Akiva Academy Hanukkah Program

We had a wonderful, very well-attended Hanukkah Program here at Akiva on December 4.
Each grade level performed to the packed All Purpose Room audience. Some 250 adults attended the event. Donuts, latkes and refreshments were served following the program.

Congratulations to the staff and students for all of their work on this special program.

The following pictures demonstrate the kinds of entertainment that was provided by our Akiva students.

Grade 2 students...



Grade 4 students ...



Donuts and latkes for those attending...

Ohio State / Michigan Rivalry Week

We had some fun this week at Akiva with the Ohio State and Michigan rivalry. We had a dress up day and three days when a trivia question was sent home. Students, with help from their parents, spent time researching the answer. Prizes were then awarded to students who answered the questions correctly and who were drawn from all of the correct responses.

Here are some pictures of the winners of the trivia questions drawings:

Veterans' Day Observance

This week, Mrs. Doslovic made arrangements to have representatives from the Korean War Veterans Chapter talk to the 5th and 6th grade students at an assembly here at Akiva. The assembly included the posting of colors, a discussion of the POW / MIA table, each of the five individuals relating their experiences and finally a demonstration of the flag folding.

Here are a few photos from the assembly:





In their thank you notes to the veterans, some of our students noted:

"It was so touching when one of you gave the piece of candy to the orphan..."

"We appreciate you coming to our school to talk about your war experiences."

"It really made me think about how lucky I am to live here and be free."

"Thanks for the nice presentation including the nice stories and the heart touching memories."

New Links Posted

I've recently added some websites in the "Suggested Links" section (on the left).

* "A Family Book About Reading" describes proven strategies for teaching reading to your child. It is stated in a very easy to understand format.

* "Dad's Playbook-Coaching Kids to Read" is a full color publication that offers suggestions for parent-child activities, games and strategies.

* PBSKidsGo is a great site for math, science and reading games and activities.

Click on them and take a look!

Traffic / Roof Work

FOR YOUR INFORMATION...

This Friday, October 19, there will be some major roof repairs taking place at the JCC. The back driveway, running by the Akiva entrance, will be closed from time to time throughout the day. Be aware that the traffic pattern by the Akiva entrance will be disrupted throughout the day. Repairs should be completed by dismissal time.

Morning Arrival / "Drop Off" Help!!

Parents ...
We need your assistance as we continue to monitor our arrival and dismissal procedures.

Please DO NOT STOP OR PARK by the front entrance during arrival time (8:15 - 8:30)

We have had major congestion in the morning due to some parents stopping and coming into the building during that time.

If you wish to come into the building during those times, please park down in the lot, or at least, further down from the front of the building.
Thanks you.

Thanks - Second Harvest Food Drive

A special "Thank You" to the staff, students and their parents for providing non-perishable food items for the Second Harvest Food Drive. The container in the main hall is overflowing. Non-perishable food items are still being received. Feel free to send additional items...On behalf of the Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana families who will receive the needed food items...Thank You.





Student work is displayed throughout the building...

Classrooms and "Specials"

Our Akiva students are learning in their classrooms....





and in their "specials" (art, music, gym, science and computers).

"Meet the Teachers Night"

What a nice evening at Akiva last night! We had many of our parents in attendance for our annual "Meet the Teacher Night". Parents had the opportunity to visit their child's classroom and to meet and to talk to the teacher. Teachers outlined for the parents some of the expectations and some of the activities that the students will be involved in as they proceed through this academic year.

Thanks to the parents for their continual involvement and their support of our Akiva program.

Activities...Inside...and Out

Our Akiva students have been working hard in their classrooms...



and also enjoying their time outside on the playground.

Parent Reminders...

Having completed our second week of school, I would like to review the following topics. Your assistance in these areas will allow us to make our operation more efficient and safer for our students.

* Please use the signs that you were given for your car windows when you pick up your child at the end of the day.

* A "sign out" sheet has been placed on the counter in the office. For security and safety issues, please sign your child out of the building anytime you leave early with your child.

* Milk, water and juice are available for purchase at lunch time. Water is .50 and milk and juice are .40

* As in previous years, students who have not been picked up by 3:30 each day will be taken to "Kids Konnection", and parents will need to pick up their child at Kids Konnection.

If you have any questions, or if you desire any additional information on any of these topics, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Book Fair - September 4-7

The Book Fair truck arrived this morning to bring us our books and materials!

Reminder
Our Fall Book Fair will take place next week, Tuesday through Friday, September 4-7. The Book Fair will be held in the JCC Adult Lounge from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. as follows:
Tuesday, Sept. 4 - Kindergarten and Grade 1
Wednesday, Sept. 5 - Second Grade and Third Grade
Thursday, Sept. 6 - Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade
Friday, Sept. 7 - Sixth Grade

Computer software along with books, cookbooks and stationery will be included.



If you wish to accompany your child at the Book Fair, please plan to attend during the above times.
Thanks, in advance, for supporting our Akiva Book Fair!!

Day 2 ...even smoother!

Today, Day 2, seemed to go a little smoother for us and for the students. Students knew where their locker was and where their rooms were when they arrived in the morning. Hopefully, arrival was smoother for parents also today...fewer parents and grandparents parked out front and so traffic continued to move in the morning.
It was also a beautiful day to be outside during recess. Here are some candid pictures of some students from the upper grades while they were outside today.

Our First Day

What a great first day!...helpful, dedicated Akiva staff, excited parents and enthusiastic students.
Here are a few pictures from today.


A shiny hallway awaits the arrival of the students.


Mrs. Kohan teaches her students.


Mrs. Guffey, our new second grade teacher, and her students stand outside their classroom.


Mrs. Oddis works with her 5th grade students.

Getting Ready...

Well, things are still pretty active at Akiva. Carol, Sherry and I, along with many teaching staff members, have been working hard at Akiva to have things prepared for the students' arrival on Monday, August 27.
Most of our work the last week has been in transforming last years Teacher's Lounge into a new second grade classroom.
We have hired Mrs. Barb Guffey to be our new second grade teacher. She spent time with Mrs. Hugli today reviewing curriculum, the daily schedule and other pertinent information. She is very excited about working with us at Akiva.




...still unpacking furniture for the new classroom!!