March 12, 2012

“I’m leaving on a jet plane

Don’t know when I’ll be back again”

The Upcoming Week:

Hi Everyone! I hope you all are settling in to the time change. We are back to coming in to school when it is a little darker, but there is a lot more sunlight at the end of the day. I guess spring is here. We do not have much going on this week. It is the calm before the proverbial storm. Please note the departure dates and times for the respective trips:

• 8^th Grade – Sunday, March 18 – Meet on campus at 6 a.m.; bus leaves at 6:30 a.m.
• 7^th Grade – Monday, March 19 – Meet on Campus at 5:30 a.m.; bus leaves at 6 a.m. sharp
• 6^th Grade – Monday, March 19 – Meet on Campus at 7:30 a.m.; bus leaves at 8 a.m.

Return times:

• 8^th Grade – Wednesday, March 21 – 7:45 p.m. – Buses arrive at EWS
• 7^th Grade – Wednesday, March 21 – 5:30 p.m. – Buses arrive at EWS
• 6^th Grade – Wednesday, March 21 – 2:15 p.m. – Buses arrive at EWS

If there are major time changes on the road, parents will be notified via email from Cathy Power.

One small scheduling reminder that Wednesday, March 14 is an early dismissal day – 12:30 p.m. – for teacher in-service. Otherwise, it is business as usual this week.

“Road to Nowhere” Video – 7-9 p.m. in The Becker Theater – all parents and students are invited to attend.

Thanks and see you early on Sunday or Monday morning.

Mon, March 12	Kallah - “First Monday”
Tue, March 13	Advisory – Final Trip preparations Boys WHT Baseball v. MtB Home School– 4:30 p.m.
Wed, March 14	12:30 p.m. Dismissal
Thur, Mar 15	Torah Service for Abby Shreyberg and Liam Faigen! 8th Grade Advisory
Fri, Mar 16	Happy Birthday, Harrison Rosenthal! Happy Birthday, Danielle Singer! Kallah – Shabbat
Sat, Mar 17	Happy Birthday, Camille Simmons! Mazel Tov to Liam Faigen and Abby Shreyberg on their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs!
Sun, Mar 18	Happy Birthday, Harrison Rosenthal!

February 27, 2012

The Upcoming Week:

This week we have ERB testing from Tuesday-Friday. The tests will begin at 7:45 a.m., so please be sure to have your children at school on time. Make-up tests will have to be administered to those students who cannot take a test because they were not here to start on time. This can add to the stress that many students feel during this week. In order to ease some of the burden, students will have minimal homework during the week.

Outside of testing, it is a pretty mild week. Due to the ERB schedule, we have clubs on Monday and a special all-school Ma’amad/Kallad on Friday to preview the Upper School production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” We will not have advisory, Kallah or clubs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Lastly, spring trips are right around the corner. The parent meetings will be held on March 6. There are two opportunities to come – 8 a.m. or 6 p.m. Please feel free to attend either, but there is no need to attend both. We will cover the itinerary, packing lists, emergency contact information and answer any questions that you may have.

Thanks for another terrific week.

Mon, Feb 27	Clubs Boys WHT Baseball @Baytown Christian – 4 p.m.
Tue, Feb 28	ERB TESTING Boys NAV Baseball @Fort Bend Baptist – 4 p.m. Co-Ed MS Tennis v. Kinkaid – 3:30 p.m. Co-ED MS Track @Northland Christian – 4:30 p.m.
Wed, Feb 29	ERB TESTING MS Girls Softball v. Grace Presbyterian – 4 p.m.
Thur, Mar 01	Happy Birthday, Jamie Penn! ERB TESTING Boys NAV Baseball v. Grace Christian – 4 p.m. MS Girls Softball v. Grace Presbyterian - 4 p.m. Co-ED MS Track @Houston Christian – 4 p.m.
Fri, Mar 02	ERB TESTING All-School Ma’amad/Kallah – “Little Shop of Horrors” Preview
Sat, Mar 03	Mazel Tov to Grant Schneider and Noam Cohen on their Bar Mitzvahs! Happy Birthday, Abby Shreyberg!
Sun, Mar 04

Song:

“I believe that children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride
And make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how it used to be

Whitney – The Greatest Love

The Upcoming Week:

