Rabbi Matthew Bellas

Lower School Principal @cesjdsconnect. Husband and father. Lover of film, theater, and professional sports.

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

Our 5th graders have been learning about the phases of the moon in science by building and using 3-D models. Hands on experiences make for meaningful learning and it is a core approach throughout our program. #jdslionspride @CESJDSCONNECT @PrizmahCJDS #dynamicdayschools

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

Rent-a-Coop gives our students a chance to learn kindness and empathy in addition to lifecycles, animal care, and sustainable living. Welcome back chickens! #jdslionspride @CESJDSCONNECT @PrizmahCJDS #dynamicdayschools

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

It isn’t Rosh Hashanah if 1st graders haven’t had their apple cider program at school! It’s so exciting to bring back special events and field trips this year! #shanahtovah ⁦@CESJDSCONNECT⁩ ⁦@PrizmahCJDS⁩ #jdslionspride

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

Day 2 is underway after a joyful first day of school. Smiling children and staff all around THRILLED to be back in school 5 days a week! Shanah tovah for sure! #jdslionspride @CESJDSCONNECT @PrizmahCJDS

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

@jaay462 Expectations, modeling, practice, and follow through from the leadership level.

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

@CESJDSCONNECT We have had some incredible end of year celebrations indoors and outdoors for our students with family members on campus for the first time this year. Siddurim and Humashim distributed and World Unit work presented Mazal tov to all of our students! #jdslionspride

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

THE CICADAS ARE ARRIVING. We can either treat them as scary and gross or as a once in 17 years natural phenomenon learning opportunity. We choose the latter :). @CESJDSCONNECT #jdslionspride #dynamicdayschools

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

Welcome to the JDS zoo! We’ve got teenage and baby chicks and now the goslings have arrived. Waiting on the cicadas...It’s definitely springtime and the students are loving it. #jdslionspride @CESJDSCONNECT @PrizmahCJDS #dynamicdayschools

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

On Friday, we had our first whole school Kabbalat Shabbat of the year with students live! Our 5th graders had the honor since it was their last one as LS students. It was beautiful and Noah and Leia did an incredible job as student leaders. #jdslionspride @CESJDSCONNECT

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

JK-2nd Maccabiyah Field Day was a hit! Gorgeous (but a little hot and humid) weather, games all day, and smiling faces were a wonderful way to spend our day. Thank you PE team and proctors for all your hard work to make today an amazing success. @CESJDSCONNECT #jdslionspride

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

Our chicks Giggles and Chuckles are growing! We have a great “through the window” view of them for all students walking by. They get to see growth in action as their crowns and adult feathers now develop! #jdslionspride #dynamicdayschools @CESJDSCONNECT @PrizmahCJDS

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

Students and faculty having a great time during Lag Ba-Omer Maccabiyah Field Day. A full day of outdoor activities during which some students got to see friends for the first time in a year! Shabbat Shalom. #jdslionspride @CESJDSCONNECT @PrizmahCJDS #dynamicdayschools

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

These children’s sized picnic tables have been a hit with our JK and K students for outdoor lunch and snack. With the weather warming, this seating area offers our early childhood students a lovely place to eat and casually socialize together. #jdslionspride #dynamicdayschools

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

From our virtual school-wide model seder over Zoom to this 1st grade one in class with virtual guests, we had a joyous last day of school before Passover break today. Hag kasheir v’samei-ah! #jdslionspride #dynamicdayschools @PrizmahCJDS @CESJDSCONNECT

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

Our outdoor Model Seder for Gurim and Kindergarten was a great success! We built a sense of community and celebration while being COVID safe. A great way to prepare for the upcoming Passover festival and vacation. @CESJDSCONNECT @PrizmahCJDS #jdslionspride #dynamicdayschools

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

Whole School Morning Meeting is celebrating Women’s History Month and our guest Storyteller Arianna Ross is sharing about GREAT WOMEN with our students. Remember that Monday, March 8th is International Women’s Day! @CESJDSCONNECT @PrizmahCJDS #jdslionspride #dynamicdayschools

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

Cohort A’s Pajama Day for Read Across America Week was a such a joy for our students (and for me)! These small gifts of special days on campus really help our community to get through these challenging times. Ready, Set, READ! @CESJDSCONNECT #jdslionspride #dynamicdayschools

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

COVID-Friendly Purim Carnivals were a great success today! JK-4th graders participated one grade at a time and 5th graders got their leadership opportunity running physically distanced stations. Purel anyone? חג שמח@CESJDSCONNECT @PrizmahCJDS #jdslionspride #dynamicdayschools

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

My Purim costume today is a tribute to all front line medical and emergency personnel who have been our heroes during this past year. A special thanks to our amazing School Nurses Natasha and Heather! ⁦@CESJDSCONNECT⁩ ⁦@PrizmahCJDS⁩ #jdslionspride

[Rabbi Matthew Bellas @Matthew_Bellas]

Live science instruction means in-person lab work. Hypotheses, experiments, and findings in elementary chemistry with acids and bases. SO MUCH FUN! @CESJDSCONNECT @docsoff #jdslionspride #dynamicdayschools @PrizmahCJDS