In order to impress upon students the importance of “hakarat hatov,” showing appreciation and giving thanks, every division at JKHA and RKYHS—the entire student body, faculty and administration—came together for a “Thanks for Giving” assembly. They showed their gratitude for the security staff who protect the school every day and ensure that all feel safe, comfortable and welcome each day when they come to school.

Rabbi Eliezer Rubin, JKHA/RKYHS head of school and Klatt Family Rosh HaYeshiva, introduced the program and reinforced the importance of giving thanks and giving back. Several fourth graders representing the lower school explained how important the security staff is, and presented and explained a paper quilt project that all the students had worked on. Under the direction of art teacher Rach Margolies, pre-k through fifth graders made a quilt where every square was painted by fourth and fifth graders in art class. All students from gan through fifth grade contributed a personal message of thanks and appreciation on each tile. From far away, one can see the JKHA name on the quilt, but up close can find each student’s individual message.

The security staff protects the school inside and outside of the building. As the weather outside is becoming colder, the lower school students gave the security staff hand warmers to keep them warm while they keep the school safe outside. High school and middle school students also continued the theme of helping the security team brave the elements by giving them school branded winter hats and scarves.

Middle school, grades six through eight, presented them all with a binder with literature showing their appreciation, consisting of letters, poems, acrostics and artwork from their language arts classes. The program concluded with a video introduced by student council president Yonatan Raskin that the high school made showing the school’s true appreciation for the security staff.