Shavuon: Volume 2 Issue 2, October 14, 2007

This coming Monday marks the beginning of a four-week period without any school breaks.  You will probably agree with me that after this "full-of-holidays" September, it will be a blessing, but also a challenge.  For some of the children it will be hard to adjust to a regular routine, while for others it will be just what they need.  The Jewish culture, which often focuses on holidays and celebrations, also embraces the daily and weekly routines in many ways such as daily services, weekly torah readings or parashot, and blessings over the meals. The book of Vayikra explains in detail about the routine of building and folding the Mishkan - the tabernacle. As adults we are used to routines.  For some of us, it is a comfort zone; this is where we feel safe.  Others are in a constant search as to how to escape them.  But we all have to deal with routine.  This is part of our lives as members of a modern western society.  Let us use this month - as parents as well as educators - to teach our children "to make the best of it."

Routines are important, especially for children, for several reasons:  They provide an opportunity to work on organizational skills, day by day, week by week, taking one step at a time and improving.  A detail forgotten yesterday will be remembered today and included tomorrow.  There is opportunity within the process that leads to success. 

Consider how routines are related to developmental learning. Learning is walking a path.  If there are too many stops on the way - the big picture becomes unclear. Coming back to the same material day by day, reflecting on yesterday's material, learning something new, and taking time to "digest," increases our understanding.  We encourage our students to develop perspectives, visions and philosophies about the world.  This takes time, depth, and knowledge.  A good routine is frequently the right framework to put things together and make it happen.

I hope these few, short lines will make the coming weeks as enjoyable as possible!

Thank you to all who bought gift wrap. We raised almost $2500.00 for the school! Special congratulations to Grade 4, who had the highest participation and won an ice cream party! All orders will be distributed the week of November 16. Remember you can continue to order Innisbroook products through out the year. Go to Innisbrook and enter our school number 109330. JCDSRI gets 50% profit on all orders.

Raffle We are excited to offer our first ever membership raffle! If you completed the blue form in the summer packet and sent in a check for PA membership you have automatically been entered in the raffle. Otherwise, please fill out a blue form and pay your membership fee by November 2. Forms are available in the lobby. PRIZES: 10 free hot lunches (You will be reimbursed.), a pair of earrings designed by Lori Shulkin Lowinger and a set of gift cards designed by Laura Mernoff.

Calling all volunteers  Want to get involved and meet other parents? The PA is recruiting volunteers for the following committees and events.

Parent Education Committee

We will be organizing some exciting educational and community building events this year such as a Shabbat song night and a cooking class and contest with our own Deb Blazer. These events will be coordinated with our school Shabbat dinner in March. Contact Laura Silberfarb at 228-3839 or loliven@visi.com

All School Shabbat Dinner Committee

This committee will organize, cook and host an all school Shabbat dinner to be held in March. Contact Guy Bermel at 454-7613 or guylbri@yahoo.com