Every Chanukah is special, but what makes a WTA Chanukah unique? In one word, the answer is variety. Throughout the school, the avira is palpable. With chanukiyot being lit indoors and out, songs and Chanukah treats, and special guests throughout the week, the holiday is truly something magical. For the first time ever, WTA students, parents and teachers joined together to light the first candle with a big Chanukah party. It was a beautiful and festive event, made more so by the brand new LED chanukiah, generously donated by a WTA family.
In many younger grades, kinesthetic learners connect to the chag through dances and skits—by putting them in the center of the story, these young learners internalize so much more of the lessons of Chanukah. Another example of the hands-on Montessori learning in early childhood could be seen when students pressed their very own olive oil! Learning about the relationship between the salty snack and the oil we all know was interesting, and the kids had a blast when they pressed the olives and witnessed the extraction!
In other classes, WTA was also privileged to have author and school grandparent Linda Marshall join the celebrations. Her book, “The Mexican Dreidel” teaches about the different Jewish traditions around the world and helps expand the children’s perspectives. Most of the school also participated in a dreidel-off, competing until there was a single winner for the whole school—of course, everyone cheered on the sidelines until a winner was announced. With four days of Chanukah left, WTA students can’t wait to see what’s next!
