This Blog is no longer active

We are no longer using the blogs. All parents should log into SOIN. Information was sent home with report cards. If you have misplaced your information, or need help please contact the EKA office.

Barnes and Noble Gift Cards Available

PIE is selling Barnes and Noble Gift Cards (10 and 25 dollars each) as a fundraiser. They are great holiday gifts and the school receives a percentage of the sale.

If you used your gift cards at the book fair we receive an additional percentage. It's like a double donation!

Call the office (302-6900) or stop in to buy.

Information about book fair - click on links below.
EKA Book Fair Nov. 7

EKA Book Fair Nov. 9

Chesed Hours Opportunity For students in Grades 3 – 8 San Antonio Food Bank Warehouse Food sorting and packing 5200 Old Hwy 90 W 78227 Wednesday, Nov. 3rd from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. (volunteers must arrive 15 minutes prior for the volunteer session) Open to students 8 years and up. Adult supervision is required. If your child(ren) are interested in participating, please contact Gina Meishar at: ginazinser@gmail.com or 884-9146. For those who wish to drive together, we will meet in the EKA parking lot at 4:15 p.m. We will leave at 4:30 p.m. sharp.

Artworks Fundraiser now Going On…

Packets went home last week, please check the White Letter Size Envelope that went home.

If for any reason you prefer to use a different piece of ART or include art of another child in your family you are Most Welcome to do so. The only criteria is that the art work be Letter SIZE and NO glitter please. You will also need an additional order form for your second or third art work item. Extra forms are in the office.

Please make checks payable to EKA/PIE.

Thank You!
EKA PIE

Box Tops for Education
Please bring in your forms for Box Tops for Education by Friday, October 29th.
The class with the most participation will get a “Free Dress Day” during the month of November.

EKA Fall Book Fair - Volunteers Needed

Sign up for the book fair will, once again, be online at: Click Here to Volunteer .

The Bookfair will take place at the Barnes and Noble at San Pedro Crossing. Volunteers are needed for Sunday, Nov. 7 and Tuesday, Nov. 9.

Your help is needed to make this a success.

Mad Science Demonstration

Calling Kindergarten through Fourth Grades!!

Come take part in the Mad Science Demonstration happening on Monday, October 18, 2010!

We are trying to secure 4 more students to take part in this class, so everyone is invited to "test" it out and see if you like it!!

3:45 - 4:45

Science Lab

Town Hall Meeting

Town Hall Meeting: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Beldon Library

Topics:

The EKA has the best teachers in San Antonio Initiative (also Administrators)

and

Open discussion about the EKA Sports Program

PSIA: Private School Intersholastic Association

Dear EKA Families:

Unfortunately, the EKA will not participate in PSIA this year. The San Antonio PSIA historically and currently takes place on Shabbat. We generally travel to Austin because the school hosting there did so on a Thursday. That school is no longer hosting PSIA and the school that picked-it up has chosen to host on Shabbat.

There are two locations hosting on a Friday. One location is in Giddings, Texas. Though possibly close enough to attend, the possibility of traffic and the need to depart early caused us to reach the decision to not participate. The other location is outside of Dallas.

The Jewish Day School in Austin is in a similar predicament. Though Giddings is close enough to attend, that location filled quickly and clepped out the school.

We are writing a letter to PSIA encouraging them to consider the religious needs of students in Jewish Day Schools and to encourage their hosting schools to open up locations on Thursdays in the future. We offered the Jewish Campus here in San Antonio, but another location was selected.

Please feel free to contact our PSIA Liason with questions or comments: davisk@eka-sa.org

L'shalom,

Allison Oakes and Kathryn Davis

DInim Bowl Winners

More than twenty students participated in the annual Dinim Bowl that was held this past Friday at school. The participating students all tested above a 90 in order to participate in the contest.

We extend a hearty Yashar Koach to all the students who worked so hard and a special Mazel Tov to this year's winners.

3-4 Grades
1st Place: Brachah Block
2nd Place: Faiga Marrus
3rd Place: Tamar Cohen

5-6 Grades
1st Place: Devorah Block
2nd Place: Mendel Marrus
3rd Place: Ilan Sonisno

7-8 Grades
1st Place: Ariana Sonsino
2nd Place: Danny Noorily
3rd Place: Eileen Stolow

Barnes and Noble Bookfair - Join Us at Barnes and Noble



Target Gives Back!

Do you have a Target credit card? Are you willing to get a Target credit card?

If you have one or if you get one, go to the Target website and list the Eleanor Kolitz Academy as your school of choice and a percentage of your purchases go back to the school!

PIE Meeting Wednesday

PIE Meeting

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

After morning drop-off

After School Programming

Last Wednesday registration information regarding EKA After School Programming went home. The program includes classes in:

Spanish
Robotics
Art
Drama
Guitar
Mad Science

The due date for registration forms was today, Monday, October 4th ... we will extend to Wednesday, October 6th!

This is our first foray into After School Programming ... please let us know what else you would like to see for future offerings!

Handbook: Community Service

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Student Chesed
The EKA strongly believes that we have a commitment to the greater community. In order to nurture an appreciation of this value and so that students may take an active role in their communities in the future, all students in Grades 1-8 are required to complete pre-approved Chesed hours as part of their promotion to the next grade level or graduation from the school.

Judaic Studies teachers will distribute specific chesed hour information at the start of the school year and are responsible for collecting and recording chesed hours.

