News and Updates Chai Lights

From Nora’s Desk:

Reflections from the Head of School

Thank you to everyone who joined me for our first cooking class this morning. It was such a special and meaningful time together. I hope you’ll join me again at our next session on April 17 so we can continue building this wonderful community together.

It is hard to believe, but we are officially over 100 days into the school year! Earlier this month, we celebrated this milestone by making crafts, decorating capes, and dressing up as one-hundred-year-olds! Kindergarteners even had a visit from Zero the Hero, the superhero without whom we would not be able to count 100!

This month, we celebrated Tu BiSh’vat, the “Birthday of the Trees.” Originally, it helped farmers determine the age of their trees for Jewish law, but over time, it became a holiday celebrating nature, growth, and our responsibility to care for the Earth. At school, we marked the day with learning, hands-on activities, and meaningful traditions. Students learned how the holiday connects to environmental responsibility. They planted parsley seeds in recycled yogurt containers, reminding us that what we nurture today can become part of our future Pesach Seder and that small actions can make a difference. We also enjoyed a festive snack of fig bars, raisins, and white grape juice, learning about the Seven Species of Israel mentioned in the Torah. Throughout the day, students read Tu BiSh’vat–themed books that reinforced ideas of patience, gratitude, leadership, diversity, and caring for the world around us.

As a reminder, Mitzvah Day is coming up on Sunday, March 15. Please remember to check out the many opportunities for Rambam families to engage in tikkun olam projects this year, especially those that align well with some of the grade-level tikkun olam themes that certain grades are focused on throughout the school year.

And finally, please remember that our Annual Auction, “A Starry Night,” is on Thursday, March 12! Please join me in celebrating Susy Novak and honoring the extraordinary impact she has made on our community.

Shabbat Shalom!

Using Our Words Wisely

This month, our focus is on שְׁמִירַת הַלָּשׁוֹן, Sh’mirat HaLashon, guarding our speech, and using our words wisely. Students are learning that their words carry tremendous impact: they can build others up or bring them down. Through thoughtful discussions and real-life examples, students are developing an understanding that kind and careful speech is something we can actively practice and improve. We are exploring the difference between words that foster friendship and words that create hurt, and helping students recognize the responsibility we each carry to avoid gossip and harmful speech. By encouraging students to pause and ask themselves if their words are true, necessary, and kind, we are nurturing a culture of respect, empathy, and gratitude. Rooted in Jewish values, Sh’mirat HaLashon teaches us that listening carefully, speaking truthfully, and expressing encouragement helps create a more peaceful and compassionate community, one conversation at a time.

We are thrilled to share the exciting addition of a brand-new low ropes course in our mango grove, designed for students in 4s through 5th grade! This dynamic outdoor feature expands our play and learning spaces, creating new opportunities for students to grow physically, socially, and emotionally.

The low ropes course is more than just an obstacle experience; it’s a space where students build confidence, practice teamwork, strengthen communication skills, and develop resilience. Before opening to students, our staff participated in dedicated training to ensure the course is facilitated safely and intentionally, with a focus on collaboration and character development.

Our 5th graders were the first to receive a special preview, and their enthusiasm says it all! We can’t wait to see students across grade levels challenge themselves, support one another, and continue learning in this exciting new outdoor environment.

Third graders have been diving into a rich novel study of Wish Tree by Katherine Applegate, using the story as a springboard to explore figurative language, theme, and vivid imagery. Through thoughtful discussions and close reading, students are strengthening their ability to identify deeper messages in a text while noticing how authors use descriptive language to bring stories to life. Along the way, they’ve been practicing key literacy skills such as summarizing, analyzing character development, and enhancing their own descriptive writing.

Students are also wrapping up their cross-curricular Trailblazer Project, in which each child researched an influential historical figure and created their own “Who Was…”- style biography book. This exciting project combined research, writing, and creativity, allowing students to step into the role of author while celebrating individuals who made a lasting impact on the world.

