Yom HaShoah

On Tuesday, RMBA gathered in solemn remembrance of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. We honor their memory and continue to draw strength from the resilience of survivors whose courage still inspires us today.

Our Upper School program opened with High School Names, Not Numbers® students lighting six memorial candles in tribute to the victims and in honor of Holocaust survivors in Houston interviewed for this year’s documentary project. The program also featured a powerful presentation by Lisa Strauss, who shared her grandfather Martin Donald’s story of survival, from his childhood in Berlin during the rise of Adolf Hitler to his service in the British forces and role in bringing Nazis to justice after World War II.

Earlier in the day, Lower School students participated in a Yom HaShoah tekes (assembly), sharing reflections and singing Ani Ma’amin (I Believe) in a meaningful moment of remembrance. Alumna Hili Kister (‘24), currently serving in Houston through Sherut Leumi (Israel National Service), also read The Happiest Boy on Earth to students in grades K–3, offering age-appropriate reflection for younger learners.

Through learning, reflection, and storytelling, students helped ensure that the memory and legacy of the Holocaust continue to be carried forward.

We hope you'll join us on May 13 for a powerful Names, Not Numbers® premiere at the Holocaust Museum Houston. Details to come.

Holocaust Education Project

Morah Gila's Hebrew classes in grades sixth through ten participated in a Holocaust education project displayed in the middle school hallway. Each class was assigned a central topic, conducted research, and presented their learning through posters.

Sixth grade focused on the Righteous Among the Nations, learning about individuals who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Seventh grade explored the stories of Holocaust survivors, while eighth grade studied heroism and also examined how the Holocaust began and those responsible. Ninth and tenth grades focused on camps and ghettos, including daily life and living conditions during that time.



Several students also shared personal family stories, adding a meaningful and deeply personal dimension to the project. The experience emphasized remembrance and helped students connect to this history in a thoughtful and impactful way.

Art, Memory and Meaning

Mr. Duke's Middle School students created original butterfly designs inspired by the Holocaust poetry collection I Never Saw Another Butterfly, which was studied in class. Students used a wide variety of materials to bring their artistic interpretations to life. Once completed, a team of middle school students, along with a high school student, designed and installed a display in the front lobby. The entire project was student-led and student-created, rooted in inspiration from Holocaust Museum Houston’s “Taking Flight” butterfly project from about a decade ago. In addition, seventh graders in Mr. Duke’s class are working collaboratively to complete a map of the world, featuring each country’s national flag painted on the classroom wall.

Connecting Classroom Learning to the Real World

This week, Middle School students in Ms. Ruben's ELA class are watching TED Talks and other media connected to their fourth-quarter thematic units. This approach helps them see how universal themes show up across all areas of life, including their own experiences.

Dinosaurs, Stars, and Hilltop Fun

On Wednesday, Mr. Simon’s third grade students enjoyed a memorable visit to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where they explored the wonders of King Tut’s Tomb, searched for dinosaurs, and watched Passport to the Universe. Throughout the day, students engaged with hands-on exhibits and immersive experiences that brought science and history to life in meaningful ways. The group also shared a picnic lunch at Miller Outdoor Theatre, taking full advantage of the beautiful weather and time outdoors. One of the highlights of the day was rolling down the big hill, which brought plenty of laughter and added an extra dose of joy to an already special outing.

Exploring Plant Growth and Adaptation

Fourth grade students in Ms. Morrison's class explored how plants grow, change, and adapt over time through hands-on and research-based learning experiences. Students built wooden representations of trees, created trifold displays, wrote informational essays, and conducted research on different types of trees. A highlight of the day was working with a 3D tree puzzle, where students collaborated to build and rebuild different tree structures while deepening their understanding of plant form and function. They also focused on editing their writing and enhancing their presentations with creative, thoughtful design elements.

Throughout the process, students practiced cooperation, sharing materials, and taking pride in their work as they continue preparing for the upcoming showcase.

