Be sure to turn in your re-enrollment contracts by Friday, February 26th.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
- February 19 – Health Fair Meeting, 8:15am in Multi Purpose Room A
- February 23 – PTO Garbanzo Restaurant Night
- February 26 – Kabbalat Shabbat (K-5), 8:30am in the Strear Family Gymnasium
- March 1 – U.S. student medical & permission forms due for spring sports
- March 3 – Late start for teacher professional development
Please note that the Purim Basketball Tournament scheduled for February 28th has been postponed until Sunday, March 21st.
FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO
Re-enrollment Contracts due by February 26
We sincerely hope that you will once again give us the privilege of educating your children. Please return the re-enrollment contracts no later than Friday, February 26.
If you have a concern about next year, please be sure to contact me or the appropriate school administrator so that we can address your concern. We value each and every student and family and we want to do our best for you.
Herzl RMHA Yearbooks
The 09-10 Herzl/RMHA yearbook is going to be amazing! Our yearbook staff has been hard at work putting together a book that we will all be proud of. This year the yearbook will be even larger with twice as many pages dedicated to the Lower School.
February is the best month to buy your yearbook. Discounted, personalized yearbooks are on sale for $49 until February 28th. After that date, yearbooks will be sold for $59 (with no personalization) on a first come first serve basis until they are sold out. Make sure you get yours by ordering your copy now. You can order your yearbook online here or get a form from Brigitte or Kay.
Shabbat Shalom,
Avi Halzel
President/CEO
SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL
COUNT DOWN – 28 DAYS UNTIL THE ANNUAL DINNER ON MARCH 18th!
You can now register for the Herzl/RMHA annual dinner online! Click here to purchase tickets and submit your tribute journal ad. Contact Judy Karp at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 720-449-9549 with questions.
Simchas, Smiles and Sometimes Sorrows
Your family and friends' SIMCHAS – Birth, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Engagement, Wedding - To Honor
Your family and friends' SMILES – getting promoted, buying a new house, your child losing their first tooth - To Celebrate
Your family and friends' SORROWS – illnesses and losing a friend or loved one - To Remember
Life cycle events and many more occasions can be Honored and Remembered in Herzl/RMHA's new giving program, Simchas, Smiles and Sometimes Sorrows. The minimum donation (CHAI $18.00) up to your choice for a maximum donation (the stars) – click here for more information.
NEW DATE FOR PURIM BASKETBALL TOURNEY FOR GRADES 5-12 and adultsSunday, March 21st. More information next week.
Little Shop of Physics
All Lower School students had the opportunity to visit a special hands-on exhibit, “Put a Spin on it!” from the Little Shop of Physics, this week in the Upper School science labs. The children interacted with the help of upper school students as they explored a variety of engaging science demonstrations. We would like to thank Upper School science teacher, Adam Perlstein, for organizing and bringing this wonderful exhibit to our students. Please be sure to ask your students about this experience.
Purim celebrated in the Lower School
Purim will be celebrated on Friday, February 26th in the Lower School. Children are encouraged to come to school in costume. The day will begin with a K-5 Kabbalat Shabbat program at 8:30 am in the Strear Family Gymnasium. Students will return to class for regular classes for the morning. The Hebrew/Judaic staff has planned many fun Purim activities for ALL students beginning at 12:30 until 2:30 pm.
Please remember the following guidelines for Purim costumes.
Children should be able to walk, stand, sit and move without difficulties.
Children should be able to see. Face paint and make-up is preferable to masks.
NO WEAPONS of any kind may be used as a prop or accessory.
Purim is on Saturday night and Sunday, February 27-28th.
Volunteers Needed - Jump Rope For Heart
I am holding a Jump Rope for Heart Event March 2. Please click here for more details.
Thanks -- Angel Chelik
UPPER SCHOOL
Voices for Inclusion Program
On Sunday, February 21, Herzl/RMHA students will volunteer at the Jewish Disabilities Awareness Day at the JCC from 1:00 - 4:00. The volunteers are part of a sub-group of our Chesed Club, called Voices for Inclusion Program (VIP), co-chaired by Doniel and Asher Kaye. The volunteers will serve as buddies to attendees with disabilities, and assist in the Mizel Art project, the blind magician program, a sing-a-long, and a photo booth. If anyone is interested in volunteering, please let the co-chairs know by Friday, February 19th at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 720-870-4525.
Color War Coming
Be ready for another great Color War! The dates of Color War are not announced to create excitement and suspense. Link to Color War 2010 Schedule Preview for more details about this event.
College Counseling
See the expanded college section on the school web site under the academics tab. Included is information about summer programs for high school students on college campuses.
Parents of seniors who are seeking financial aid for college are reminded that they should be currently finished with or working on financial information (the FAFSA and/or Profile) for the 2010-2011 school year. Check with college financial aid offices for specific dates as needed.
March 5 is the deadline to register for the April 10/11 ACT.
Metro Science Fair
Metro Science Fair will be held February 24 and 25 at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Seventeen students will compete this year against other middle students from seven County Denver Metropolitan regions. Winners of regular fair awards, special awards, nominations to the Colorado State Science and Engineering Fair and to the Discovery Young Scientist Competition will be announced on Thursday at 6:30 in the IMAX theater.
