Erev Shabbos Parashas Sazri’ah Parashas HaChodesh April 1, 2011 Licht Bentchen: 7:14 P.M. Volume XVII, Issue 28

Dear Parents, With seventeen days left until the first Seder, our classrooms and hallowed halls are permeated with Hilchos Pesach (including requirements of the Sedarim), explanations of the Haggadah, songs of Yom Tov, and holiday bulletin boards and projects. In fact, 6G has a beautiful depiction of Da’yei’nu posted in Room 253. Please note (on our pre-Yom Tov schedule below) that on:

Sunday, April 10th, we have NO Shiurim. Tuesday and Wednesday, April 12th and 13th,

there are NO post-3:30 classes. Wednesday, April 13th, there will be NO P.M.

Day Care.

American History Museum Trips 5B (on Monday) and 5G (yesterday) visited the American History Museum in Washington. Their main focus was on the exhibits involving the Revolutionary

War – in conjunction with their current unit in Social Studies. We thank Mrs. Schore and Mrs. Scheininger for the arrangements and for prepping the kids for the displays and the following drivers/chaperones: Jeff Schneider, Ron Kavanagh, Benjy Katz, Dena Hadar, Miri Kramer, Melissa Miller, Aaron Orlofsky, and Liba Rappaport.

Poetry Reigns  The highlight of the week was yesterday’s 3G Poetry Reading. Mrs. Dunkin’s young ladies culminated their study of various genres of poetry (Haikus, Limericks, Cinquains, Rhymes, Acrostics, Shape Poems, and Color Poems) by

publishing a book of and reciting (very articulately) their own original (and excellent and humorous) creations for their parents, grandparents, and Kindergarten Reading Buddies. In addition to the voluminous printed volume which included all the girls’ poems, each young lady had her own personal book. We thank Mrs. Dunkin for a wonderful unit and final product.

Calendarial Anticipations

Sunday, April 3 – 5th/6th Shiurim.

Tuesday, April 5 – Rosh Chodesh Nissan NOAM (Night Out at Max’s). Treat yourself to a break from Pesach cleaning and benefit our children’s school.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, April 5, 6, and 7 – Full post-3:30 schedule. Wednesday, April 6 –

Ben Yehuda Pizza. Thanks to all of this week’s in-staff helpers.

Children’s author, Laura Krauss Melmed, will visit with K-2. Sunday, April 10 – No Shiurim. Tuesday, April 12 –

No post-3:30 classes. There will be P.M. Day Care.

Wednesday, April 13 – Last day of classes before Pesach. In-school Pesach cleaning. This is part of the

Chinuch for Pesach – workplaces also have to be Chometz-free.

No post 3:30 classes. No P.M. Day Care.

Thursday, April 28 – Classes resume. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3 and 4 – Picture Art will be taking individual and class pictures.

$$””22"" TToorraahh SScchhooooll ooff GGrreeaatteerr WWaasshhiinnggttoonn

EE..SS..TT..EE..RR.. EErreevv SShhaabbbbooss ““TToorraahh”” EEvveennttss RReeppoorrtt

Friday, May 13 – Second Annual TSGW Math Fair. We can use lots and lots of help that day. If you are available, please let us know. Friday, May 20 – Third Annual Grandparents’ Day. Tuesday, June 14 – 7:00 P.M., in school. End of year 6G/Girls’ Choir music/poetry program. Sunday, February 12, 2012 – Ninth Annual Torah School Chinese Auction.

Pesach is Coming We are now accepting checks for Maos

Chitim for Od Yosef Chai.

Until April 12, you can send in closed boxes, bottles, or cans of food to the Capital Area Food Bank containers in our front hall.

Middah Update The week’s focus on being Mevater was:

People respect and love someone who has the courage to admit that he/she has made a mistake and has the ability to “give in.” This week, remember that you don’t always have to be right, and, if you make a mistake, say, “I’m sorry.”

ATTACHMENTS

Ooroo LaTefillah (last one until after Pesach).

Classroom Close-ups by Mrs. Aliza Scher.

