This year's Open House was a resounding success. Teachers, administrators, and students all volunteered their time this past Sunday to familiarize parents and their eighth grade children with the school, in addition to showing them the amazing faculty and resources they would find at SKA. The Open House consisted of both parent and student tours as well as "circle time" where the teachers introduced themselves to the parents while the current SKA students simultaneously described to the interested students many of the different activities, clubs, and teams in SKA. The wonderful day concluded with a buffet of cookies, fruit and vegetables in the auditorium, which provided an extra opportunity for the attendees to ask the faculty or SKA students any questions that they had.

We look forward to welcoming our many Open House attendees over the weeks ahead when they arrive for their personal interviews with Mrs. Spirn and Rabbi Zak. Hatzlacha rabba to the Class of 2011!

"What you do on the outside affects your inside." This was the theme for our first Tzemach program this year for our ninth and tenth grades. The program was very interesting because it showed that if you really want to change, you can.This idea was depicted in a film about a teenage boy who makes a bet with his friends. He says that he could go to a yeshiva for a week without anyone figuring out that he wasn't religious. In the end, he loses the bet but gains something better- true yahadut. This program was very inspiring because it taught that it's never too early to improve yourself. You don't have to wait until your'e older and in Israel. It also showed that you can improve by, at first, just going along with the movements and then it will eventually become a part of who you are and it will be just second nature to act in that way. Special thanks to Mrs. Haber for coordinating our Tzemach workshops and presentations.

Coordinated by Ms. Ilana Keehn, LCSW, with the partnership of the Yatzkan Center, SKA had a special awareness program on the eve of October 31st. Students and parents joined together to learn about the dangers and prevention of substance abuse and chemical dependency in the Jewish Community. While Lew Abrams from the Yatzkan Center enlightened the audience about the challenges facing teens within our own community, Dr. Chaim Brill stressed the importance of communication between children and their parents as a means of prevention. Students and parents viewed a trigger film called “Dying High” detailing the tragic outcomes of teens that drink and drive and a Yatzkan graduate also shared a more personal account regarding her own struggle with substance abuse.

The film, as well as the multiple experts present, served as a powerful springboard for questions and concerns as students broke into groups led by social work professionals, while parents participated in a forum consisting of a panel of experts and families of former substance abusers. Mrs. Spirn’s candor and openness was evident during the program and set a tone of caring and concern which permeated the evening. Families were able to take home folders which contained vital literature. Many parents and students were grateful to learn more about this topic and the program was described as "well-done, powerful and thought-provoking" by students, parents and staff alike. Incoming staff and speakers commented that the SKA students were very special to work with and that this is truly a unique school to help their students and parents gain awareness about this challenging topic.

On Wednesday night, the Seniors and their parents flooded into SKA, eager to hear from 20+ Israeli Seminaries. Prior to this program, every senior met with her Israel Advisor to discuss prospective schools and at this program each student had time to hear a presentation from three different programs. By the end of the night, many questions were asked and answered and everyone left with information to consider as they journey into the process of "applications" and "interviews." We wish our Seniors much luck in this process.

On Monday night, November 6th, twenty-five girls from the 11th and 12th grade were inducted into the Reut Chapter of the National Honor Society. Students were selected based on criteria established in the areas of academics, character, leadership and service. Every girl wrote an essay describing her achievements and accomplishments as an SKA student and member of the society at large. The essay served as an application to the Honor Society. After our acceptance, we were divided into groups to work on presentations for the ceremony. After much debating, we decided on the theme of the night, "the functions and significance of all our body parts." Different groups discussed the lev, yadaiim, af, eynaim, peh, and raglayim. We also were fortunate to hear words from Mrs. Spirn, Dr. Meier, Mrs. Lavner, and keynote speaker, Rabbi JJ Schachter of the Center for the Jewish Future at Yeshiva University. Afterwards, each inductee received a certificate of recognition into the Honor Society, and a special Sefer about Israel. We ended the night with scrumptious snacks and words of congratulations. It was a memorable night that will remain with us. Special thanks to Dr. Meier and Mrs. Lavner for all their hard work and help in preparation for this special event.

