Patriotism is alive and well at Stephen S. Wise Elementary with our students decked out in red, white and blue and proudly singing classic American songs. Yesterday at our Patriotic Assembly we talked about why we celebrate President’s Day, and we discussed two quotes from Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. The students really understood the importance of being responsible and moral citizens, and how that creates a sense of community. It was heart-warming to hear the kindergarten students singing “This Land is Your Land” and exciting to hear all grades share the songs of our branches of the military, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, and America the Beautiful.” The celebration continues today with our sixth grade Oratorical Contest, where students are delivering excerpts from famous speeches. The theme of this year’s contest is “A Leader for Our Time” and students will deliver content from Barack Obama, David Ben Gurion, Maya Angelou, Ronald Reagan, as well as many other great orators. It is always impressive to hear our students share why they selected their particular speech, and then to deliver that speech with great passion. I leave the Patriotic and Oratorical assemblies with a reassuring sense that our students will be well-informed, positive contributors to our local, state, and global societies and that is something we can all be proud of.
Enjoy!

B’Shalom,
Tami Weiser

Make your commitment to Annual Giving today. You can reply by visiting, www.WiseElementary.org/Giving
Thank You!

February 17: February 20: February 21: February 29: March 1: March 2: March 4: March 6: March 9:

Grade 4 Praying with Parents - 8:15 am Presidents' Day - School Closed Professional Development Day - Student Free Day Grades 1-2, Choir Performance - 4:00 pm Mandatory Grade 4 Parent Meeting re Sacramento - 8:00 am Grade 3 Family Shabbat Dinner, ZH Purim Carnival Grades 3-4 Chorus/Orchestra Performance - 4:00 pm Grade 3 Praying with Parents - 8:15 am

Doodle 4 Google
Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School students in grades 1-6 are invited to participate in a wonderful creative opportunity! Students nation-wide will be designing Google logos around the theme “If I could travel in time, I’d visit…” Doodle 4 Google provides a canvas for students to express their vision through art and design, as well as through words and ideas.
A team made up of teachers and administrators from our school will choose six entries from those submitted to be entered in the national competition. These six students will receive certificates at a special awards assembly. (If your child’s design is not one of those chosen, their entry will be returned to you and you may enter it on your own.) This week during art classes, interested students are been given a 2-piece entry form, which must follow these rules to be eligible for judging:
• Doodle design must be drawn on official entry form template paper
• Pencil, colored pencil, crayons, markers, or paint can be used (NO
3-D elements, glitter, magazine cut-outs, clip art, stickers, etc.)
• The Google logo must be clearly visible and recognizable
• On the official entry form, students must include a title for the doodle, as well as a supporting statement explaining how the doodle relates to the “If I could travel in time, I’d visit…” theme (a few sentences – no more than 50 words)
• Please do not write this information on the doodle page!
• Young children may dictate their titles and explanations to parents so writing will be legible, but please allow students to do their own original artwork
• Entry form must be securely attached to the doodle with a paper clip (NO tape or staples please!
• Deadline for entries to be turned in to the school office is Friday, March 2, 2012 (no exceptions
You may go to http://www.google.com/doodle4google/ for examples of winners from last year’s competition and for more information.

Keyboarding
Afterschool Keyboarding Boot Camp Begins March 1st. This ten-week session is designed primarily for 3rd-6th graders. Click here for registration information and application

Step Right Up to the Wise Purim Carnival – Sunday, March 4
Join our exciting day filled with the most Purim fun in town! Bringing you awesome rides, fun games, great activities, and prizes for all ages. Enjoy delicious food, snacks, and sweets, including our legendary bake sale. With 100% of the Carnival proceeds benefitting our Temple Schools, the Purim Carnival relies on you to make it a huge success! You can show your support by coming to the Carnival, purchasing raffle tickets, becoming a carnival sponsor, or volunteering your time! For more information and to purchase admission, click "Info". To sponsor a booth, click "Register". Click "Contact" to donate a raffle item or to sign up to volunteer. | Sunday, March 4 | 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Info: www.WiseLA.org/Purim
Contact: HZolan@wisela.org
Register: https://store.wisela.org/p-118-purim-sponsorship-2012.aspx

Dance Party 2 is Going to Rock!
Celebrate Purim with the whole family at our Dance Party Purim, featuring singing, dancing, hamentaschen, and much more! To learn more about all of our Purim Celebrations, click "Info". | Wednesday, March 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Sanctuary

Info: www.WiseLA.org/Purim
Contact: dgordon@wisela.org

Staples Center Jewish Community Night
Come out to celebrate Jewish Community Night at the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament where our own Cantor Nathan Lam will be singing the National Anthem! Exciting group experiences are available, including photos on the Staples Center court and group spotlights for friends and families. To purchase tickets or for more details, contact Eric Fishkin at 213.742.7199 or by clicking the “contact" button below. | Thursday, March 8

Info: http://www.wisela.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=49134
Contact: efishkin@aegworldwide.com 

Box Tops
The class that brings in the most Box Tops from now until Feb. 25th will win an ice cream party!
Enter daily to win up to 250,000 bonus box tops.
http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/bonus/Default.aspx

Purim Carnival
Save the date-Sunday March 4th. Register today!