The following hours are to be completed by the end of each grade’s year:

Grade 1 1 hour Grade 4 4 hours
Grade 2 2 hours Grades 5 5 hours
Grade 3 3 hours Grades 6-8 10 hours

Parent Chesed (10 or 180 Program for Parents)
All families are required to complete 10 hours of volunteer time at the EKA or donate $18 per uncompleted hour to the EKA scholarship fund.

Volunteer Awards
26 hours and more
Platinum Volunteer
21-25 hours
Gold Volunteer
16 – 20 hours
Silver Volunteer
11 – 15 hours
Copper Volunteer
(Volunteers will be honored at the end of the school year)

Guidelines:
Hours may be completed anytime of the year (not limited to the school year) – counted July through June
The volunteering family member must sign-in in the volunteer binder located in the main office
Volunteer hours include and are not limited to:
PIE commitments
Assisting in classrooms
Chaperoning and driving for field trips
Assistance at the administrative or school organization level (e.g. envelope stuffing, organizing closets, etc…)
Committee work (PIE or Board)
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Families – 10 hours per family not per child

New Midah of the Week

Do not roll your eyes, smack your lips, tsk, or show disrespect with gestures

From: Pirkei Avot, Chapter 2, Mishna 10

"... the honor of your friend should be as dear to you as your own honor"

Students see our midah (value) of the week all over the school via banners and signs. The Kinder - Second grades study the value as presented. The Third - Fifth grades study the value and the text translation in order to make connections. The Sixth - Eight Grades study the original text, translation, and value in order to make connections.

It is our hope that you also discuss the Midah in your homes and think about how to rework the value as it applies to your home and the community.

After School Program Information

After School Program registration information is in each child's backpack!!

Sukkah Hops and Progressive Dinner Photo Links

Sukkah Hops (Grades 1-4)

Progressive Dinner - Middle School

Sukkah Hop - Kindergarten

Dinim Bowl Postponed to Oct. 8

As a result of the early Chagim, the students did not have enough time to properly prepare for the Dinim Bowl. We have postponed the Dinim Bowl to Friady, October 8th in order to provide more study time.

Thank You.

Handbook: Communication

COMMUNICATION
Communication between all school stakeholders is key to student success at the EKA.

Between Parents and Faculty / Staff
1. Families are required to check the EKA Blog daily where school and grade specific information will be
posted. Families will receive a daily reminder with an attached link to easily check the blog.
2. Email is the preferred method of contact between individual families, teachers, and administrators. Via
email, phone conferences and/or meetings can be arranged. If email is inaccessible, please call the school
office, 210-302-6900 and leave a message.
3 Expect a 24-hour (48-hours if it is Shabbat or a holiday) email or phone call return time.
4. For questions / comments specifically about your child in a particular class, use the following contact
sequence:
a. Teacher
b. General Studies Principal or Hebrew/Judaic Studies Director
c. Head of School
d. Board (via Grievance structure, see Grievance Policy in this handbook)
5. For all other questions and comments, use the job description chart on p.5 to appropriately direct your
call.
6. Academic progress will be communicated via four progress reports and four report cards (two in
Kindergarten. In addition, it is mandatory that parents attend at least two parent / teacher conferences.
7. When parents plan to be out of town, it is extremely important that the school is notified. A written note
containing the names of those individuals in charge of the home, carpool arrangements, and telephone
numbers where parents may be reached must be sent to the office before parents leave.

Between Parents and Students (during the school day)
1. Parents may call or email the school office to relay a message to their child.
2. Students are allowed to use the office phone under the guidance of faculty or staff.
3. Carpools and after-school visits or programs should be arranged the night before. Please make sure your
child knows where he/she is to go, when and who will pick him/her up, and notify the office if necessary.
4. Students may not use cell phones during the school day. All phone contact must be made through the office.

Driveway Opening!!

The new driveway / entrance into the Campus is to open on Tuesday afternoon. It is unclear whether it will be before or after the end of the school day. Signs will be posted - please be on the lookout!

Handbook: Carpool / Dismissal

CARPOOL / DISMISSAL
1. During carpool dismissal, students will remain in their last period class or assigned room with no to
minimal talking. Middle school students are to return to their last period class after packing-up for dismissal.
2. Parents pick up their children in the carpool line. Due to safety and limited space, parents are asked not to
come inside nor wait at the school doors to pick up their children.
3. Students will only be released to individuals listed on their transportation forms. Therefore, anyone who
drives your child’s carpool must be listed on all the carpool members’ transportation forms. Substitutions
will not be allowed without parental consent. Please notify the office early in the day regarding any changes
to your child’s regular carpool.
4. For the carpool line to run smoothly and safely, all cars should line up in the order in which they have
arrived beginning in the location closest to the main entrance. Drivers should proceed forward as the carpool
line advances and should not begin conversations with teachers or others in the carpool line. Teachers
working the carpool line will assist each child in opening and closing car doors.
5. IF YOU NEED TO LEAVE YOUR CAR, PLEASE EXIT THE CARPOOL LINE AND PARK IN THE
PARKING LOT.
6. For safety and legal purposes, every child must have a seat belt and no child 12 and under may sit in the
front of a vehicle containing an airbag. In addition, students will not be released to any driver seemingly
unfit or incompetent to drive. Another adult on the students’ emergency information card will be contacted
to arrange for alternative transportation.
7. Students not picked-up by 3:50 p.m. will be dismissed to the Homework Lab and the parents’ credit card on
file will be charged $5.00 the following school day. Please see the After-School Programming section for
more information regarding Homework Lab.
8. Middle School Students going to the JCC Youth Lounge must have permission on record from parents or
guardians. Students may not go to the JCC Youth Lounge until an announcement dismissing them has been
made.

