This Week
Spring is everywhere at Wornick these days. Our native Hebrew speakers were out enjoying the Springtime in our gardens this week, capping off a study of insects and the lifecycle of butterflies with a field study--all b'Ivrit (in Hebrew) of course.

The sounds of the Mah Nishtanah filled the hallways, as kindergarteners prepared to lead this important part of their Passover Seders at home. Kindergarteners also honed their expertise on the human body with a classroom visit from neurologist and Wornick mom Dr. Olga Goldberg. Dr. Goldberg brought lots of interesting equipment with her, and taught the students to check each others' reflexes and listen their hearts--all important parts of any physician's exam.

Third graders are blogging about their literature circle books, and fifth graders are working on math using decimals by spending imaginary money on their families. One lucky mom received an imaginary juicer and yoga classes. A dad was the proud recipient of a hypothetical "man purse."

If you see a seventh grader, you may want offer them your congratulations this week. The seventh graders just completed an intense week in which they presented their chosen causes and organizations for their year-long Tzedakah Project to their peers, advocating for their causes with passion and expertise. They met as a class on Thursday to fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah by allocating $30,509 to twenty-five organizations. It was a meaningful day, rich in discussion. The seventh graders handled themselves with maturity, listened to their peers, respectfully and constructively expressed their opinions, and repeatedly came to meaningful consensuses. Their teachers are immensely proud of all of them. We will celebrate their accomplishments on May 25, when they present their donations to the organizations in person.

Announcements

7th Grade Tzedakah Fundraisers
Garage Sale - One More Time:  Sunday, April 17 from 9:00 am-12:00 noon – A garage sale, including kitchen items, toys and books, benefiting next year's Tzedakah Project will be held at at the home of a Wornick family (see Monday Memo for address).

Gift Card Orders
We're placing another gift card order soon. This is an easy gift-giving idea, and a great way to shop at your favorite stores and earn money for our school. Please complete and return the order form to the office by April 20.

"Raise the Roof" Film Screening
To mark Yom HaShoah at school, the eighth grade will be watching the film "Raise the Roof." This movie details the process of reconstructing a 17th century Polish synagogue for the Polin Jewish Museum of Warsaw. It's a fascinating and moving film, with many implications for the legacy of the Shoah in Europe and for Jews world-wide. The movie will be shown on Thursday, May 5 from 9:00-10:30 am in the Ulam Gadol. Parents are welcome to attend.

Yom Ha'atzmaut Falafel Lunch
Yom Ha'atzmaut is quickly approaching! Wornick hosts a falafel lunch for all of our students and staff and we are looking for volunteers to help serve the lunch. You earn Chai hours and get to enjoy Rachel's outstanding falafel treat. It will be on Thursday, May 12 from approximately 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Please email pbodin@wornickjds.org if you are interested in volunteering.

Mad Science Eco-explorers Spring Camp at PJCC
April 25 – 28 (no camp 4/29) • 9:00 am – 3:00 pm • $345 Members / $390 Public
(fees are per week; daily registration and extended care is NOT available; enrollment minimum is 12 campers)
Young biologists explore the natural world and the adaptations that allow birds and beasts to thrive. Have fun finding and magnifying nature’s smallest creatures, engineer animal habitats, pour plaster casts of animal tracks, make recycled paper, and build a water filter! Discover what owls eat and identify the bones they leave behind! Create your own blob of “Mad Mucus” and learn about cilia, cells and circulation! 
Register at www.campkeff.org. Call 650.378-2704 with questions.

Turn Matzah into Mitzvah: Fill a Seder Sack for People in Need!
Join Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) in our community-wide mitzvah project to provide Passover food to hundreds of our neighbors in need. A gift of $18 fills a Seder Sack with matzot, gefilte fish, macaroons, soup, and other foods that JFCS volunteers will deliver to homebound seniors, people with disabilities, and families in crisis in our community. For many recipients, this is their only opportunity to celebrate Passover and feel remembered at this time. See the attached flyer, or go to www.jfcs.org/sedersacks for more information.

JDS5K Registration is Now Open
On Sunday, May 15, Wornick, along with our friends from the Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, will be hosting the 3rd annual JDS5K (Jewish Day School 5K Race). This is a great community event. Perfect for every member of the family. Whether you set a record time, or just enjoy the walk, it is a fun time for everyone. Strollers are welcome. This year the race fee has dropped to $15. Register prior to April 15th to guarantee a tee shirt in your size.

For complete details (time/location) check out the links below:
JDS5K Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thejds5k
Registration Link: https://www.webscorer.com/register?pid=1&raceid=61938