Joyous celebrations in March

Ettie Zaklos Founder & Director

March felt like one long celebration at Preschool of the Arts (POTA). We started the month with one of our favorite traditions – POTA’s annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day! We welcomed over 300 grandparents and special friends to our Garden of the Arts and Nature Playscape for a fun-filled picnic party. There is a certain joy and special affection that only grandparents can bring, and it was evident on everyone's faces throughout the magical day.

From the teddy bear tea party to the picnic playdough to the musical meadow, it was a day of smiles and sunshine, filled with love and intergenerational fun. The children got to craft their own picnic sandwiches, explore a table of bug and butterfly-inspired loose parts, enjoy a sensory small world oasis and indulge in delicious treats. There were cake pops, pastries and picnic activities galore! It was heartwarming to see the smiling faces and witness the bond between the children and their grandparents.

To top it off, we presented our grandparents with a framed gift the children handcrafted just for them along with custom picnic blankets to take home and create even more memories with their grandchildren in the future.

At POTA, we cherish the opportunity to host grandparents and foster the special bond their grandkids share with them. We know that being a grandparent is one of the greatest gifts in life, and we were honored to recognize the special role grandparents play. Throughout the day, we were inspired to witness the overwhelming pride and joy on all our grandparents’ faces, beaming as the children demonstrated their tremendous accomplishments and growth. Most wonderful of all was the way the children burst with pride, as each one felt special and loved.

At POTA, we are not just a preschool; we're a place where families come together to create lasting memories. Our commitment to educating the whole child means involving the entire family in our activities and events.

Purim festivities

The fun continued later in the month with an elaborate “Seussical Purim” mega-party that was enjoyed by all. The well-attended holiday event welcomed the Greater Naples community to enter a world inspired by Dr. Seuss, with a Hopon-Pop bounce house, a Cat in the Hat photobooth, Seussian Smiles face painting and a Sam-I-Am savory pizza buffet. There was even a Seussville ride-on train to take us around. Oh, the places we went and the memories we made!

In our classrooms, children enjoyed plenty of Purim festivities, dressing up in costumes, singing Purim songs and baking Hamantashen. In art class, they designed and decorated beautiful baskets, then filled them with yummy goodies. The children then gifted their basket to a friend in the Purim custom of Mishloach Manot, encouraging sharing, giving and friendship.

Summer of the Arts

Want to be a part of it all? Sign your child up for Summer of the Arts 2024! Our summer experience is like dozens of specialty camps rolled into one. Families can sign up for all six weeks or for one of our two sessions, which run June 3 through July 12. Enrollment is filling up fast! With high demand and limited availability, we encourage prospective families to enroll today.

Preschool of the Arts and Summer of the Arts are also hiring! Reach out today to NaplesPreschooloftheArts@gmail.com to learn about openings and join our incredible, growing team of innovative educators.