Parent-Teacher Conference Sign Up

Optional Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on Wed., Oct. 6 from 4-8 pm.
Sign up forms will be in the EKA downstairs hallway beginning Tues., September 28.

EKA Rams Beat St. George Dragons

Photos

Score EKA: 2  St. George: 1
Great Game!

After School Programming Update

Registration is expected to go out this week or early next week for the After School Programming to begin the week of October 4th.

I am pleased to confirm the following course offerings, with others still to come:

1. Mad Science - Grades K-4
2. Robotics - Grades 5-8
3. Spanish - K-8 Grades
4. MS Sports - already in session

Handbook: Birthdays

BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays are special days in a child’s life. The EKA will happily share this day with your child. Guidelines are listed below:

1. No birthday party invitations, presents, or party favors may be exchanged at school unless every child in the class is included (or every boy / every girl). When mailing invitations to birthday parties, please be sensitive to children’s feelings. Do not exclude one or two children from the class.
2. Parents may arrange a simple treat for their child’s class. Please consult with your child’s teacher for appropriate times and a prepackaged kosher pareve snack with an acceptable kosher symbol should be sent.
3. Another meaningful way to recognize your child’s birthday is to buy a book or DVD for the library honoring your child. If you are interested in doing so, please contact the office for further information.
4. When you plan birthday parties for your child, please consider that a party planned during Shabbat or on a Jewish holiday will exclude those children who observe Shabbat with their families. Likewise, when developing the menu, please also consider those students who keep kosher.

New Midah This Week

We introduced a new Midah this week. Again, it may seem obvious; however, with some of our values, there is great value in reviewing it with our children at school and at home.

The New Midah:

Keep yourself and the bathroom clean and germ-free.

It comes from the following text of the Rambam:

"and so too they (Rabbis) forbid one to eat with dirty hands and one who is careful with these things brings holiness and purity"

Please discuss this at home with your family!

Kapparot Donation Update

Dear Parents,

Just a quick update to let you know that the Kapparot program raised $86.00. The eight grade students researched and voted on eight different Tzedaka organizations and decided to send the money to the "Sukkot for IDF" program, run by Connections Israel. This programs enables the Israeli chayalim to observe sukkot throughout Israel.

A check will be mailed out asap.

K12 Math Presentations

K12 is our new middle school math program. It is innovative and it surpasses the educational needs of our math students. Due to the novelty of it, the EKA is offering two sessions for you to become acquainted with the program and to see how it benefits each and every child.

Thursday, September 16, 3:45 - 4:45

Sunday, September 19, 11:00 - 12:00

If your child is not presently taking K12, but you want to know more about it, please feel free to join.

Handbook: Behavior Expectations

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
“Yafa Torah Im Derech Eretz” – Study and Learning are enhanced by sensitivity and respect toward others.

The EKA encourages students to develop self-discipline based upon the guidelines of Jewish ethics and a positive self-image. Emphasis is upon “being a Mensch” – displaying a refined and respectable character. Students will take part in a two-year Derech Eretz program teaching them many facets of being a mensch.

In an effort to strengthen the partnership between parents, teachers and students, the EKA has sought to establish clear-cut guidelines for appropriate behavior in school. Students are expected to follow school rules and to assume responsibility for their behavior. They are expected to treat all adults and peers in the school with respect. Teachers and parents are facilitators in the process of helping students behave properly and interact with others in a respectful manner.

The teacher usually handles disciplinary matters. More serious or repeated infractions will be reported to the Education Coordinator and if the behavior continues then referral will be made to the Head of School. In any disciplinary action, children will be treated with concern for their personal dignity and sense of self-worth; in turn they will be expected to respect the rights and property of others. Students must understand the consequences of their actions, thus, any disciplinary action will be a logical consequence of the infraction.

Under no circumstances will a child be permitted to interfere with the learning of others, or to indulge in teasing, abusive, cruel, violent, or aggressive behavior.

For serious matters, conferences with parents will be held. There may be a probationary period where behavior is closely monitored. Suspension or expulsion for serious offenses may be imposed.

The school reserves the right, after reasonable process and careful consideration, to affect the immediate withdrawal of any student whose presence in the school is judged by the school administration to be detrimental to that student, to other students, or to the school's best interests.

In the appendix section of this handbook is the complete Derech Eretz program plus the consequence matrices for misbehavior and harassment/bullying.

Lashon Hara (the sanctity of speech)
No member of our community may use language in a way that is deliberately harmful, defaming, ridiculing, belittling, or obscene. Gossip and cruelty through language are most serious violations of Jewish law and ethics; even the repetition of stories that may have truth but could be hurtful, unless such a repetition is necessary or required for the sake of safety and the overall benefit of the community, is prohibited. Language includes any communication in any form throughout the community. Cursing and rudeness between any members of the community, scape-goating, name-calling, or badgering will not be tolerated.

