- April 30 – 11:30 dismissal for L.S. Regular Friday dismissal for U.S. (please see the Shofar for more information)
- May 12 – Late Start for Professional Development
- May 12 – U.S. Sports Banquet, 5:30pm in the Strear Family Gymnasium
- May 13 – HIP Trip Informational Meeting for 9th Grade Parents & Students, 7:30pm - Judaic Library
- May 14 – Kabbalat Shabbat for K-3, 2:15 in the Strear Family Gymnasium
- May 14-17 – Out of Town Shabbaton – Grades 7-12
After lots of consideration and close examination of the weather forecasts, we made the decision earlier this week to cancel the picnic/carnival scheduled for this Friday at 11:30. A decision about this event had to be made early so that no costs would be incurred on cancellation. The weather for Friday calls for cold temperatures and a strong possibility of rain. We have also decided to postpone the field day program that was scheduled for Friday morning. Field day has been rescheduled for May 21. School will still be in session on Friday with an 11:30 dismissal for all Lower School students and a regular Friday dismissal for the Upper School.
On an exciting note, we are now planning to hold the picnic/carnival in conjunction with The Apple Walk in the fall. This will be a school-wide, K-12 event. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the new name of our school. The 2010 Apple Walk is going to be an amazing event!
Thank you to the picnic/carnival event chair, DiAhndra Diamond, and all of the people who stepped up to volunteer and/or underwrite the picnic/carnival. All of these people have generously agreed to switch their support to the Apple Walk carnival/picnic in the fall. The names of the families are as follows: Appel, Asarch, Bartell, Diamond/Topelson, Douglas, Flom, Foonberg, Foster (Dan and Becky), Foster (David and Ali), Hettelman/Talmi, Landy, Lozow, Noam, Williamson, and Wise
Reminder About Parties & Social Events
The calendar is filling up with social events such as Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, birthday parties and a host of other events. Please remember that we encourage you to schedule events so that they do not conflict with the Jewish practice of our school families.
DCJE Annual Meeting
Dear Parents - as members of the Corporation of DCJE, you are hereby notified that the DCJE Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. in the Lower School Discovery Lab. A continental breakfast will be served. Please see the slate of officers and trustees here and the agenda for the meeting here as per our bylaws. Please view the invitation here.
Shabbat Shalom,
Avi Halzel
President/CEO
In honor of the day, Kyle and TJ installed new electronic water sensors bought by the sixth-graders on both of the irrigation clocks.
The purpose of the sensors is to monitor the moisture of the school's grounds and to prevent the sprinklers from going on when there is as little as 1/4 inch of rain.
This conserves water for the school and saves on unnecessary water bills. Kyle and TJ intended to invite the sixth graders out for the inaugural use of the sensors; but, as Colorado weather would have it on Earth Day, it rained.
Many thanks to the sixth graders for helping our school become more green,
Kyle Benson
All-school Directory Ads
We are again offering you a discount for placing an ad in our All-School Directory. Advertise your business and services to our entire parent body. Please click here for more information.
Rose Community Foundation's Live On program
Herzl/RMHA has been offered $7,500 from the Foundation if we can get eighteen (18) new people to join The Legacy Society and fill out the one page donor record form attached here.
Please contact Krista – 720-449-9552, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to help make this happen.
Field Day Activities Postponed
The decision was made today to postpone all Field Day activities that were scheduled for this afternoon and tomorrow morning, April 29 and 30, because of the inclement weather that has been predicted.
We would like the children to have the best experience possible, so we are re-scheduling Field Day for May 21. This will be a regular school day with dismissal at 2:50 pm. Details will follow about the field day activities.
Dress Code Reminder
With the beginning of warmer weather (on some days anyway) we would like to remind all parents and students of the school dress code policy. 5.2 in the Lower School Family Handbook describes the policy as follows:
Proper dress plays a part in the dignity and atmosphere of a school. Appropriate attire helps create an environment conducive to learning. Students are expected to show respect for themselves and others through their appearance. Parents and visitors are also expected to comply with the Dress Code while on school premises.
