Teacher Margaret's "View From My Window" - December 2nd

Welcome to our new Assistant Teacher in the Preschool. Debbie Kalbach has spent many years working in preschools and schools as an accomplished and trusted assistant teacher. We are thrilled to have her join us.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Giving Tuesday. We surpassed our goal for the Annual Fund. By this time tomorrow 100% of 8th-grade families will have contributed to the Annual Fund. Their leadership in supporting the school is wonderful. At this point, 6th and 3rd families are well on their way to pizza parties for their kids. Each class needs another four parents to contribute to the Annual Fund for these two grades to reach 80% and earn a pizza party for their student’s class. There is still time for all classes to meet and then exceed 80%. Gifts to the Annual Fund can be made online or a check can be sent to the school.

On Wednesday’s Meeting For Worship, Avi stood to share what Hanukkah meant to him and his family. Mr. Abramowitz helped us understand the menorah and how the candles were lit. Then they used the shamash to light the other four candles. Our theme this month is Darkness and Light. I have had Mary Chapin Carpenter’s song “Come Darkness, Come Light” playing in my head. While these are the shortest days, they are not without joy and light/Light.

In Buddies today older and younger students worked together to create ornaments for the tree now standing in the gym/auditorium. PreSchool students raced with me across the pavement to get out to the playground and have time to explore and make fun together. First Grade Students took joy in exploring shapes in geometry. 8th-grade students began their work on writing queries for the rest of the school by reading a variety of pieces drawing on the theme of Light and Darkness. Below my book suggestions are a few of the inspirations 8th grade used for writing their queries.

Announcements:

Parents and Guardians Council Meeting, Tuesday, December 7 on ZOOM at 7:00 pm
Poinsettia pickup Tuesday, December 7 at 3:00 pm (pickup line)
Thursday, December 9 at 10:30 am COVID testing in the Meeting House. Please RSVP
Thursday, December 16 at 10:30 am COVID testing in the Meeting House. Please RSVP
Friday, December 17th at 10:30 am Holiday Music Program on ZOOM

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What I am reading:

A Little Book of Courage for the Big Pandemic

by Cheri Lovre

The Three Robbers

by Tomi Ungerer

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"Shadow and Light Source Both"

By Jalal al-Din Rumi

How does a part of the world leave the world?

How does wetness leave water?

Dont' try to put out fire by throwing on

more fire! Don't wash a wound with blood.

No matter how fast you run, your shadow

keeps up. Sometimes it's in front!

Only full overhead sun diminishes your shadow.

But that shadow has been serving you.

What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is

your candle. Your boundaries are your quest.

I could explain this, but it will break the

glass cover on your heart, and there's no

fixing that.

You must have shadow and light source both.

Listen, and lay your head under the tree of awe.

When from that tree feathers and wings sprout on you,

be quieter than a dove. Don't even open your mouth for

even a coo.

"Chanukah Lights Tonight"

By Steven Schneider

Our annual prairie Chanukah party—

latkes, kugel, cherry blintzes.

Friends arrive from nearby towns

and dance the twist to “Chanukah Lights Tonight,”

spin like a dreidel to a klezmer hit.

The candles flicker in the window.

Outside, ponderosa pines are tied in red bows.

If you squint,

the neighbors’ Christmas lights

look like the Omaha skyline.

The smell of oil is in the air.

We drift off to childhood

where we spent our gelt

on baseball cards and matinees,

cream sodas and potato knishes.

No delis in our neighborhood,

only the wind howling over the crushed corn stalks.

Inside, we try to sweep the darkness out,

waiting for the Messiah to knock,

wanting to know if he can join the party.