Elementary Math at the EKA

The math curriculum covers a variety of concepts at each grade level, all of which require a solid mastery of basic skills to be able to master those concepts. Our students spend time each year reviewing the “math facts” and learning a new one with different operations, but we would like to see a stronger mastery level across the board. This year we expect that each child will be able to demonstrate at least 80% mastery with assignments and assessments that deal with “math facts”. These basic math facts ease the speed and understanding of higher math concepts such as fractions, decimals, and algebraic equations.

The guidelines are as follows:

By the end of Kinder they should know their addition math facts with speed and accuracy.

By the end of first, they should know their addition and subtraction with speed and accuracy.

By the end of second they should know their addition, subtraction, and the 0,1,2,5,10,11s of multiplication with speed and accuracy.

By the end of third they should know their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts with speed and accuracy.

By the end of fourth they should have practiced these with speed and accuracy throughout the year- and everyone should have strong skills in this area.

The teachers will give weekly math fact assessments, and the students will demonstrate at least 80% mastery on each of those. For the students that do not, they will be asked to take additional assessments in the mornings, at lunch, or for a few minutes of their recess time. The assessments will continue throughout the year. It is critical that all of our students have a strong foundation in math skills and basic operations in order to easily progress through math concepts.

In addition to mastering math facts, we are also working on understanding the language of math. This year, we will more formally introduce and use the language of math in and out of class. There will be vocabulary section in their binder that will include math terms. Some of the classes will have vocabulary quizzes and the teacher will instruct using the correct terminology from the beginning.

Finally, parents have an expectation at home to work on math facts with their children. Whether flash cards, workbooks, games, etc.. are used, it doesn't matter, the more practice the better the students will become with their math facts.

Handbook: Age for Admission

AGE FOR ADMISSION

Students who seek to enter Kindergarten must be five years of age by September 1.

Kapparot - Tomorrow, Sept. 16

Parents,

Tomorrow, the EKA will observe the special custom of pre-Yom Kippur Kapparot in Judaic Studies classes. Please remember to send $1.00 with your child for the Kapparot service. The monies collected will be donated to a charity chosen by the 8th grade.

Toda Rabbah!

Immunizations

Some EKA parents have received notification about immunizations. Annually we submit data for 2nd and 7th graders; however, this year, a nurse has come into audit all of our records. We have found that approximately 75% of our student body is out of compliance with Texas state laws. Fortunately, as we have progressed through this audit, a few factors seem to be the cause and all are easily rectified with the most up-to-date record of immunization from your pediatrician.



Reasons:



1. Record on file is out of date and shots have occured since submission of record on file



2. New law regarding varicella (chicken pox) vaccine and the reporting of the vaccine: students in grades K-1 and 7-8 must have two doses and 2-6 must have one dose (graduated system; in a few years time all students will have two doses); unless, a child has a documented past illness of chicken pox.



3. New law regarding Dtap and IPV vaccines - all children must be vaccinated on or after their 4th birthday. There is a 4-day grace period prior to their 4th birthday, but anymore time before that, the child is out of compliance



As state above, for the most part, just reception of a most recent complete immunization record should do the trick to put us back into state compliance.

After School Programming

In the next couple of weeks all parents will receive information regarding the EKA After School Program, to start after the conclusion of the holidays. Thus far, we will offer Mad Science, Robotics, and Spanish, we are still in the process of confirming Art and Drama. We would love to offer Chess again, if you would like to volunteer or know someone who would like to receive a stipend, please let us know. Look out for the information arriving in the next two weeks!!

Middle School Chesed Hour Availability

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 17 SUPER SUNDAY

Each year, the Jewish Federation of San Antonio (“JFSA”) raises funds needed to sustain Jewish life in Israel, around the world, and here in San Antonio. Annually, the JFSA allocates funds from its Annual Campaign to the EKA – last year we received more than $245,000.00!

The success of the JFSA Annual Campaign depends on volunteers. As a recipient of significant funds raised by the JFSA, the EKA should be active participants in the Campaign. And, the more successful the Campaign, the more the EKA stands to benefit.

We strongly encourage EKA 5th-8th grade students to volunteer for “Super Sunday” on October 17th. Sign-up sheets will be posted in the upstairs hallway for various jobs during 3 different shifts on Super Sunday: 9:00-11:30 a.m., 3:00-5:30 p.m., and 5:00-7:00 p.m.

There are also the following additional volunteer opportunities for 7th and 8th graders:

· Any Tuesday through 9/20 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. to help look up potential donors’ phone numbers in the JFSA office;
· Friday, October 15 – help decorate and set up for Super Sunday; and
· Any Tuesday from 3:30 -5:00 p.m. after 9/20 for various jobs in the JFSA office.

Help make the JFSA Annual Campaign successful, show the EKA’s gratitude for the funds it receives, and earn Chesed hours!

Handbook: Academic Requirements

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
It is the EKA’s desire students experience success, accept responsibility for their own work, and make the transition from year to year as easily as possible. Therefore, in order to pass one grade to the next, a student must have a cumulative year-end passing grade in all core subjects (Hebrew, Judaic Studies, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) and completed the required number of Chesed hours.

