As we returned from Pesach vacation and continued to count sefirah, we were swept away by the emotion and power of Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut and how they are inextricably bound.

How fortunate we are to commemorate these special days with freedom and openness and express our spirituality! At SKA, we marked each of these days with thought provoking programs and speakers and even enjoyed a Pre-Yom Haatzmaut experience with Knesset Member Effie Eitam. With hakarat hatov to Hashem and with joy in our hearts, we enjoyed a magnificent Yom Haatzmaut and danced with each other with the Israeli flag as our symbol.

Where does the time fly? Today is our last formal day of sessions with the Class of 2006 as we send our senior class off to begin their Work Study Internship program. At a grade meeting held before their departure, we were honored to announce several graduation honorees. Mazal tov to this year's co- valedictorians Gittel Klein and Aviva Schiffmiller, salutatorian Batya Hertzberg and to Keter Shem Tov awardee Devorah Mansdorf. We are so proud of your accomplishments!

We were thrilled that on a recent trip to the Garcia Center at Stonybrook with Dr. Binder, SKA Research Coordinator, several of our students had the opportunity to meet and chat with Dr. Aumann, Israeli Nobel Prize Winner.

We wish the many juniors and seniors who are taking AP exams a hearty "hatzlacha rabba" as they continue to study and attend review classes conducted by our devoted faculty. The AP exams administered by Princeton will conclude this Wednesday and then some of our seniors will take Yeshiva University's AP Modern Jewish History exam and the Hebrew University Jerusalem Exam. We look forward to a strong performance by our students!

We can't wait to greet the Class of 2010 this coming Sunday at our annual Yom Chaverut program! Our 85 incoming freshmen will have the opportunity to meet one another at this get-together and spend some time at SKA.

Before you know it, final exams and Regents will be upon us! We have included a schedule of Regents review classes with our faculty that are available for our students. Check the link!

I wish you all a peaceful and meaningful Shabbos!

Shabbat Shalom!

Yom Ha'atzmaut at SKA was one big celebration as nearly the entire staff and student body were dressed in blue and white, Hallel was recited and the afternoon was punctuated with a beautiful program prepared by Mrs. Feinberg and a spirited chagiga. The presentation's focus was the importance of aliyah, and the girls were able to express their excitement and gratitude for the State of Israel by dancing with the Israeli flag. The festive atmosphere could be felt in every corner of the school. To finish it off, the students were treated to delicious falafel and zepolis. A great end to an exhilarating day!

In an effort to remember and memorialize all those who fell protecting our Land of Israel, SKA held a meaningful assembly on Yom HaZikaron. In addition to reciting Tehilim and special Tefilot for Tzahal and Medinat Yisrael, the students watched an inspiring video and heard from two special speakers. Mrs. Debby Rosenfeld spoke about her son, a DRS graduate, who has just joined the Israeli army. She recounted several experiences that he shared and explained that though she worries about him, she is happy that he is embodying the Zionistic values she and her husband instilled in him. Mr. Mike Fichtenberg, a Tzahal soldier who has just finished his army service, spoke about making aliyah and joining the army while learning in a Hesder yeshiva. He expounded upon the importance of the existence of the State of Israel and how vital it is to defend it. Both were eloquent and stirring, and greatly contributed to our program.

On Yom HaShoah, SKA commemorated the unparalleled loss of six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. The day's program began with a minute–long siren and a silent march to the auditorium. Several students read original poems, the melodious choir sang a number of stirring songs and six representative candles were lit by Holocaust survivors. After watching slideshow presentations along with moving poems, each grade had the privilege of hearing a different survivor’s personal story. Mrs. Judith Wohlberg, Mrs. Itel Landau, Mrs. Rena Bernstein and Mrs. Esther Klein each shared their personal journeys and inspired their listeners with their courage and strength. The students of SKA learned to remember the past and work for the future.

As part of the conclusion to the Seniors' Jewish Family Living course, the seniors had three programs to solidify the message of shalom bayis and taharat hamishpacha. The studenced experienced a workshp with several nurses from Hadassah. Through video, lecture and visual aids, the Seniors learned some important lessons about women's health. Thanks to Nurse Joan Sherman for coordinating the visit.

