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Federation Star
FOCUS ON YOUTH
December 2020
TEMPLE SHALOM
www.naplestemple.org / 239.455.3030
Excitement in the air By Rabbi Ariel Boxman
A
t Temple Shalom Preschool, we are busy getting ready for Chanukah! Our students are learning about the miracle of the oil lasting eight days and the important battle that was fought for religious freedom. We have been making homemade dreidels, learning Chanukah songs with Miss Jane, and of course, eating our share of latkes and jelly donuts! Chanukah is a festive time here at Temple Shalom and you can feel the excitement in the air. On Sunday, Dec. 13, we will gather as a Temple Shalom community for a morning of Chanukah festivities. Games, crafts and delicious treats will be available for
all our families, as well as a special Chanukah concert performed by our talented preschool kiddos. All families are welcome to join us for this Chanukah Festival. On Chanukah, we are reminded of our freedom and of the wonderous miracles that we experience each and every day. As the year 2020 is coming to an end, may we be reminded of our blessings and the personal miracles we have all experienced, even in this unusual and challenging year. May 2021 be a year of peace, blessing and happiness for all! Happy Chanukah from Temple Shalom Preschool!
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF NAPLES
Ezra Feldman and his classmates learning Chanukah songs
Lions (Pre-K 3) making Chanukah decorations
www.chabadnaples.com / 239.262.4474
The heart of it all By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool of the Arts Founder & Director
T
he holidays are a time of joy and family. A time to make connections, celebrate traditions and build relationships. At Preschool of the Arts, we love to use the holidays as an opportunity to bring our entire community together for special celebrations. We know that the largest educational gains occur when teachers, students and parents work together toward the same goals. Creating a joyous community atmosphere for our students and their families allows our community members to meet and greet one another in more social settings and fosters stronger and deeper relationships that benefit all. This year, that presented a unique challenge, as our classes have been separated into learning pods, parents and visitors cannot visit our campus and teachers wear masks at all times. While all of these measures, and many more, have been incredibly effective in keeping us safe, and our children learning and thriving in the classroom, they are not the most conducive for communal celebration. Still, we were determined not to let COVID-19 stop our POTA family from celebrating our biggest event of the year — our musical Thanksgiving
performance. With careful planning and logistics, we were able to pull off a safe, socially distanced, in-person event at Cambier Park. This event brought Preschool of the Arts students enjoy adventures with friends and our school community practice early STEM skills as they learn through play. together in person for the first time since the pandemic began. to expand our offerings that ensure our supportive environment where the chilThough we were six feet apart, there POTA children are receiving the best dren can thrive. was such a special power and magical of the best. We know that the creative I am so grateful that the Naples comcamaraderie that comes with seeing each arts support emotional well-being, munity has rallied around our vision for other face to face instead of through a allowing young children to reflect on excellence in Jewish early childhood eduscreen. The children performed with great gratitude and joy. Our new naturecation. Our school has been recognized fanfare, sharing songs tied to our event inspired studios will unleash our children’s for cutting-edge programs and dedicatheme, “Live With a Grateful Heart.” imaginations, ensuring a stronger, more tion to quality, but it is our parents and At a time of much turmoil, focusing on confident future. stakeholders who whole-heartedly believe nurturing little grateful hearts and finding The holidays are also a time to stop in our school’s mission that drive our the silver linings in the storm was deeply and reflect, and I want to express my tremendous growth. meaningful to all. tremendous gratitude to the devoted and To learn more, schedule a tour to The Thanksgiving event also kicked talented staff who make our preschool experience the magic of POTA and our off POTA’s new initiative, “Art With possible, especially during COVID. From state-of-the-art campus for yourself. Heart,” which will help us transform and our nurturing and professional teachers Enrollment is now open (and quickly upgrade our indoor and outdoor Studios and staff to our specialists in art, gardenfilling up!) for Preschool of the Arts of the Arts for our children. Parents and ing, science, sports, music, dance and 2021-2022 as well as our acclaimed children had the opportunity to paint a more, to the support staff who work so Summer of the Arts programs. We are all part of a unique art installation that will diligently behind the scenes — our office excited at the prospect of another fulfillbeautify our new indoor studio. We love staff, security officer, on-site staff — each ing and growth-filled year at Preschool involving our parents in opportunities one plays a critical role in building a of the Arts.
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