Hebrew Language Academy Charter School

Messages from the Head of School

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May 15, 2012

Greetings! Here are the updates for Friday, May 11, 2012:

Thank you to the Parent Organization for hosting a wonderful Mother’s Day Sale! What a beautiful way to celebrate all our moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, etc. The plants were a great gift idea. Happy Mother’s Day! Please remember that PO Movie night is Sunday, May 20th and the PO General Membership Meeting is Monday, May 21st.

We celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week today. All our HLA staff were invited to a fabulous lunch provided by HLA. Thank you teachers for all your hard work and dedication to our children and our school. You are all appreciated!

Just a reminder to keep the dates: May 24th and June 3rd
HLA will celebrate Israel Independence on May 24th at HLA. There will be many fun activities for our children to experience in honor of this special day. Also on June 3rd HLA will have a spectator spot for the Salute to Israel Parade in NYC. Our spot to view the parade is located on 5th Avenue between East 70th and East 71st streets. All parents, children and families are welcome to view the parade from this location reserved especially for HLA. We hope you will join us!

Educationally yours,
Laura J. Silver
Head of School

March 21, 2012

Greetings! Here is the HLA update for Wednesday, March 21st:

The recent events in France have provided an opportune time for us at HLA to make sure that our safety protocols and policies are in place to provide safety and security for our children and staff. I have reached out to our local Police Department Community Relations Division to ensure that we do everything to protect our children and staff. While we are being advised that this incident is not expected to have any impact in the United States, we are committed to taking all necessary precautions to ensure a high level of safety and security. We have contacted our local precinct of the NYC Police Department. They have advised us that that though they do not know of any specific cause for concern in our area, they have two additional vehicles patrolling schools and houses of worship in our precinct. The extra police presence is being provided to assure safety. Additionally, this is a good time for parents and guardians to make sure that the contact information in our main office is up to date.

Also, please remember that Parent/Teacher Conferences are April 3, 2012. Please submit your appointment time preference sheet to your child's teacher. Conferences are by appointment only. All students will be dismissed at 12 noon. We look forward to seeing you there.

*PLEASE COMPLETE THE NYC PARENT SURVEY*
*RETURN COMPLETION RECEIPT TO YOUR CHILD'S CLASS *

Thank you.

March 19, 2012

Greetings! This is a reminder for parents to complete the NYC Parent Survey . HLA has computers set up for any parent that would like to complete an online survey every day this week and next week. We welcome you to come in and enjoy some refreshments while completing your survey. Feel free to stop in and use our Survey Drop box as well. All classes that have 100% Survey Receipts will receive and ice cream and ices party. Your time and input is valued and appreciated! Thank you.

March 17, 2012

Greetings! Parents please remember that Sunday, March 18th is Movie Night at HLA! We will have computers ready for you to complete the NYC Parent Survey online. Any parent that does not have their access code can call the Survey Hotline at 1-800-690-8603. HLA staff will be available to assist families to gain access to the online survey. Each class with 100% returned Survey Receipts will win an ice cream and ices party. We thank you for taking the time to complete this important survey.

March 16, 2012

Dear Parents,

HLA is very pleased to inform our parents, families and staff about the satisfactory results of the Indoor Air-Quality testing conducted on March 8, 2012, at our request.

On March 8, 2012, a private air quality consulting company conducted an indoor air quality testing of the Hebrew Language Academy Charter School premises. The survey was performed by a trained industrial hygienist using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) sampling techniques, and was in general accordance with applicable industry standards.

The final report and analysis which was received today, indicates all of the samples collected and tested were either within or below the recommended limits. Additionally, the report states that there were no characteristics of the indoor air quality that could be anticipated to cause occupant illness or require immediate remediation. The testing company has reported that there are no further recommendations at this time, and the building is safe for occupancy. This is consistent with the safety clearance we received from the Fire Department on the day of the boiler malfunction and with the results of an air quality test done by the New York City Department of Health last week.

We want to assure you that HLA considers the safety and welfare of our children and staff a top priority. HLA conducted this air quality testing only out of an abundance of caution even after the Fire Department, and the Department of Health had already cleared the premises as safe for the School to occupy, and the landlord had assured us that the building was safe for occupancy.

If you have any questions about this, or any other matter, please feel free to contact me.

March 15, 2012

Greetings! Here are the updates for Thursday, March 15th:

We are in the final two weeks of our recruitment for the 2012-13 school year! We have had a great response so far. The number of applications we have received so far confirms for us the community interest in HLA continues to be very strong. We look forward to the lottery on April 18th. Please remember to tell all your friends and loved ones to send in their applications by April 1st. There are still two weeks left to submit applications for children in grades K, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Applications are available in the main office and on the HLA web site!