| Acceptable | Unacceptable |
| Boys: Collared shirts, turtlenecks, sweaters, t-shirts, sports jerseys w/ t-shirts underneath Long pants; clean, neat jeans; Bermuda-style shorts Hard-soled shoes, boots; tennis shoes in good condition are required for physical education |
Boys: Sleeveless t-shirts (muscle shirts), half shirts Ill-fitting clothing (too tight, too loose, too short, too long), jeans in poor condition, tattered clothing with holes, tears, etc., cut-offs, short shorts, athletic mesh or bike shorts. |
| Girls: Collared shirts, turtlenecks, sweaters, t-shirts, sleeveless t-shirts Slacks; clean, neat jeans; Bermuda style shorts Hard-soled shoes, sandals, boots; tennis shoes in good condition are required for physical education |
Girls: Tank tops, halters, tube tops, bare midriffs, see-through, low cut blouses, half shirts, make-up Ill-fitting clothing (too tight, too loose, too short, too long), jeans in poor condition, tattered clothing with holes, tears etc. cut-offs, short shorts, athletic mesh or bike shorts |
Lower School Attendance Policy Reminder
As noted in the Parent Handbook, if you know that your child will be absent, we ask that the school be notified by 10:00 am. This may be done by either contacting Brigitte in the front office or by directly contacting one of your child's teachers. Homework requests can be given at this time.
Please click here to view more Lower School news and pictures.
To access your child's classroom website, click here.
We are sad to note that there have been some reported thefts in recent weeks at school during the school day. Cash, cell phones and an Ipod have been taken. Mr. Snyder and Mr. Hay have spoken to students in all grades to ask for their help in finding whomever is responsible. Students were also encouraged to leave valuables at home when possible and to keep items of value with them at school or in a locked locker at all times. It is evident that many students are so trusting of this environment that they do not take adequate care to protect their property. Please encourage your student to be careful with their belongings at school.
College Counseling
Parents of 11th graders should note two important deadlines for end of year testing:
| Test | Registration Deadline | Test Date |
| SAT | April 29 | June 5/6 |
| ACT | May 7 | June 12/13 |
Seventh grade community service experience April 29-30
Seventh graders will engage in a variety of community service activities including packing food boxes at the Food Bank of the Rockies and touring the Denver Rescue Mission designed to help them gain greater awareness of the problems of homelessness in Colorado.
Advanced Placement exams are coming!
| Monday, May 3 | Comparative Government & Politics | 12:00 |
| Wednesday, May 5 | Calculus | 8:00 am |
| Thursday, May 6 | English Literature & Comp | 8:00 am |
| Friday, May 7 | United States History | 8:00 am |
Students should report to the Discovery Lab. at the Lower School at least ten minutes before the test begins. There are no classes for tenth and eleventh graders who take the AP exam on May 7.
The class of 2010 is now fully engaged in special activities. About half of the class is engaged in internships in settings such as hospitals, furniture shops and law offices. The other half is involved with the Senior Development Program. Some of their activities have included learning about finance and credit, car maintenance, insurance, legal proceedings, and public speaking.
Moot Beit Din
Seniors Zoe Bernstein, Naomi Clayman, Joel Lowinger, and Sam Rotbart participated in this year's Moot Beit Din competition and Shabbaton in Washington DC. The case was about the permissibility of torture, which we ruled to be acceptable. After months of preparation with the rest of their class, they represented the true spirit of Herzl/RMHA by being leaders throughout the four-day event, bringing their ruach, positive attitude, and charisma. The program was filled with learning, praying, and socializing with representatives of 20 other schools from around North America, and culminated in the presentations of the different teams' cases to a panel of astute judges. While we didn't come home with an award from the judges, we were fan-favorites for our innovative approach to the case and good spirit, and left an indelible impression on the Moot Beit Din community, setting the bar high for the future. Next year in California!
Year-end activities
Click on the links for important information about the upcoming Shabbaton May 14-16 for students in grades 7-12 and the day at Elitches on June 4 for the whole school. The deadline for forms to be submitted to the Upper School office for Shabaton registration is May 7. Please read and follow the links closely so that your student will be included in these important activities.
Herzl/RMHA 8th Annual Sports Banquet
May 12, 5:30 pm in the Strear Family Gymnasium. Please click here for more details.
The Flower Sale pick up is moved to the east door of the Strear Family Gymansium Friday 8:15 - 8:45 or 11:15 - 11:45. There is a limited selection available for sale on site.
Spring Book Fair
The Spring Book Fair is coming the week of May 10th. Save your allowance money there will be a lot of great titles to stock up on! To volunteer contact Rana Kark at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . See everyone there!
AVID4 Adventure Summer Camp Scholarships Available
The Avid4 Adventure school program is coming to Herzl/RMHA on 5/26/2010-5/28/2010 with kayaking, climbing, mountain biking and Leave No Trace. Avid4 Adventure also runs a summer day camp program that heads out to different local destinations for kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking all summer long. You'll see the same program staff and program quality that you will at the upcoming Herzl/RMHA program. The Multi-sport Day Camp is $350/week and scholarships are available and are awarded based on diversity, economic need & camper motivation. The scholarship committee meets the first week of each month to review and approve applications. Information on the camps and scholarship applications can be found at www.avid4.com or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling 720-249-2412.
