February Message from Amy Olsen, Director

We are looking forward to another great year here at White Meadow Temple Nursery School.  To help this happen, we need lots of help from our Nursery School families.  Please sign up to help out in any way you can with our many PTO activities.  All of the PTO efforts will benefit YOUR children, so let’s all lend a hand. Please look out for an upcoming email about our next Evening PTO meeting.  Come and socialize and discover how you can help out our school and your child.

I would like to send out a big thank you to Michele Schoenberg, Demi Levin, and Rochelle Green for cooking delicious noodles for the students on Noodle Thursdays!  What a treat the children all look forward to!  Last month the students were busy learning about Martin Luther King Jr.'s message.  We learned that he wanted us all to get along and the different things we can do to make sure that happens (at least in our school). 

We also learned about the holiday of Tu Bishvat -- the birthday of the trees. We read some great books including "The Giving Tree" which explains the importance of trees and all they give us.  We hope you enjoyed the great Tu Bishvat crafts that came home.  We had a small Tu Bishvat seder which Rabbi Adler led for us where he explained the importance of the holiday and all the yummy fruits we eat.  Rabbi Adler has been joining us on Fridays for our Shabbat class celebrations and reading stories to us about the Parsha of the week.  The students really enjoy hearing the stories.  The special Shabbat celebration with Rabbi Adler is a great way to end our school week.

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What Parents Say...

"I love the tender loving care from the staff and the interaction we have. There is a sense of community."  - Denise Schlachter

"The teachers show genuine affection towards the children. They understand that the children are individuals that develop at different rates and give them room to be themselves." - Kristine Papa

"My daughter has grown and learned so much...this program is one of learning and development. I plan to continue at White Meadow Temple through Kindergarten."  - Marina Frid

"Both my boys are accelerated in their public school grades; we believe it is because they had a great foundation from White Meadow Temple Nursery and Kindergarten." - Sharon Purzak

"I have seen tremendous growth in my Pre-K child. I am always amazed by what she learns each day. The small classes have enabled my children to get individualized attention and to have a voice within their classroom." - Jennifer Miller

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About Our Early Childhood Education Program

White Meadow Temple Nursery and Kindergarten offers a developmentally appropriate, educational program for children ages 2-5. Our safe and secure facilities include bright, colorful classrooms, a large indoor playroom, and a fenced-in outdoor playground with a large sandbox.  Programs include:

Me and My Shadow is designed for our youngest children ages 13-23 months.  This program provides an introduction to group activities, a chance to play with peers, and the opportunity to experience a relaxed, informal preschool setting with a special caregiver -- mom, dad, grandparent or babysitter.  The class meets weekly for an hour and a quarter and runs for 10 sessions.

Two-Year-Old Class gives the children an opportunity to experience their growing independence and learn socialization skills. Through play, children explore and learn about their environment in the most natural way. Classes are kept small to allow teachers to facilitate student discovery. Jewish holidays are introduced as a multi-sensory experience. 

Days: 3 and 5 day programs -- full and half days available

Hours: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM or 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Before Care: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

After Care:  3:00 PM -5:30 PM Monday-Thursday and Friday:  3:00-? (depending on sundown) 

Three-Year-Old Class is made up of familiar and predictable routines that give children the confidence to explore independently and to discover and learn through play. In this safe and nurturing environment, teachers act as a guide, extending the child's thinking and setting reasonable limits for behavior to help children develop a sense of self-discipline. 

Days: 3 or 5 days a week -- full and half days available
Hours: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM or 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Before Care: 8:00 - 9:00 AM

After Care:  3:00-5:30 pm Monday-Thursday and Friday:  3:00-? (depending on sundown) 

Pre-Kindergarten emphasizes a curriculum that focuses on activities which develop pre-reading, math and writing readiness skills. Since a child's world is exploding with possibility at this age, the lessons are taught through music, art, movement, drama and a variety of hands-on activities. 

Days: 5 mornings a week

Hours: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Before Care: 8:00 - 9:00 AM

After Care:  3:00-5:30 pm Monday-Thursday and Friday:  3:00-? (depending on sundown) 

Afternoon Kindergarten Enrichment provides an opportunity for morning public school Kindergarten students to join us for lunch and participate in our afternoon of special programs: cooking, fine arts, art history, physical education, and computer education. Bussing may be available from local schools.

Days: 5 days a week

Hours: 1:00-3:00 PM

Kindergarten is a full-day class accredited by the State of New Jersey. Academics are generally taught in the morning when students are better able to focus and concentrate. Subjects include language arts, Hebrew, mathematics, science and social studies. After lunch and recess, the children enjoy special programs such as computers, fine art, art history, physical education and music. The Kindergarten class maintains an excellent staff/student ratio which enables children to move at their own page. Teachers are able to work in small groups, helping to facilitate mastery of each subject. 

Days: 5 full days a week

Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Before Care: 8:00 - 9:00 AM

After Care:  3:00-5:30 pm Monday-Thursday and Friday:  3:00-? (depending on sundown)

Lunch is offered to the Three-Year-Old Class and Pre-Kindergarten Class five days a week. Children enjoy a dairy lunch brought from home and a supervised playtime until 1:00 PM.  Special pizza lunches are also offered throughout the year.

After Lunch Bunch (ALB) is an extended day enrichment program for the Three-Year-Old Class and Pre-Kindergarten Class. Each afternoon focuses on a special activity to enhance a child's view of the world. Programs reflect parents' and children's evolving needs and have included foreign language, computers, gymnastics, science, classic literature, cooking, dance and music education.

Days:  1 - 5 days a week

Hours: 1:00 PM (with lunch) - 3:00 PM (except Friday, which ends at 2:30 PM)

After Care:  3:00-5:30 pm Monday-Thursday and Friday:  3:00-? (depending on sundown)

Register now for the 2009/2010 school year.  For more information and a tour of our School, please contact Amy Olsen, Director, at 973-627-2511.

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Sandcastle Club Camp is a 7-week summer camp program for children ages 2-5. The camp features a fun-filled summer with "theme days," sports programs, swim lessons and water play with certified lifeguards in our above-ground pool. Other daily programs include arts and crafts, music, and storytelling. Creative projects and special events complement weekly themes and good old fashioned fun.
Days:  3 - 5 days a week -- full or half day

Hours: 9:30 -- 3:00 PM

Before Care: 8:00 - 9:00 AM

After Care:  3:00-5:30 pm Monday-Thursday and Friday:  3:00-? (depending on sundown)
Register today!

Parent Teacher Organization

The Parent Teacher Organization sponsors events that include Tot Shabbat, Saturday evening babysitting, Judaic book fairs, workshops, Ladies Night (Vendor Fair) and other holiday celebrations.