Flyer to sponsor Rosh Chodesh treats. Chosen Words. Installment III of Friday night learning

LeE’luy Nishmos the Fogels. Info about supporting the BOAST Tax Credit

in the MD General Assembly.

Down (a Strange, But True)

Memory Lane Our recent soggy inconvenience (which is still having ramifications in our building – especially in the offices) brought to mind other incidents in our history. Besides the normal (for Silver Spring) run-of-the-mill snow closings, delayed openings, and early dismissals, we have had a number of fascinating excuses for losing time from learning or for changing our routines. Two of them were for tragic reasons (i.e. the day after 9-11 and during the sniper shootings of 2002). However, many were unusual, time-consuming, and/or just plain comical. Included in these “memorable” happenings were:

The “Imaginary Anthrax Scare.” This occurred on an Erev Shabbos immediately-post-9-11. Someone in a non-TSGW office (but in our building) opened a thank you note and thought she saw powder emanating from the envelope. We evacuated the building, turned off the A/C (so the “dangerous substance” wouldn’t flow through the ducts), and waited until the police, fire department, and bomb squad allowed us to return to classes.

The “Newspaper Vending Machine Scare.” One fine November morning, I arrived at school to find one of those blue metal Washington Post stands stationed in our parking lot. Although there were newspapers inside, there was a concern that a “shoe bomber” was hiding under the papers. This again required the presence of the bomb squad to determine that the only danger to society ensconced in the container was the Post itself. (While the bomb squad was here, we had to move all classes to the Gym and Rabbi Biberfeld kept kids - and all adults - occupied with his storytelling skills.) It turned out that the object of our concern was stolen from outside Snider’s in order to extract great wealth from the money box. In fact, we did find a movie clip on our surveillance camera which showed (at about 4:30 A.M.) the culprit

removing the box from his car. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make out his face or license #.

“The Bumbling Snow Plower’s Caper.” This took place (or didn’t take place) on Wednesday, February 5, 2010, in the midst of the “living –from-snowstorm-to-snowstorm”

existence. We were supposed to have a 10:00 opening. When I arrived at our building at 8:15, the parking lot was covered by 5” of snow. This was in spite of the fact that the company we hired to clear the snow had cleared the YGW side of our building. Although our phones were down, I managed to send a message that we couldn’t have school that day. Five minutes after I successfully had our First Alert System (on every landline and cell phone in their possessions) call all parents and teachers, the plow came back (with a driver) and removed all the white precipitation.

The “Everyone in the Dungeon Drill.” On one fine June day, there was a tornado spotting and warning for our area at 3:15. The entire school went to our basement (a.k.a. dungeon) instead of going out to car pool. I had the privilege of standing outside and telling all drivers to go inside AQAP (as quickly as possible). (Editor’s Note: It was so beautiful to see our older boys and girls reassure the younger kids that everything was all right.)

The “Medevac Helicopter Landing.” In one of our sojourns at the Fairland Elementary School, a whirlybird landed on our playground due to a car accident on our street. Of course, all our kids continued learning and didn’t even notice this.

We have also had power outages, water main breakages, hurricane ravages, and (for some reason I can’t remember), even a sun-day off.

Although the above is indelibly etched into our minds, the vast, vast, vast majority of the important events of the last seventeen years have taken place in our classrooms – with wonderful learning and spiritual and academic growth going on.

A Couple of Classroom Doin’s Kindergarteners are very excitedly working on

their “Makkos Kits” to be unveiled at the first Seder.

Mazel Tov to Mrs. Crane’s 2G, upon finishing Parashas Lech Lecha.

A bunch of classes are now working on plays based upon their Literature or Social Studies topics.

We also have a number of grades working (mostly in school) on research projects.

Kindergartners are into plants (which would be seasonally appropriate – if spring would ever start) and symmetry and geometric patterns.

First Graders made advertisements for their favorite stories, began their unit on measurement by measuring themselves and classroom objects, are discovering the fifty states (even Columbus didn’t do that), and created cards about Shabbos, as they completed the seventh day in Chumash.

