USDS Bayview Middle School students participated in the first JNF

Bayview Campus
Issue 31
For the Week Ending: June 8, 2012
School-Wide (Admin House) Bulletins:
Please remember to check your Friday Flyers. Click here.
SMART Cards – Click here to purchase gift cards for everyday shopping at no
cost to you!
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Parent Page for all the quick links you need.
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Shabbat Candle Lighting:
June 8 at 8:40 p.m
Shabbat Ends:
June 2 at 9:53 p.m.
Month at a Glance
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June 12 – Jr. Softball
Tournament
New Website and Calendar Instructions.
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Book and Supply Lists / Summer Information Package.
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June 13 – Gr. 5 Kavanah
Gardens 8:45 – 11:45 a.m.
June 13 – X-Country Meet
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Achievements
BECEL RIDE FOR HEART
June 20 – Gr. 8 Grad T’Fillah
Breakfast 9:00 - 12:00 noon
June 21 – Last Day of Classes
for Early Years & Middle
School 11:45 a.m. Dismissal
Joshua B., an SK student at RHA, Bayview Campus, rode by himself this year on the
25 km Becel Ride for Heart on Sunday, June 3, 2012.
June 21 – Graduation
Ceremony 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
He refused to quit even though he was the very last rider. Josh was happy to have
the police, buses and trucks escorting him as he rode to the end for the very first time
on his own bike with training wheels. His sister Amanda joined him at the end to
cheer him along since she knew the feeling all too well after tackling the 50 km last
year for the first time and also finishing last. This teaches people that you're never too
little to make a big difference in this world and together we know that no challenge is
too big if you put your heart into it.
June 22 – Last Day of Classes
for Elementary 11:45 a.m.
Dismissal
RHA Mission Statement
Miriam and Larry Robbins Hebrew
Academy
Through an integrated General and
Judaic Studies Program, students at
Robbins Hebrew Academy engage in
meaningful relationships with
educators, parents, peers and the
community, as they acquire critical
thinking skills to open their minds to:
1) a future of lifelong Jewish learning
2) academic excellence
3) global responsibility
4) respect for themselves and others
5) creative and healthy lifestyles
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Administration House
3072 Bayview Ave
Toronto, ON
M2N-5L3
1700 Bathurst Street
Toronto, ON
M5P-3K3
Bathurst Campus
Bayview Campus
T 416.224.8737
F 416.225.9108
T 416.781.5658
F 416.787.9632
T 416.225.1143
F 416.225.0659
3080 Bayview Ave
Toronto, ON
M2N-5L3
Principal’s Message
Parashat Beha'alotkha
Numbers 8:1 - 12:16
A central image of this week's parashah is the seven-branched menorah, which was lit in the
Israelites' journey in the desert and later in the Temple. This ancient symbol turns our thoughts
to Shabbat, and also toward the land of Israel.
"The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to Aaron and say to him: when you kindle the lamps,
the seven lamps shall cast light toward the center of the menorah,' " (Numbers 8:1-2).
A metaphoric explanation correlates the central light with Shabbat and the six branches with
the six days of creation. According to this view, Shabbat should always be at the center of our
thoughts. For the three days after Shabbat, we are sustained by the holiness of the past
Shabbat, and for the next three days, we receive strength from the holiness of the Shabbat to
come (Hasidic interpretation).
The menorah also focuses our thoughts on the land of Israel.
The description of the menorah is unusually botanical: There were six branches stemming from
its sides, each with three almond shaped calyxes with knob and flower. On the main central
stem, were four almond shaped calyxes, its knobs and flowers, all made of a single piece of
beaten gold (Exodus 25: 31-38 and 37: 17-24).
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Dr. Ephraim and Hannah Hareuveni, pioneers in the scientific study of nature in biblical
sources, found a native plant which resembles the description of the menorah. Their son,
Nogah Hareuveni, founder of Neot Kedumim, Israel's Biblical Gardens, writes that Moriah
(Salvia Palestina), when pressed on one-plane, mirrors the menorah with three stems emerging
form each side of a central stem. The Salvia also has knobs (gallnuts), which grow right from
the stem, precisely like the knobs (kaftorim) of the menorah. Thus, the instructions to build the
golden menorah were not created from imagination, but based on a real plant that grows in the
Land of Israel.
The menorah was stamped on the coins of the ancient Israeli state and is a powerful symbol of
the state's modern revival. However, the botanical association of the very first menorah with the
land is little known and provides an even older grounding of the symbol.
Shabbat Shalom,
Silvia & Shayla
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Bayview BBQ 2012
What a day! Our annual school BBQ was a great success. We couldn't have asked for a nicer
day to dance, eat and bounce the afternoon away in the school yard!
A BIG thank you to our BBQ committee! Under the leadership of Lesley R., our fabulous
volunteers, Irina G, Jody S., Jennifer G., Julie G. and Stacie B. put together a wonderful
celebration. Thank you all!
Last, but certainly not least, a big thank you to YOU, the RHA community, for supporting the PA
and coming out to join us. It was wonderful to see everyone coming together to celebrate the
success if another school year.