- Competing in the Physical Sciences: Joel Barkley, Jeremy Nicholson, Ariel Sandberg, Ari Shapiro
- Competing in the Animal Sciences: Gabe Baskin
- Competing in the Environmental Sciences: Elana Brown, Isaac Gesundheit, Esti Shapiro
- Competing in the Behavioral and Social Sciences: Olivia Dansky, Alana Kaufman, Leya Kutzer, Isabel Novick, Julia Siegel, Sarah Senkfor
- Competing in Chemistry: Shai Karp
- Competing in Engineering: Gillian Hecht
- Competing in Earth and Planetary Sciences: Noah Kieffer
Youth Event – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar “Brothers In Arms”
On Monday February 22nd, 8th graders will attend a program at the Colorado Convention Center sponsored by the Mizel Museum, Facing History and Ourselves, and the Denver Mayor’s Office for Education and Children featuring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaking about his book Brothers in Arms, the Epic Story of the 76th Tank Battalion, WW11’s Forgotten Heroes. The 76th tank battalion, under the command of General George Patton, captured thirty towns, liberated Jews from concentration camps and made history as the first African American armored unit to enter the war.
Announcing the Bryan M. Hay Community Service (Chesed)
AwardHerzl/RMHA is thrilled to announce the creation of the Bryan M. Hay Community Service (Chesed) Award. An anonymous donor has established a college scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to be awarded annually to an 11th grade Herzl/RMHA student, beginning with the class of 2011.
Any Herzl/RMHA 11th grader who has promoted and undertaken various acts of loving kindness (chesed) in school and in the broader community will be eligible for the $1,000 cash award, with 10 percent of the award directed to the student's charity of choice. Chesed activities that will be considered for this award can be in school, outside of school, part of an organized group or as individuals – anywhere and any way that they are meaningful to the student and the greater community.
Applications are due by March 15 of the student's junior year. The application requires a resume giving specifics of chesed activities and a 250-word essay reflecting on the meaning of the service(s). Applications may be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , assistant head of Upper School.Check the Athletic Calendar under Parents and Students on the DCJE web site. You will find information about games and practices. Please downlaod the new updated JF and Varsity schedule.
Yearbooks
It's time to order your 2009-2010 yearbook. Cost is $49 if ordered before February 28th and $59 after February 28th. Click here to place your order online.
PTO
Looking for Volunteers
BLAST PROGRAM 2010-11 school year. As a parent you are probably an expert at scheduling, organizing and thinking of creative ideas for afterschool—we need your talents! The Blast Program is more popular than ever, so if you love it, please help out! Please contact Julie Rubin, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) mom of Kindergarten twins, and let her know that you will help next year.
Food for Thought
If you like eating fresh Mediterranean food with good company, please join us at Garbanzos Restaurants on Tuesday, February 23. Alon and Rikki Mor, a Herzl RMHA family with twin girls in 3rd grade and a yummy restaurant, generously stepped-up when PTO asked to borrow their restaurant.
Meet the girls for a falafel lunch, stop by with the kids after school for pita and hummus, get take-out for the family, or contact your room parent to arrange a class party at the restaurant. There are two participating locations: the brand new Colorado Blvd. and Cherry Creek Drive store and the University and Evans store. www.eatgarbanzo.com
When you check out, be sure let the clerk know that you are a Herzl RMHA family and 15% of the sale will go to your school.
Bonus: The first person to spot Avi Halzel and let PTO know what he orders gets a special PTO gift!
(Coming Soon: Food for Thought at Eastside Kosher Deli in the Spring)
Volunteer of the Week
To advertise Food For Thought, Anna Gergely–a 7th grade student–wanted to help. She has made some beautiful and dynamic posters. Look for her work in the Upper School and Lower School lobbies.
STUDENT COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Locks of Love
Click here for more information.
Tomchei Shabbat Mishloach Manot Purim cards
Beautiful full color 2010 Tomchei Shabbat Mishloach Manot Purim cards featuring the art work of Herzl/RMHA student Cooper Kaminsky, are now available. 25 cards with envelopes are only $18 and all donations support Tomchei Shabbat an important community organization that helps to feed families in need in our Denver Jewish community. Please call Wendy Slamowitz at (720) 941-0435 to arrange to get yours now.
Jewish Disabilites Awareness Day
Sunday, February 21st, 1-4 pm. Robert E. Loup Jewish Comminity Center, Jewish Disabilities Network present the 2nd Annual Informational, Inspirational, and Inclusive Jewish Disabilites Awareness Day. Please click here for more informtion.
2010 Governor's Holocaust Remembrance Program
ADL's Mountain States Region will present its 29th Governor's Holocaust Remembrance Program featuring Governor Bill Ritter and human rights Mark Hanis,on April 7, 2010, from 6:00 7:30 p.m. Please click here to view more details.
April 24-25, 2010, Annual Women's League Book Review with Cantor Joel Lichterman. BMH-BJ Women's League and Hadassah L.E.A. present a special Author-in-Residence weekend with Maggie Anton. See details here.
Bnei Akiva News
Please click here for latest news.