Blog

This Tishrei season, our middle school girls donned their detective hats as they delved into an exciting research project. Each group of students was given a different part of the holiday season to research and create a case file on. As each holiday approaches, the group will present the portfolio which they put together. Information in the case file includes the meaning of the names of the holidays, its unique laws and customs, the deeper meaning to the holiday, the schedule, special foods, and prayers. What a great way to showcase how learning can be as fun as solving a mystery!

This week in social studies class, the 2nd and 3rd graders enjoyed some hands on learning with Mrs. Golay in connection to their unit on the world’s oceans, continents, the equator, prime meridian, and hemispheres. Using balloons to create their own globes, the students labeled each part with the correct terms as they had learned. This project was spread over 2 days, as the 2nd graders and  3rd-graders took turns helping each other. This cooperative learning activity not only resulted in creative globes but also fostered teamwork and a deeper understanding of geography.

Here at STA school has begun, and we celebrated with our annual Elementary Welcome Back BBQ! This fun event was an opportunity for parents, students, and staff to interact as we gear up for the year ahead. Students and their parents participated in an exciting Kahoot! game to see how well they know STA. Questions included "Which class has the most siblings" "How many windows there are on the school building? Which family lives the closest to school? , and more! Thank you to all of the Staff and volunteers involved in preparing the program. What a great way to kick start the year!

During the 3 weeks leading up to Tisha B'av, there is a custom to learn about the Beis Hamikdash (the Holy Temple). This year, the 4th-5th graders took this up a level with Rabbi Groner. Using the school building as a model, the class was able to understand the measurements of the Bais Hamikdash and its many parts. For example, they walked around the yard to get a feel for the size of the mizbeyach (altar) was, and using google maps, they discovered that the azarah (courtyard) was about as large as the entire school property! The ability to connect it to their everyday experience really brought these ideas to life for the students. 

Our team came together for an enriching professional development week focused on creating a stronger, more connected learning environment. We kicked off with team-building activities, setting the stage for a week of collaboration and growth.

A highlight of the week was welcoming Becky Udman, a renowned educator from Dallas, TX, who brought her expertise in Love and Logic and Conscious Discipline. Her workshops focused on the importance of building a "school family" and a procedures based classroom to foster an optimal learning environment through meaningful connection and routine. She emphasized the role of emotional safety and positive relationships in promoting academic and social success.

In addition to her sessions with our team, Becky hosted an evening workshop for parents, graciously held at the home of Orit and Jackson Fragozo. This event helped to extend our work beyond the classroom, involving families in the process of supporting their children’s development.

We also heard from our veteran teachers, Paris Labran, Libby Groner, and Sara Chaya Pertuit, who led inspiring discussions on family engagement, social-emotional learning, and fostering independence in students. Their talks deepened our understanding of how these elements contribute to a more supportive and empowering school culture.

Throughout the week, our staff was hard at work designing our learning spaces to serve as a "third teacher." We focused on creating calm, welcoming environments with warm tones and clearly defined procedures to enhance student learning and well-being.

The week left us energized and inspired, ready to implement these practices and create a nurturing, effective learning environment for our students.

Teacher Appreciation Week at STA was an unforgettable celebration of our amazing educators. We kicked off the week with Starbucks coffee, giving teachers a refreshing start to Monday. On Tuesday, students brought in beautiful flowers, brightening up the classrooms.

Wednesday was a special night at Kosher Cajun, where teachers enjoyed a delicious dinner. The evening included a fun game that highlighted how interconnected everyone is, words of appreciation from Lindsey Walker, and raffles. It was a wonderful chance for teachers to relax and connect.

Thursday was all about pampering, with Eliana Lanis providing manicures. On Friday, students gave gifts and heartfelt cards, expressing their gratitude. A group of parents organized a waffle bar with toppings galore and hot chocolate, and Paris created a heartfelt slideshow celebrating the teachers' hard work and dedication.

It was a week filled with joy, relaxation, and gratitude, all thanks to the collective efforts of students, parents, and our community. We are incredibly thankful for our teachers and can't wait to celebrate with them again next year!