Happy Tuesday! I hope you all had a good long weekend. It seemed about the right time for an extra day off here at school as kids looked a little bleary-eyed on Friday. This week we have another pretty normal week on campus. However, next week we have ERBs. These necessary standardized tests will be given from Tuesday-Friday, February 28 - March 2 at the start of each day. Please, make every effort to drop your child off on time to school as the testing begins by 8 a.m. If a student does not start a particular test, then a make-up must be given the following week. Students will have their normal afternoon schedules on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. In the mornings, however, students will resume the normal daily schedule once testing concludes each day. On Friday afternoon, there is a special all-school preview of “Little Shop of Horrors” to end the week.

On Thursday, February 23, Dr. Bob Weinberger will be speaking to 8th Grade students and parents about drug and alcohol use in teenagers. The program will be held in the MS Seminar room (formerly, RM 130) and will begin at 8:43 a.m. Following the student presentation, parents are encouraged to stay for a 30-40 minute question and answer session with Dr. Weinberger. This program is the concluding event in the 8th Grade drug and alcohol prevention advisory program.

Please make sure to clear your calendars for the spring trip parent meetings on March 6. The meetings will be held at 8 a.m. or 6 p.m. to accommodate your busy schedules. We will cover the itinerary, the packing list and answer any questions you may have.

Lastly, the PE department and the MS consolidated the lost and found items and now we are overflowing. If your child is missing some clothing, please come in to the MS Office and take a look. Clothes not claimed by March 2 are going to be donated to charity or become part of the MS uniform shop.

Thank you all and have a great week.

Mon, Feb 20	School Closed – Presidents’ Day
Tue, Feb 21	Happy Birthday, Noam Cohen! MS Girls Softball v. Trafton – 4 p.m. MS Co-Ed Track @Fort Bend Christian Academy – 4 p.m. Boys NAV Baseball @Trafton – 4 p.m.
Wed, Feb 22	Clubs Boys WHT Baseball @Grace Presbyterian – 4 p.m. MS Girls Softball v. Grace Presbyterian – 4 p.m.
Thur, Feb 23	Grades 6/7 – Torah Service – Evan Sack, Nikki Schwartz, Rachel Morris, Grant Schneider, Noam Cohen, and Jake Plantowsky 8th Grade – Dr. Bob Weinberger speaking to students and parents about teenage drug and alcohol use Co-Ed MS Tennis v. Kinkaid, Honor Roll, Briarwood Match Boys NAV Baseball v. John Cooper – 4:30 p.m. MS Girls Softball v. John Cooper – 4:30 p.m.
Fri, Feb 24	Happy Birthday, Ben Blachman! Kallah – Special Speaker – Tikvah Juni – Woman with down syndrome speaking about inclusion and acceptance
Sat, Feb 25	Mazel Tov to Nikki Schwartz and Rachel Miller on their Bat Mitvahs! Happy Birthday, Lucy Frankfort!
Sun, Feb 26

February 13, 2012

The Upcoming Week:

I hope all is going well as we are flying through February. This week we welcomed grandparents and special friends of Middle School students on to campus on Tuesday. Grandparents enjoyed a special Kallah that highlighted the many talents of our students. Following kallah, there was a brief break for students and grandparents to visit. It was great seeing all the grandparents and we hope they enjoyed the time they spent on campus.

This week the 8th Graders will meet with the US registrar, Josh Blice, and the College Counseling staff – Lynn Slaughter and Chris Teel. The purpose of this meeting is to introduce 8th Grade students to the course requirements of the Upper School and the role of college counseling. This is an event for all 8th Grade students, even if they may not attend the EWS Upper School next year.

Finally, we have an early dismissal on Friday leading into a long weekend. Monday, February 20 is Presidents’ Day and the school will be closed. Later that same week, the next round of interim grades will be sent home. You can expect these grades via email on Friday, February 24. The second semester is an opportunity for grades to start over as first semester and second semester grades do not get averaged together until the final report card in June. The grades you will receive on the 24 are only from the last seven weeks.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call. Have a great week and long weekend.

