Dear Lower School families,

As we head into the joyful and festive Hanukkah season, mishpacha (family) is top of mind. Our team has endeavored to open our doors to our parent kehillah (community) in new ways, to celebrate student learning, enjoy coffee and conversation, and to engage in shared learning experiences. Our hope is that you are feeling more deeply connected to our curriculum and busy halls.

Our curious 1st graders ventured to the Lincoln Park Zoo in preparation of their second unit of study, Creature Features. Parents led small groups of kids on a scavenger hunt all throughout the exhibits, where students’ background knowledge shined, and they exuded excitement about their upcoming module.

Second graders led beautiful Tefillot (prayers) in front of their peers and families, signifying all they have learned thus far in Lower School. They received their first siddurim (prayer books) from which they will read, chant, and lead throughout their Lower School years. Their smiles were contagious as they shook their teachers’ hands and on this momentous occasion.

Building upon this 2nd grade learning, 3rd graders took their talents to Skokie, where they toured three synagogues from different sects of Judaism. Students wove this experience into their classroom studies, and worked in teams to build their own synagogues. No detail was missed, as students mirrored elements seen within those synagogues with their own creative spin. Parents gathered to hear their children present about the inspiration behind their synagogues, and joined in song as 3rd grade chazanim and chazaniyot (prayer leaders) led through our weekly prayers.

The 4th graders, our oldest Lower School students, have spent the last few months studying empathy through the Nora Project. Fourth graders have been learning and sharing about why there is no such thing as “normal,” and shifting to an ability-inclusive mindset. To put their learning into practice, they created the most beautiful Hanukkah cards for blind, low vision, and print-disabled Jewish children, using felt to represent Hanukkah symbols. Our Bernard Zell 4th graders truly brought light into Hanukkah for other children and their families.

We are just beaming with all of our Lower School growth and accomplishment thus far, and for the family connections we are building along the way. Wishing you a warm and celebratory Hanukkah.

Rachel Silverberg, Head of Lower School