JEC Lower School students arrived for the first day of school proudly wearing blue and white for Rosh Chodesh Elul and the “blue & white initiative” in support of Israel. Elementary School students started their day at a gathering in the courtyard where they reunited with friends and teachers. Students enjoyed cupcakes in honor of Rosh Chodesh and a back to school word search at lunch.

The school gathered for an opening assembly to launch the theme of the year, Power of Words (POW). Each month students will delve into a different aspect of their middos superpowers as they relate to speech. As part of this theme, teachers and students will have the opportunity to submit names of people who “filled their bucket” by showing kindness for a new “Filler Up Friday” program. Bucket fillers will be announced by Rabbi Beer on Friday mornings. Kol Hakavod to this week’s bucket fillers: Rabbi Beer, Mrs. Juskowicz, Morah Reich, Naftali Hersh, Morah Ariella and Jake Ribiat! Students can also submit guesses for the Word of the Week (WOW) weekly activity.