Marathon Update

The RMBA Marathon has once again proven to be a tremendous success, with students steadily working their way mile by mile toward the finish line. Runners are on track to complete the final 1.2 miles on April 28 at 4:15 pm, a testament to their dedication and commitment, many even giving up recess time to participate. Families can expect an email in the coming days with updates on their child’s progress and whether they are on track to finish on schedule. With the finish line in sight, excitement is building as the community looks forward to cheering on the runners during their final mile.

RMBA extends its sincere gratitude to its sponsors for their generous support, including Tanglewood Foot Specialists, Crossfit Central Houston, Dr. Von Slate DDS FAGD PC, and Masters in Dietetics LLC!

Penguin Projects Take Flight

Ms. Morrison's second grade class is excited for the upcoming Lower School Science Showcase. Students have been working hard researching penguins, gathering information, and preparing thoughtful and creative presentations to share. The classroom was filled with creativity and teamwork as students wrote acrostic poems, built detailed penguin habitats, and created paper penguin lanterns. Throughout the process, they focused on cooperation, patience, and sharing materials while bringing their projects to life. The class looks forward to sharing all of their hard work at the showcase this afternoon!

Holidays and Active Learning

EC3A students in Morah Sandy's class continued meaningful learning through both Parsha and Pesach connections, bringing Torah concepts to life through hands-on exploration. In Parshat Tazria-Metzora, students learned about the impact of Lashon Hara (gossip) and explored the power of kind speech versus harmful speech through dramatic play and a reflective craft. They acted out emotions connected to words and built understanding of opposites through interactive movement and discussion. Students also strengthened early math skills by practicing number recognition and counting the Omer, continuing their journey toward Shavuot and the giving of the Torah. Earlier in the season, students engaged in Pesach learning through creative and sensory-rich experiences, including decorating Kiddush cups with gems, designing Seder plates while learning their symbolic foods, and exploring concepts from the Kohanim’s service in the Beit HaMikdash (holy temple) through paper-tearing “ash” scooping activities. A sensory activity using toy “meat” in salt water and an egg-based exploration helped students gently understand preparation practices connected to kosher laws. Through these experiences, students continue to build foundational skills while connecting deeply to Torah learning and Jewish life in meaningful, age-appropriate ways.

Celebrating Israel

This week, Morah Aviva's EC4A class began with a burst of Israel spirit and pride as students prepared to celebrate Medinat Yisrael’s 78th birthday. Their unit explored the unique architecture and landscapes of Eretz Yisrael through engaging, hands-on activities. Students strengthened fine motor skills by creating Israeli flags using tweezers, cotton balls, and paint markers, while the sensory and science table invited exploration with pasta dyed in vibrant shades for upcoming 3D sensory maps. Creativity continued as students designed Israel-themed postcards that came together to form the number 78 on a classroom bulletin board.

At table stations, students also engaged in literacy-rich activities, reviewing uppercase letters learned throughout the year. Highlights included glitter letter writing with paintbrushes and “road letters,” which were especially popular as students focused on the letter “Uu.” These activities supported letter recognition and early writing skills in a fun and meaningful way.

Getting Ready for Yom HaAtzmaut

Students in Morah Aliyah's EC4B class returned from Pesach break with excitement, jumping right into Yom HaAtzmaut learning. They created Israeli flags, learned new Hebrew vocabulary, and crafted Magen David shapes from popsicle sticks. In the coming week, students will continue preparing for their Yom HaAtzmaut class presentation and enjoy making homemade hummus. They are also reviewing Alef-Bet letters in small groups and continue their ABC journey, recently exploring the letter “U” with a special show-and-tell from home.

We're Hiring, Join Our Team!

RMBA is seeking an Early Childhood Lead Teacher and an Early Childhood Assistant Teacher to join our warm, nurturing school community.

If you love working with young children and are passionate about creating a joyful, supportive classroom environment, we’d love to connect with you.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POSITIONS

For more information, or to apply, reach out to frontdesk@berenacademy.org