Kitah Gan/Aleph

Dear Families,

Today we celebrated the beginning of Chanukah, both as a class and as a CJL community.

I hope you've seen the chanukia that your child brought home, which should be dry enough to light tonight when you begin your holiday celebration.  The glue was not dry on them at the end of the school day.  If the hex nuts were shuffled, you can use a glue that is stronger than Elmers, such as crazy glue or any "industrial strength" adhesive to replace them.

Please ask your child to explain the story of Chanukah as Grandpa Latke did.  The story of the "Mega-Bees" was very entertaining, but also informative as the Latke dog translated for us. If you're a PJ Library member, I recommend the book, Meet the Latkes.

We discussed "miracles," defined as something that happens that you don't expect to happen.  Please ask your child about the 2 miracles of Chanukah that we celebrate. (Hint: oil and freedom  to observe Judaism the way we want)

We played dreidel in the classroom, and your child brought home the dreidel and chocolate gelt.  Please ask your him/her to tell  show you how to play.

After Hebrew Through Movement, we gathered with the entire CJL to learn how to light our chanukia (or Chanukah menorah) at home. Please ask your child to explain how we learned from our "human menorah."

Reminder: Our 4th graders are running a food drive for "Kislev Kindness." Please send your child to school next week with a bag of food that will be delivered to the Croton Food Pantry. There's a huge drop box  in the hallway across from our classroom.

Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday)!

Cherie & Ilana