Sixth Grade Tikkun Olam
The 6th grade Tikkun Olam class has organized a service-learning project called Kids to Kids for the Denver Children's Home. The Denver Children's Home is an organization for neglected and troubled youth. The home has many counselors and therapists to help the children through their hard times. The children attend school there where they can learn to interact with others. The 6th grade class has decided to help The Denver Children's Home by collecting supplies for the Home so they can help their kids. We have put many boxes out around the city as well as in the Lower and Upper schools. We are collecting hygiene supplies, toys in good shape, art supplies/kits, books and magazines, and packaged socks and underwear. Any of these items will help the Denver Children's home meet their kids needs and help their children grow and succeed. If you have any questions about drop-off locations or what we are collecting contact Sara Kornfeld at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Sixth Grade's Tikkun Olam Project – The Zoo is calling!
- Herzl/RMHA Lower School Lobby
- Herzl/RMHA Upper School Lobby
- HEA, 3600 South Ivanhoe Street, Denver, CO 80237-1196
For more information go to http://www.denverzoo.org/conservation/cellPhone.asp
Thank you for donating your cell phones ~ Herzl/RMHA 6th grade Tikkun Olam class, Spring 2010
Project Angel HeartWe are Gillian Brown and Yael Kornfeld, an 11th grader and 10th grader at RMHA. We are participating in the Tikkun Olam elective, and as our project we chose Project Angel Heart. On April 29, 2010, over 300 participating restaurants will agree to donate 25% of their food sales to Project Angel Heart. Diners simply eat out for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner at participating restaurants. By eating out on Dining Out for Life® day, they support their favorite eateries, enjoy delicious food, and benefit Project Angel Heart, all at once.
To view all the restaurants that are participating in Dining Out for Life, visit http://www.diningoutforlife.com/denver/participating.
Please help this worthy cause!!!
Contact us if you have any questions or concerns:
Gillian Brown - 303-957-6911
Yael Kornfeld - 720-318-7570
A Drop in the Bucket
Anna Gergely is raising money for her Bat Mitzvah project which is called "A Drop in the Bucket." This money will go to provide clean water for citizens of Uganda through the group The Clear Water Initiative. Donations are being collected in a bucket which is located in the vending area of the Upper school. Please contribute! This is a wonderful cause and organization. See Anna for more information or go to their website at http://www.clearwaterinitiative.org. Thank you!
As many of you know, people in Haiti are still in recovery mode, and thousands are still homeless. The rainy season has arrived and the hurricane season is about to begin. The purpose of our project is to raise money for tents in Haiti. The tents will be sufficient homes for families for a few years until they get the opportunity to get their lives back on track. We will be placing boxes in the Upper School Commons and Lower School lobby. We will also be raising money elsewhere in order to achieve our goal. The money will be going to ahomeinhaiti.org.
Your donations are greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Matan Halzel, Evan Sabetay, and Ari Grant
Sports Equipment Drive
Samantha Berenstein, Rebekah Lackner and Talia Halfon are running a sports equipment drive for a sports gift organization. The sports equipment being collected will be sent to third world countries. Students and parents are encouraged to drop off sports equipment in the front office.
Rick Recht Live in Concert
Saturday, May 8, 2010 8:30 pm. Come and celebrate Shoshi Shaw's Bat Mitzvah with a free concert. Suggested donation of $5 to the Stink Bug Project, a non-profit group that raises money for the training of companion dogs for critically ill children. Click here for more details.
Jewish Women in the Art Exhibit and Program, May 16, 2010. Please view the web information here.
Limmud Colorado
Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 - 31, 2010 University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO. More details here.
The JCC Maccabi Games® are coming to Denver!
The Games are a unique Olympic style athletic competition for Jewish teens. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to get involved as an athlete, a host family, or as a volunteer August 1-6, 2010. To learn more about the 2010 Denver JCC Maccabi Games® visit http://www.jccdenvermaccabi.org/ or call 303-316-6318.
Celebrate Family! returns to the Robert E. Loup JCC on May 2nd from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Come rain or shine for this free community festival for families with children ages newborn-8. Enjoy a petting zoo, bounce castles, face painting, train rides, helicopter landing, and much more.
Vendor and Exhibition tables are available—Contact Dana Eckoff for details at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Ramah in the Rockies
Grand Opening Sunday, June 13th, 11:30 am - 3:00 pm. View more details here.
Bnei Akiva
Please click here for latest Bnei Akiva updates