Thank you to all parents who are following the HLA Dress Code and arrival times! We appreciate you. Our classroom teachers have been talking with our children about the new Discipline Code so they understand what is expected of them. We have already noticed positive changes! Thanks again! If you haven’t already done so, please send in your signed Discipline Code receipt.

Also, please remember the 3rd grade ELA test dates are: April 17th, 18th, & 19th and the Math test dates are: April 25th, 26th & 27th. Please remember to plan your holiday and trips accordingly, so that your third grade child will be back in school ready to take these important tests.

Have a great day.

March 14, 2012

Greetings! This is a reminder that the HLA PARENT ORGANIZATION DRESS-UP MOVIE NIGHT featuring: Mr. Popper’s Penguins is on Sunday, March 18th 5:30pm at HLA. There will be an exciting contest for the best and most creative characters! Please have your child dress up as their favorite character from a book, movie or their favorite television show. Items do not need to be store bought. We encourage creativity. Please bring blankets, pillows and sleeping bags. All children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult on Sunday, March 18th 5:30pm at HLA. Thank you.

March 12, 2012

Greetings! Attached please find the HLA Discipline Code and Receipt. We encourage you to review this with your child. We will be reviewing this in school as well; to make sure our children understand what is expected of them. Please make sure your child is dressed according to the HLA dress code. All students should arrive to school on time, wearing the HLA Dress Code so they are in compliance with the 2012 Discipline Code. Please make sure you sign the HLA Discipline Code receipt, and return it to the main office. Each child must have a signed receipt on file in the main office.

Also, congratulations to class Netanya for their Reader’s Theater Production of short plays including 3 Billy Goats Gruff, Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs. This lesson provided instruction focused on fluency and reading with expression. Great job!

Thank you.

Enjoy the rest of the day!

March 9, 2012

Greetings! Here are the HLA updates for Friday, March 9th:

Today our school kicked off its school wide Character Tree Program. Our children will be recognized for the positive character traits that they demonstrate during their days at HLA. Perhaps you have noticed our bare tree hanging in the entrance of our main lobby. As students are recognized for their good character, their names will be written on a leaf and the placed on our tree. Each class has a different color leaf, and we look forward to watching our tree grow with many wonderful colored leaves as our students continue to build their good character. Now when you enter our school main entrance, we hope you will notice the names of our children and celebrate their success.

Last night, a private company tested the air quality on our first and second floors. The test results are expected sometime next week and we will share the results with you at that time.

HLA PARENT ORGANIZATION PRESENTS: “DRESS-UP” MOVIE NIGHT featuring: Mr. Popper’s Penguins Sunday, March 18th at 5:30pm at HLA. There will be an exciting contest for the best and most creative characters! Please have your child dress up as their favorite character from a book, movie or their favorite television show! Items do not need to be store bought…we encourage creativity. Please bring blankets, pillows and sleeping bags. All children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.

Please remember to check your e-mail next week for the HLA Discipline Code. Review it with your child and return the Discipline Code Receipt to the main office.

Thank you.

Enjoy the weekend.

March 8, 2012

Greetings! Here are the HLA updates for Thursday, March 8th:

Any student that did not attend school due to religious observance should return to school with an absence note stating “Absence due to Religious Observance.” Religious Observance absences are not counted in your child’s absence percentage.

We will be sending home an updated HLA Discipline Code via email for all families to review with their children. Please complete the Discipline Code Receipt and return it to the school. Every student must return a signed parent receipt.

It is anticipated that in addition to the NYC Dept of Health inspection that was completed yesterday, which indicated all air quality levels are normal, our private expert company will be in the school today, after dismissal, to complete air quality testing. The testing will be completed by approximately 9:00 pm and will not affect the school or instruction tomorrow. As soon as these results are available, they will be shared with you.

Be on the look- out for Parent Surveys. You will be receiving information shortly about completing these surveys.

Have a great day.

March 7, 2012

Greetings! This is the HLA update for Wednesday, March 7th:

Happy Purim! We expect that some teachers may be absent for a full or half day tomorrow due to the holiday. We will be providing coverage for those classes. Teachers have been instructed not to introduce a new lesson but instead to reinforce the prior day’s lesson.

A NYC Department of Health Inspector came to HLA today to inspect the building’s air quality. He tested for VOC’s, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. He tested the air quality in the 2nd floor, first floor and basement levels as well as the boiler room in the basement. He reported that all levels are normal. His report will be sent to the building’s landlord.

