Now Accepting Lateral Entry Applications for 2010-11
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Author Phoebe Unterman and Holocaust Survivor Eva Unterman visit  Bridges of Understanding
by Alex Sher
 On Thursday February 4, 2010, special guests Phoebe and Eva Unterman came to talk to the Bridges of Understanding students. Phoebe just recently published a book about her Grandmother Eva’s experience during the Holocaust.
Phoebe spoke to the group about her inspiration for the book and the road to getting it published. She put in a lot of work for her book, Through Eva’s Eyes.  A few things that truly make the story spectacular is how it is told from a child’s perspective. Eva was six when she entered a ghetto and 12 at liberation. Because Phoebe also first heard her grandmother’s story as a child, a few things, like the soldiers’ shiny boots and Eva picking out just one doll, stuck out to her.  It was also interesting for Phoebe to speak in front of an interfaith group, “I had never been to anything like Bridges and it was great seeing a group of students celebrate their religions,” she said. Next, Mrs. Eva Unterman spoke, which was touching.  Hearing about how many close encounters with death she had was unbelievable. It was a miracle she could be there before them speaking that day. Mrs. Unterman stressed multiple times the fact that “it all starts with words,” Eva said it is important to tell young people the story because “they are the future and they must know what propaganda can lead to.”
Bridges students wrapped up the day decorating porcelain tiles as a visual reflection of their experience. Students also enjoyed this time to just hang out and visit with one another. The day’s theme of the Holocaust also showed how the different religions could work together for a better future.

HBHA Library Volunteers
Volunteers needed on Tuesdays between 12:00 and 2:00. We are automating the library.  We will be working on preparing the books for the computer system.  Email cwhite@hbha.edu if you are available.

Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Tournament
On February 15th, the JV boys basketball team was in Parkville, MO for the annual President's Day Tournament hosted by Faith Christian Academy. They won the first game, beating the host school Faith Christian by a score of 36-19. This advanced them to the finals where they met up with Centerplace Restoration School. With a commanding 30-11 lead at halftime, the Rams thought this game was wrapped up in the bag. CPRS had a furious comeback in the second half to get the game within two, but the Rams prevailed holding on down the stretch with a 50-42 win!

Sophomore Jake Rose was named tournament MVP while junior Justin Rose and freshman Daniel Goldberg were named to the all tournament team. For the second consecutive year, Hyman Brand took home the sportsmanship award which is voted on by the officials. Please congratulate the following players for a great night of basketball: Joel Gutovitz, Sam Abrams, Michael Azbel, Daniel Goldberg, Max Fogel, Jeremy Gutovitz, Jake Rose and Justin Rose.

Engineer visits 4th Grade
On February 16th, Rachel Grodsky came from Honeywell to speak the fourth grade students about all the different kinds of engineers and what they do.  Rachel showed the students a power point complete with video demonstrations of things created by each type of engineer.  At the end of her presentation she engaged the kids in a brief question and answer session.  For the last ten minutes of her presentation she let the students become engineers and inventors.  She presented them with a problem:
The students are walking along and they see their teacher stranded on top of a burning grain silo 60 feet in the air.  They have limited materials to save her and they need to save her in order to get an A in fourth grade.  Design a contraption to which the teacher can land safely on if she jumps from the top of the burning silo.  The teacher was represented by a golf ball which Rachel dropped onto each invention.  If the golf ball bounced off then they failed, if the golf ball stayed on it, then they won.
The students sat in teams of three or four and used four paper clips, a sheet of typing paper, a sheet of tissue paper, and four straws to create their invention to save their teacher.  They had five minutes to complete it and then Rachel tested each experiment.  Eliana Schuster, Jacob Bell, Sarah Caplan, and Navon Benjamin won the competition.

March of the Living 2010 Parents and Students:
The date of departure for March of the Living 2010 is quickly approaching.
Please join us for an orientation session Monday evening, March 8, 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel at the Jewish Community Campus.
We will review all policies and procedures and answer any questions.
Every student and at least one parent should attend.

Go Green Shirts Now Available
Don't  have a Go Green Shirt to wear on Go Green Days?  New Go Green Shirts have been added to the Rams Store.  Click here for a link to all the great items we have to offer. Do you have a Go Green Shirt that your child has outgrown?  Why not donate it to the PTO Shuk!