1. Students and parents will be notified through progress reports as to whether a student is at risk of failing.
2. The school will meet with parents to discuss steps that need to be taken to pass the course.
3. The student may require tutoring, remedial assistance or counseling. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide such tutoring and assistance.
4. Failure in any subject will require work to be made up with either a school-approved tutor or an approved summer school program.
5. Tutoring and summer school is at the parents’ expense.
6. Upon satisfactory submission of the required work and/or proof of attendance in a required program, the student will be notified of promotion.
7. In the event that the student does not satisfactorily complete the required work, the student will repeat the entire year in which the course was failed.

1st Town Hall Meeting of the Year!

Town Hall Meeting

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Beldon Library

7:00 pm - Sharp!!

Topic: Derech Eretz Program Incorporating Harassment/Bullying and Discipline Policies

Handbook: Academic Honesty

Here is the 3rd posting regarding the newly revised parent/student handbook. A new posting will occur daily until all of the handbook has appeared once on the blog.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
The following guidelines are meant to clarify the teachers’ expectations with respect to student work:

1. Examinations: Giving or receiving information upon which a student is being tested before, during, or after a test is an act of academic dishonesty and is impermissible.
2. Acknowledgement of Sources: When using material from other sources (print, Internet, or otherwise), the student must acknowledge those sources. Teachers will clarify their expectations at the beginning of each course and before major assignments. If students are still unclear how to proceed, they should talk to the teacher.
3. Violation: As with any other school rule or policy, students who violate these academic policies will face disciplinary consequences. A “0” will be given when a student’s teacher has determined that the student was engaged in some form of academic dishonesty. It may also be grounds for not being nominated to the National Junior Honor Society or immediate dismissal form the NJHS.

Handbook: After School Programming

Please email me any clarifying questions or suggestions for next year's edit. oakesa@eka-sa.org


AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING
The Eleanor Kolitz Academy is pleased to offer after school programming to enhance each student’s educational experience as well as offer a safe place for students to go once the school day is over.

Programming
· Athletics
o Primarily offered to Middle School students, but may be available to fourth and third graders
o To participate, students must have:
§ A 70% (“C”) average
§ Minimal misconduct notations
§ Minimal absences and tardies
§ Approval by their core teachers (Hebrew and Judaic Studies, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies)
o There is a nominal cost for each sport played for coaches, referees, games, uniforms, equipment, and incidentals. The cost will be dependent upon the sport.
o No practices or games on Shabbat
· Homework Lab
o 4:00 – 6:00 pm; Monday - Thursday
o $5.00 / hour; $2.50 / ½ hour, or any part there-of
o Homework lab will only continue if there is a minimum of 4 students pre-registered for each hour
o Homework lab is a relatively quiet place for students to complete their homework or do a quiet activity until their parent or guardian is able to pick them up. Depending on the teacher facilitating homework lab, specific subject help (e.g. Hebrew, Algebra, etc…) may not be available.
o Please provide a snack
o See the Homework Lab section of this Handbook to see more detailed policies regarding Homework Lab
· Specialty Activities
o As they are available, students will be able to participate in specialty activities such as Chess, Drama, Art, Music, etc…
o Cost will be dependent upon the cost of the educator and materials

Cost
Cost will be dependent upon the activity, the cost of the educator, and the materials needed for the program to take place.

Time
Times and dates will be dependent upon the availability of the educator. This information will be made available at the start of the school year and as activities become available.

8th Grade Trip to Israel Raffle: IPad

The EKA 8th Grade is rasing money for their trip to Israel!

This year's raffle winning prize is a brand new IPad!!

Raffle tickets are $10 each and may be purchased from any 8th grader.

2nd prize is an ITouch

3rd prize is a set (2) of Spurs Tickets

Raffle

A yellow canary Judith Ripka fountain ring worth $750. Tickets are 10.00 each and all families are encouraged to sell 10. Everyone should have received their packets with tickets at MTTN. Tickets are due Dec 1 and will be raffled at the hannukah dinner; winner does not need to be present. Second prize will be a ladies Movado watch donated by the Gurinsky family.

New Midah of the Week

When someone wins or does something well, sincerely congratulate that person.

Jewish text connection:

"One should relate the praises of his friend and not discuss his faults at all" (Rambam, Hilchot Deot, Chapter 5, Law 7)

Due to the brevity of the 9/6 school week, this Midah will continue into the 9/13 school week.

Please take some time to discuss this Midah at your dinner table. Talk about how the actual text became the succinctly stated Midah (value above). Talk about with your family how this can sometimes be difficult to do when we find ourselves on the "losing" end of things, but how important it is be a bigger person and still offer congratulations and praise.

Handbook: Attendance

Each day another section of the revised EKA handbook will be posted here. Please feel free to email me at oakesa@eka-sa.org with any clarifying questions or suggestions for next year's edit.

Though posted during the summer, the first section is the Attendance Policy. Thank you to all who have worked hard to get to school between 7:40 and 7:55. Puncuality is a value we want to teach the students and we do so, in part, by beginning our day promptly at 8:00 am with the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements. By 8:01 am, students are hard at work.

ATTENDANCE
1. The school day starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. (3:00 p.m. for kindergarteners without older siblings in the school).
2. Morning drop-off begins at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 7:55 a.m.
3. Afternoon pick-up begins at 3:30 p.m. and ends approximately 3:45 p.m.

