Welcome to the Akiva Staff Purim Page
Dear Staff, this Friday, March 14th we are celebrating the holiday of Purim. Below are some of the highlights of our planned activities.
Please note: A Resource Section can be found at the bottom of this page. You will find numerous resources to be used in your classroom.
DRESS UP POLICY
All students and staff are encouraged to dress up for the day.
- Please ensure that no students come to class with any type of weapon (gun, knife, etc.) as an accessory.
- Please ensure that the costume is in accordance with the school dress code (no sleeveless tops, appropriate length of skirt/shorts)
AKIVA MEGILLAH READINGS
One of the four mitzvot/ commandments that we perform on Purim is the reading of the Megillah, the Scroll of Esther. The Megillah is read twice on Purim, once the night of Purim (Thursday evening), though the most important is the second reading on Purim morning (Friday morning). Our students and parents will have the opportunity to hear the Megillah at the following scheduled readings:
For Parents (7:55am)
In cooperation with Shaar Hashomayim, we are giving our families the opportunity to experience a complete, traditional Megillah reading. Parents are invited on Purim morning (Friday), to the Shaar for Megillah reading at 7:55 am. Parents can choose to attend the general Megillah reading in the main sanctuary or the Womens’ Megillah reading in the Chapel. Both Megillah readings begin at 8:00am; a full prayer service in the main sanctuary begins at 7:30am (Please enter by 425 Metcalfe.)
Grades K to 5 (students accompanied by their parents and choir students only)
If parents are attending the Shaar Megillah reading and would like their children to accompany them, students can go directly with parents to the Shaar (either service) in the morning at 7:55am. Students will return to class at approximately 9:30am after the Shaar Purim suedah breakfast (see below). If you will not be attending Megillah reading at the Shaar, please bring your children as usual to Akiva. We will have regular morning prayers and activities in our classes while the other families are at the Shaar.
Grade 6
In the case of grade 6, all students will be brought by their teachers to attend the full Megillah readings, boys in the main sanctuary and girls in the chapel. (Or students can accompany their parents and go directly to the reading).
Purim breakfast after Megillah reading for parents and students attending
It is a mitzvah to hold a festive meat meal (a Seudah) on Purim, and this year with Purim falling erev-Shabbat, the Shaar will be offering a special Shaar Purim Seudah breakfast after the Megillah reading. Parents and students attending either Megillah reading are invited to attend the breakfast directly after the Megillah reading. Students will go back to class at 9:30am after the breakfast.
GRADE 6 PURIM PLAY
10:05am – Grade 6 Parents also invited
At 10:05am, after the Shaar Our grades JK to 5 students will watch a dramatic, abbreviated Megillah reading performed by our Grade 6 students. Parents are invited to watch the play also in the Shaar Sanctuary. Teachers, please bring graggers supplied by Tali and the Megillah text for singing.
MATANOT LE-EVYONIM
Students will bring a loonie or twonie for Matanot le-Evyonim (gifts for the poor) which is traditionally given on Purim. As per halacha (Jewish law), the money will be distributed on Purim day to the poor in Israel to fulfill the mitzvah. There will be a box at the school entrance for those who would like to donate on their own as well.
SPECIAL PASTA PURIM LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS
In honour of the holiday of Purim, all students from JK to Grade 6 a special lunch. Students will be offered a parve, yummy pasta and tomato sauce. (This will replace any ordered pizza lunches.) If your child does not like pasta and sauce, please send them with a parve lunch replacement.
MISHLOACH MANOT
One of the mitzvot of Purim is sending gifts of food, called mishloach manot to acquaintances.
- Snacks (Kosher and peanut-free) will be ordered by the school to create mishloach manot and students will put together their own mishloach manot to exchange with other students or bring home to give to others.
- Students can also, if they like, bring their own mishloach manot to share, given that they are kosher, peanut- free, sensitive to any allergies in the class. and distributed at the end of the day tothe entire class. Parents should also check with the office, in advance, about the contents of their mishloach manot and any specific allergies in their child’s class.
PURIM CARNIVAL
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our Akiva Life Committee volunteers, our students will be treated to a fun Purim Carnival at school. The carnival will be held in the gym. Grades will visit the carnival throughout the day and enjoy fun Purim activities.
EARLY DISMISSAL 1:20PM
For the holiday of Purim, there will be an early dismissal on Friday at 1:20pm. As usual, it will be a staggered dismissal.
