Ramaz ECC Brochure

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

WHERE FUTURES TAKE SHAPE

‫שלום‬

WELCOME TO RAMAZ. Welcome to the Ramaz Early Childhood Center, a nurturing and interactive environment. At Ramaz, our children are encouraged to explore their Jewish identities and the unique talents and interests that live within them. Every child is given the tools, guidance, and freedom to develop his or her own love of learning.

Our philosophy, based on a developmental approach, fosters the emotional, physical, social, and intellectual growth of every child.

Because children learn by doing, our program is focused on the power of play, through which we enhance students’ interactions with people, places, and the subject matter at hand.

Our child-centered culture addresses the individual developmental needs of each student. Every step of the way we ensure each child has a rich understanding of the values of menschlichkeit, a deep respect of Torah, the Jewish people, Medinat Yisrael, and the meaning of mitzvot.

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Our curriculum is theme-based and child initiated, with many activities centered on Jewish and American holidays, Torah stories and the seasons.

A LIFELONG LOVE OF LEARNING STARTS HERE. 4

On a daily basis, children are taught critical English language and literary techniques. English language development includes receptive (understanding of language) and expressive (being able to communicate with words) language. Every classroom also has a well-defined literacy center stocked with paper, pencils, crayons, and markers. As the children get older and more comfortable with language, the tools change and evolve.

We also display poems, recipes, and charts generated by the children, all of which help to establish a literate

environment and expose the children to the printed word.

All of this allows for a comfortable and productive transition into first grade.

To foster an organic understanding of Hebrew, our classrooms are bilingual.

One of the three teachers in every ECC classroom speaks exclusively in Hebrew throughout the day. This approach, coupled with our Chalav U’Dvash program (a Hebrew language curriculum designed for very young children), promotes rich receptive-language skills and specific excessive-language skills.

As our young students prepare for the Lower School and a life of learning, we connect them to the world through art and music; reading and writing; speaking and listening; numeracy and science; and thinking and doing.

AT THE RAMAZ EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER, GROWTH HAPPENS EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK.

Children are also introduced to Hebrew literature to teach them the Aleph Bet.

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THE RAMAZ MISSION At Ramaz, we are committed to performing our best inside and outside of the classroom.

Our educational philosophy is guided by the theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, and Vivian Gussin Paley.

OUR MISSION As a co-educational, Modern Orthodox Day School, Ramaz strives to educate students toward the following goals: • A commitment to menschlichkeit, reflecting fineness of character, respect for others, integrity, and the centrality of chesed in all its manifestations.

• A commitment to Torah, mitzvot, Ahavat Yisrael, and love and support for the State of Israel.

• A commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, intellectual rigor, scholarship, and a lifelong love of learning.

• Loyalty and gratitude to the United States of America, and the democratic traditions and values of our country.

• A sense of responsibility for the Jewish people and all humankind.

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FACULTY

OVERVIEW

At Ramaz, we know that a love of learning is inspired by those who love to teach. All our head teachers have master’s degrees, or are in the process of completing one. We’re also proud to have Israeli co-head teachers for some classes, all of whom have backgrounds in education.

Our curriculum is play-based, childcentered, and designed to gently guide children on their own unique journeys into the world of classroom learning.

We offer a 3:17 faculty-student ratio for Nursery & Pre-K and a 3:22 facultystudent ratio for Kindergarten.

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The learning becomes even more meaningful because of our integrated curriculum, which means that every activity incorporates multiple subjects.

For example, when children learn about Chanukah, they will not only learn about the story of the Maccabees, but they will also learn numeracy and counting while constructing a chanukiah and will experiment and cook with oil.

THE RAMAZ CURRICULUM INCLUDES: HEBREW IMMERSION Ivrit B’Ivrit, Chalav U’Dvash SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT a sense of self, taking responsibility, pro-social behavior PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT gross and fine motor control

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT learning and problem solving, thinking logically and symbolically LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT listening and speaking, emergent reading, reading and writing INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING behavioral styles, learning styles, life experiences, cultural experiences

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A TYPICAL DAY Exposing children to a variety of social learning settings makes them more confident learners. That’s why on any given day, your child will participate in:

CHOICE TIME Students are free to choose any classroom activity. Around Thanksgiving, we have a sensory bin with corn kernels, painting with feathers, and pattern-making materials.

TEFILAH Children start learning the prayers, with new tefilot and songs added gradually throughout the year.

MORNING MEETING Children gather in a circle for a greeting, morning message, and a related activity, all of which are excellent ways to develop expressive and receptive language and listening skills.

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SNACK

ROOF PLAYTIME

ROOF PLAYTIME

SPECIALTY LESSON Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten classes each have PE twice a week, music twice a week, and library once a week; Kindergarten classes have science once a week and art once a week.

HALF GROUP TIME Half the children take part in Chalav U’Dvash, while the other half work with English teachers.

LUNCH SMALL GROUPS Small groups allow for questioning and learning by using all the senses and give the teacher a good understanding of how each child learns.

CENTER TIME Children learn to work together, take turns, listen to one another and make decisions.