Absences
1. Schools-On-Inet (SOIN) will automatically email you of your child’s absence from school or class.
2. When a student is absent, due to illness or a planned event, email eka@eka-sa.org or call 210-302-6900 before 10:00 a.m each day of the illness or the week before the planned event and include duration. A doctor’s note to keep on file is highly encouraged.
3. If a family wishes to have missing work sent home due to illness, please notify the school at eka@eka-sa.org or call 210-302-6900 on the second day of the illness by 10:00 a.m. Teachers will make every possible effort to send assignments for students to the office by 3:15 p.m. Assignments can be picked up in the office by a parent or by another child. When possible, assignments may also be sent by email at your request.
4. Due to teacher’s adjusting their lessons to the needs of their students, assignments missed due to a prolonged planned event (e.g. trip) will be given upon the child’s return to school. All families should understand that additional time at home may need to be devoted to making up missing work upon a child’s return to school. Due date of missed assignments will be at the teacher’s discretion.
5. If a test is scheduled for the day of the student’s illness, he/she must be prepared to take it the day after his/her return to school or at another time set by the teacher and student.
6. Students with excessive absences may not be promoted to the next grade level at the end of the year. It is our policy that a student may not be given credit for a class missed 15 days. The student will lose credit unless each and every class is made up in an acceptable manner at the discretion of the teacher (possibly at a cost, if tutoring is essential). Unusual or extenuating circumstances would be a basis for appeal of this policy via the Head of School.

A student will be marked absent for the following reasons:
· Vacations/trips
· Appointments
· Illness
· Suspensions

A student will not be counted absent in the event of the following:
· School sponsored field trips or activities
· Death in the family
· High school visits of up to 2 days by 8th graders

Early Dismissal
1. Leaving school for appointments during the school day is discouraged. If unavoidable, please send a note to the school office (ask your child to drop it off before heading to class) or call the school office.
2. When a child leaves school during the day, his/her parents must check him/her out through the school office and check in upon return. Early dismissal ends at 3:15 p.m.; after that time, students will be dismissed at the regular dismissal time.
3. At no time will a teacher release a student directly to a parent from a classroom, or will a parent pick-up or drop-off their child to the classroom.
4. It is the student (or parent’s responsibility for young children) to ask or email the teacher whose class was missed for the missed assignment/s.

Tardy
1. A student is considered tardy when they are not in their class prepared to learn at the start of that class.
2. SOIN will automatically notify parents when their child is late to school or class. It will also be recorded in the students’ agenda.
3. Students will be considered tardy at 8:01 a.m. (and any time after the start of a class in Middle School)
a. Tardy Kindergarten – 4th Grade students must be accompanied into the building, dropped-off in the office, and signed-in by a parent
b. Middle School students may be dropped off at the front of the school and report immediately to their first period class.

End of Week Notes

1. If you ordered Rosh Hashanah greeting cards Monday - Wednesday, they are in your child (or youngest child's) backpack today!

2. Class photos tomorrow, Friday - look handsome and pretty!

3. New Midah (value!) on Tuesday!

4. School closures next week: Monday (Labor Day), Thursday and Friday (Rosh Hashanah) ... we will be open for a full day of school (as a service to our families) on Erev Rosh Hashanah (Wednesday).

Rosh Hashanah Greeting Cards

Thank you to all of you who placed your orders for Rosh Hashanah greeting cards!!

Orders can be received through Friday, September 3rd!

Please call and confirm if you would like to bring any additional children to school on Wednesday, September 1st at 4:00 pm to have a family photo taken.

Greetings From the EKA to You

Parents:

Each family received a very special envelope today. It was sent home with your youngest child in the school.

Please look for it!

B'nai Mitzvoth Calendar

Dear families,
For many of us the time to plan a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is approaching very fast. This is a very special and joyful occasion that we all want to share with friends and family.
Here at the EKA we are a family and our children want to share such a special moment with their friends. In an effort to try to avoid as much as possible double B’nai mitzvoth dates I would like to ask all of you to please send me any dates that you already have to celebrate this important event.
I will create a calendar with this dates that will be accessible to all. It will be updated constantly as the dates come in. I believe this will be very helpful in planning our events considering that we all want to share it together.
Since it would be easier for me to update the list from home, please DO NOT reply to this e-mail but e-mail me your information to: dalia.rosenberg@gmail.com
Thank you for your help and participation.

Dalia Rosenberg

Meet the Teacher Night

Click on the title above to see photos from a great evening!

Yes, Please ... No, Thank You!

At a few Town Hall Meetings last year, we spoke at length about the need clear policies regarding student behavior as well as clear descriptions of what it means to be a mensch.

I am very happy to share with you that we have a comprehensive program, that we are referring to our Derech Eretz Program, that teaches the values of being a mensch, but also has clear descriptions and consequences laid out in a harassment / bullying policy and in a discipline policy.

The heart of the program though, is the values curriculum. Spanning over the course of two years (sorry 8th graders :( students will learn the many midot ("values") of being a mensch; more specifically, the behaviors we would like our students to model. What is unique about the program is that each value is directly connected to Jewish text. Our younger students will simply learn the value and our older students will study the text and discuss how we arrived at the value.

Each week (sometimes over two weeks) a new value will be presented at the first Tefillot session for the week. The value will proudly be displayed on banners and posters throughout the school to remind each student of the value of the week. An abbreviated version (very abbreviated) will also be on the outside marquis. Finally, on the first day of the week a presentation of the value will be on the EKA Blog with the hopes that it will solicit conversation in each of our families homes and into the community.

