Our days have been quite busy at SKA as we wind down from our activities and gear up for Pesach!

I want to wish a Mazal Tov to our Basketball Team who traveled to Boca Raton last weekend for a beautiful Shabbaton and placed 2nd in the Girls' Tournament. I can't wait to attend the Yeshiva High School League Double Header Championship Games for our Volleyball and Basketball Sonics this coming Thursday nigh, iy"h.

Mazal Tov to our Debating Team who once again were awarded a trophy for "Best School" at the debate held at DRS. At the Novice Debate held last week at the Yeshiva of Flatbush, our team also won the "Best School Award." That makes 3 "Best School Awards" in a row!

We look forward to next Tuesday when our Torah Bowl Team, Eastern Division Champions, face off at the Championship Match with Bat Torah, Shulamith, and Bruriah High Schools for the title of Torah Bowl Champions.

We will have the opportunity to provide a tremendous community service this coming Tuesday, as we sponsor our yearly Blood Drive for students, faculty and parents. Hatzlacha Rabba to our Model Congress Team who will attend the annual Model Congress competition at HAFTR High School. Good luck to our students who will be participating in the French Poetry Competition at Hofstra University.

Mazal Tov to 12th grader Daniella Kaufman who received a Community Service Award for her outstanding chesed at a ceremony sponsored by the Five Towns Jewish Council.

Hakarat hatov to Rebbetzin Tehila Jaeger who delivered divrei chizuk at our Layl Hitorerut program last night. Her personal message provided inspiration and heightened our kavanah during the recitation of Tehilim. Thank you to the Klein and Weinstein families who sponsored the evening.

Wishing you all a meaningful Shabbos and a "Gutten Chodesh" this Sunday!

Shabbat Shalom!

For the first time in SKA history, every girl had the opportunity to attend a Class Chagiga on the night of Purim.

The 9th graders gathered with Mrs. Gross at Mrs. Leibtag's home and with an "Under the Sea" theme, the house was swimming with objects and creatures ranging from sunken treasure and catfish to Spongebob Squarepants and his buddy Patrick. Some of the students even prepared great topic-related activities including "Sea Libs" and "Imagine If." Then, like a mighty whale pouncing on little fish, in swooped the SKA seniors who surprised the Freshmen to sing and dance with tremendous Purim spirit. With talking fish as table centerpieces, it was only befitting that we prepare sushi as a late night snack. An amazing time was had by all!

After a long day of fasting followed by Megilla reading, more than 40 SKA Sophomores piled into fellow classmate Chanita Engelberg's home. Music played and spirits were high as they danced the night away with Ms. Blisko. The room was filled with hysterics while they played Imagine I, and although they faced a few "technical difficulties," the 10th graders left in high spirits for the next day of Mishloach Manot giving and festivities.

On April 6th, the SKA Debate Team attended a debate at DRS. The topic of the debate was the question of the Department of Health and Human Services' implementing a medical database in all hospitals for all US citizens. SKA sent two affirmative teams, who argued in favor of the issue, and two negative teams, who argued against the issue. The teams debated in two rounds against teams from other schools, and met with great success. SKA won the award for "Best School" and two individual SKA teams won "Best Team": Aviva Schiffmiller/Avital Shenker and Jamie Beitler/Michelle Zomber. Michelle also received second place honors for "Best Speaker." Congratulations to captains Tzipora Kuperman, Avital Shenker and Orah Weiss, as well as to the team's coach, Mrs. Leibtag.

Wow!! 2nd place! The SKA Sonics have just returned from a fabulous trip to Boca Raton, FL and their annual Basketball Tournament and Shabbaton. The trip was off to a great start, as the Sonics won their opening game on Thursday. Over the next two days, the SKA team built a record of 4-1, landing them a spot in the Championship Game against Yeshiva University of Los Angeles. YULA pulled ahead early, but the Sonics fought back. It was a very close game until the end, and SKA won a Second Place Trophy. In the following Hot-Shot Contest, SKA's own Lisa Ogorek took top prize, and she and Deena Klein made the All-Tournament Team this weekend. The Sonics can't wait to go back next year for and win first place! Special thanks to Coach Esther Oppenheimer and Physical Education teacher Mrs. Rochel Block for chaperoning and encouraging our team!

The initiative and hard work of the SKA girls have made a significant contribution to the community, once again! This year's student Mishloach Manot Project raised over $1000 for the Davis Memorial Fund. Thanks to Amanda Pariser, Ariella Siman-Tov, and Mindi Werblowsky who spearheaded the project, as well as the many girls who helped collect, pack and distribute. Many local residents who would otherwise have not been able to afford a proper Purim Seudah were provided the opportunity to do so.

This project made it possible for the girls to send mishloach manot to their friends, while at the same time giving matanot l'evyonim. Along with the good feeling that came from knowing they had participated in such a big mitzvah, everyone was excited to receive the summer-themed mishloach manot complete with pail and shovel, pineapple chunks, BBQ chips, and much more. All the hours and hard work that went into shopping for the food items and distributing them to each class really paid off and rounded out the many weeks of Purim celebrations here at SKA!
A special thank you to Mrs. Chana Spielman for all her help and to Mrs. Yafa Storch for coordinating the entire project!

On Wednesday, March 31st and Tuesday, April 5th, SKA ninth graders gained insight into causes of and responses to stress during a two-part Stress Manage-
ment Seminar. The program, coordinated by our social worker, Ms. Keehn, was led by Ms. Aliza Schulman, a social worker and therapist from the Jewish Board of Child & Family Services. Through active discussion and collaborative dialogue, students strove to understand potential sources of stress in their own lives, and to identify physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms that may indicate a need for further concern.

The importance of regularly assessing and maintaining a healthy "balance" between work, play, social supports and self-nurturing was presented as an invaluable life skill.

A primary focus of the session was the proactive integration of healthy preventive measures. Thinking positively, planning ahead, leaving ample time for projects, seeking assistance when needed, getting exercise, sufficient sleep, proper nutrition, and learning what works for you as an individual were among the crucial preventive measures and strategies illustrated and discussed. Finally, students were treated to a guided imagery breathing and relaxation tape which helped students experience the "relaxation response," and served as an example of techniques for taking uninterrupted time for physical and mental relaxation.

Students felt the seminar provided extremely valuable skills, enabled meaningful communication among peers, and presented a warm, open atmosphere in which they could share with and learn from caring, knowledgeable professionals.

Over the past few weeks, the Seniors have had several sessions on women's issues and have benefited from the knowledge of field experts as they shared some of the experiences they have encountered in their professions. The Shalom Task Force talked about the dating process and provided insight into both proper and atypical behavior on a first date. Beit Hadassah reinforced the importance of self-examination as well as taking precautionary steps in order to avoid Breast Cancer. Dr. Jessica Jacob, a renowned Orthodox obstetrician-gynecologist (and parent of two SKA graduates) taught the girls the importance of proper feminine care and answered their many questions in a frank and open way. The Seniors have truly benefited from these workshops and gained a wealth of knowledge pertaining to their futures!