Our 5th graders have been diving deep into the incredible complexity of the human body, studying the functions of major organs and exploring how different body systems work together to keep us healthy. From the circulatory system to the respiratory system and beyond, students are building a strong understanding of how interconnected and interdependent our bodies truly are.

Now, they are putting their knowledge into action by diagnosing a “mystery patient” and developing a thoughtful treatment plan based on symptoms and system interactions. This hands-on, problem-based learning experience challenges students to think critically, collaborate, and apply what they’ve learned in meaningful ways.

To add even more depth to the unit, parent guest speakers who are medical professionals have been visiting the classroom to share their specialties and real-world experiences. These authentic connections give students a powerful glimpse into careers in medicine and help them see how science comes to life beyond the classroom.

Our 4th graders took their learning beyond the classroom as they headed to the basketball court to apply their math skills in a real-world way! Working collaboratively, students measured the length and width of the court and then used their findings to calculate both the area and perimeter.

This hands-on activity not only strengthened their understanding of key geometry concepts but also highlighted the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and precision. By combining movement, measurement, and math, students saw firsthand how these skills connect to the world around them, proving that math is everywhere!

In kindergarten Judaic Studies, our students are beginning to explore the beauty of the Torah and its timeless lessons. This week, they enthusiastically acted out Parashat Lech Lecha, bringing the story to life with creativity and joy. They proudly shared that the Torah has five books and that Lech Lecha is found in Sefer Bereshit, the very first book.

Through role-play, students stepped into the journey of Avram and Sarai as they courageously left their home to follow Hashem’s command and travel to the unknown land that God would show them. They connected deeply to the concept of emunah, faith, reflecting on the trust and bravery it takes to listen to Hashem’s call. One of their favorite moments was learning how Hashem added the letter “Hei” to their names, transforming Avram into Avraham and Sarai into Sarah.

Our kindergarteners truly embraced this powerful message, discovering that even when the path ahead is uncertain, we can move forward with trust, courage, and belief.

Our first graders have been enthusiastically exploring animals in language arts, science, and Hebrew. They’ve asked big questions such as: How do animals use their body parts to survive? How do animals help each other? What helps animals thrive in the wild? Students are building research skills using books and digital resources to learn more about their favorite creatures.

A highlight was our trip to Zoo Miami! Students observed animal traits, evaluated habitats, and applied what we’ve learned in a hands-on setting. The experience deepened their understanding and sparked great curiosity!

Tool of the Month: Planning Together!

This month, we invite your child(ren) to take the lead in planning something special for your family! It could be a birthday party, breakfast in bed for parents, a tea party, family book club, or a library or park outing. Giving children ownership of planning builds powerful executive functioning skills in a fun, meaningful way.

When children plan an event, they naturally practice:

• Planning and prioritizing
• Time management and keeping track of deadlines
• Using past knowledge and experiences
• Evaluating ideas and negotiating with others
• Asking for help or more information when needed

These are the very same skills students use to successfully plan and complete school projects. Through this experience, children strengthen their ability to:

• Generate ideas and stay organized
• Estimate how long tasks will take (estimated vs. actual time)
• Prioritize and sequence steps
• Recall important information (directions, materials, next steps)
• Collaborate through discussion with peers and family members

How families can support:

• Let your child take the lead (with gentle guidance)
• Ask open-ended planning questions (“What do we need first?”)
• Encourage writing or drawing a simple plan
• Reflect together afterward: What worked? What would you change?

By turning everyday family moments into planning opportunities, children build the executive functioning “muscles” they need for success in school, and life.

At Rambam, we are so thankful for all the gifts that trees give us.

Trees provide warmth and fire for cooking, paper for writing and creating, and wood for making musical instruments and furniture. They give us delicious fruits like olives and offer animals shelter and homes.

To celebrate Tu BiSh’vat and all that trees provide, our early childhood students explored different learning stations. They made music, created paper, tasted olives, stayed warm, painted wooden spool tables, and engaged with a snake and an iguana that live in trees.

Through hands-on experiences, our children learned to appreciate nature, creativity, and the many ways trees support our world!