So, without further ado, presenting the very first value:

"When responding to an adult, answer by saying, "yes, please" or, "no, thank you."

This value is found in Rambam Hilchot Talmud Torah, Chapter 5, Law 5:

"and one should not respond to his teacher the way he would to his friend, rather he should greet him with fear and respect and say, "peace upon you my teacher and mentor"

Meet The Teachers Night / Babysitting

Meet The Teachers Night

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

6:15 pm

Holzman Auditorium

Babysitting Available: $15 for the first child and $5 for each additional child (Support's 8th grade trip to Israel)

Must make a reservation at 302-6900 or russos@eka-sa.org by Monday the 23rd

Digital Cameras Needed

Do you have an older digital camera (3-5 megapixels) that you no longer need? The EKA has a home for it! We would prefer cameras that don't require AA batteries (but have their own batteries and charge).

Thanks!

Lots of Changes: Come to Meet The Teachers Night

As we move into our second day of school some questions have come up about the schedule, the dual tracks, our new math program, and our new writing program.

Meet The Teachers Night is occuring a week earlier than it has in the past in order to present these changes and give you an opportunity to ask questions in a public place for all to hear the answers (as a teacher, I have learned that if one student had a question, 1/2 the class probably had the same question).

Yesterday, almost all teachers were instructed to only go through the parent/student handbook. It came home yesterday and you are all asked to read it and sign the Kavod Contract at the end by next Friday. Today is the true first day of classes for our students and teachers are hard at work orienting the students to their class. I just walked through the building and it is eerily quiet (in contrast to yesterday) as students are in their classes learning.

If you have major concerns that cannot wait until that time, please reach out to the teacher first, then Mrs. Davis, and then to me and we will work to get you the answer.

Meet the Teacher's Night

Meet the Teacher's Night

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

6:00 - 6:30 - Packet Distribution (this is new, you will receive a packet of information specialized per family)

6:30 - Program Start

8:00 - Program End

Holzman Auditorium

The First Day of School

The first day of school has come and gone ... already!! It was so exciting to see all of the children and parents make their way into the building and have the students settle into their places. Surprisingly, it wasn't too chaotic!

As always, the schedule may have kinks to be worked out. Usually, we get them addressed once we go through one full cycle of the schedule (today through next Tuesday). If you think there may be a problem with the schedule, please have your child alert one of their teachers and Mrs. Davis will have it addressed. If it persists past next Tuesday, please contact Mrs. Davis with your concerns.

Next Tuesday night, August 24th, is our annual Meet The Teacher's Night. This is our most well attended evening and the night you will learn the details of each of your child's classes. Packet distribution is between 6:00 and 6:30 (your child's schedule, etc...) and the program will begin at 6:30 pm. Everything starts in the Holzman Auditorium.

I hope your children had as great of a day as we did today!!

Where To Go On the First Day

Middle School Students: 5th - 8th Grades
Report to the Holzman Auditorium, with your bags, for bagels, OJ, and an Assembly (you will get your schedules and locker assignments at this time)

4th Grade: Room 283 (Morah Hagit will greet you)

3rd Grade: Room 162 (Mrs. Markson will greet you)

2nd Grade: Room 169 (Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Black will greet you)

1st Grade: Room 161 (Mrs. Samuels will greet you)

Kindergarten: Room 163 (Ms. Campbell and Mrs. Klug will greet you)

We are all so excited to see you on Wednesday!!

Meet The Teacher's Night: August 24th at 6:30

Meet the Teacher’s Night

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

6:30 pm

Holzman Auditorium

This is the most well attended evening event of the year … don’t miss out!!

Attendance - We Can Only Take Responsbility For Your Education If Your Are Here To Get It!

There have been changed to the attendance policy ... it is detailed below; however, the biggest change is regarding Morning Drop-Off:

Morning Drop-Off is from 7:40 until 7:55. All students must be in their classrooms and ready to go for the day at 8:00 am, Sharp!
ATTENDANCE
1. The school day starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. (3:00 p.m. for kindergarteners without older siblings in the school).
2. Morning drop-off begins at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 7:55 a.m.
3. Afternoon pick-up begins at 3:30 p.m. and ends approximately 3:45 p.m.

Absences
1. Schools-On-Inet (SOIN) will automatically email you of your child’s absence from school or class.
2. When a student is absent, due to illness or a planned event, email eka@eka-sa.org or call 210-302-6900 before 10:00 a.m each day of the illness or the week before the planned event and include duration. A doctor’s note to keep on file is highly encouraged.
3. If a family wishes to have missing work sent home due to illness, please notify the school at eka@eka-sa.org or call 210-302-6900 on the second day of the illness by 10:00 a.m. Teachers will make every possible effort to send assignments for students to the office by 3:15 p.m. Assignments can be picked up in the office by a parent or by another child. When possible, assignments may also be sent by email at your request.
4. Due to teacher’s adjusting their lessons to the needs of their students, assignments missed due to a prolonged planned event (e.g. trip) will be given upon the child’s return to school. All families should understand that additional time at home may need to be devoted to making up missing work upon a child’s return to school. Due date of missed assignments will be at the teacher’s discretion.
5. If a test is scheduled for the day of the student’s illness, he/she must be prepared to take it the day after his/her return to school or at another time set by the teacher and student.
6. Students with excessive absences may not be promoted to the next grade level at the end of the year. It is our policy that a student may not be given credit for a class missed 15 days. The student will lose credit unless each and every class is made up in an acceptable manner at the discretion of the teacher (possibly at a cost, if tutoring is essential). Unusual or extenuating circumstances would be a basis for appeal of this policy via the Head of School.

