Educational Activities

  1. Reading Program – Learning to read is a very important part of your child’s school experience. We have given great care and thought to the reading program. You can help your child become a better reader by encouraging him to read books on his own ability level and your reading to him.
  2. Library – The classroom teacher and our librarian help children select books according to their interest and reading ability. All are encouraged to share their reading experiences with others through oral and written book reports, plays, and creative art. All children are instructed in the proper care and handling of the books taken home. If a book is damaged or not returned, the child is required to pay for the damage or loss. Our library is computerized which allows us greater flexibility and control in the distribution of library books.
  3. Audio-Visual Program – The audio-visual program is used as a means of enriching courses of study by stimulating the various senses such as sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. This is done by using, at the right time and place, motion pictures, overhead projectors, maps, field trips, dramatizations, exhibits, models and other aids.
  4. Computer Program – Computers are taught as a support for classroom learning in all grades 1-8. Our Kindergarten has two free standing computers that are for their exclusive use. Our school has two computer labs for student use – one for Middle School and one for the entire student body.
  5. Physical Education – K-8 grades receive physical education twice per week. These grades will study recreational sports at various times during the year, thus affording our children more diversification.
  6. Assemblies – The Hebrew Academy schedules interesting and informative assemblies throughout the year both on Jewish and Secular subjects. Parents will be notified regarding these assemblies and are cordially invited to attend.
  7. Trips – An integral part of your child’s education are trips taken during the course of the year. There is no charge for most day trips and you will be notified before each trip as to where and when it will take place.
  8. Student Council – Students elected to office plan various activities for each of the grades, with greater emphasis on planning for grades 4 through 8. Activities include Shabatonim, ice skating, roller-skating, scavenger hunts, as well as in-school activities.
  9. Bi-Monthly Newsletter “Highlights” – Every other Friday, a newsletter will be given to your children delineating all activities during the next two weeks. We ask all parents to read these so that they can be aware of the school programs for the next two-week period. Please ask your children every other Friday for this newsletter, the Highlights, so that you can be made aware of all school programs.
  10. Overnight Trips – Grades 5-8 are encouraged to take part in a 3-day trip to Washington, Lancaster, New York, Boston or Virginia.  We encourage your child’s participation.
  11. School Choir – Our school choir appears at many community functions.
  12. Mitzvah Missions – During the year we encourage Mitzvah Missions. These are trips which are taken by all grades for the purpose of performing a Mitzvah. These include, but are not limited to, Passover Sedarim with the Senior Citizens, distributing Purim baskets, visiting Senior Citizens Centers and visiting the ill. We encourage these trips and will notify you when your child’s class will be involved in one.
  13. Spelling Bees – During the course of the year, we plan to have 4 spelling bees for grades 2-8. We divide the school into two divisions and award trophies to the winners. At the end of the year, we have a grand Spelling Bee in both divisions (grades 2, 3, & 4 and grades 5, 6, 7, & 8). Winners at this Bee receive a $50.00 bond plus a trophy.
  14. Siddur Presentation – During the year, students of grade 1 will receive their First Siddur, in a beautiful and meaningful ceremony involving all the parents and children. We will notify you regarding time and preparation for this event.
  15. Yearbook – At the end of each year, our 8th grade publishes a yearbook. All grades participate in this venture. More details will follow as the year progresses.
  16. Class Presentations – During the course of the year, each class will be involved in school presentations. These could be on various topics ranging from Holiday celebrations to units of science and social studies studied in the classroom. Parents will be notified in advance of these presentations and are cordially invited to attend.
  17. Second Grade Chumash Presentation – At or around “Shavuot”, the second grade will receive their first “Chumashim” in a delightful ceremony. Parents will be advised of time and date.
  18. Middle School Chesed Program Chazak Program – All children are encouraged to perform “Gimilat Chasadim”.  Sixth, seventh and eighth graders must keep a daily diary of their Gimilat Chasadim. Our seventh and eighth graders must perform 20 hours of community work during the year and our sixth graders must perform 7 hours of chesed.  All children are encouraged to act with sensitivity and compassion to their peers and teachers.
  19. Bus Stop – Monday through Thursday on regular dismissal days supervision is available for students until 5:45 PM for a small hourly fee. Information is sent home in September detailing the program. Any student in the building past 3:50 must be at Bus Stop. If you are late in picking up your child, you will find him/her with the Bus Stop teacher. There are several exciting after-school program for students as well. A schedule of activities is sent home for parents to register. Some programs have additional fees for supplies or special teachers.
  20. Art – We offer Art instruction in all grades one through eight.
  21. Basketball – We will continue our boy’s and girl’s basketball teams. Our basketball team will consist of grades 5 through 8. More details as to practice times and games will be forthcoming.
  22. Soccer – We will be attempting to form a soccer team. Parent volunteers for coaches
    are needed.
  23. Music – General music instruction is offered to all classes grades K-6.
    Hebrew music instruction is offered to grades K-4 only.
  24. Science Fair – All students grades 5-8 are required to participate.  All participants are graded.  Details forthcoming.
  25. Band – Students are encouraged to join our band.
  26. National Junior Honor Society – Chapter Name: Nivonim – Students selected for membership are expected to continue to demonstrate the qualities of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The selection procedure shall be determined by the faculty council and shall be consistent with rules and regulations of the National Junior Honor Society. Honor Society is available to grades seven and eight.
  27. “Middot” Character Development – We will continue to develop sensitivity and Menchlichkeit in our students. Every week we will deal with one aspect of “Menchlichkeit” and how to become more sensitive, compassionate, and respectful in our daily lives.
  28. Guidance Program – Our school is actively involved in providing guidance for our students and teaching them strategies in dealing with difficult social situations.
  29. 8th grade trip to Israel – Our 8th grade will be embarking on a two-week study tour of Israel. More details will follow.
  30. Homework Clinic – Every day, Monday through Thursday from 3:40 – 4:40 p.m., two teachers will be available in our library to help our students with their homework. There will be one Hebrew and one secular teacher present.
  31. MISHMAR – Every Wednesday evening boys of grades 7 & 8 are invited to our school to study Torah.  (More details will follow)
  32. Dor LeDor – Beginning the Saturday night following Succot and extending into March, parents and students are invited to attend a special Torah learning program held every other week at Chabad of West Hartford.  Prizes, pizza and other refreshments are distributed.  More details will follow.
  33. Drama – Our 5th grade class will present a Chanukah play.