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Vol. 86 No. 11 • November 2021
26 Cheshvan - 26 Kislev 5782
Happy Hanukkah
Akiva School and Jewish Middle School Receive COVID Funds from Jewish Federation By BARBARA DAB
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he ongoing COVID19 pandemic means big changes for local Jewish day schools, and The Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s Human Services Relief Matching Fund is there to help. Resources from the fund are helping Akiva School and Jewish Middle School adapt to create safer, healthier learning environments for their students. Eric Stillman, CEO of The Jewish Federation, says, “Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee earned a matching gift from the Jewish Federations of North America’s Human Service Relief
Akiva students learn in outside classroom spaces using funding from The Jewish Federation’s Human Services Relief Matching Fund.
Matching Fund specifically to assist local Jewish organizations faced with extra costs because of the pandemic. When Akiva School and Jewish Middle School learned of the opportunity to apply for funding through our Federation, both schools were able to identify specifically those additional expenses which they are facing this academic year as a result of COVID. We are proud to partner with Akiva and JMS to help the schools provide a safe and meaningful learning environment for their students.” Akiva School received approximately $34,000 from the fund to purchase tents that allows for outdoor learning. Even with the changing seasons, classes Continued on page 9
Revere Montessori Preschool’s New Playscape Makes the Outdoors Come Alive with Wonder By BARBARA DAB
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trickling stream, a birdwatching wall, and a stage filled with musical instruments are but a few of the dreamy features of the Revere Montessori Preschool’s new outdoor playscape. Created to take advantage of the existing playground and surrounding topography, the outdoor space beckons both children and teachers to go out and explore. Esther Tiechtel, the school’s Director, says attention was paid to even the smallest detail to encourage learning. “The goal was to create a natural setting that would help with gross motor skills and imaginative play. A concrete artist created a creek that winds downhill to watch the water flow, there are tiny blue stones that look like sea glass, everything was considered.” The project was designed and managed by Corye Nelson of Creative Construction Concepts. According to Tiechtel and her teachers, Corye’s previous experience as an early childhood educator, most recently at The Temple, was an asset when it came to creating the right environment. Debra Turciano, one of the teachers, says A Publication of the
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she was particularly happy with Nelson’s process, which included checking in with the students first. “The first thing she did was engage the children. She invited them to sit in a circle and talk about what they wanted for the playground, and then had them draw pictures. I knew right then it was going to be a special place because of Corye’s background.” Using words like “magical,” and “enchanting,” Turciano says the space has added another resource for lesson planning and learning. “It’s just opened up so many possibilities to utilize the outdoors. We can study physics, properties of matter, density, and gravity. We can celebrate holidays and lifecycle events outside, too.” The space also offers new opportunities for gross motor development. Devora Davidson, mother of twoyear-old Charlotte, says she has seen a big improvement in her daughter’s skills. “She had some developmental delays and wasn’t walking when she started preschool. But after spending some time in the new space, she was encouraged to learn to stand better and now she’s walking,” she says. Continued on page 10 New Tax Laws 2021, page 3
A massive arbor provides much needed shade. WES New Executive Director Finds His ‘Perfect Job’ in Nashville, page 5
Akiva Welcomes New Students in Annual Sunflower Ceremony, page 11
At Our Congregations, page 25