September 20, 2017 - 29 Elul 5777
Dear MCP Parents,
Rosh Hashanah is finally here! This week we finished up learning and preparing for Rosh Hashanah with some truly sweet projects and activities!
The True Blue Twos continued their discussion on Rosh Hashanah symbols, and created beautifully detailed shofar decorations. They created them with dot-art, and then covered them with pieces of cut-up tissue paper. Picking up the small pieces of tissue paper between their fingers helped build fine motor skills.
The Shining Stars talked about their New Year’s resolutions in preparation for Rosh Hashanah. They also created amazing 3D apple tree art. Rolling the tissue paper into “apple” balls with their hands helped improve motor skills.
This week we also had Rosh Hashanah-themed specials with Morah Adina, in lieu of our regular specials. Our students learned all about pomegranates and their symbolism for Rosh Hashanah in a Pomegranate Sensory Exploration. Our children learned that the seeds of the pomegranate represent the many good deeds we want to do in the coming year, as well as the Hebrew word for pomegranate-- רימון (Rimon). Children explored the outside and inside of the pomegranate with their senses of sight, touch, smell, and taste. Afterwards, our children created adorable pomegranate hats, so they could be little rimonim (pomegranates).
Our students also enjoyed a school-wide Rosh Hashanah puppet show & song time. The puppet show portrayed the story of a little apple tree discovering a special secret in his apples. Children learned how to say apple tree in Hebrew-- עץ תפוחים (Aytz Tapuchim). Then they all sang and danced to “Dip the Apple in the Honey.” What could be a sweeter way to usher in the new year than with happy little singing voices ringing down our school hallway?
Starting in October, MCP will be introducing four exciting new programs:
Sports & Karate with Coach Mike--Starting October 16th, Mondays & Tuesdays, 3:45-4:15 for the True Blue Twos; 4:15-5pm for the Shining Stars. Coach Mike is an amazing, professional children’s coach who does programming with many of the schools in the area. We’re so lucky to have him!
Tap-Ballet through Studio Go--Starting October 18th, Wednesdays from 2:45-3:30. A professional instructor from Studio Go will be leading this amazing program that combines both tap and ballet disciplines.
Step-Up to Kindergarten with Morah Carol--Starting October 16th, Monday-Thursday, from 3:30-5:30. Morah Carol will be leading our incredible new “Step-Up to Kindergarten” program, a program that gives kids an extra “step-up” in Kindergarten readiness. This program has been carefully cultivated to each child’s specific learning path, with special attention to all their learning needs. Step-Up to Kindergarten covers Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. This program is open to children both Pre-K and Kindergarten age, and is not limited to students and their families. If you know anyone outside of MCP with a Pre-K/Kindergarten-age child who could use an extra “step-up” in preparing for Pre-K/Kindergarten, spread the word about our Step-Up to Kindergarten program!
To register for one of these awesome programs, email mcpadina@gmail.com or call the office at 617-275-3021.
In case you missed the previous announcement, Operation Isaiah has stationed a food donation bin in MCP, by the back exit (near the school office). If you’re looking for meaningful ways to give back during Elul (and just in general!), feel free to drop off canned and other shelf-stable foods, to assist the less fortunate in the Atlanta Jewish community. (You can email the office for a specific list of what’s needed via mcpadina@gmail.com.)
Don’t forget--Morah Carol’s Place is baking challah at the Shabbos Project’s Great Big Challah Bake this year! The event will be held at the MJCCA on October 26th, from 7-9pm (women only). Admission price is $18/per person. To reserve a seat at our table, register right away! Email our MCPG President, Raizel Kahn, at roselyn.paskow@gmail.com and send in a check for $18 to school.
As a reminder, we will be closed Thursday (September 19th) and Friday (September 20th) for Rosh Hashanah. We will resume school at normal hours on Monday, September 25th.
לשנה טובה ומתוקה!
L’shanah tovah oo’metukah!
Have a sweet new year!
Chag sameach,
Morah Carol & Morah Adina