4 minute read
Reflection and excitement at Preschool of the Arts
Ettie Zaklos, Founder & Director
With incredible communal events celebrating Thanksgiving and Chanukah, 2024 ended on an incredibly high note at Jay and Patty Baker Preschool of the Arts. We were proud to welcome 500 guests, family members and friends to our grand Thanksgiving Performance which took place in Cambier Park in late November. Our audience was regaled with songs and special video presentations from our precious children, all surrounding the theme of “From Our Hearts to Yours.” From the fantastic musical performances to the peeks into the children’s day to catching up with friends over delicious coffee and cookies, we were filled with gratitude for every moment.
Our annual Chanukah Festival in late December welcomed an even broader audience as guests joined us from the greater Naples community. This special holiday event is always a highlight for our preschool students who had an additional opportunity to perform classic Chanukah songs for an adoring crowd. This year our festival theme was “The Great Chanukah Street Fair” as we celebrated in style with street performers, a family train, fun rides and an incredible Sky rider show. An overwhelming turnout from our entire community and exciting activities, games, treats, delicious food and a giant glow graffiti menorah, ensured a Chanukah extravaganza that won’t be forgotten!
We enter the new year filled with appreciation for our incredible Naples community, who continue to turn out to support us and our children time and time again. The year 2025 will mark a turning point for our school as we anticipate the completion of The Big Build expansion project. Currently under construction, the new 17,000-square-foot building will boast additional classrooms, a children’s library, a STEAM center and so many other exciting spaces for our children.
Over the past 14 years, POTA has been blessed to be a part of the educational journey of hundreds of children, some who are almost starting college! We are humbled by how quickly we have outgrown our facility and are so excited that The Big Build expansion project will soon allow us to offer the POTA experience to so many more families.
It is parents, friends and supporters who wholeheartedly believe in our school’s mission that brought about our tremendous growth and will continue building a strong future for our children. If you would like to learn more about The Big Build or join POTA’s community of benefactors who are passionate about building the future of Jewish Naples, please visit www.NaplesBigBuild.com.
Enrollment is now open (and quickly filling up!) for Preschool of the Arts 2025-2026. We are honored by the overwhelming response and encourage prospective applicants to register before all our spaces are filled. Visit NaplesPreschooloftheArts.com for more info and to schedule a school tour.
Enrollment is also opening for our acclaimed Summer of the Arts program, which welcomes children ages 18 months-8 years. This year’s theme will be “Let’s Go Camping!” as our campers discover camp-inspired activities, develop new skills, friendships and unforgettable memories. Visit www.naplespreschool ofthearts.com/summer-camp to register and learn more. We cannot wait for a fresh new year ahead. There are so many adventures to come!
