Pre-School Billy Dalwin Pre-School (BDPS) Notes In 1986, Robert Fulghum published the best-selling book, observed important benefits from moving many of our activiAll I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. It presents ties outdoors. And we’ve experienced joyous and meaningful lessons learned in kindergarten and describes how the world connections at family events like the Sh’ma Pajama Party and would be better if adults followed the same rules of kindness, the BDPS Havdalah even using a Zoom platform. sharing, cleaning up after themselves and balancing work, play The staff and I will apply all of this learning as we joyfully and learning. Fulghum’s book prompted me to think about plan for Passover and our annual BDPS Israel trip. The format what I have learned at the Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple might be different than in previous years, but the level of Emunah during this year of the COVID-19 pandemic and I’d engagement and hands-on learning will be the same. like to share those thoughts with you. We are also beginning to plan for our Kaytana Summer First, I have learned that the power of community is much Program and the 2021-2022 school year. Kaytana will operstronger than the power of COVID-19. The BDPS staff, families ate this year from Tuesday, July 6–Friday, August 13 and very and board of directors, the Temple Emunah staff and lay lead- limited space remains. If you know of anyone who would ership collaborated to build an infrastructure that overcame like more information about Kaytana or our school program, the challenges created by the virus and the restrictions that please contact me at the Pre-School office. I’d be happy to set it imposed. And thanks to this successful collaboration, we up a virtual tour. have been able to provide our children with a warm, engaging L’Shalom, and safe preschool environment every day. Shelley Rossman, Pre-School Director Second, I have relearned the value of hard work and think781-861-0708; srossman@templeemunah.org ing outside of the box. Since we entered the age of COVID, I have embraced my creative problem-solving skills… over and over again. There have been no short-cuts and often when I thought that a task had been completed, requirements changed and I needed to start again. But keeping the end goal of reopening Billy Dalwin Pre-School (BDPS) in mind, it was clear to me that it was worth the effort. is now accepting applications for toddler & pre-school classes for the 2021–22 school year. Third, I have been reminded of the importance of encouragement and appreciation. In the most demanding times, they Children may enroll in our half-day (9 am–1 pm) keep us going strong. This year we are celebrating the 30th or full-day program (9 am–3:30 pm) Monday–Friday. anniversary of the Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah Extended hours are available from 8–9 am daily . and I am so grateful for our amazing board of directors and COVID restrictions permitting, BDPS will reinstate our our incredible staff. Ailsa, Amy, Anna, Audrey, Brittany, Deb, Keshet Plus Program from 3:30-5:30 pm Monday-Thursday Hannah, Kate, Nareeluck, Sally, Sara, Sue and Tanya have as well as our gap camps in February, April and June. been the heart and soul of BDPS in 2020-2021 and they were recognized by the board along with former BDPS teachers at a virtual Teacher Appreciation Brunch in February. Most important, this year has renewed my belief in the resilience of children. If we pay close attention, our children can be our best teachers. The toddlers and preschoolers at the Billy Dalwin Pre-School entered in September expecting to have fun, to play with their friends and to experience the joy of learning. I am proud to say that their expectations have been met on a daily basis. The masks don’t matter, the frequent handwashing doesn’t matter, the social distancing doesn’t matter and the new daily routine doesn’t matter. It hasn’t even mattered that parents can’t come into the building for drop-off and pick-up. They only things that have mattered to our children is that they are back at the school that they love, learning and growing with their friends and teachers. During this year, we have reexamined our BDPS values and our beliefs about what constitutes quality Jewish early education. We’ve seen that children can learn the value of For more information or to receive an application packet, sharing even if they are using different materials. We’ve created please call Shelley at the Pre-School office (781-861-0708). new ways for children to benefit from sensory play even if we can’t have a sandbox or water table in the classroom. We have
8
