Day schools finish up another year of school

Day School Roundup

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.

Pardes Jewish Day School

Elementary Division

The children participated in a spring program "A Celebration of World Music" that was enjoyed by 200 parents and family members. The following day, the children celebrated Lag B'Omer with a special field day. All of our students, kindergarten through eighth grade, gathered together on the last day of school for our annual talent show.

During the school year, Hebrew teachers Tali Gross and Dafi Sandler encouraged the children to collect tzedakah money at home. The children returned their boxes to school this month. More than $800 was collected. Donations were made to several worthwhile causes, including: the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Phoenix Children's Hospital; Ronald McDonald House; and Bet Israel Synagogue in Israel.

Middle School Division

The winners of the Pardes Middle School Science Fair were Ben Damari, first place, and Max Feldmann and Erica Morris, second place.

The eighth-graders returned from their graduation trip from Washington, D.C. The students took a workshop at Ford's Theatre where they acted on the historical stage; had a behind the scenes tour of the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum; visited the Holocaust museum; visited the Spy Museum; toured Congress; and more.

The middle school will participate in a talent show and have a going away party at Temple Kol Ami.

The executive officers of the student council delivered videos, games and books collected by the students to nurses at Maricopa County Hospital to be distributed to children as needed. While there, the students received a tour of the hospital.

Aliyah for the eighth-graders was May 20 at Temple Solel. Rabbi Berk gave the commencement speech, and Rabbi Herring blessed the graduates. Students wrote the graduation ceremony.

Phoenix Hebrew Academy

Eighth-grade graduation will be held 7:30 p.m. Thursday June 3, at the school. The entire community is invited to the ceremony where students will receive both Judaic studies and general studies diplomas, as well as awards. The community is also invited to the kindergarten graduation on Wednesday, June 2.

Yom Yerushalayim was celebrated with many hands-on activities. Activities were built around the theme of Yerushalayim and included building a model of the Kotel, writing notes to be placed in the Kotel (to be delivered to Israel by a parent), identifying the gates around the old walled city and a songfest.

Many classes have gone on their final field trip of the year. Third grade spent a morning at the Arizona Science Center and second grade went to a Wild Oats Market to learn more about the role of organic and natural products in nutrition. For Teacher Appreciation Week, teachers were given "hugs & kisses," "souper" teacher bowls with instant soup, gift cards for movies and Starbucks and breakfast, among other things.

Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School

The school's first-ever graduation took place on May 20. It was a beautiful ceremony and we could not be more proud of our four graduating seniors: Shira Finkel-stein, Sara Loeb, Alicia Miller and Maria Restivo. The Jewish National Fund is going to plant four trees in Israel in honor of their hard work and accomplishments.

After months of planning, building and testing the school's solar boat, the SRP Solar Boat Spectacular has finally come to an end. On May 7, our team raced their boat against 17 other teams and came in 10th place. This was our first year entering the competition and we placed higher than some returning schools. The solar boat team, as well as The Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School, would like to make a special thanks to parent Michael Rosenfield for all his help with this project.

After much deliberation, the student body officers have been selected for next year. Ben Beller has been elected as our president, Anna Harris as vice president, Henry Barkley as secretary and Nicole Graff as treasurer.

We would also like to congratulate junior Ruth Storch on winning the coveted Anne Frank "Teens Make a Difference" Scholarship Award. Ruth was selected by the Women's Department of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix for her outstanding volunteer achievements.

The King David School

Stanford 9 testing for grades three through eight took place the week of May 3.

Courtesy of the PTO, teachers were treated to gifts and goodies during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 3-7.

On May 7, fourth-graders visited the Arizona Pioneer Living History Museum. The same day, kindergarten students delighted their mothers with a presentation of poems, songs, and gifts at the Mother's Day Tea.

On May 12, families celebrated the students' musical and artistic talents at the Art Walk and Musical Evening. At this culminating event, the students' art projects were displayed under the direction of art specialist Barbara Becker and parents enjoyed vocal performances under the direction of music specialist Anne Grabois.

Sixth-graders explored Los Angeles on their annual field trip, May 10-12, and eighth-graders visited New York City on their annual field trip May 16-18.

On May 25, kindergarten parents and students participated in the Shavuot Holiday Club, with baking, art projects and stories.

The school as a whole is busy making plans for the imminent move in July to the new facility on the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. The move was the theme of the school's annual fund-raiser, The King David School Eighth Annual Ball, which was held on the nearly finished site. "From Hard Hats to Top Hats" was a joyous celebration of the culmination of a successful campaign and a dream realized.

Tri-City JCC Day School

We have finished up Stanford 9 and AIMS testing and now our schedules are back to normal. The Day School Choir hosted a year-end concert on May 6, which was phenomenal. Each student dressed up as their favorite celebrity.

The Day School Student Council started campaigning on May 3 and held student council elections on May 7. Our present student council did a fantastic job holding "School Spirit" days as well as fund raising for playground equipment needed for the older children.

On May 8, the day school had a overnight camp-out at the Kerr's Ranch. They played with all the animals, ate s'mores, and had a blast. The day school had an end-of-the-year party at Skateland on May 21.

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