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School Trips
KAVANAH GARDEN
At Kavanah Garden we all got to do so many fun things. We got separated into 3 groups
and we got taste tests of an onion and mint leaf. We got to go to the stream and we filled
up watering cans to water the seeds that we planted in the soil. We heard some strange
noises too. After, our whole class saw a bunny rabbit hopping around! Later, we all
made toad homes out of paper cups. The seeds that we planted were carrot seeds and
beet seeds too! We all saw snails and Parker touched about 5 snails. They were so
slimy! If you sing a Hebrew song to them they will pop out of their shell! There was a
huge bee cage and when our group leader opened it we saw the bee up close. On the
bus on the way back to school we sang a lot of our Hebrew songs. We had a great time!
by Parker R. and Maya F.
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…Page 4
Gr. 5 to 6 Orientation
Although it was only a glimpse of what is yet to come, some of the nervous feelings are now
gone. The Grade 5 students now know what to expect when heading to Middle School next year.
A few teachers and some Grade 6 students explained to the Grade 5’s and their parents, what
they have to look forward to. Everyone seems excited to have their own lockers!
Class Activity
CHALLAH MAKING
The Grade 5 students joined together to learn how to make challah. Using a simple recipe, we
mixed the ingredients that were told to us in Hebrew. It got a little messy but it was fun baking with
all of our friends. Some of the students already baked their challah at home. Now we know how to
make fresh challah for Shabbat.
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…Page 5
Celebrations
JK HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
The JK class had a Jewish Holiday Celebration as a culmination of their exciting year. The
parents and grandparents were all smiles as they enjoyed all the wonderful singing and dancing.
As a special surprise at the end, they were treated to a slide show of the story “It Could Always
Be Worse” starring the children! A great time was had by all!
Guest Visits
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Holocaust Survivor and Red Army Veteran Alexander Levin came to speak to
grade 8 students at RHA Bayview campus on Monday, June 4th. He shared his
story as students listened attentively and asked thoughtful questions. One student said,
"your story really made me feel both angry and happy at the same time. Anger at what the
Nazis and their allies did but happiness that you and your brother survived." Some of the students
had been reading Alex's memoir and asked for his autograph as well.
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BEIT HALOCHEM
Today two Israeli soldiers shared their stories with the Grade 5, 6 & 7 students. They explained
what happened to them during the war that they were fighting in. After that they showed a video
of what Beit Halochem does and how it helps injured soldiers. The Grade 5 students thought that
Beit Halochem is a very inspirational organization.
by Amanda M. and Dani F., Grade 5
From the Bleachers
Jr. Softball
The Junior Softball team plays in their final tournament on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at York Hill
District Park.
The tournament will take place from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. Good luck to the team!!
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X-Country
The X-Country running team is practicing at lunchtime. If any other students are still
interested, please see Jackie in the office for a permission form. The Meet will take
place on Wednesday, June 13, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at Viewmount Park. Grades 4-5 run 1.2
km and Grades 6-8 run 1.8 km.
GO STORM GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Eco Mania
Eco Mania
Your weekly dose of eco tips
Here are three more everyday eco tips to help you respect the environment in everything
you do.
Eco Tip #36: Don’t Idle!
Idling is terrible for your car, your budget, and the environment. On average, North
Americans waste 2.9 billion gallons of gas per year by idling. That is approximately
$78.2 billion dollars in gas. But, more importantly, think of how much pollution that
causes! It barely takes any effort to avoid idling and save damage to your car, tons of
money, and loads of air pollution.
Eco Tip #37: Turn Off Your Computer
Your PC or Mac likely sits for hours a day, unused yet wasting energy. Put a stop to this;
turn it off. This takes very little effort but can save a great deal of energy. You can also
save an average of $90 a year in electricity just by turning off your computer at night.
Why leave it on?
Eco Tip #38: Clean/Replace Your Furnace Filter
This can decrease your energy use by 5 percent. The reason having a clean furnace
filter is good for the environment is that, when your filter is dirty, it becomes more difficult
for it to heat your house and wastes more energy doing so. Give your filter a break!
Car Pool Corner 2012-13
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There is only a short time left in this school year and we are already getting ready for the
2012-13 school year. In each of the remaining issues of Happenings & Highlights we will have
Car Pool Corner for parents who would like to arrange a car pool for September. Please email
Jackie, jrotem@rhacademy.ca, with your request and we will include it in each issue of
Happenings & Highlights until a match is made.
Carpool Requests
Location: Bayview & York Mills (NE quadrant)
Kids:
I have 2 and can take 2 more
Contact: Tammy at Schachter@sympatico.ca
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Featured Artists
CRAZY HAIR PORTRAITS
Our talented young artists had fun creating these decorative portraits where the hair tells the
story!
Courney M., Gr. 8
Alie E., Gr. 4
Ali S., Gr. 8
Jared, Gr. 8
Rebecca, Gr. 4
Carly A., Gr. 8
Important Information
In an effort to improve the communication between parents and the school office,
we ask parents to please email the school office as soon as they know their child
will be absent or late.
Bayview parents email: bay.attendance@rhacademy.ca.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
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…Page 9
Parents’ Association
Lunch & After School Programs: Fall, 2012
Registration is now open for the Fall, 2012
Academy of Lunch & After School Programs.
Click Here to register your child(ren) for some of our amazing programs!
Programs will fill quickly on a first-come-first- served basis,
so make sure to register early!
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Mabel’s Labels
Labels for the stuff kids lose!
The RHA Bayview Parents’ Association is running an exciting fundraiser with Mabel’s
Labels.
Now you can send your kids to school with cool labels on their belongings
while our school earns 20% commission on each order!
Click here for details.
Questions? Contact Danielle M.: daniellemarkus@gmail.com
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