It was meaningful for our students and community members to honor Rosina Slater OBM at a procession that brought her by the institution she cared so much about, Slater Torah Academy. Traditional prayers as a merit for the deceased were recited and we walked alongside the hearse until it was no longer in sight. She was buried in Cholon, Israel earlier this week. Rabbi Chesney and community members who now live in Israel were able to join the funeral to pay their final respects. 

In Mrs. Golay's 2nd-3rd grade class, learning about government isn't just a matter of reading textbooks. It's an interactive experience where students get to explore how government works, who represents them, and how they can make a difference. Through a unique classroom project, students learned about letter writing in their Language Arts class, and then used their skills to connect with local and national government officials. The results were nothing short of inspiring.

Learning About Government and Letter Writing

Mrs. Golay introduced her students to the fundamentals of government, teaching them about the people who represent them and the process of voting and elections. This education extended into their Language Arts class, where the children were tasked with writing letters to government officials. Each student was encouraged to write to someone who represents them. The diversity in responses demonstrated how this project connected students with their community and beyond.

Presidential Response

One student, Gita, wrote to President Joe Biden. To her surprise, she received a personal response from the President himself! In his letter, he shared insights into his life story, mentioning that his wife was an English teacher for 30 years. He also gave a glimpse into life at the White House and revealed his favorite ice cream flavor: chocolate chip. Gita's letter and the President's response became a memorable moment for the whole class.

Addressing Local Concerns

Menachem, who lives in Jefferson Parish, wrote to Scott Walker, highlighting a concern about the condition of the sidewalks in his neighborhood. Walker responded, showing that local officials listen to their constituents' concerns and are willing to engage with the community.

A Personal Touch from Local Leaders

Rani, another student from Jefferson Parish, received a personal note from Cynthia Lee Sheng, who emphasized the value of education. Sheng also sent an autographed picture and a t-shirt, adding a personal touch that delighted Rani.

Sheriff Lopinto, the sheriff of Jefferson Parish, proved to be the most responsive. Devorah Leah and Mushka wrote to him, asking if he could visit their classroom. Not only did he agree, but he also brought a ton of swag for the students, which he took the time to autograph. During his visit, Sheriff Lopinto answered the children's questions about being a sheriff, including what jail is like and whether anyone has ever escaped. His warmth and kindness left a lasting impression on the students.

A Big Thank You

This project demonstrated the power of engaging with government and inspired a love of learning among the students. A big thank-you goes out to Mrs. Golay for creating this unique learning experience. And a special thanks to Sheriff Lopinto for connecting with the students in such a meaningful way. This project not only taught the children about government but also showed them that their voices matter and that they can make a difference in their community.

4th- 8th Graders heard from guest speakers, community members, Leopold and Karen Sher, today- in honor of Yom Hashoa: Holocaust Remembrance Day. They shared the miraculous story of survival in Poland/ Russia of Joseph and Rachel Sher OBM and how they rebuilt their family in New Orleans after the war. Mr. Sher passed away 8 years ago in New Orleans at the age of 100, and was a beloved member of the NO Jewish community. It was interesting and inspiring for the students to hear the stories about Mr. and Mrs. Sher. Many lessons to take away for our times too!

Elementary students have been gearing up for Pesach (Passover) with immersive learning and experiences. 

At our recent Rosh Chodesh assembly- welcoming the new Jewish month of Nissan in which we celebrate Pesach, we re-enacted the 10 Plagues with a grand ‘Minute To Win It’ competition. Interactive races were certainly unforgettable. When the students recall the 10 Plagues at the Pesach Seder this year, the exciting activity they participated in at school, will definitely come to mind. 

Some of the activities included, The "blood" (fruit punch) race, “frog” spoon jump, search for the "lice" in the rice, and a hysterical sheep-nose “animal”-cotton-ball race. 

With large balls swinging overhead, students challenged each other to guess ‘how many bottles can your “hail” knock over?’ 

