Day school students celebrate Sukkot

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

Tri-City Jewish Community Center Day School

The fourth and fifth graders went to City Hall to see a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the first graders went to the symphony and listened to "Peter and the Wolf." The entire day school took a trip to the Conservatory of Recording Arts. Each student had a chance to learn about a career in recording arts. They also were able to enter different studios to see how they worked.

The Day School Choir has been getting ready for their first concert of the year. It will take place on Dec. 5 and be catered by Sabuddy Restaurant.

Phoenix Hebrew Academy

The annual Model Sukkah Building Contest has some great entries, with students showing off their creativity and demonstrating knowledge of the halachic parameters of building sukkot.

The eighth grade coordinated a fun afternoon with a round robin of activities including relay races, origami, bingo and chalk design. The Phoenix Symphony String Orchestra presented two assemblies for students of upper and lower grades. The entire school went on the annual Sukkot rollerskating outing and had a great time. Several classes went sukkah hopping around town, visiting various sukkot for a snack and good time.

The PTA Spaghetti Under the Stars Sukkot Dinner brought many families together in the sukkah for a holiday evening.

The middle school had the rare opportunity to view one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence on tour. They attended the exhibit at the Arizona Capital Museum and learned about the importance of individual rights and described what freedom means to them.

As part of the Back-to-School week for state legislators, Deb Gullett, state representative in our local district, visited the school. She spoke about the importance of the democratic voting process and answered questions from students.

A new motivational program for students has been instituted - the Shekalim Program where students earn academy shekels for mensch-like behavior, successful learning and cooperation. Sheckels are redeemed each Rosh Chodesh for prizes. Students in all grades are very excited and interested in the program.

The King David School

Students experienced a fun and educational Sukkot holiday. They decorated the school sukkah and ate a treat (courtesy of the PTO) in it every day of the holiday.

On Oct. 15, students enjoyed a progressive dinner visiting different sukkot in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Students also went sukkah-hopping during the day. Chabad of Phoenix came to the school to teach the students about the mitzvot of lulav and etrog.

On Columbus Day, Oct. 13, kindergarten parents were invited to a special presentation by their children, in which the students read aloud their first sentences.

Other highlights of the performance included the making of Columbus Day hats and special art projects.

Friday, Oct. 17, was Spirit Day, one of several days throughout the year with a special theme. This day was Pajama Day, and teachers and students alike came dressed in their favorite pajamas.

During Red Ribbon Week, kindergarten through fourth graders will learn about The ABC's of Safety from the Scottsdale Police Department's community affairs unit. Officer Rogoff of the Phoenix Police Department will discuss drug awareness with the fifth through eighth grades.

Field trips planned for the upcoming weeks include a trip to the Arizona State Fair to see the students' prize-winning artwork displayed, and a fifth grade trip to explore Karchner Caverns. Also, a guest speaker from Israel will visit to talk about aliyah.

Home