Please join us for the All School Bees:
All-School Geography Bee – Thursday, December 10 at 11:15 in the Social Hall
Congratulations to the following students who qualified to participate in the All School Geography Bee: 
Jacob M, Micah S, David L, Sophie S, Michael P, Jonah S, Ariel M, Spencer M, and Nathan S.

All-School Spelling Bee – Tuesday, December 15 at 11:15 in the Social Hall
Congratulations to the following students who qualified to participate in the All School Spelling Bee:
Gabrielle A, Autumn B, Gabrielle C, Natalie C, Elen-Sarrah D, Ryan G, Elana G, Joel G, Jacob K, David L, Jacob M, Lindsey O, Lindsey P, Sophia P, David R, Jed S, Ethan S, Alex S, Sam S. and Shayna T.

Winter Coat Alert!
It’s beginning to feel like winter! Please make sure your children bring or wear warm coats to school, as they will be going out for recess and we don’t have any warm jackets in our lost and found.  Lower School students will go to recess if the temperature is above 20 degrees.

Lower School Lunch
Although plastic lunch utensils such as forks, spoons, knives and cups are no longer provided by the kitchen, we do try and keep a small supply on hand just in case one of these items was forgotten and not placed in a child’s lunch bag.  Our supply is now low.  If you have any of these items that you would like to donate, it would be most appreciated -- any style will do.   Please send them into school to Pat’s attention.  Thank you!

HBHA Staff Adopts Families for the Holidays
If you would like to join the staff and make a donation to this cause, a suggested list of items is included below.  We are happy to accept new or gently used items. Please send the items to the school office by Tuesday, December 15.  Thanks!
Diapers: Size 4 and newborn and baby wipes
Groceries:  Target Gift Cards, Wal-Mart Girt Cards, Hen House Gift Cards
Boys clothing:  Size 4T boys
Girls clothing: Size adult small, school uniform shirts, underwear, socks, black sweater
Baby items:  Pacifiers for newborn, burp cloths, Avent bottles
Gas:  Station Gift Cards-7-11, BP, Shell, Phillips 66, QT
Educational toys for 2-4 year old boys: i.e. Vtech Leapfrog, Puzzles
Cash for loan payments
Electric:  Checks to KCPL
Phone:  Checks to Vonage
Laundry:  Quarter rolls, laundry soap, fabric softener
CD player boom box
Holiday Gift Cards:  Subway, Borders, Visa, MasterCard, Best Buy, Sears, Home Depot,
 Bed, Bath & Beyond, Oak Park Mall, Toys ‘R Us, Petco, Babies ‘R Us
Toiletries:  Soap, shampoo, conditioner, razors, tissues, toilet paper, Pond’s face wipes, toothbrushes,
 toothpaste, antibacterial wipes,
Kitchen Supplies:  Dish Soap, spices, dishcloths and towels

Upper School Final Exams
The final examination period begins on Tuesday, December 15.  Below is the information you will need regarding final exams.
Students will sit for examinations in all core subject areas: English, social studies, Jewish studies, Hebrew, mathematics, and science.  The examination schedule and protocol given to the students can also be found on the website under “Academics, Upper School” and is included below.

Final Exam Schedule-Fall 2009
Tuesday, Dec 15   
8:45-10:30   English
11:00-12:45   Jewish Studies
    
Wednesday, Dec 16   
8:45-10:30   Social Studies
11:00-12:45   Hebrew
    
Thursday, Dec 17   
8:45-10:30   Science
11:00-12:45   Math
1:30-3:15   Make-Up

Please note, the schedule is altered during final examination days.  Students are required to be at school only during their examination times.  They may study at home the remainder of the time or remain at school and use the quiet study room.  
Should we have inclement weather and a school closing during finals week, we will notify parents of the changes to the schedule and every attempt will be made to finish finals before students go on Winter Break.
Final exams encourage students to reflect over their learning for the semester and allow us to see the progress students have made this school year.   With proper preparation, the exam period can be an opportunity for us to praise students' hard work and can give students a sense of accomplishment and closure for their learning this semester.  Thank you for supporting and encouraging your child.  Please contact me if you have any questions. 

Sincerely,
Gayle Gray, Principal

FINAL EXAMINATION PROTOCOL

1. The only materials allowed in the examination room are those that the teacher has instructed are necessary for the exam.  Notes and cell phones should be left in the locker before entering.  Backpacks are not allowed in the examination room.
2. Students will not sit at the same table as another student taking the same exam.
3. No one is to leave the room once the exam begins.  Should an emergency or special need arise, a proctor will accompany the student.
4. Bring at least two pencils or pens.  Students will not be allowed to sharpen pencils or obtain supplies during the exam. 
5. Talking is not allowed for any reason during the entire examination period. 
6. When your test is complete, please leave the examination room quietly.
7. Students are expected to do their own work at all times.  Any student not doing his/her own work or assisting another in any way will be subject to a “zero” for the examination and disciplinary action.
8.  Finals must be taken during the scheduled time.  Please see Ms. Gray or Mr. Clauer if you have a conflict.
9. Exemptions will be handled before the testing dates and testing rosters will reflect any approved exemption.
10. Each student must sign up to attend prayers at least once during finals.

HBHA Student Artists Participate in Leawood Library Tile Project:
Leawood Pioneer Neighborhood Library is creating a colorful tile wall for the children’s room in their new facility.  Because our students and teachers use this branch of the library so frequently, Ms. Roxanne King, the youth services librarian, asked HBHA librarian Civia White if we could select a few students to participate in creating tiles for the display. On Thursday, November 19th, Tamara Lawson Schuster, Director of Admissions, escorted three HBHA students to the library for this wonderful opportunity to give back to the community. Mr. George Timock, a ceramicist with the Kansas City Art Institute, guided the students in painting their favorite storybook characters on ceramic tiles.  Brynn S., 7th grade, reflected on their experience:
About a week ago Shandra H., Rachel O., and I visited the Johnson County Library to paint some tiles. We were required to paint a tile of a story book character that was well known. Shandra painted a dragon reading a book, Rachel painted “Spot” the dog, and I painted the “Ugly Duckling”. They were all very cute and quite fun to paint. We had a great time and felt that it was a great experience to get out there and work our art skills. For some of us it was our first time working with special bottle paint and tiles. This was a time we could be creative and have fun while at the same time help the public library decorate their walls with beautiful tiles.  We had a wonderful time and we hope to go again and see our beautiful paintings hanging up on their walls."  We are so proud of our talented students; look for their art on your next visit to the library.

5th-12th Grade Students and Parents:  SAVE THE DATE!
Mitzvah Project/Social Event at Harvesters-The Community Food Network
Sunday, January 17, 2010
1:00-4:00 p.m.  (2 hours working in the warehouse followed by an hour in the party room)
Watch your Inbox for the Evite in the next week.

HBHA Blood Drive!
The Community Blood Center will be holding a blood drive.  For your convenience we are offering the ability to schedule your appointment online by clicking the link below. 60% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, however only 5% do on a yearly basis.  Schedule your donation today and, "Save a Life. Right Here, Right Now."

Blood is a precious commodity with a limited shelf life.  Red blood cells must be used within 42 days. Platelets must be used within five days.  Plasma can be frozen and used for up to one year. Please help to insure that this precious commodity is being adequately provided to our local hospital patients. Donate blood at the upcoming blood drive held in the Jewish Community Campus Social Hall, 5801 W. 115th Street on Tuesday, January 5 from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. You may also contact Elisa Pener at (913) 327-8189.

ALL REGISTERED DONORS WILL RECEIVE A T-SHIRT!!