Mah Chadash: For the Kids' Sake, Let's Persevere

Implementing school in-person these last 12 weeks has been an enormous gift to our students. We have seen children, who had been traumatized from months of isolation, heal because they were able to interact with peers and teachers, and engage in hands-on learning. Our teachers have helped your children recover skills that were not solidified last spring. Though our commitment to provide the very best was evident in our remote learning last spring, there is simply no substitute for being together. We must do everything we can for the children so they can continue to learn in person.

It’s extraordinary that we have made it through week 12 and have not had to quarantine a class cohort, and yet coronavirus news in St. Louis County is extremely concerning. Hospitals are reaching capacity, death rates are increasing and new restrictions are being issued for our community. The colder weather has arrived, driving our families indoors.

Earlier this week we turned to our medical advisory team to ask them how we can navigate the change of weather, the upcoming holidays and maintain in-person school. (If you missed our Town Hall meeting, you can watch it here.

The theme of the conversation was clear: masking is critical. Spread is happening when small groups of people, typically friends and families, gather for meals. Practice excellent hand hygiene and physical distancing.

We also shared that the health department issued Mirowitz a limited number of rapid COVID-19 antigen tests to be used (with parental consent) if a student or staff member becomes symptomatic during the school day. Nurse Beca has been trained and is certified to administer them.

In Judaism we have one rule that supersedes all others - Pikuach Nefesh - saving a life. No doubt, we are all facing Covid fatigue, but as we approach the winter months, let’s challenge ourselves to persevere. If we, as the Mirowitz community, can set aside normalcy outside of school for a little longer, we can help our children have the in-person education they deserve. Please consider zoom gatherings instead of in-person. Bundle up and take a walk with friends, and save that indoor game night for another time.

Thank you for everything you have sacrificed this year. Your decisions make a quality, in-person Jewish day school experience possible.

Shabbat Shalom,

Cheryl

November 16: Grandparent/Kindergarten Havdalah
November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break
December 3: Middle School Open House
December 7: Prof. Development - No School
December 10: Light Up the First Night Chanukah Celebration @ 5 p.m.
December 19: Winter Break begins
January 4: School Resumes

January 15: Teacher recording day - No School

January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. - No School

January 28: Tu Bishvat

February 12: Professional Development - No School

February 15: Presidents Day - No School

Let's get this party started! Put these dates in your calendar and check your email for details on your grade-level parent's night out.

First Grade- November 30 @ 8pm

Second Grade- November 18th @ 8pm

Third Grade- November 16th @ 8pm

Fourth Grade- November 19th @ 8pm

Middle School- November 23rd @ 8pm

Do you have a child in 4th or 5th grade, or a friend who is curious about Mirowitz for their child? We've planned a moment of exploration for parents and children on December 8 @ 7 p.m. RSVP here.

RSVP Here

We're joining forces with our neighbors at B'nai Amoona (and Mirowitz dad Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham) to have a safe and FUN Hanukkah celebration:

Thursday, December 10

5 p.m.

From Your Own Car

In the Mirowitz Parking Lot

We'll kindle the first Hanukkah lights together! We'll enjoy live music broadcast through your FM radio...sung by Mirowitz mom and dad Nati and Itay Marmor! (Did you know they are rock stars in Israel?)

A 10 foot menorah awaits, as well as a personal (electric) light for each family to help us light up the night. You'll leave with a bag of materials to make the rest of your Hanukkah celebrations meaningful.

Each year as Hanukkah nears, the children of Mirowitz explore their own passions and philanthropic priorities through the Chanukah Tamhui project. Our students learn about five tzedakah organizations, each focusing on repairing our world in a different way — by eliminating poverty or disease, by helping animals or the earth, by caring for children or the elderly, by helping our Jewish community here or in Israel. Together, we dive into deep conversations about which causes pull at our heartstrings. (See

So, what inspires you? We invite students, faculty and parents to nominate organizations that may be chosen as beneficiaries of the project this year. Please email your suggestions to Cheryl by Wednesday, November 18. Your nomination must include:

• The name of the organization
• Why you feel it should be included.
• The organization's contact info and website.

If you would like to be on the selection committee, please email Cheryl. We will meet on November 20 at 1 p.m. on Zoom.

Photo below is from Tamchui 2019.

Hi Moms and Dads,

MLK Day is around the corner….again! We're not going to let the pandemic get in the way of a powerful social action day! BUT...we will need to change it up a bit!

Will you help us plan an awesome drive-by social action event for little ones! (MLK Day is January 18 this year.)

Let Lee'at know if you can come to our 1 and only meeting: Wednesday, December 9 @ noon.

Can't wait to work with you all!
Patty, Lee'at and Jen Lotsoff

Want to Sneak a Peek into kindergarten Hebrew class? We created a short video for Open House. Watch it here!

If I were going to say something to Kindergarten me, it would be this: "YOU are in for a treat! Your childhood will be awesome and include cool learning experiences, caring teachers and great friends. In nine years, you will feel sorry that your time at Mirowitz is coming to an end, so enjoy it! And don't forget to thank your parents.

Micah
8th grade

I always go back to Mirowitz for being the foundation for so much of who I am and what I value and the lens through which I see the world...I've noticed as I've gotten older that my Jewish values are essentially just my regular values. When I was taught to be a good friend and to be a good person, I was taught that those things go along with Jewish values. So whenever I'm asked to make a decision that is values based and that is a moral decision, it is inevitably going to be a Jewish one and a good one at that.

Morah Michelle Bennett, Alum and Mirowitz teacher

Did you miss it? Check it out here!

Snir and

Seraphina

who led the lower school in Torah study.

and to Eliana, Leah and Noah who chanted Torah in the Middle School.

to Mirowitz Kindergartner

Isaac P

who lost his first tooth! (Look how he showed his class his new smile!)

As many of you know, our son, Mirowitz sixth Grader, Zachary, lives in a medically unstable body. This is due to a condition called Familial Dysautonomia, or FD. We are thankful to FD Now for supporting the Laboratory for Familial Dysautonomia Research which makes Zach’s life better every day.

Please join our family at this concert featuring popular Jewish artists to support FD Now.

With gratitude,

Sharon and Mike Nathanson,
Mollie and Zach

Bistro Kids is now offering To Go Curbside Meals on Wednesday afternoons. Meals are cold and packaged in oven safe containers. You can pick up your pre-ordered meals at the door of the B’nai Amoona kitchen between 3:10 and 3:40 p.m. Meals will be charged to your child's Bistro Kids account. Place your order HERE. Contact AJ with questions.

Your scientist-in-training is invited to join PJ Library & Bais Abe Congregation on Sunday, November 15 at 9:30 for a hands-on morning of experimentation. Supplies will be provided along with a list of other essentials prior to our session. RSVP to Jennifer Baer to receive the zoom link!