2B/G wrote about the jobs they would like to have when they grow up. (Editor’s Note: I may also write about the same topic.)

Mrs. Evans’ Second Graders are measuring in inches and centimeters.

3B made solid figures out of clay as examples for their geometry unit. They also now have 100% qualification for the Chemdas trip.

4B finished their current long division unit. (Don’t worry, long division will make its return, and it will be even longer.)

5B are simultaneously studying the plagues in Chumash and getting ready for Pesach. They are also very excited about “getting to” and “getting” their first question in Gemarrah and beginning to “accumulate” and “collect” some very basic and frequent Talmudic vocabulary.

6B/G are now experts in LCD and GCF. (Editor’s Note: We love acronyms in Washington.)

Have a Good Shabbos!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Yitzchak Charner

Headmaster

Calling All Pizza Lovers!

6B will be raffling off gift cards to two

winners for two free pies from Ben Yehuda.

Drawing will take place on Tuesday, April 12.

Tickets will be sold: • In the Torah School office all week

• Outside during dismissal, Monday through Thursday.

Price: 1 ticket: $3

3 tickets: $5 5 tickets: $10

All proceeds will benefit the sixth grade boys’

graduation trip.

s"xc

vk̈h ¦p §T©k UrUg______________________

Volume IV, Issue 22 April 1, 2011__________________________________________________________________________________________________

aka ihgn ‐ Part IV

III.Berachah #3 of Bircas HaMazone is primarily a prayer for the rebuilding of

Yerushalayim and the Bais HaMikdash.Section #3 of  aka ihgn includes requests for Hashem’s mercy for the Jewish

people, the city of Yerushalayim, and for the rebuilding of the Temple."ubheukt ws ojr"

“(Please) have Mercy, Hashem, our omnipotent G‐d”

"lng ktrah kg"“On Yisrael, your nation”

"lrhg ohkaurh kgu"“And on Yerushalayim your city”

"asuev rhg ohkaurh vbcu/////"“...And (please) rebuild Yerushalayim, your holy city”

"ubhnhc vrvnc"“Speedily in our day.”

This section also includes a request that we be privileged to eat from the fruits ofYerushalayim “in holiness and purity.” The Brisker Rav, ZT’L says that this specificallyrefers to eating Ma’a’ser Sheini. Ma’a’ser Sheini (the second tithe) is separated from one’scrops in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th years of the Shemittah cycle. These fruits must then betaken to be eaten in Yerushalayim. It also may only be eaten by people  who are in a stateof purity. Therefore, this request is not merely asking for our culinary needs to befulfilled.  It is beseeching Hashem to enable us to fulfill His commandment in the properfashion.

A Project of the Torah School of Greater Washington

s"xc

IV.We now include a section of one‐line insertions for various special days. Included

in these days are: Shabbos. Rosh Chodesh. Pesach. Shavuos. Succos. Shemini Atzeres/Simchas Torah.

V.Berachah #4 of Bircas Hamazone is a recognition of all the continual and

continuous Chasadim that Hashem does for us.In section #4 of  aka ihgn, we say the same thing in very succinct fashion.

"ws v,t hf"“Because you, Hashem”

"cuy"“Are good”

"kfk chynu"“And do good for all.”

VI.

Finally (as written in Issue 20), we “close” each “version” of  aka ihgn withwords that parallel the corresponding opening (which is tailored to the applicablefood of the Seven Species). (See Issue 20.)

1) When holding the loaves, one should place

all ten fingers on them.

2) Before reciting the Bracha, one should make a small

slit in the loaf that he intends to cut. By doing this, it

will shorten the time between the Bracha and the

cutting of the loaf.

3) On Friday night, the custom is to cut the bottom

loaf. On Shabbos day (and at all Yom Tov meals), the

custom is to cut the top loaf.

4) The custom is to have the loaves covered while

reciting Kiddush. However, when saying the Bracha over

the Challah, some keep them covered while holding

them, while others uncover them. One should follow his

family custom.

