February 19, 2026 | 3 Adar 5786 | תרומה | | We were rockin' with ruach on Rosh Chodesh Adar Crazy Hat Day! | | In anticipation of Purim, the students in Gan Gimmel have been busy learning about the Purim story and exploring the parts of a story: setting, characters, and plot. After identifying these elements in the Megillah and discussing the difference between fiction and nonfiction stories, the students worked in small groups to act out the story using puppets and setting cards. They also created their own puppets and played a story game that tasked them with coming up with their own stories using setting, character, and plot cards. We cannot wait to continue our Purim exploration next week! | | This week, Gan Hey was busy making huge puppets of the Purim characters, using different size cardboard boxes. After discussing each character, looks, emotions and behaviors, the children chose how big they should be, how to dress them up and how their faces should look. The children enjoyed creating those big characters and love having them in the classroom. | | The first grade classes were thrilled to welcome Drum Tales, who brought energy, excitement, and music to our school as we celebrated Rosh Chodesh Adar and prepared for Purim! Through this interactive experience, students explored creating different rhythms and beats together, discovering how each of their contributions helped build something special as a group. We went on a lively musical journey filled with movement, laughter, and learning, and the joy in the room was contagious. It was a wonderful way to celebrate community, creativity, and the spirit of the chag. We had so much fun! | | |
We kicked off Rosh Chodesh Adar with energy, laughter, and just the right amount of friendly competition at our Adar Minute to Win It (M2WI) program for grades 2-5! Each grade rotated through fast-paced, Purim-themed challenges that tested teamwork, strategy, coordination, and of course… ruach.
The gym was filled with energy and Adar spirit as students encouraged one another and celebrated each victory. What a joyful way to welcome the month of Adar!
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In first grade we learned about the letter samech, the sound of the letter and words that start with the letter samech (סלט, סוּס, ספר).
The studdents searched for the letter samech in the class and learned to read the words with the letter samech.
We listened to a story with the letter Samech with Saba who had a fruit basket in his garden. The children were chefs and made a fruit סלט with apples, bananas and oranges. Every child got to wear a chef's hat and made a delicious fruit salad.
We also learned about Purim and Megilat Esther. The first graders heard the story of Esther, Mordechai, Achashverosh and Haman. They also learned about nahafochu, how Haman wanted to punish all the Jews, but he was punished at the end instead by king Achashverosh.
For the past week, we rehearsed for our Chagigat Hasiddur that’s coming up on Sunday. The students are so excited and are working so hard. We are so proud of them.
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In honor of Presidents' Day and America’s Semiquincentennial, the Yavneh Academy Civic Spirit Club hosted a dynamic "America 250 Fair" for 1st and 2nd-grade students. The fair was the culmination of weeks of preparation, as the 7th and 8th grade Civic Spirit Club members identified a civic theme and designed an interactive experience to teach it at an elementary level. Prior to the event, student representatives visited the 1st and 2nd-grade classrooms to explain the significance of "America 250,” ensuring that the younger students arrived ready to learn and celebrate. The fair featured a vibrant mix of movement, sensory art, and trivia, with booths entirely designed and run by the Civic Spirit Club members.
The older students found creative ways to turn historical events into active play. At the Boston Tea Party booth, students tossed "crates" of tea into a kiddie-pool Boston Harbor. At the Crossing the Delaware station, a movement game challenged students to navigate across the river. Founding Fathers Bowling introduced the students to important founding figures in American history. At another station students could "Pin the Paul Revere on the Horse" and "Pin the Hat on Lincoln.” Knowledge was tested at the Civic Holidays Matching Game and American Facts Kahoot. Geography skills were sharpened at the Identify the States booth.
Sensory and art activities allowed the students to express their patriotism. Students Make Their Own American Flags and beaded patriotic bracelets. History came alive at the Sign the Declaration of Independence booth, where each student used a quill and ink to sign the Declaration of Independence. The visitors were decorated with stars and stripes at the patriotic symbols face painting. Fair participants of all ages enjoyed coloring the "Yavneh Celebrates America 250" Banner.
The Civic Spirit Club members expressed how much they enjoyed teaching the younger classes about America’s founding. As the 1st and 2nd graders finished their tour of American history, they visited the prize table to pick a patriotic souvenir. The fair visitors exited the fair with their projects, prizes increased appreciation for America.
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Our 6th grade girls recently gathered with their mothers for a truly special Bat Mitzvah Night, filled with meaning, creativity, and connection. The evening opened with a warm welcome and an empowering Dvar Torah by Mrs. Rubin, followed by a beautiful mother-daughter learning session led by Morah Tamar, who enlightened everyone on a greater understanding of mishenichnas Adar marbim b'simcha. Our guests enjoyed a delicious soup bar and a stunning dessert buffet catered by Café Demi, while a festive photo booth captured joyful memories. Mothers and daughters teamed up for an art activity, creating elegant candlestick trays together.
The celebration continued with moving performances of art, rhythm, and dance, prepared by the incredibly
talented 6th grade girls under the guidance of the amazing Bnot Sherut Shachar and Maya, Morah Leora, Coach Lauren and Mrs. K. We concluded the evening with a beautiful Chumash reception ceremony, donated by YPAA, and presented by Dr. Frohlich, emphasizing the significance of embracing mitzvot as
part of becoming a Bat Mitzvah.
The atmosphere throughout the night was filled with love and support among the students, and parents shared how the event was inclusive, meaningful, and full of joy It was truly a night to remember! Thank you to the Hamburger, Reiss and Rosenberg families for sponsoring the event in memory of their beloved mothers and grandmothers.
| | Working in cooperative groups, sixth grade students demonstrated their knowledge of ancient Phoenicia through the creation of detailed and imaginative projects. Their newspapers, posters, and 3-D models highlighted Phoenician innovations such as distinctive merchant ships, textiles dyed purple with murex snails, intricate blown glass, terracotta amphoras, and papyrus illustrating the development of the first alphabet. Through careful research and creative design, students brought the vibrancy of this Mediterranean trading civilization to life. The projects showcased historical understanding, collaboration, and creative craftsmanship. | | Yavneh Academy is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. | | | | | |