Middle School Trips
The permission forms, medical forms and packing lists are now posted on the HBHA web site.  Click here to access them.  Permission forms are due to Laura Hewitt by April 30. 
 
Scholarship Opportunities for Graduating Seniors
1) The National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Kansas City Chapter, offers scholarships to graduating seniors in Kansas City.  The scholarships are open to anyone, regardless of Gender, Race or Religion.  Decisions are based upon Grades, Test Scores and Financial Need.  Due 4/15/10
2) Taiwanese American Community Scholarship Awards: Looking for a well-rounded individual who have the following qualifications: leadership, community service and academic achievements.  Due 3/15/10
Please see Mr. Clauer ASAP to get information about applications for any of these local scholarships.

Welcome Lisa Ryan
We welcome Lisa Ryan to our staff.  Ms. Ryan will be teaching PE to students in grades K-6.  She has a Bachelor's degree in PE and a minor in math from KU and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from UMKC.  She was a cheerleader at KU and has played collegiate volleyball.  Lisa is also working with the Shawnee Mission North track team this spring.  We are so pleased to have her join our staff.

Basketball Senior Night
Tuesday, February 23, was the last basketball game of the season and the last one for 5 seniors. In addition to honoring the seniors, recognition was given to all the parents and volunteers who helped make this a successful season for the players.   If you missed the the senior presentations, here is what Coach Benton had to say about them.

For the past four years, Rebecca Berger has been a member of the Lady Rams Varsity basketball team. As a senior this year, Rebecca was voted as a team captain. This past summer she worked hard on her game, changing her shot and earning a starting spot on the team. Midway through the season, Rebecca encountered ankle and foot problems. Finding out she had a torn fibula in the foot ended her season. Rebecca still supported her team from the bench all season long. We will miss her impersonating her teammates at practice and the hard work on the court next season.
Rebecca’s greatest Academy sports moment was the Baltimore tournament this year. “I had never seen THAT team come out and play on the court so hard, but I have never felt more a part of something in my life. THAT team proved everyone's disbeliefs wrong of how good we could really be. Although we did not place in the tournament, we came together and BEASTED IT UP!”

The past four years, Hillary Gutovtiz has been a member of the Lady Rams Varsity basketball team. As a senior this year, Hillary was voted as a team captain. Unfortunately, in her first game at the Weiner Tournament in Baltimore in December, Hillary tore her ACL and Meniscus, ending her season. She has been a great cheerleader on the sidelines, cheering her team while not being able to play. We will miss her laughter on and off the court next season.
Hillary's’s greatest Academy moment on the basketball court happened this year. “Looking back at my four years of playing basketball, I realized that we usually have one person who leads the team. My favorite memory of basketball was this year in Baltimore watching the team play against Kushner. This was the third game of the tournament so I was already out for the season. Even though it was hard to not be able to play, I really loved watching my team. I especially loved this game because everyone stepped up and I realized that the team had been working so hard and got so much better. I was really proud of everyone. During this game everyone worked together as a team and I did not see that one person leading the team. This moment made me realize that I learned so much by playing basketball. I learned how important it is to step up and not be timid but to play with all your heart like it was the last time you would ever step on the court.
Ilana Heisler has been a member of the Lady Rams varsity basketball team for three years. As a senior, Ilana was voted a team captain. Being the lone senior left this year on the team, Ilana took a leadership role, making sure the girls worked hard and had fun in practices and games. She earned a starting spot midway through the season and has greatly improved on her fundamentals of the game. We are going to miss her goofy sense of humor at practice, games and in the halls at school.
Ilana’s greatest Academy basketball moment happened last season. “One night last year we had a rough game.  Everyone was pretty down about it afterwards and our coaches were talking us through it.  After our talk, Coach said to bring it in on him for the huddle.  He said "Alright girls, hard on 3."  Not thinking twice about it, we said it.  We all looked at each other and everyone was pretty confused.  Coach then clarified that he had said "h-e-a-r-t on 3, not hard."  We were all cracking up and this is a moment I will never forget.”
Next time read about the boys!