Mon, Feb 13	6-8 advisory – EWS Pictionary Happy Birthday to Libby Jarnagin!
Tue, Feb 14	Grandparents’ Day – special Kallah MS Girls Softball v. Lutheran South – 4pm Boys WHT Baseball v. Lutheran South – 4pm MS Co-Ed Track @Northland Christian – 4:30pm Boys NAV Baseball v. Lutheran South – 5:30pm
Wed, Feb 15	Clubs
Thur, Feb 16	Grades 6/7 – Torah Service – Lewis Graubart, Jacob Arnold, and Evan Sack 8th Grade - Meeting with US College Counseling and Registrar Boys WHT Baseball v. Westbury Christian – 4:00pm
Fri, Feb 17	12:30 Dismissal
Sat, Feb 18	Mazel Tov to Evan Sack, Jacob Arnold, and Lewis Graubart and their families! Happy Birthday, Bram Cox and Evan Sack!
Thurs, Feb 23	Dr. Bob Weinberger is coming to speak to 8th grade students and parents at 8:43 a.m. in the MS Seminar Room

February 6, 2012

The Upcoming Week:

I hope you all had a great weekend. We are starting to gear up for trips this week with our first student meetings. On Tuesday, students will get their first introduction to their respective class trips in March. As part of the experiential learning component of the school’s philosophy, all three trips incorporate elements from the classroom. During planned activities, students are exposed to content specific to their science, history and Judaic Studies classes. In addition, time is built in on each trip for reflection and journaling during appropriate moments. There will be an informational night for parents on Tuesday, March 6 at 8 a.m. or 6 p.m.

This month in advisory, we will focus on digital awareness. This week, Mr. Stern will discuss with students the importance of privacy setting when using internet tools. Wednesday we will have clubs once again as the schedule has allowed for more consistent meetings this semester. Thursday, we have a Torah Service for Michael Talisman. Also on Thursday, 8th Graders are encouraged to bring their own computers from home as Mr. Stern will actually walk them through some procedures for repairing their digital footprint and limiting their personal information that can be found on the internet. On Friday, we begin course selection discussions for next school year. This initial conversation will focus on the Foreign Language requirements and options available to rising 7th and 8th Graders and the Fine Arts electives available. You are asked to review the information with your child and assist him and her in those selections. On Friday, the 8th Graders will participate in an activity about risk awareness as part of their drug and alcohol prevention.

Looking ahead to next week, students should show up to school and expect a surprise in their lockers on the morning of the February 14. SGA is going to “surprise” each Middle School student with a “share the love” card and candy treat. In addition, to celebrate the day, students will be allowed to wear a shirt or sweatshirt of any shade or red or pink as part of the dress code. In addition, Grandparents are invited to join us on that same Tuesday for a couple of hours in the morning to see the school in which their grandchildren attend. The Kallah on that day is always special and I would expect nothing short of entertaining this year as well.

Thanks and have a great week.

Mon, Feb 6	MS Kallah – 6-8 – Controlling your Privacy Settings Happy Birthday, Ariella Teller!
Tue, Feb 7	6, 7 and 8 Grade Meetings on Spring Trips – Kids will be introduced to their respective trips and have a chance to ask questions.
Wed, Feb 8	Tu B’Shvat Seder
Thur, Feb 9	Grades 6/7 – Torah Service – Michael Talisman 8th Grade – Erasing their digital footprints – Students are encouraged to bring their computers to school as Mr. Stern will walk them through erasing unwanted material from their online profiles.
Fri, Feb 10	Grades 6/7 – Advisory – 2012- 2013 Foreign Language and Fine Arts’ Elective discussion. Forms will be sent home with students for parents to review and return to school. Grade 8 – Risk Awareness as part of drug and alcohol prevention program
Sat, Feb 11	Mazel Tov to Michael Talisman and his family! Happy Birthday, Ethan Dreyer!
Sun, Feb 12	Happy Birthday, Gavin Roth!

January 31, 2012

What Happened to Winter?

The Winter sports season is over. The three boys’ basketball teams each had very successful campaigns, and girls soccer ended with some great games and a couple of wins down the stretch. Now we turn our attention to spring sports and the first season in which 6th Graders can participate. On Monday, January 30, Boys Baseball, Girls Softball and Co-ed Track and Field have their first practices. Middle School students are also welcome to try out for the Upper School Tennis Team. However, due to limited court space, there are cuts in the tennis program, unlike other MS programs. So, it is with an addition of new energy from our 6th Graders that we anticipate a terrific spring season.

