:: Abram Simon School Committee

Providing Support and Aid for a School in Need

For the past 20 years, WHC congregants have volunteered their time, enthusiasm and financial support to the Abram Simon Elementary School, a DC public school named after our second senior rabbi. Volunteers work closely with the school’s principal, Dr. Adelaide Flamer, to tailor programs that respond to the needs of the school. This partnership has flourished over the years and we can always use new volunteers. The committee’s agenda for 2011 – 2012 will include the following programs:

Book Buddies is a highly structured, volunteer reading program that the WHC Abram Simon committee introduced to the school in 2007. Over the years, the program has grown to include 20 volunteers who work one-on-one with first and second graders on a weekly basis. Book Buddies is unambiguously successful, as demonstrated by the improved reading scores. This year we want to expand the program to help even more students. We are looking for six volunteers to be part of this effort. The only requirement for volunteers is a good sense of humor and the ability to find an afternoon once a week or every other week to commit to the kids at Simon. We will conduct training sessions early in the school year, and since we work in teams, car-pooling is easy. What are you waiting for? Become part of the solution—one little reader at a time!

Send a Kid to Camp: The importance of a camping experience is well known to our own congregants. The lessons learned away from home and school are often ones that stay with us the longest. This past summer WHC sent 40 Simon students to a one-week overnight camp at Camp Moss Hollow. Volunteers organized information sessions, arranged for physicals, assisted in filling out forms, and set up transportation for the students to and from the camp. WHC congregants and B’nai Mitzvah students did their part by donating generously to the WHC Abram Simon Camp Fund. Your donations are needed and welcome!

Simon Fun Fair: Since 2005, WHC and the school have co-sponsored an end of year “Fun Fair” in lieu of a traditional Mitzvah Day project. Principal Flamer explained that she did not have any budget for a school-wide party and felt that WHC’s assistance in this activity would benefit the students greatly. This past year WHC provided a face painter, DJ, balloon artist and climbing wall, and we hosted numerous craft tables and carnival games. All this project requires is some time on a June afternoon to supervise a craft project or carnival game for the students. Please consider helping out at the Simon school in June 2012.

A “Virtual” Committee: In many respects this is a virtual committee since so many congregants spontaneously find ways to be included. There are so many ways WHC congregants have found to enhance the educational experience at Simon. Come and add your voice.