In order to impress upon students the importance of hakarat hatov and showing appreciation and giving thanks, every division in our school—the entire student body, faculty and administration—came together for a “Thanks for Giving” assembly where they showed their gratitude for Jeff Reiss, RKYHS faculty member and school transportation coordinator.

Rabbi Rubin introduced the program and reinforced the importance of giving thanks and giving back. Rabbi Sruly Fried from ChaiLifeline was on hand to thank the JKHA and RKYHS school community for all of their amazing contributions to the toy drive for kids with serious illnesses.

For the main highlight of the assembly, Rabbi Rubin explained the crucial role. Reiss plays in handling the school’s varied bus routes all over multiple counties in New Jersey and areas of New York. Reiss is dedicated to ensuring that students get to and from school, activities, and programs in the most efficient, effective, safe, and convenient way each and every day.

Students representing the lower school presented and explained an art project that all the students worked on. Under the direction of art teacher Rach Margolies, pre-k -fifth grade made and decorated an artistic bus and acrostic poem that they read for Reiss. Seventh graders introduced this month’s JKHA theme of gratitude and they showed a video that was made by the seventh grade elaborating on the theme and programs planned for this month.

The student representatives then presented a binder of thank you letters to Reiss. The student council president read a letter of appreciation from Durham Bus and School services. Three high school speakers presented shared thoughtful words about Reiss and then gifted him with a giant “big gulp” cup (a signature item of Reiss’) decorated by students from the entire RKYHS student body. The program concluded with a video of the familiar faces of JKHA and RKYHS bus drivers showing their appreciation for Reiss as well.