What we love about Preschool at The J!
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“It’s just great for families where both parents work."
“It’s not just a day care, yet they |
Names: David & Megan Frankel For these working parents choosing a comprehensive Early Childhood program to send their kids to every day was a difficult thing to do. But when they learned about The J’s program and offerings, they knew it was the perfect place for their daughter Addison and son Max. Though the faith-based program attracted them initially, David says The J stood out because of its facilities, which offer a wide range of activities for the children to do throughout the day. “We love the amount of things the kids can do here,” he said. “They are not just stuck in one room all day – They can swim, play on the basketball courts and go outside on the playground.” Megan agrees, adding that in another program she might have felt guilty leaving her children in one place all day. But she never feels that at The J because she knows there is always something fun, active enriching for them to stay excited about. “It’s just great for families where both parents work,” she said. David and Megan also love the small class size and the teaching style within the classrooms of The J. “It’s not just a day care, yet they have a fun curriculum, especially in Toddler Care,” Megan said. "The kids are treated as individual people and they feel loved, which is the most important thing." Little Addison, 4, is in a Pre-K class and though she is shy, she loves the friends she has made at The J. “She feels safe at school and she can be herself when she’s with her friends and teachers,” Megan said. Two-year-old Max is in his first year of the program, and though he had a hard time separating at first, he quickly learned to love coming to school, David said. Megan and David also love the resources that The J offers to parents, from individual discussions with teachers and the director to special guest speakers and parent social activities. “It really goes a long way to creating a community,” Megan said. |
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Kathy Goldner and her son Ben, 3.
The J provides a great |
Name: Kathy Goldner For Kathy and her husband Joshua, the decision to send their kids to the Mandel JCC’s Early Childhood program was an easy one! After just one tour and a conversation with Director Joan Morganstern, they knew The J was the perfect place for their kids! “We were just so impressed by Joan and her knowledge base and caring attitude,” Kathy said. “You can just tell she is invested in the kids, and we really chose the program because of her. We also wanted a Jewish foundation for the kids.” Her daughter Maddie, now 6, was in the Early Childhood program for three years, and her son Ben is now in his second year of the program. Though both children have their own unique personalities, the staff at The J has been able to identify their needs and work with each child to help them learn and grow. “Maddie had a hard time separating, and Joan really helped ease the transition,” Kathy said. “Maddie completely flourished here. She’s a very shy girl, but at The J she really became her own person and became totally different as far as her social skills go.” Ben, 3, who also attends camp at The J, loves coming to school every day and playing with his friends. And the children are not the only ones learning new things. The J’s emphasis on Jewish education and traditions has also had a positive impact on the entire family. When she first started school, Maddie brought the Friday Shabbat celebration from school into the home, and it is now a weekly tradition at the Goldner house. “She really inspired us,” Kathy said. “It’s been a good thing for our whole family.” Kathy said her favorite thing about being a part of the early childhood program is the fact that there is a sense of community every time she walks through the doors of The J. “The kids feel it, and so do the parents,” she said. |
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Kerry Katz and her daughters Sarah, 6, and Lizzie, 4 “I think the girls really feel
“You really develop relationships |
Name: Kerry Katz Kerry has been sending her two daughters to The J’s Early Childhood program for four years. Though they came for a Jewish education, they stayed for the sense of community and family that is fostered every day within the walls of The J. When it came time to choose a preschool for little Sarah, Kerry did her research, but called the decision to send Sarah to The J a “no brainer.” Since the Katz’s are an interfaith family, it was important to find a Jewish-based preschool that is welcoming and open to all faiths. “I like the fact that they do Jewish education, because before my kids started here I didn’t know much about Judaism, outside of the major holidays,” Kerry said. “I also really believed in the overall philosophy of the school.” Another aspect of The J’s preschool that attracted Kerry is that fact that though there is a very strong educational curriculum at the backbone of the program, the preschoolers are also involved in a variety of other activities like art, exploring nature, science, playing in the gym, swimming in the pool and more. Sarah, now 6, attended The J’s preschool for three years, and Kerry’s other daughter Lizzie, now 4, is in her third year of the program. Though Sarah is now a first grader at Boulevard Elementary School in Shaker Heights, she still takes children’s yoga classes at The J and loves to come back and socialize with the lifelong friends she made at the school. In fact, one of Katz’s favorite parts about sending her kids to The J’s program is being part of a larger group. “The J fosters such a sense of community within its Early Childhood program,” she said. “You really develop relationships with the other families, and everyone is so supportive.” She also appreciates the fact that the staff and Director Joan Morgenstern offer parent support classes and guest speakers. “They have a real commitment to the family, not just the child,” said Kerry, who is a social worker. She loves the fact that the teachers really take the time to get to know the students and the family before school even starts, through a questionnaire, phone calls and meet-and-greet sessions. That personal touch carries on throughout the year and the teachers work each child’s individual needs into the curriculum and teaching styles. Her girls had some of the same teachers throughout their years at The J, and even though many of the same lessons were taught to both girls, they were often taught in very different ways. “I think the girls really feel safe here and loved here – loved by their teachers and loved by their classmates,” she said. “They really get a sense of empowerment that makes them feel confident about themselves.” |
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