We are now completing our 11th day of school and the last days of our September calendar. It has been quite a month, with all of the preparations for the Yomim Noraim and the strengthening of our sensitivities to Teshuva, Tefila and Tzedaka. It has also been a month of transition from summer vacation to the expectations of school.

I am excited to be sharing responsibility and working with our new administrative team: Dr. Meier, Associate Principal; Rabbi Zakutinsky, Director of Admissions and Student Activities, Mrs. Kaminetsky, Director of Religious Guidance; Mrs. Pomerantz, Assistant Administrator; and Rabbi Rothman, Assistant Administrator. Special thanks to Rabbi Rothman who has produced this first issue of SKAppenings; we look forward to bi- monthly issues in the future.

Bruchot Habaot to our Freshman Class who brightened up SKA at our pre-school Freshman Orientation. We are enjoying their enthusiasm, warmth, and friendliness. This year's class of 71 was excited to share its Pre-Sukkot Apple Picking Trip with members of Beis Ezra. In fact, several grades have had a Chesed Outing and been invited to attend either an After School Mishmar or a Simchat Beit Shoeva program over Chol Hamoed at the home of a teacher or classmate. I am personally looking forward to welcoming the Senior Class to my home on Tuesday evening, October 5th.

I would also like to welcome our 11 new transfer students who have joined our sophomore and junior classes and wish them much hatzlacha as they join our family.

Our Seniors have Israel and College on their minds and are hearing terrific reports from last year's graduating class. More than 90% are studying in Eretz Yisrael this year. We know that our girls will be ably assisted by Mrs. Gail Elsant, College Guidance, and by Mrs. Feinberg and Mrs. Yudin, Israel Guidance.

We wish everyone a Chag Sameach as we break for Sukkot vacation and are pleased that a representation of SKA families will be celebrating the Chag in Yerushalayim.

May the spirituality we experienced during the Yomim Noraim continue to grow as we strive for true Simchat HaChag and continue to daven that Hashem will protect us from the powers that threaten us, as individuals and as a people. "HaPorais Sukkat shalom aleinu v'al kol yisrael v'al Yerushalayim"

During the month of Elul, SKA was filled with the sense of the Days of Awe. You could feel it in the halls as you read the different signs with quotes such as "We must speak: G-d." You could feel it as you listened to the inspiring words of Rabbi Mordechai Becher from Gateways. You could feel it as you watched over two hundred of our students become involved in learning Hilchot Teshuva of the Rambam in an informal program spearheaded by our senior class under the guidance of Mrs. Kaminetsky.

Of course, "money speaks louder than words" and Tzedaka played a prominent role in our Teshuva process. Our 9th and 10th grades were inspired by their fellow classmates Nava Dworetsky and Shira Thalheim to raise money for Tomchei Shabbos. Since Israel is constantly on our minds and our Tzedaka money is needed there, our 11th and 12th grades collected money for Yad Eliezer. Mrs Suri Tropper, the Director of Yad Eliezer in USA , spoke to the upper grades about how one person can make a difference, informing our students about the role of Yad Eliezer and urging the girls to collect Tzedaka along with clothing.

On Wednesday, two days before Rosh Hashana, we held out annual Tshuvathon . Our theme this year was Teshuva, Tefilla u'Tzedaka. Our students had an opportunity to hear from a very eloquent speaker, Mrs. Brielle Stark Adler, who spoke about the commitment to Judaism that she made in High School and how it has enriched her life. Our students were able to see her appreciation of the world and how the Torah values helped her become the person that she is today. The students were then treated to a trigger film titled "Clayfeet" that conveyed the message that it is lonely in the winner's circle. Sometimes we are winners and sometimes we are losers and taking advantage of people or systems is not the way to resolve matters. Rather we should live with honesty and self-awareness.

Another crucial part of our Tshuvathon were the Grade Workshops, planned and implemented by our Grade Level Advisors. Each grade had its own program involving either a panel discussion or mini workshops. The topics included : hakarat hatov (11), appreciating people's differences (9), "Am I using my talents to the fullest?"(10), and realizing the obstacles that your friends go though(12). We ended our program with Tehillim recitation and an acceptance of new commitments for the New Year.

The Art Academy:

Incoming freshmen can now apply to the new SKA Art Academy under the direction of Mrs. Suzy Libin. Girls who are accepted will be able to learn and work with different art media during their four years at SKA, culminating in the AP Art course. This year, the sixteen Freshmen enrolled in the Academy have Studio Art four days a week and additionally,twice a week, are involved in Woodworking. Watch for the wonderful pieces that these talented young women will produce!


Science Research Program:

Once a week, students in grades 9-11 will be able to take part in an optional science research class. The class will be taught by Mrs. Rifky Isseroff, Director of our Science Research Program. This new addition to our already famous science department will enable the girls to become familiar with different research techniques and problem solving approaches. It will help develop the minds and hearts of our budding scientists, preparing them for future summer science research. The classes begin right after Sukkot. Siemens-Westinghouse and Intel, here we come!

For the third consecutive year, an SKA teacher has been one of seven individuals in the New York Metropolitan area honored with the Grinspoon/Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. This year's awardee , Mrs. Leah Feinberg, is a master teacher who has been at SKA for almost ten years. She is committed to educating and inspiring her students with a deep understanding of Tanach and an independence in approaching the text. She has taught Jewish History, energizing the past and bringing it to life with intellectual rigor. She has created many programs as Grade Level Advisor and is involved in Israel Guidance with our Seniors for their post high school year of learning. She is a role model as well as an extraordinary mentor. Previous winners have been Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky and Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky. Our warmest wishes of Mazal Tov go to Mrs. Feinberg.

At our Opening School Faculty Meeting, we were able to hear about several "summer school experiences." Dr. Meier shared her thoughts about her 10 days at the Harvard Principal's Center in Boston; Morah Antman reflected on her participation in the Jewish Agency Seminar for Teachers in Yerushalayim; and Mrs. Pomerantz participated in the Research for Better Teaching Program.

A special welcome to new faculty and staff members Mrs. Yaffa Storch, our Chesed Coordinator; Mrs. Ilana Keehn, our BOCES Social Worker; Miss Rebecca Blisko, our Grade Level and G.O Advisor; Miss Ariella Allen and Miss Rivka Fragin, two of our 11th grade Mechanchot.; Mrs. Lisa Altabe, AP Psychology; Rabbi Yehuda Balsam, Halacha; Mrs. Anne Bernstein, Physical Therapy; Mrs. Julie Stern Joseph, Hashkafa; Senor and Senora LaRocca, Spanish ; Mrs. Shira Manne, English; Rabbi Jonathan Muskat, Jewish History and Torah she Beal Peh; Mrs. Heather Wald, Art; and Miss Elyssa Zangre, Office Assistant.