Red- speckled gloves assisted the students to ace the challenge of not letting 

the “boils” touch your balloon! Each contest really got the students into the Pesach spirit!

In the classrooms, Pesach learning has been underway with a frenzy, helping to infuse the students’ holiday with true meaning.

K- 1 created large sized 4 cups of wine and large round Matzahs to decorate the classroom bulletin boards, as well as a larger-than-life Mt. Sinai and 10 Commandments/Tablets, symbolizing the receiving of the Torah after the Exodus from Egypt.

As a Pesach gift to bring home for holiday enjoyment, the students created Afikomen bags (K) and fingertip washing towels (1st).

2nd -3rd graders perused the entire Haggadah and created their own personal Haggadahs with explanations and art embellishments. 

4th- 5th Grade learned about the Yom Tov in detail and those teachings were depicted onto large cardboard Seder plates which were 3-D and realistic looking.

6th- 8th graders compiled a booklet of Dvar Torah explanations to discuss during the Seder while the Haggadah will be recited. Each student contributed meaningful content.

School-wide, each student received a colorful holiday checklist that lists the daily Mitzvahs and special holiday traditions. Students are encouraged to use the checklists to keep up with the holiday observances over Passover/Spring break.

STA students are good and ready for Pesach, and are excited to celebrate with family, friends, and community!

Each student or group of students was randomly assigned a historical figure, some Patriots and some Loyalists. Students researched their characters and prepared a presentation that included props. Following each presentation, "reporters" were prepared with questions to debate each character's stance as either a Loyalist or Patriot. The students did an excellent job and thoroughly enjoyed getting to use our new sound system for this project!

Our approach to educating our students about Pesach goes beyond conventional methods, immersing them in a hands-on experience that brings the story to life. In each classroom, sensory bins transformed into scenes from the story. Children explored the Nile River filled with frogs, rocks, and bottles, experiencing the 10 Makkot firsthand. Kinetic sand became the medium for building pyramids, allowing young minds to grasp the monumental task faced by the Jews in Egypt. Grape juice sensory activities heightened their senses, connecting them to the rituals of the Seder.

Dramatic play took on a meaningful role as well, with matzah bakeries allowing children to participate in the tradition of making matzah. Through a blend of water, flour, and playdough, they learned about the haste with which the Jews fled Egypt. Furthermore, each class crafted their own Hagaddah, delving into the story of Pesach and the steps of the Seder, while also creating symbolic items such as seder plates, kiddush cups, and afikoman bags.

The pinnacle of our learning journey was our model Seder, a culmination of weeks of exploration and discovery. Grandparents and parents joined us as we reenacted the steps of the Seder, sang the Ma Nishtana, and joyfully danced, expressing our hope for the next year's celebration to take place in Jerusalem. 

Love for Israel just courses through our veins here at STA! STA 3rd- 5th graders are excited to have just started a new course with Rabbi Yossie Nemes, titled “Israel, Our Eternal Homeland; Our Modern Story”. Each lesson is filled with historical information, stories, and deep messages, brought to life through props and artifacts as well. The students “meet” an important figure in modern Israeli history each lesson and discuss his/her profile- such as when/where born, passed away, significant family info and of course, highlights of how they contributed to modern Israeli history.

Lesson 1 took the students back to the 20 years under British rule before the 1948 War of Independence. Heroism of the Jewish people was depicted as well as tragedies discussed, such as the Chevron Massacre, 1929. David Ben Gurion and Menachem Begin were profiled and their impact discussed.

In Lesson 2 the students learned about events in the 1950's and 1960's such as the establishment of the Ma’abarot, the tent cities erected for 120,000 Holocaust survivors, and even more Jews coming from Sefardic countries. Rabbi Nemes fascinated the students with the story of Adolf Eichman's escape to Argentina, how his location was identified, and The Mossad's brave capture of Eichman, finally bringing him to Israel for trial.

The students eagerly await the next lessons and look forward to connecting even more to Israel, especially during these challenging times!