April 1, 2011

Classroom Close-ups By: Mrs. Aliza Scher Volume VII, Issue 22

19 personalities, 19 families, 19 hobbies, 19 individuals

With 19 boys in my classroom, each with different interests, hobbies, and levels of motivation, I need to reach each individual in a way that speaks to him. That is where differentiated instruction comes in. I must teach lessons in different ways to ensure that every student understands.

Long division is the most difficult skill we learn in our fourth grade math

curriculum. It requires that the student draw on his knowledge of math facts and combine it with the multi-step process needed to divide the two and three digit dividends. When teaching this, I show it, explain it, and model it, both visually and auditorily. I use different colors and an acrostic to help the class remember what to do. I also provide base 10 blocks to demonstrate the concept. After this initial instruction and practice, about half of the group is beginning to grasp the process and is able to perform it independently. Still, many boys are in need of additional instruction. This means that I need to try another approach. This year, we are also using Chicago math, shorthand long division, or “Zev’s way” (as it is more lovingly called) as another methodology. After introducing this, more students begin to solve the problems with confidence. We continue to practice. I monitor the work of each and every boy to make sure he is “getting it” and beginning to do the problems independently. I reteach as necessary. I get to see how each student shows his work and see which approach works best for each student. I even have one pupil who uses number sense and addition to figure out the problems. It is wonderful to see each young man feeling success in division in his own way.

We have now finished the unit on long division. As a teacher, if I want to

ensure that my students gain mastery over the material, I need to teach it several times and in several different ways. It doesn’t make sense to expect that 19 students with different families, personalities, and interests should all be able to learn to perform a skill in exactly the same way. It is simply unfair to expect each youngster to do the work in the way that makes sense to me. I need to allow each student to choose the technique that works for him. Four different ways of doing the same problem in the same classroom at the same time- that is differentiated instruction. That is how you ensure success. Each student is different…so is the way he learns.

We Need Your Help to Pass the BOAST Tax Credit

Help Us Move BOAST Forward in the Maryland General Assembly Take Action!

Urge influential legislators to support the BOAST Tax Credit

There are less than two weeks left in the 2011 session of the Maryland General

Assembly and time is running out for the BOAST Maryland Tax Credit, which would provide important benefits to both public and nonpublic school students

and teachers. Although BOAST Maryland Tax Credit legislation (HB 932/SB 315) has broad support in the Maryland House and Senate, it is being stalled once

again by members of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The BOAST Tax Credit cannot advance until the Ways and Means Committee votes on this bill, so we need you to ask these committee members to support

BOAST now! Please use the “Take Action” link above to contact these Maryland legislators and tell them how the BOAST Tax Credit will help your nonpublic

school or nonprofit education program.

Tell them that the BOAST Tax Credit will:

● Help fund needs-based scholarships for nonpublic school students. ● Support extracurricular enrichment programs for public school students.

● Provide grants to teachers for graduate study or professional development programs.

Let our state lawmakers know that the BOAST Tax Credit will help low-and

middle-income families provide their children with a quality K-12 education, while also saving taxpayers money. For every 75 students who move from a nonpublic school to a public school, Maryland and its taxpayers pay an additional MILLION

dollars!

The legislative session ends on April 11, so please take a moment to click on the Action” link above to send a prewritten message to the Ways and Means

Committee. Thank you for your support!

For more information, visit the BOAST Maryland website or join the BOAST Maryland group on Facebook.

Rosh Chodesh Nisan is Coming...

Each Rosh Chodesh, the PTA provides treats to our students. The PTA is seeking sponsors for this coming month’s Rosh Chodesh treats. For a $25 sponsorship, your name and message (in recognition of, in honor of, in appreciation of, etc), will be distributed to each class and read aloud to the students. This is a great way to also show your children’s teachers your appreciation. Please return the form below (attention: Rosh Chodesh Sponsorship), with payment, to the office by April 4, 2011. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please call the school at 301-962-8003, x 2300.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We would like to sponsor Rosh Chodesh treats for Rosh Chodesh Nisan. Enclosed is our check for $25, payable to TSGW PTA. Message: _________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________