fund is the primary vehicle for financially supporting Strelitz International Academy (SIA).


SIA depends on support from current and alumni parents and grandparents, faculty, trustees along with friends in the extended community who believe in SIA’s mission, to meet the school’s operating expenses, enrich the student experience, and ensure financial sustainability.


By making a tax-deductible donation to Strelitz International Academy, you will be joining with others to make a difference in the everyday lives of Strelitz’s students and faculty.

To donate online: https://strelitzinternationalacademy.org/support-us/donate/

COMPLETE AND PAY FOR FEBRUARY LUNCH ORDERS

VERY IMPORTANT: IF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT, CANCEL THE LUNCH

BY 9:30 AM THE DAY OF OR EARLIER


All lunches are the same size and cost $5.75 for Toddlers through 5th grade. 

  • There is a $1.75 service fee each time you order whether it's 1 lunch or 20.
  • If your child is absent, YOU must cancel the lunch before 9:30 a.m. the day of or earlier. If the lunch is made, you are charged. Every time you order or make changes, make sure you get a confirmation that the order is complete. When ordering, make sure to choose the correct month. Incomplete or pending orders not paid are not considered an order and your child will not be on the lunch list. 
  • If you order lunch, please supply plenty of snacks from home. If your child attends PY Sundown, supply additional snacks. 
  •  If you don't plan to use the lunch program, you may want to set up an account for the "Oops! I forgot the lunch" days. 
  • If you supply lunch from home, mark what is the lunch and what is the snack. 
  • Always supply a clean, reusable water container - labeled with your child's name.  
  • EVERY ITEM BROUGHT TO THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE LABELED.

If you have a problem with Orgsonline.com, click the "get help" button on the website. I am unable to access your family lunch account. If you need further assistance, email Campus Dispatcher, Benita Watts at ops@ujft.org.


I hope you enjoy the convenience of the lunch program.

Mazal Tov!

Mazal Tov, to Mrs. Genova, SIA's Fourth Grade Teacher and the whole Genova Family for the birth of Arlo Guy. He was born Saturday, January 28 in the evening, weighing in at 8lbs 9 oz. Baby Arlo was just a few days early. 


Mom and baby are doing great! Henry and Emmaline were excited to meet their new baby brother.

Welcome Tania Hammond,

Marketing and Communications Manager

We are thrilled to introduce our new Marketing and Communications Manager, Tania Hammond. Tania was born and raised in Ukraine and has been a Virginia resident for 6.5 years. Tania has a Bachelor's Degree in Telecommunications Engineering from National Technical University of Ukraine and Digital Marketing Certification from ODU. Tania has a 3 year old son that keeps her busy and loves all outdoors activities.

Upcoming Dates:

February


2/1 SIA Student Reenrollment begins (EY2-Grade 5)


2/10 PY Family Shabbat Celebration, 1:30pm


2/15 SIA Student Reenrollment deadline (EY2-Grade 5)


2/16 Evening of the Arts, 6pm


2/20 Presidents Day (No School, EY Fullcare Closed, JCC SDO Open)


2/24 EY Family Shabbat Singalong, 9am


3/7 Purim; Noon Dismissal; Sundown/Fullcare closes at noon


3/13 - 3/17 Scholastic Book Fair all week



3/14 Book Fair Family Fun Night, 4pm - 6:30pm

Click here for our 2023-2024 Year at a Glance.


Dates are subject to change.

SIA Evening of the Arts

EY Parent Coffee and Schmooze

In the Community

JCC Kids Classes- Winter Registration is Open



Choose from Soccer Shots, Lil Ninjas and Self Defense, and Yoga. Patrons with a family membership qualify for a 20% discount. Use discount code jcc123 when checking out.  If a class needs to be cancelled for any reason, another class will be added to the end of the season. 

Parents - Click here to register.C

Baby and Me

Simon Family JCC & PJ Library Program