March 6, 2012

Greetings! Here are the HLA updates for Tuesday, March 6, 2012:

Alan Cohen, General Studies teacher from Tel-Aviv has been out ill. We wish Mr. A. a speedy recovery! Also, we would like to inform you that there is a new 3rd grade teacher, Mr. Neemos, who will begin on Monday, March 12th. Our new music teacher, Mr. Mack will also begin full time on Monday March 12th. Our new Director of Operations is Ms. Judy Halaby, and she will start on March 12, 2012. Reminder that the “bonus” teacher for Yerushalyim is Ms. Modaferri and she also will start on March 12, 2012. Some of our Hebrew language teachers participated in ELLOPA training today, and substitute coverage was provided. ELLOPA stands for Early Language Learning Oral Proficiency Assessment. This training helps our Hebrew teachers assess our children more effectively. The copy machine in the main office needs a new part which is expected to arrive no later than Thursday. It is possible that some classes may not have received their homework packet as a result.

There was a recent malfunction with the boiler in our building we are renting while there were no children in the building. While this negatively affected the basement, according to the Fire Department the floors HLA occupies (2nd and 3rd) are safe. We very much appreciate the concern parents have for the safety of their children and we share that concern. To make sure that there is no problem in our space we have contracted with a private expert company to do air-testing. They will be in the school within the next couple of days and we will have results soon afterwards. We will share those results with the parents and staff once we receive them.

We are happy to report that we have secured an interim facility for the next two years while our long-term permanent space is being built. The location is just over 4 blocks from our current school location. The address is 1340 East 29th Street between Avenues M and N. It is an existing school building in excellent condition. It was formerly a Catholic school. It is not unusual in New York that public schools have rented former Catholic schools. Of course we will continue to be a school that rigorously observes the separation of Church and State. We will cover up all religious symbols in the building and a statue on the outside of the building above the entrance.

Have a great day!

March 1, 2012

Greetings!

Important Updates:

Welcome New Staff -HLA would like to welcome Mr. Ryan Mack, our new music teacher. He started yesterday, and will be here 2 days this week and next, and then full time after that. We would also like to welcome the new “bonus teacher” for our K class: Yerushalyim, Ms. Modaferri. She will start on March 12, 2012. Also, Ms. Surdo will return on Monday, March 5th after recovering from strep throat.

HLA Wednesday Lunchtime Clubs – HLA is happy to announce ‘HLA Wednesday Lunchtime Clubs’ for students in grades 2 and 3. Teachers have put together a selection of clubs for students to choose from in an HLA Club Course Catalogue. Students have been asked to select their club after reviewing the list of available clubs. There will be different clubs to choose from including Drama Club, Hebrew Cinema Club, and Basketball Skills Club which will take place during the recess time of the lunch period.

Grade 3 ELA and Math Tests – Please note that the NYS ELA tests for grade 3 are scheduled for April 17th, 18th and 19th. This is one day after we return from our Spring Vacation. Please plan your vacation carefully so your child can return to school on Monday, April 16, 2012 which will be an ELA test prep/practice day. The NYS Math tests for grade 3 are scheduled for April 25th, 26th, and 27th. We appreciate your consideration of how valuable these tests are to your child’s overall performance grade at HLA. Any child that does not perform to standard on these tests will be required to attend summer school.

Private Busing – Please contact Shari Lipner, HLA PO President, if you are seeking private bus service to transport your child to and/or from school. We understand that many parents are unhappy with their current choice of private bus service. Please contact Shari at drlipner@yahoo.com if you are interested or if you can suggest a Bus Service Company. All suggestions are welcome!

2012 NYC School Survey – Coming Soon!!This survey is an opportunity for you to provide feedback on the learning environment here at HLA. The 2012 NYC School Survey (paper copy) will be distributed soon. You will also have the opportunity to complete the survey online at http://schools.nyc.gov/surveys. Your input is valued and your cooperation in completing this survey is appreciated.

Lunch Payments – Please remember to bring your outstanding January Lunch balances to the main office. Please submit your balance payment as soon as possible. Payment may be made in the form of check or money order payable to HLA. You may also pay with cash. Payment is due immediately upon receipt of your invoice. You will be receiving February Lunch Invoices next week. Thank you.

Student Recruitment 2012-13 - We have begun our student recruitment process for the next academic year. Realizing that word-of-mouth is the best recommendation, please continue to spread the word about the success and growth of our children at HLA. Encourage friends, relatives and neighbors to visit the HLA website and take a school tour if they have children who are of age to attend our school. Currently, we have seats available in grades 2 and 3. Weekly tours are given each Tuesday at 9:00am through 11:30am.

Computer Sites to Support Student Achievement - Razz Kids is a fun and educational reading program that allows students to work on their specified class reading levels. We are currently working on the RazzKids program subscription to ensure that each student only has access to his or her own page. Your child may read online at home in a “fun” way. For science a helpful and entertaining website is: www.sfscience.com. For social studies please visit: www.sfsocialstudies.com. Also please see sample Grade 3 ELA and Math tests at http://www.nysedregents.org/elementary.html

Educationally Yours,
Laura J. Silver,
Head of School