Getting Ready for Day One – We need your help!
9 Elul 5781
August 17, 2021
Dear ICJA Family:
In just two days, we will be welcoming nearly 60 new students to new-student orientation at ICJA, and in less than a week, the 79th year of ICJA will begin!
It’s an exciting time, and so much is happening in the building – from finalizing student schedules to painting and cleaning. But don’t worry – we’ll be ready, and this year will be exciting and inspiring, filled with Torah, maddah, friendships, and fun!
And to kick it all off, on the first day of school, we will be celebrating the dedication of a new ICJA sefer Torah in memory of Ira Korman, z”l. We’ll have all-school davening outside, and the Torah will arrive in time to read, accompanied by music and other festivities (but no dancing because of COVID).
After davening, we will escort the new sefer Torah to its new home in the Math/Science Commons, followed by breakfast, and then school will start. (Everyone’s schedule is already available online in the parent or student portal, but we will also be sending another batch of them tomorrow.) During lunch, the Academy Associates is hosting an ice-cream truck with free ice cream for everyone, and then before 7th period, there will be an all-school assembly – again outside under the tents. School will conclude as normal at 5:39 pm.
But there are a few critical items we need before school can begin –
1. We need your emergency medical forms and your uploaded COVID vaccination cards. Students who are not fully vaccinated and students without the vaccination cards on file will need to be COVID tested every Monday and Thursday and will not have the option of drinking or eating meals indoors. PLEASE upload that information ASAP! (To upload the card, in the parent portal, go to “my account,” select “student,” then go to “medical history,” and finally scroll down to “proof of vaccination.”)
2. Please review the new uniform rules (https://www.icja.org/student-life/student-expectations/dress-code-policy/). There are a few changes from last year, and if you have any questions, please be in touch.
3. Due to a software glitch, there has been some confusion regarding the Judaic studies book list. Attached is the chart of Judaic books arranged by course. Please review this list to make sure that you will have the correct books for school.
Finally, due to COVID restrictions, we are postponing the overnight all-school retreat until later in the Fall. However, we will be taking a one-day all-school retreat on Monday, September 13th. Save the date – we’re going to have a great day all together as a community!
I look forward to seeing all of our new students on Thursday, and everyone on Monday at 8:00 am. This is going to be a great new year!!!
Stay safe, stay connected, and stay inspired!
B’vracha,
LAM
Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D.
Dean, Ida Crown Jewish Academy