Day schools participate in Maccabiah Games

Day School Roundup

The Day School Roundup is a monthly feature in which the local day schools will update the community on what is happening on their campuses.

Tri-City JCC Day School

On Tuesday, Dec. 3, our kindergarten through fourth graders joined the other Jewish day schools at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus for the Maccabiah Games. We are so proud of our students. One of their many accomplishments of the day was winning the Spirit Award.

We started off the competition by placing in the first few races, which really got our momentum going. The children were awesome in their participation and rallying for their team members. Our coach and PE teacher Terrance Miller was able to join us and help the children with their winning strategy.

Mrs. Zappa, our third- and fourth-grade teacher, along with Marnie, her aide, added to the ruach (spirit) by teaching the children cheers.

The first through fourth grades were very fortunate this month to have a special visitor, Nicole Herbots Culbertson (mother of Michelle). Nicole is a professor of material physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Arizona State University. The children began by observing a rock collection. Nicole then spent the afternoon with the children building models of rock crystals using toothpicks and gumdrops. This activity gave the children a better understanding of atoms and molecules. Of course, they also enjoyed eating the extra gumdrops.

The King David School

Papa Bear's Pajama Party was a November highlight for kindergarten students as dads joined their sons and daughters, dressed in pajamas, and enjoyed yummy bear cookies and games.

On Dec. 3, KDS students enjoyed participating with the other area day schools in the annual Maccabiah Games.

On Dec. 5, the community was invited to the KDS Hanukkah Extravaganza, a state-of-the-art production starring grades K-8. The students shone in a variety of musical and comedy numbers, in costume, with strobe lighting, fog and audiovisual special effects. All were treated to latkes and jelly doughnuts after the show.

On Dec. 10, the Phoenix Symphonietta (a group of string musicians from the Phoenix Symphony) came to KDS to present two separate shows for grades K-4 and grades 5-8. Symphony members taught students about the various instruments between classical renditions, and sent students in search of a "magic violin," making for a fun and educational experience.

In sports, the KDS junior varsity and varsity teams were undefeated in the United Spirit League. The PE program is currently doing schoolwide Presidential Fitness testing.

The school is collecting funds to give to Israel's Magen David Adom organization for the purchase of ambulances for Israel.

The Phoenix Hebrew Academy

Throughout the week of Hanukkah, students had a busy and fun-filled week.

On Dec. 1, Rabbi Yaakov Stolberg led the students when they sang at the Fiddlesticks Chabad Chanukah Extravaganza.

On Dec. 2, "maestro" Rabbi Stolberg led our "Sing." His fourth-grade students performed an original play depicting the Hanukkah story.

The Maccabiah Games were held on Dec. 3 and they were a huge success. It was wonderful to see Jewish students from across the Valley joining together for a day of fun, games and lunch.

On Dec. 4, Student Council, under the direction of Diana Young, coordinated a mystery prize giveaway for all the students in the school. Rabbi Harris Cooperman asked questions and it was extremely rewarding to see how knowledgeable our students were about the laws and customs of Hanukkah. Students used the points they earned to bid on mystery prizes, which were distributed to all classes. Grades six and seven earned the most points for prizes.

On Dec. 5, all of the students participated in the Chanukah Arts & Crafts Fair conceived and coordinated by Maragalit and Yair Shlomi. Activities such as making clay jugs, preparing mosaic squares and hand-drawn sun catchers were just a few of the many fun activities that students enjoyed. Delicious latkes, prepared by the PTA, were also served.

On Dec. 6, Rosh Chodesh Tevet, the students were treated by the PTA to a mesebat (party) Rosh Chodesh. They were served a tasty treat to help remind them of the beginning of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) which began in Tevet.

The academy, under the coordination of Mary Bolen, is participating in a math-a-thon benefiting St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. This annual fund-raising project is very popular with our students and raises money for a worthwhile cause.

Pardes Jewish Day School

During the weekend of Nov. 23-24, five students participated in the Best of Phoenix Chess Championship held at the Embassy Suites in Paradise Valley. More than 500 players participated in the two-day event. The squad from PJDS included newcomers Jordan Lee and Julian Weinstein, and veterans Michael Waxman, Jacob Zweiback and Noah Zweiback. The team played extremely well and nearly won a team trophy despite having a small and relatively inexperienced squad. Individually, Jacob Zwei-back finished 12th out of 185 players in the first-third grade division. Noah Zweiback finished fifth out of 28 kindergartners.

At the Maccabiah Games on Dec. 3, PJDS took first place in the overall competition. Almost 500 children participated from all the day schools. Myra Shindler, from the Bureau of Jewish Education, organized the event with the help of the athletic department at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center. The children had a wonderful time competing in athletic events, followed by a picnic lunch.

Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School

More than 100 people attended the first fall sports Awards and Recognition Banquet at the school. Coaches Andrew Mayer and Austin Nelms presented letters to the following members of the 2002 men's flag football team: Henry Barkley, Justin Brooks, Jon Feller, Joe Giardina, Zach Gilburd, Danny Glassman, Jeremy Levy and Aaron Silver. Diana Abramov, Tami Abramov, Sarah Giardina, Nicole Graff, Sara Loeb, Becca Maiuri, Lindsey Palmer, Maria Restivo and Brandi Zinker received their letter for their participation in the 2002 women's volleyball team, coached by Steven Molberger. Members of the pom and cheer squad performed and there was a special letter presentation to Sheila Schwartz.

Classes have ended for the first term and school is on winter break until Monday, Jan. 6. The first week of the spring semester will include a visit to Madison Heights Elementary School for the Book Buddy Program.

Registration for the fall 2003 semester is underway. Contact the school at 602-385-5100.

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