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LEARNING CENTERS

We use a model in which each center is designed to reach a specific goal.

DRAMATIC PLAY AREA sharing, creativity, expressive and creative language skills, themes connected to curriculum

OUTDOOR PLAY large muscle movement, seasons

LIBRARY AREA foundation for reading and writing, love of books

COOKING AND BAKING CENTER literacy, mathematical concepts, science, hands-on activities, nutrition

MANIPULATIVES AREA fine motor skills, mathematical concepts, development of thinking skills

BLOCK AREA problem solving and math, teamwork

MUSIC & MOVEMENT SPACE singing and listening, instruments, physical fitness and coordination

ART CENTER creativity, original expression, free thinking

LITERACY CENTER Sounds in Motion, text-rich classroom, immersive literature experiences

SAND AND WATER AREA science, relaxing, calming, re-energizing

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HOLIDAYS. REASONS TO CELEBRATE.

From Rosh Hashanah through Shavout, the magic of our Jewish traditions are brought to life in every classroom.

They include, but are not limited to: CHANUKAH Students learn about frying latkes and make scientific discoveries related to oil.

PURIM Students write their own plays, learn about the triangle (the shape of Haman’s hat) and investigate the science of sound (vis-à-vis ra’ashanim).

PESACH Students explore the pyramids at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and experience the Seder through their senses.

YOM HA’ATZMAUT & YOM YERUSHALAYIM Each class is transformed into a city in Israel and the children “fly” to Israel using passports they’ve created.

Every week, we gather by grade and celebrate Shabbat, where we learn the Parasha of the week through songs and plays - in both Hebrew and English. We connect with our forefathers, learn the many mitzvot of the Torah, and sing Shabbat songs and rejoice.

Each month, all of ECC gets together and celebrates Rosh Chodesh (the new Hebrew month). We learn through songs and plays, again in both Hebrew and English, and simply enjoy being together.

American holidays are celebrated with the same enthusiasm. Children learn about Election Day by voting on snacks; Columbus Day and Martin Luther King Day by reading books; Presidents’ Day by studying dollar bills with faces of past presidents; and Thanksgiving by making their own dyes. All of these activities integrate math, science, literacy, and art curriculum elements.

Thanks to our ECC “bakers”, you can smell the wonderful aroma of freshly baked challah every Friday — even gluten-free challah!

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FACILITIES & FOOD Our recently-renovated facility includes a modern kitchen where children bake challah for Shabbat, treats for birthday parties, or specialty foods for the holidays (you must try our Chanukah latkes!).

We also have a rooftop play area designated just for the ECC, where children have access to a jungle gym, balls, riding toys, hula hoops, and basketball hoops. Our newest addition is the Imagination Playground™, where children work together to build everything from obstacles to rocket ships.

Every day, children are provided with lunch and snacks. Delicious meals are prepared in accordance with Kashrut laws, and in consultation with a nutritionist and the school nurse. Options are provided for all children, including those with allergies.

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OUR LOCATION We are fortunate to be located in New York City, one of the greatest cities in the world, and take advantage of its educational opportunities whenever appropriate.

We’ve created Parent Visiting Days, where Moms celebrate Chanukah and Dads celebrate Tu B’Shevat.

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In the past, our classes have visited museums, explored nature in Central Park, and met with local community organizations, like the New York City Fire Department and small businesses. Recently, a class learned about bakeries by visiting a local shop and meeting the staff, after which they built a bakery of their own.

At Ramaz, New York City is our classroom — and that applies to every grade.

LET THE LEARNING BEGIN. The Ramaz Early Childhood Center prepares students for a lifetime of discovery. We recognize that when children love to learn, they can go as far as their dreams will take them.

HOURS

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

NURSERY MONDAY – THURSDAY: 9 AM – 2 PM

Nursery and Pre-K students will have a 10-minute observation with a senior member of the ECC staff.

Kindergarden applicants require an observation and an assessment.

FRIDAY: 9 AM – 1 PM PRE-K MONDAY – THURSDAY: 9 AM – 3:10 PM FRIDAY: 9 AM – 1 :10 PM KINDERGARTEN MONDAY – THURSDAY: 8:15 AM – 3:20 PM FRIDAY: 8:15 AM – 1: 20 PM

UPPER SCHOOL

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RABBI HASKEL LOOKSTEIN ‘49 PRINCIPAL PAUL SHAVIV, M.A., M.PHIL. HEAD OF SCHOOL

SMADAR SEINFELD INTERIM HEADMISTRESS, EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AND LOWER SCHOOL

DR. ROBERTA SOLAR ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

LORI ASH DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

KENNETH ROCHLIN ’86 DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

DR. MICHAL FOX ‘92 SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST HEDVA OFEK-SHAI DIRECTOR OF HEBREW LANGUAGE CURRICULUM AND FACULTY SUPERVISION

THE RAMAZ EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 125 EAST 85TH STREET • 212-774-8025 • RAMAZ.ORG Ramaz admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

RANDY KREVAT DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS SHIRA BARUCH ‘83 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS JUDY KAHN ADMISSIONS ASSOCIATE