| Author |
Message |
    
Glenn
Citizen
Username: El_duderino
Post Number: 549
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 12:02 pm: | 
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Does anyone have any experience, thoughts, comments?
Thanks. |
frannyfree
Citizen
Username: Frannyfree
Post Number: 36
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 1:46 pm: |
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What is the question. Both of my kids went to pre school at Beth El and loved it. |
Glenn
Citizen
Username: El_duderino
Post Number: 551
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 2:04 pm: |
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We are considering placing our two and three year old in the program, and just wanted some feedback from parents with experience there.
Frannyfree,
What was it about the school that you and your children loved? |
frannyfree
Citizen
Username: Frannyfree
Post Number: 38
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 2:07 pm: |
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Glenn,
The atmosphere was very caring.
The small size of the school helped them feel like it was their 2nd home and that they were important.
I didn't want a big pre school.
They knew the whole staff and everyone knew them.
Hope this helps. |
Chasm
Citizen
Username: Chasm
Post Number: 257
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 10:26 pm: |
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I agree with frannyfree wholeheartedly. Wonderful preschool. |
Glenn
Citizen
Username: El_duderino
Post Number: 555
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 9:12 am: |
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Thanks for the feedback frannyfree and chasm... |
whome
Citizen
Username: Whome
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 7:34 pm: |
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Great school if you are jewish. My son isn't and after 4 months he swore he was. I don't think preschool should be so focused on religion. Sandy is a really great director. And my son made a lot of great friends. However, I don't think religion should be something he should woory about. I pulled him out after 6 months. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 367
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 8:28 pm: |
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I would never put my child in a Catholic, Baptist or Episcopalian preschool and expect it to be free of religion (whether mention of Jesus, or just of Christmas and Easter). Why in the world do people expect Jewish preschools to be non-religious?
As a Jew, I send my kid to a Jewish preschool so that the holidays celebrated will be Purim and Pesach, rather than Christmas and Easter, and so that she hears Torah stories and Hebrew songs. I send her there so that religion can be something that she enjoys (not worries about...).
I don't mean to sound critical, just stumped as to why someone would send their kids to a church/synagogue preschool if they don't want exposure to the teaching of that church/ synagogue. Are we that short of preschool slots here in town? |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1831
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 9:13 pm: |
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Preschool slots are certainly tight in town. Also, there are not many preschools that have no connection to any religious organization. (The school at the Baird Center and the YMCA come to mind but I'm drawing a blank on any others.) The various church/synagogue preschools have a fairly wide range of religious orientation, however. Some of them are deliberately nonsectarian, while others have a modest to significant level of religious influence in their curriculum. So, it is not a given that a parent who does not want exposure to certain (or all) religious teachings must avoid church/synagogue based preschools. But they do need to ask about this as they search for the right school for their children. And this certainly happens here on this board from time to time. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 368
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 - 9:37 pm: |
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Fair enough. I'm always happy to give information in advance, in hopes of avoiding unhappy mismatches... |
silkcity
Citizen
Username: Silkcity
Post Number: 292
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 8:20 am: |
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Yes, I sought a preschool in the community with no religious affiliation, not even location in a house of worship. I came up with the same few that sac mentioned, the Y ($$$) the Baird Center (SO res get priority), and SO Cty Day. There are others in WO, Millburn etc, but if you want to be here, those are the only games in town.
Thus many, many people look to schools with religious affiliations. It's important to know what the level of observance is, no matter which religion. I don't get where you find this exclusive to Jewish preschools.
Having a child in a religious setting can be a big stress to the family or a real boon. Better to know in advance...
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susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 369
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 9:47 am: |
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Sounds like there is a business opportunity here for someone...(not me!).
I doubt that this issue is specific to Jewish preschools, but I've never seen anyone come to MOL to express surprise about the religious content of Christian preschools. However, the surprise has come up repeatedly about Jewish preschools, so I find it a bit strange. |
Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 1362
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 10:30 am: |
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Continuing off topic...
The YMCA technically DOES have a religious affiliation (hence the "C" in "YMCA"). They do seem to celebrate primarily Christian holidays, mainly in a secular way (Christmas is about Santa, I doubt Jesus is even mentioned). Other religious holidays are discussed (Chinese New Year and Channukah are two examples) but don't seem to get much attention. I think that is more because most of the teachers are Christian versus a religious program being implemented by the Y as they seem to welcome diversity.