We have a pretty standard week this week in the way of scheduling. We have advisory on Monday and Tuesday (and Thursday for the 8th Grade), Clubs on Wednesday, a Torah Service on Thursday for 6th and 7th Graders, and then a Kallah to wrap the week on Friday. In advisory, all students will play EWS-agories on Monday. Modeled after the popular game, Scattagories, students will test their knowledge of all things EWS. On Tuesday, we will continue our digital awareness programming as advisories conduct two case studies to determine which fictitious candidate they would hire based on their online activity. On Thursday, the 8th Grade will dive into their first actual drug and alcohol prevention discussion with a focus on self-esteem. As always, if you have questions regarding any programming, please feel free to call or email.

For 8th Grade parents, please remember to send Mr. Houle your child’s first, middle and last name in order for us to complete the airline reservations for the DC trip.

Thanks everyone and have a great week.

Mazel Tov to Hannah Golub who will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah this weekend.

Happy Birthday to the following students who are all celebrating birthdays this week:
David Roubein (Jan 31)
Jacob Horwitz and Marlo Olifant (Feb 1)
Dylan Bishop (Feb 2)
Naomi Kass (Feb 4)
Kyra Goren (Feb 5)
Ariella Teller (Feb 6)

Apologies to Orly Golub who celebrated a birthday on January 13, and it was not mentioned in the blog.

Athletic Events this week:

Practices begin for all spring sports – Softball, Baseball, Track and Tennis.

Looking Ahead:

- MS Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day – February 14

- February 17 – 12:30 p.m. Dismissal

- 8^th Grade students meet with Upper School College Counseling and US Registrar on February 16

- 8^th Grade student/Parent program with Bob Weinberger on February 23 at 8:45 a.m.

- Interim Reports emailed home – February 24

- ERB Testing – February 28-March 2

January 23, 2012

Random Song Quote: Lots of people emailed wondering about the song quote that was absent last from last week’s blog! Okay, no one really emailed except someone who works at EWS, but I thought I’d make it sound like it was a really popular feature!

In honor of the release of Bruce Springsteen’s new single, “We Take Care Of Our Own”:

“Where's the promise from sea to shining sea
Wherever this flag is flown

Wherever this flag's flown

Wherever the flag is flown
We take care of our own”

What’s Happening?

There is a lot going on at school now that we have hit the second semester stride. This week we are beginning two programs in advisory, digital awareness for all grades and drug and alcohol awareness in 8^th Grade only. The goal of these two programs is to provide some basic education on these two pertinent topics in our students’ lives. If you have any questions or would like your child to not participate in one or both of these programs, please give me a call or drop me an email.

The digital awareness program is going to cover five advisory periods. During the course of those periods students are going to try to identify their own digital footprint and learn ways to minimize it. For “homework” due Janaury 31, students will Google themselves to see what information is online. We encourage parents to join with their children for this activity. In February, students are going to hear from the Upper School College Counseling staff about the pros and cons of the digital age on college admissions and we will wrap up the program in February with a lesson on the effects of cyber bullying.

The drug and alcohol program in the 8^th Grade will serve as an intro and extension to the same unit in health. We will have three whole group activities including a survey and discussion on self-esteem, and then on February 23, we will have a guest speaker – Dr. Bob Weinberger – who will give a presentation to parents and students at 8:45 a.m. He will then be available for a parents’ only meeting from 9:30-10 a.m. We encourage you to put this date on your calendars as we hope to see you all here for it.

Thanks again for another great week.

Mazel Tov to Marlo Olifant and Allan Frederick who will be celebrating their Bat and Bar Mitzvahs this weekend.

Happy Birthday to Sam Kaminsky (27^th) and Morgan Levy (29^th) who are celebrating birthdays this week.

Athletic Events this week:

Monday –

7 Boys Basketball @Westbury – 4:30 p.m.

7/8 Boys Basketball @St. Michael’s – 4:30 p.m.

8 Boys Basketball @Westbury – 5:30 p.m.

MS Girls Soccer v. John Cooper – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday -

MS Girls Soccer @Grace – 4:30 p.m.

Winter sports Season Concludes. Spring sports begin Monday, January 30.

Calendar Events – There are no significant calendar events to note this week.