Purim Bake Sale – WE NEED BAKED GOODS!!!
Attention Parents, we need your delicious desserts for our Purim Carnival Bake sale on March 4th.
Not a baker? That’s ok... Pick up a dessert and donate it to our Bake Sale.
We need cakes, cookies, brownies, rice crispy treats and so much more..
Anything delicious is welcome and much appreciated.
To sign up and confirm your item, please contact Ilyse Levy at 310-308-8600 or ilyselevy@me.com.

Dance Party Purim – Wednesday, March 7, 2012 | 6:30 p.m. | SanctuaryMusic, dancing, and fun for all ages! Come in costume and enjoy the Purim story performed by your clergy, teachers, and more!

WPA Meeting
Our WPA Meeting has been moved to March 13 at 8am in the Main Temple Building. Guest Speaker: Ian Russ talking about “Difficult Questions”. Evite to follow. Please RSVP to the Evite.

Project Passover Fundraiser
We are pleased to announce that the WPA has partnered with Matzeltoff.com for a PROJECT PASSOVER FUNDRAISER. You will be able to order a variety of delicious Passover confectionery which are kosher, natural and are of gourmet quality. Our school will benefit by getting 30% of any orders placed. Online sales kick off on February 27 - just go to www.matzeltoff.com and enter WPA for Stephen S Wise Temple Elementary School as the organization and the code is SWLA. Click here for details

Save The Date for Club W - Sunday, April 29, 2012
A fun club experience for students in Grades 3, 4 and 5 and their special adult guest. Classmates gather, eat, dance and have a great time.
Want to be on the committee? Email Sigalit Nechemia at sigiron@earthlink.net

Minyan with Cantor Lam
Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. in Plotkin Chapel (when school is in session). Join dads and moms in the community for an hour of spirituality and learning. Meet new friends and discover your Wise community. Questions?WPA@WiseLa.org

Seeking Donations for 2012 Wildcats Sports Awards
A wonderful evening celebrating out athletes in grades 4-6, the Wildcats Sports Awards committee is seeking donations for raffle drawings -- which happen throughout the ceremony and are a highlight for the athletes! We are seeking "top" prizes such as signed balls/jerseys/shoes. We also welcome and appreciate gift cards to sporting goods stores. Have connections? Please contact Farnaz Yashar, farnazyashar@yahoo.com, or Alvaro Gancman (agancman@qualityreimbursement.com).

SOVA
THE NEED FOR FOOD KNOWS NO SEASON. WISE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN 5772.
Our local SOVA pantry makes a huge impact on the hundreds of families it serves. They need your help and appreciate it.
“Food of the Month" for February is canned soup, tuna and cold cereal (not sweetened). In addition to food, gently used books, new toys and toiletries are always welcomed and appreciated. All items can be placed in the SOVA bin.
The SOVA bin is always open and located at the entrance of the main sanctuary building.

Lost and Found
The Lost and Found will now be open to parents all day every day. Parents are free to come and look for lost clothing in the Lost and Found which is located at the back corner of the parking structure along the back driveway. Clothing that is clearly labeled will be returned to the child's classroom.

Like Us On Facebook!
Get Connected! “Like” us on Facebook and get daily updates about the fabulous things your children are accomplishing at school and learn about our other events and news around campus!
www.facebook.com/wiseelementary

Raise Money for Stephen S. Wise Elementary School Just by Shopping!
Before your next visit to Target: Go online and register your Target Red Card on the Target Website and start earning money for our school every time you shop with your Red Card. Click on “card benefits” under Red Card in the lower right hand corner, then click “enroll” under “Take Charge of Education”. Enter the school information and find us under Wise Temple Elementary School. Enter your red card info when prompted and that’s all there is to it! Every purchase you make with your Red Card will benefit our school.

When you check out at Office Depot mention Stephen Wise and they will put your purchase under the school ID number: 70010488 to benefit our school. Happy Shopping!
 

Stephen S. Wise Elementary School | 15500 Stephen S. Wise Dr. Los Angeles, CA. 90077 | 310.889.2300
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Thanks to additional funds from The Jim Joseph Foundation and The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, we are able to help more families afford a Jewish education.