I thought long and hard about sending my kids to the Y because I was concerned that it might have a religious "message". When I saw the religious diversity in the student population I felt more comfortable, and it has worked out well for us.
Of course today seems to be much more exciting for my kid than any holiday celebration so far. She was up late last night finishing her valentines... |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 2921
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 11:45 am: |
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The South Mountain Y kindergarten had parents come in and speak of their religious practices. Now, my daughter didn't have much to say about Christmas, but she did learn the names of the candles in the Menorah. |
alan
Citizen
Username: Alan
Post Number: 161
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 1:28 pm: |
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preschool at st. stephens, though in a church, is totally non religious. all holidays discussed and marked, non celebrated. |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7593
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 8:37 am: |
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tjohn, I think it is time to put the C back in YMCA. |
MB Goff
Citizen
Username: Mbgoff
Post Number: 22
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 5:31 pm: |
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tjohn...do you mean the kinarah (sp) used for Kwanza? |
Thespis
Citizen
Username: Thespis6
Post Number: 12
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 8:15 pm: |
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The Y Kindergarten had parents come in to share their holiday TRADITIONS with the class. This included special stories, making latkes, learning the dreidel game, eating holiday cookies and singing holiday songs. We celebrate many holidays at the Y, but do not talk about the religious affiliations with the holidays- no mention of God or any other religious figures. We just try to at least touch on the holidays that the children in the class celebrate, so everyone can learn a little more about eachother! |
Phil
Supporter
Username: Barleyrooty
Post Number: 865
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 - 1:31 am: |
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My ward is at Beth El. He's loving it and so are we - they cook twice a week and we get a weekly letter describing the activities, books and songs he has been doing. The staff are all wonderful. They seem to handle discipline issues extremely well. About 1/2 his class are jewish (we're personally mixed but mostly not) and racially it's well mixed. As for the religious aspect it's there of course, but doesn't seem overwhelming (the vast majority of the stories and songs are secular), and is no more present than in our experience with one of the town's church pre-schools. If you're hanging out with the other families outside school, then you'll be exposed to other families' traditions.
I'd be happy to answer any further questions you might have via privateline.
Phil
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Millburn Resident
Citizen
Username: 1972
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 - 7:48 pm: |
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Does anyone have any experience with B'Nai Israel's preschool in Millburn? Do you know about the ratio jewish/non-jewish kids and level of religion in the curriculum? |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 761
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 - 7:56 pm: |
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Both my children went to B'Nai Israel (one is still there). It is an excellent program -- very well-run and all the teachers are warm, caring, and qualified. Most have been there many, many years. All the children in my son's class have at least one Jewish parent. As far as the curriculum is concerned, they do a Shabbat program every Friday and learn about each Jewish holiday as it comes around on the calendar. There is no celebration of Valentine's Day or Halloween (or Christmas). The school is Kosher dairy. |
Millburn Resident
Citizen
Username: 1972
Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 - 8:25 pm: |
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Thanks for replying. Did you hear about that incident on Sunday, February 13? Do you know if anyone feels their children might not be safe because of what happened? |
whome
Citizen
Username: Whome
Post Number: 9
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 - 8:38 pm: |
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Beth El is a great school. However, since my child is not Jewish, it was hard because he felt he had to be Jewish to fit in. I wanted him to learn and accept other religions but not to feel like he had to become something he wasn't. the director, Sandy, is amazing. I would prefer for my son to learn the ABC's before learning the Hebrew prayer. |
Joe R.
Citizen
Username: Ragnatela
Post Number: 180
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 5:04 pm: |
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Millburn Resident-What incident on 2/13? You can't just leave us hanging like that. Share the information so we can be informed. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 768
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 5:57 pm: |
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The incident was antisemitic vandalsim at B'nai Israel. Someone painted a swastika and an anti-Jewish slur on the building. |
Mummite
Citizen
Username: Mummite
Post Number: 99
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 12:47 pm: |
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I believe the Childrens Academy in Springfield would be non-religious - it was/is a Montessori.
My friends daughter (jewish) is at Beth El and she is very happy with it all - the environment, activities and teachers. |
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