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Reform Synagogue’s Early Childhood Education Center Launched Monthly Themes that will Celebrate Director’s 30th Year
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J., July 19, 2019 –Twenty-five families came to sing, play games, and become acquainted with the preschool program and the community at the new family welcome event at Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (TSTI) in South Orange. The event was held on Sunday, July 14 with approximately 70 people attending.
Children were invited to play at various stations, designed to appeal to different interests and strengths, and that reflect TSTI’s sensitivity to learning differences and its inclusive curriculum: a pompom sensory bin, sensory bottles, a jumbo Connect Four game, a play road with toy cars and a “building station” where children hammered pegs into cardboard boxes. Adults enjoyed conversation ice breakers with questions to discuss in groups, and everyone participated in a singalong with Shawn Fogel, TSTI’s song leader, who showcased songs the preschoolers will sing during the school year and during Bimah Time for Shabbat on Fridays.
The event also kicked off a year-long celebration of the preschool community and of the 30th anniversary of Carol Paster, director of TSTI’s Iris Family Center for Early Childhood Education. According to Lauren Byers, the family outreach coordinator for the Iris Family Center, the theme is “planting seeds,” which will highlight different ways in which the preschool builds community and contributes to its growth. Activities at the new family event centered on planting the seeds of belonging; among future monthly activities are planting seeds of inclusivity, equality, nurturing, giving and learning.
“The new family event was a big success; it helped everyone form connections and gave the children a tangible preview of what they’ll experience at school,” said Byers, of Maplewood whose youngest child is entering the preschool in September. A TSTI member for around five years, she served previously as the preschool board chair, assists with various school events, and participates in TSTI’s Wee Care outreach program that supports members during times of difficulty. “We’re looking forward to another great year and to celebrating Carol’s many contributions to our students and the TSTI community at an event on March 14.”
Paster, a West Orange resident, began her history with the Reform synagogue as a congregant and then teacher; she became early childhood education director in 1998. Over the past 20 years, she has brought many innovative programs to the preschool and its highly regarded inclusive environment. The play-based, personalized curriculum combines interactive and creative play with age-appropriate academics, and taps into young children’s natural curiosity about the world around them. Innovations include three outdoor classrooms, a campground, and a STEAM Room where children can experience science, technology, engineering, art and math in ways that promote discovery and experimentation.
“We have evolved over the years to meet our families’ changing needs and address the ways technology is altering not only our children’s world but how they learn,” said Paster. “We plan the curriculum around what our students are interested in, to keep all children engaged and participating in their own way, while providing an enriching, supportive environment.”
“Carol does an amazing job bringing new ideas to the preschool board and implementing them in ways that help our children blossom. We’ve all benefited from her vision and creativity,” said Byers.
The Iris Family Center offers preschool for children ages 2 through 5 and programs for babies from birth to 24 months with a caregiver. Information and registration forms for the Iris Family Early Childhood Education Center are online at https://www.tsti.org/early-childhood-center.
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel is located at 432 Scotland Road in South Orange, and offers numerous ways for members to connect with and celebrate being part of the Jewish community and the world. Welcoming Jews by birth or by choice, interfaith, traditional and non-traditional families, and children of all abilities, TSTI provides lifelong learning and enriching programs for all members through a full complement of religious services, early childhood and religious school education, cultural programs, and activities that foster connection, engagement and community outreach in a joyful, judgment-free environment. TSTI draw members from Maplewood, South Orange, West Orange, Short Hills, Millburn, Livingston and surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.tsti.org.
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432 Scotland Road, South Orange, NJ 07079
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