Mah Chadash: A shout out to our teachers

“Everything this year is harder.” A talented Mirowitz teacher said that to me recently.

Let me back up and tell you a bit about our teachers. The educators who join the Mirowitz team share certain qualities. They love children. They love collaborating with smart, passionate colleagues. They love building community and being part of one. They love seeing the satisfaction children feel when they learn something new. They love igniting a flame of curiosity in a child. They love navigating through and finding solutions to tricky academic and social situations. And they love being your partners in raising your children.

And yet, everything is harder this year. They still love ALL those things, but it’s challenging to do even your dream job during a pandemic. So...excuse me while I give them a shout out!

Thank you, teachers, for teaching in a mask and enduring strained voices and physical exhaustion by each day’s end. Thank you for getting up earlier to prepare so you can greet your students in the classroom at 8 a.m. Thank you for delaying your desire to take a sip of coffee or munch on a snack, so you don’t unmask when children are present. Thank you for replying to emails, preparing newsletters and planning for class with fewer prep periods.

Thank you for the attention you give all of your students in the absence of volunteers who cannot come in the building. Thank you for showing up even when you are afraid of contracting COVID, and for meeting with your colleagues over Zoom instead of in the same room. Thank you for waiting patiently for your turn to receive the vaccine, even though your job requires that you be a front-line worker and spend your days in person with others.

Thank you for being a teacher, and also a rabbi, a parent, a medical professional, a counselor and a leader for your classroom community. It’s clear that you believe so deeply in this holy work, that you pivot as needed and give it your all. You have made Mirowitz possible this year, and the Mirowitz community is grateful beyond measure.

שבת שלום,

Cheryl

January 31: Application Deadline for new students

February 11: Date Night with your Grand Kids

February 12: Professional Development - No School

February 14: First Lego League Robotics Tournament

February 15: Presidents Day - No School

February 19: Last Early Release Friday

February 25: Erev Purim / Feast of Esther

February 26: Purim

March 18: Parent Conferences (noon dismissal)

March 19: Parent Conferences - No School

March 26 - April 4: Passover Break - No School

April 14: Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Memorial Day)

April 15: Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day)

April 26: Professional Development Day - No School

April 30: Lag B'omer

May 2: Mirowitz Gala

May 17-18: Shavuot - No School

May 27: 8th grade graduation

May 28: Last Day of School

The artsy tree installation on display in front of school this week does not adequately tell the story of the Tu BiShvat learning your students have experienced this week just beyond its limbs.

Although learning has focused on connecting with and understanding trees more concretely—as one might expect during this “birthday of the trees”—we have also explored the spiritual and symbolic meaning of trees and our connections with the natural world.

Last Friday, our Shabbat guest Liessa Alperin challenged each student to create 2 leaves, each representing something that makes them unique. We hung them from the aforementioned tree to represent the beauty and power of our strong roots and our breathtaking diversity.

Students across grades have been planting “grass heads” with our shinshin, Gilad, and discussing the celebration of Tu BiShvat in Israel. Younger elementary grades have spent time in the forest meeting trees, drawing them, and even interviewing them to practice empathy. This morning some of the 3rd graders went outside with Reb Scott for such an activity, and then discussed the mitzvah of Ba’al Tashchit—not to unnecessarily waste our resources. Students shared very moving insights on the Torah’s description of this mitzvah (Deut 20:19-20), and reflected on ways in which people resemble or differ from trees.

But of course we know—from Proverbs 3:18—that we also see the Torah as a tree of life. Our tradition teaches that it nourishes our souls and brightens our moods.

It is difficult to imagine a brighter mood than the one I observed on Tu B’Shvat in a third grade Judaics classes! Morah Val and her students delighted in practicing their skill of methodically and enthusiastically identifying the shorashim (roots) of several word in the story of the Tower of Bavel.

It is an honor to be your partner in planting the most important seedlings of all, your child’s Jewish identity and joyful Jewish learning. Chag Tu B’shvat Sameach to all! May their roots create a firm foundation and their branches stretch toward stars.

Shabbat Shalom!

Reb Scott

Report cards should arrive to you soon, but it's already time to sign up for spring conferences (March 18 and 19). You may choose your time slot using our Mirwoitz App or at this link.

Login to the Mirowitz App.
Select Conference Sign Up
Select 2021 Spring Conferences
Choose your child's classroom teacher and Hebrew teacher
Choose a time slot.

Morah Val looks forward to meeting with 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade parents to discuss their childrens' learning in Judaics. Please email Morah Val to set up a time.

5th grade families who would like an appointment with Rabbi Tracy and/or Coach Gary, please email them directly as well.

Your child's teacher will send out a Zoom link prior to conferences.

You will receive your tuition contract for the 2021-22 school year in the mail next week. We cannot wait to share another meaningful year with your family.

Want to practice your Hebrew? Gilad is offering Hebrew lessons to adults who want to freshen up their ability to speak and understand Hebrew. The next session is February 9 at 8:30 p.m.

Each session, participants will talk about the news from Israel or a dilemma that has occured recently. Let Gilad know if you'd like to participate.

RSVP Here

What memories stand out from your years in elementary school? The cafeteria food? Recess? Getting caught chewing gum in class?

We asked a few of our older students about their favorite school memories. Here are the answers they gave:

• Caleb: Lobbying our elected officials in Jefferson City in 4th grade

• Zach: All of the middle school trips which taught us important lessons about social justice AND allowd us to strengthen our friendships.

• Zahava: Learning about world hunger at Heifer Ranch in 6th grade

• Micah: The Hebrew overnight in 5th grade, and especially the Israeli dance competition we had that night.

• Audrey: Our Middle School Civil Rights trip to Alabama and walking in the place where so many important Civil Rights events happened. Learning those lessons with your best friends is really impactful.

• Ethan: I have made really great friends here, and I will never forget the times we have shared together.

• Tzofia: Colonial Day in 5th grade was a great memory. We gave presentations, made toys, danced and learned so much about colonial life.

Mirowitz teachers purposefully plan for learning moments that will become treasured life-long memories. We are committed to overnight adventures in grades 3 through 8. We infuse childhood with Jewish milestones like Simchat Gan, Simchat Siddur, chanting Torah for the first time and visiting Israel. We plant butterfly gardens, sustain prairies, build ponds and grow vegetables, immersing our students in the world beyond the classroom.

It is our hope that when Mirowitz alumni look back on their childhood, they will recall profound moments that are connected with learning, with Judaism and community. Among our priorities is ensuring that learning is satisfying and inspiring, and that the memories they make here will shape them into the people they will become.

After all, our childhood memories have the potential to make us who we are.

An MLK Day Mitzvah!

Fourth graders Maya and Samantha presented a collective art project to the JCC adult day care this week. The art was made by children who attended our MLK Drive Thru, where Maya and Samantha spent the morning volunteering. The creation says "We are each unique and beautiful, but together, we are a masterpiece."

My child's teacher is able to come up with creative ways to challenge her, and I really appreciate that!

Anonymous

Parent Survey

One of the things I appreciate most about Mirowitz is the way the children treat each other with respect. I have never been in or seen a school where kids are so accepting of each other's strengths, challenges, quirks, and passions.

Mirowitz Mom

Parent Surveys

Sammy
who led the lower school in Torah study this week.

And to Caleb and Corey who read Torah in the Middle School. (We love the screen shot below from a proud mama's phone!)

If you know someone who is interested in Mirowitz, encourage them to begin the application process now!

Thank you for sharing with prospective families all the reasons they cannot possibly make a better choice than Mirowitz.

Applications are online here.