LYA Blog

LYA congratulates its students who earned Honor Roll for the first term.  We are proud of your hard work, diligence and achievements. 

Did you know that the lights went off again in Longmeadow? Well, when the lights went off at LYA on Tuesday around 4:00 p.m., the LYA staff was busy at their monthly staff meeting. Being in the dark did not stop their important meeting. The staff continued their meeting and was very productive without lights. Special thanks to Mrs. Zolotor’s daughter, who saved the day with a flash light on her iPod. The meeting ended with a bang as the lights went back on. This picture was taken in the dark. You will need to contact Dr. Kupperman or Rabbi Wolff personally and ask them about the guest Teddy Bear.

LYA has very active kids and on Sunday, December 4,  twenty children participated in the Rachel’s Table Foodraiser.  Together with community members, they shopped ‘till they dropped at Big Y and all the food they bought went to the needy.  After the foodraiser, it was back to LYA for a gift wrapping session of toys for Chanukah.  These gifts will be sent to children whose parents are incarcerated.  LYA kids are truly active kids who think about others.  Rabbi Cohen did a wonderful job organizing this program and would like to thank the following people for carpooling and chaperoning the event: Chani Cohen, Emunah Garfield, Rochel Leah Kosofsky, Suzanne Muhlmann, Sue Scott, Edy Winokur and Faigie Wolff.  Click here for more photos.

Leaders of the Month - October

LYA congratulates its October Leaders of the Month.  These students showed leadership using the quality of Respect.  Leaders of the Month receive certificates, as well as a special treat of eating lunch with Dr. Kupperman.  Dr. Kupperman brings special prizes and students practice tongue twisters.  In addition three lucky students were chosen as ticket winners.  They will receive a special ice cream dessert and eat that with Dr. Kupperman. 

LYA is proud of its leaders. 

How do you turn a storm into a win-win?  For eighth grade student Gavriel, the answer was simple.  Draw how LYA students were leaders.  The picture above does not do justice to the awesome mural that now graces the hall of LYA.  In the mural one can see the many ways that LYA students and their families showed Leadership during the storm.  Some examples were: helping shovel, allowing friends to come in for warm food and showers, cutting trees and offering friendship.  Stop in and see this beautiful work of art and leadership. 

The Heat is on at LYA and it was back to business.  However, it was not business as usual.  LYA opened its doors and invited in visitors whose schools had no power.  LYA students were hospitable to nine students who took advantage of LYA's offer.  These students visited Preschool, Kindergarten, Third, Fourth and Middle School classes.  Guess what?  LYA's character trait for November is Hospitality. 

Go LYA 

Thanks Shir for teaching us "Shimi Pinocchio" (My name is Pinocchio).  This is  a popular game played in Israel.  After forming a circle, the object of the game is to jump on someone's toes.  When you do that, you assign them a mission to do as they were out.  We chose Sukkot missions, as the game was played at the school sukkah party.  Students have continued to play this game during free time and recess. 

Sukkot is called the holiday of Joy and it was very joyous at LYA.  Staff and students spent the holiday participating in many activities.  Buddies decorated the school sukkah and fourth grade students decorated the sukkah at the Jewish Nursing Home.  There was much hopping going on as 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students went sukkah hopping.  The Early Childhood Program had there own sukkah party with games, stories and treats.  Many students participated in a Sukkah Building Contest.  Winners will be announced at the school sukkah party.  Eating lunch was fun.  There were some uninvited guests that came to our Sukkah: BEES.  Some students were very creative and named them Bob, Billy and Rufus.  Holidays are fun at LYA.  Click here to see more photos.

Pizza in the Hut was a huge success.  There were over 180 people in attendance.  That was a lot of Pizza served.  The 6th and 7th grade students organize an awesome Sukkot Carnival with many fun activities for all the children.  The edible flags were fun to make and eat and were healthy too.  LYA thanks the community for coming and supporting the Israel Trip Experience 2013 and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for its support of the Carnival.  Please take time to thank the following LYA parents fro their assistance in working in the kitchen:  Sue Bader, Hagit Ben Naim, Amy Mager, Rabbi Chaim Kosofsky, Sue Scott and Mim Schwartz.  Click here for more photos.

Thank you LYA PTO for beginning 5772 in a sweet way.  Every family and staff member received a decorated mason jar complete with the dry ingredients for a honey cake.  This project was true synergy.  LYA PTO thanks the following parents and grandparents for their help:  Joyce Kimball, Esther Kosofsky, Rochel Leah Kosofsky, Joan Lipman, Chaya Lemkin, Amy Mager, Nancy Meyer, Suzanne Muhlmann, Mim Schwartz, and Chaya Sara Stiefel.  Let us know how your honey cakes came out.

Our budding little chefs had loads of fun during Cooking with Parents I.  the theme was Rosh Hashanah and what a sweet program it was.  There was honey cake to mix and bake, apple kabobs that were sweet off the skewers.  The over 60 participants enjoyed creating Rosh Hashanah center pieces and bee book marks.  A grand tasty time was had by all.   

LYA welcomed Tal Sarig to school on Friday.  Tal played a game of bingo that helped introduce himself to the staff and students.  We all had a great time playing and learning about Tal.  Let's see what you remember from your meetings with Tal.  Comment on the blog and you will receive Leadership cards.  Students are looking forward to working with Tal.

1.  Where is Tal from?

2. What instruments does Tal play?

3. How many countries did Tal visit last year and can you name them? 

4. Tell us about Tal's farm. 

LYA students enjoyed meeting Shir Ricon today. She is one of two Israeli emissaries who will be working with students bringing Israel to our school. LYA thanks the Anna P. Housen Desk of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts for organizing this program. LYA students, today Shir taught you all about herself. If you can post something Shir taught you today about herself, you will receive leadership cards. Post things about:

1.       Where is Shir from in Israel?

2.       What are her hobbies?

3.       Information about her family.

4.       Where does Shir’s family come from?