School News - April 2005

From the Director of Education
Guest Columnist, David Finn, our 7th grade teacher

The students of my seventh grade class are making tremendous advances in the learning of Mishnah and grasping the way our rabbis thought a couple of thousand years ago.  During the course of one of our classes, we were discussing Mishnah Zeraim, Berakhot 1:1 dealing with when a person should say the Shema. The class came to understand that one should say the Shema in the morning and at night. Then we read Zeraim, Berakhot 1:3 to get the opinions of the House of Shammai and the House of Hillel. Here the students became very animated wanting to know why the House of Shammai was so strict and the House of Hillel so practical. 

During the discussion, I mentioned that the rabbis said that one should follow the House of Hillel in this world and the House of Shammai in the world to come. The great question of the evening was "how do we know there is going to be a world to come?" As we continued, students wanted to know the definition of the "world to come." I shared with the students that their question related to Mesach Time, and on and on went the questions. The students' questions were extremely thought provoking; they really wanted to know, and were not asking questions just to kill time. They had opinions and thoughts that they wanted to share. This is what the study of Mishnah is all about - asking questions and seeking a contemporary definition of those eternal ideas presented in the Torah.

It is my great honor to teach the seventh grade students, students who are so desirous to learn. I welcome you to be a part of our class - anytime will be fine.

B'shalom,
David Finn

(back to top)

News From the ECC

Congregation Albert Early Childhood Center's Multiage Preschool Class

The Multiage Preschool class is a fun, loving classroom for children from age 2 ½ to 5 years. So far this year we have learned about insects, planted and harvested a garden, studied transportation, taken a field trip to the Rio Grande for a tashlich ceremony and been to the moon, planets and back. And that's just a partial list! The classroom changes about every month or so to reflect the interests of the children and the Jewish holidays.

Our curriculum is play-based and gives the children many chances to explore and wonder. Each child is valued as an individual and there is lots of laughter and affection. As teachers, the emotional well-being of each child is foremost among our priorities. We create a learning climate that demonstrates respect and affection for all. We listen attentively and actively teach problem solving skills and conflict resolution to the children. We notice the children using these skills independently to negotiate solutions over turn taking and other disagreements. Having solid social and emotional skills is at the core of school readiness and the children receive a foundation that will stand them in good stead throughout their school experiences. Our curriculum includes pre-math, pre-reading, and scientific studies. We measure and count (in Hebrew and in English). We listen to stories, act them out, and also write our own.

We have a wonderful time and instill in the children an excitement and confidence about learning while covering a lot of ground. We welcome you to stop by and see us sometime.

Janet Stewart

(back to top)

ECC Now Registering For 2005 / 2006 School Year Preschool & Kindergarten

Preschool 9 a.m. - noon
Kindergarten 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Full & Part-time Childcare
7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. • Monday - Friday

Low teacher-student ratio
Developmentally appropriate secular
& Jewish curriculum
Safe, secure environment

Bonnie Joy Evnetzky • Supervisor
505-883-0306

(back to top)

Camp Oranim

It's not too early
to start thinking about
Camp Oranim.

Mark your calendar for this year's
week-long sleep away session
July 31st- August 7th, 2005.

If you would like to volunteer
or are thinking about being a counselor,
please call Leah in the school office at 883-0306.

(back to top)

Smith's Earn & Learn

It's time to reenroll in the Smith's Earn & Learn Program.

Cards issued over the past year will soon expire. It's now time to reenroll in this program that helps our school immensely. Our school earned close to $500 from this program — just because you purchased groceries! When you use your Fresh Values Card, Smith's donates up to 5% of your total purchases to our school. Reenroll TODAY!

Fill out the form below, print this page, and return it to the customer service counter of your local Smith's store.

Earn & Learn Enrollment Form

Your Fresh Values Card Number:
         

First Name:
         

Last Name:
         

Street Address:
         

City, State, Zip:
         

Phone
          ( )

E-mail
         

Our School's Name:
          Congregation Albert School, Albuquerque, NM 87110

(back to top)

Previous Bulletin Page
April 2005 Bulletin Home Page
Next Bulletin Page

Messages From the Educator
Bulletins