Last Thursday’s trip to a kosher soup kitchen in Manhattan was a very meaningful experience for all who attended. In the week preceding the trip, each girl signed up to bring specific foods that would help supply a nutritious and delicious lunch to those who would otherwise have gone hungry. When we arrived at Emunat Israel, we were greeted by a representative from Project Ohr, the organization that runs the soup kitchen. He explained to us what we would be doing and what we should expect to see and then we got busy in the kitchen preparing the hot dogs and accompaniments. As the clients streamed in, we served them lunch, we walked around and kept them company, and tried to create a generally friendly atmosphere that they would enjoy. Thank you to Ayelet Brecher, Jorge Bienenfeld and Estee Goldschmidt whose efforts in organizing the trip made it the success that it was.

The first Intergenerational Lunch of the year was a lot of fun for all involved! Many of us gave up our lunch period to greet our guests from the Woodmere Rehabilitation Center. After some schmoozing and getting reacquainted, we were ready to start the program. Avi Chesner and Esti Klein prepared a great project – decorating picture frames – that was enjoyed by hosts and seniors alike. Yonit Penzoh and Ariella Schiff ran an action-packed game of bingo – the game that bridges all generations. The smiles on the faces of our new friends made us realize how big a difference we could make by just hanging out and having a good time.

Our Annual Coat Drive was a success! The bowling alley is full of donated coats and we are excited to have made a difference in the lives of many local residents who would otherwise have been very cold this winter. Thank you to all those who brought in coats and to Rebecca Krauss and Shira Bindiger for effectively advertising the drive and helping to pack up the coats.

Hakarat hatov to Mrs. Storch for coordinating all of our Chesed efforts in such an exciting and inclusive way!

The Lev Connections Club, where a connection and bond is formed between two Yeshivat Lev schools, SKA High School and the Lev Chana Preschool, began this past Tuesday. This was the first week in which 25 SKA girls, representatives of 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades went to the 4 year old nursery classroom to read to their reading buddies. Each high school student was paired with one or two preschoolers. The high school students brought the books and some even brought comfortable pillows or blankets in order to make this time even more special. In a previous week of the club, the SKA students heard from Morah Betty Shusterman – coordinator of the Lev Chana Preschool, about what makes great literature for children and provided guidance and her expertise in picking out children’s books. The SKA students also learned about the unique relationship that they could forge with Lev Chana preschoolers. We look forward to continuing an ongoing relationship with our reading buddies in Lev Chana. Thank you to Mrs. Debbie Rubel, BOCES psychologist, for leading the club and coordinating the program.

This past Sunday, 12th grader Shayna Gottesman spoke to Holocaust survivors and their families at a memorial for Kristallnacht in the Town Hall of Long Beach. She was invited by Assemblyman Mr. Weisenberg to address the audience as a youthful voice. She represented the last generation who have heard first hand about the atrocities of the Holocaust from the survivors themselves. She vowed to never forget those lives that were lost and promised to carry on the legacy of the survivors and their stories. Although they might not be there to spread their stories, the assurance that they will always be remembered was great comfort. Not a dry eye could be found in the building as Shayna recited her closing words “Am Yisroel Chai.”

Students in our 10th Grade English classes are studying "The Crucible," by Arthur Miller, with their teacher Mrs. Mirsky. Written as a protest against the McCarthy Hearings, the book led to a 10th grade English project in which groups of students researched the similarities and differences between the McCarthy Hearings, the Salem Witch Trials and the play itself. Each group then created an original presentation depicting the results of their research. The creative projects are on display in the SKA halls!

We are excited to announce that representatives of our 12th grade College Bowl team have been invited to participate in the Long Island Challenge this coming Tuesday. Under the able leadership of team advisor Mr. Fiedler, our team, consisting of Ilana Lefkovits, Danielle Lent, Emily Levine, and Yoey Sacks and alternate Atara Aeder, will face North Shore High School in a televised match. Our entire senior class will be in the audience to cheer their classmates to success! The pre-taped match will be televised throughout the year on Channel 12. Details to follow!