A student will be marked absent for the following reasons:
• Vacations/trips
• Appointments
• Illness
• Suspensions

A student will not be counted absent in the event of the following:
• School sponsored field trips or activities
• Death in the family
• High school visits of up to 2 days by 8th graders

Early Dismissal
1. Leaving school for appointments during the school day is discouraged. If unavoidable, please send a note to the school office (ask your child to drop it off before heading to class) or call the school office.
2. When a child leaves school during the day, his/her parents must check him/her out through the school office and check in upon return. Early dismissal ends at 3:15 p.m.; after that time, students will be dismissed at the regular dismissal time.
3. At no time will a teacher release a student directly to a parent from a classroom, or will a parent pick-up or drop-off their child to the classroom.
4. It is the student (or parent’s responsibility for young children) to ask or email the teacher whose class was missed for the missed assignment/s.

Tardy
1. A student is considered tardy when they are not in their class prepared to learn at the start of that class.
2. SOIN will automatically notify parents when their child is late to school or class. It will also be recorded in the students’ agenda.
3. Students will be considered tardy at 8:01 a.m. (and any time after the start of a class in Middle School)
a. Tardy Kindergarten – 4th Grade students must be accompanied into the building, dropped-off in the office, and signed-in by a parent
b. Middle School students may be dropped off at the front of the school and report immediately to their first period class.

While You've Been Relaxin', We've Been Hard at Work!

Ok, I realize that many of you feel like the school supply shopping list was hard work too!!

The weeks up to school are extremely busy. When you come in on Wednesay, and I invite every parent to do so ... yes, even the parents of our 7th and 8th graders, who may be mortified if you walk in with them ... you will see the changes that are taking place at the EKA. But those are the changes you will only see on the surface; there are many underlying changes, and not just the Judaic Dual Track program. At Meet the Teachers Night, on Tuesday, August 24th at 6:30 pm, I'll talk more about the changes.

I would love for you to all know what the teachers and staff have been doing during these days leading up to the start of school. Besides working hard to set-up their classrooms (which is a huge project after camp uses the classrooms during the summer), they have beent taking part in the following workshops:

1. A couple of weeks ago, the general studies teachers spend two full days learning about our new writing program, SMILE.

2. At our welcome breakfast we spoke specifically about the importance of Derech Eretz, Mutual Respect, and Professionalism.

3. The teachers and staff have all reviewed in-depth our new Agenda (thank you Shweiki Media!) and Handbook.

4. We covered in depth the new Values curriculum that is the our guiding behavior curriculum. There is also a harassment/bullying policy and procedure in place as well as a general discipline policy and procedure: They reviewed the details of both.

This is just a small glimpse of what we have been up to and we cannot wait to see you on Wednesday to hear about whay you all have been up to!

Pool Party Invitation

Pool Party Invitation and RSVP

EKA/PIE (Partners in Education)
Invites your family to join us for a Back to School Pool Party.
Meet new EKA families! Renew old friendships! Have Lunch on us!

Sunday, August 22, 2010
12 noon-2 PM  @ JCC Pool

Lunch served at 12:30 PM
RSVP is required, to insure adequate lifeguard coverage and food for everyone.

Supply List

I have received some questions regarding the supply list that went out last week. A request was made that I post to the blog why the school supply responsibility has been placed back on EKA families.

First, until two or three years ago, all families purchased school supplies for their children from a teacher generated list. At some point, the school offered the service of purchasing school supplies. After experimenting with this system, it has been determined that it is inefficient and wastes time. Two years ago the administration, and then last year PIE, took on the responsibility of scouring San Antonio stores for the best prices on school supplies and then purchasing them in bulk, while adhering to the stores purchasing rules. It took days for all supplies to be gathered and organized; time away from school preparation and away from families.

Last summer, PIE and the administration came to the decision that each family will now take on the responsibility of back-to-school shopping.

This decision was not a cost-based decision. Truthfully, the back-to-school deals that start appearing in August makes the cost of the supplies nominal. The supply cost that is embedded in the cost of tuition is really geared towards the thousands of dollars spent on workbooks, new curriculum resources, classroom materials, etc... The time devotion for school supply shopping will probably be about 1-hour; however, for a small team from the school, the time devotion is hours over many days.

Looking towards next year, supply lists will be presented on one grade per one page. The list, as it is presented this year, appears overwhelming with all grades squeezed onto two pages.

In addition, after reviewing each list, it appears that some teachers took into account possible need for replacement over the school year and therefore asked for multiples of the same item, while others did not. Feel free to use your discretion in the need to purchase multiples of the same item (exceptions include reams of paper, pencils, and requests for folders in different colors).

I hope this clarifies the posted supply list. I apologize this letter did not accompany it.

Swap Shop

New and Returning Families:

Do not forget about the EKA Swap Shop!

The Swap Shop features gently worn uniform clothing donated by students who have graduated or outgrown their clothes. You may swap outgrown clothes for clothes that fit or purchase at a very reduced cost.

School hours are 10 - 2 throughout the summer to come and go through the bins!

Supply List

This is the supply list for the 2010-11 school year:
Supply List