Last Monday, the Seniors boarded a bus to visit the local mikvah. This trip gave the students a chance to concretize what they had learned and hear a beautiful talk from Kayla Jacobs about the spirituality and kedusha of the mikvah.

The previous week, the seniors in SKA had the incredible z’chut of hearing a shiur given by Rabbi Mordechai Willig on the topic of prenuptial agreements. He explained that unfortunately, the number of Jewish marriages which end in divorce is growing. It is therefore more and more important that couples have a prenuptial agreement which can be legally binding in court in order to provide security for the wife. This interesting topic certainly left the seniors with something to think about.

While having Rabbi Willig in our midst, the Juniors had the zechut of hearing a shiur from Rabbi Willig on the topic of, "The Woman's Obligation in Counting Sefirat Ha'Omer." The shiur was both inspiring and analytical. The girls were amazed to hear a shiur from one of the most prominant YU Roshei Yeshiva.

We were delighted to host sheva brachot for our beloved coach, physical education teacher, and athletic director. Mazel Tov to Esther and Yerucham Goldfeder! We had a great time providing entertainment and divrei Torah and celebrating with the new couple.

SKA is proud to announce that the following seven students have been invited to enter the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program:

Mijal Bitton, Yardana Galler, Sarah Gross, Ilana Lefkowitz, Danielle Lent, Emily Levine and Michelle Zomber.

These students are among the 50,000 highest scoring participants of the PSAT exam which was given in October and in which over 1.4 million student took part. In the fall, some of these students will be named Commendees and some will progress to Semifinalists in the National Merit Program.

We wish the girls and their families Mazal Tov on achieving this prestigious milestone which reflects their academic success. May they have much hatzlacha in all of their endeavors!!

On April 24th, we were privileged to participate in the Spanish Poetry Contest at Hofstra University. Our 15 participants, Adi Fried, Shaindy Schiffmiller, Evie Shechter, Bracha Feintuch, Fraida Streiter, Elizabeth Frenkel, Elisheva Zinberg, Leora Lerman, Lauren Bayer, Temima Herzberg, Ayelet Chovev, Sarit Sandowski, Temima Kessler, Danielle Lent and Tzippy Wiesenfeld, worked arduously to memorize and present their poetry beautifully. They all did an outstanding job. Special (felicitaciones) congratulations to the winners: Elizabeth Frenkel, 2nd prize in Spanish I; Sarit Sandowski 1st prize, Temima Herzberg 2nd prize, Ayelet Chovev 3rd prize in Spanish II; Tzippy Wiesenfeld, 3rd prize in Spanish III. Thank you so much to Señora Toby Perlmutter whose encouragement and support made all the difference!

On Thursday evening, May 4th, the Eating Disorders and Prevention Program took place for the 9th grade students and their parents. The evening’s program focused on prevention and intervention, as well as learning the connection between food and feelings and the impact of societal pressure to be thin.

Mrs. Spirn introduced the program on behalf of Ms. Ilana Keehn, LCSW, and emphasized the importance of opening the lines of communication at home and at school to speak about this important topic. Dr. Judith Ruskay Rabiner, internationally known Psychologist who specializes in eating disorders and author of the book “A Starving Madness,” shared with the audience the prevalence of eating disorders and the importance of prevention. The program continued with a personal account of an eating disorder struggle by Ms. Aliza Stareshefsky. The students then broke into groups to further reflect with FEGS leaders. The parents, meanwhile, saw the movie “Understanding Eating Disorders” and then participated in a discussion with Orna Neutra, LMSW – FEGS presenter, Dr. Lenny Kramer – parent of a child who suffered from an eating disorder, and Dr. Rabinor.

Overall, students, parents, and administrators found that the program heightened awareness and encouraged open communication between parent and child regarding eating issues. Comprehensive folders were also distributed to students and parents at the program. Special thanks to Ms. Ilana Keehn who worked tirelessly to coordinate such a wonderful program.