CHABAD JEWISH CENTER All in the family

By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool of the Arts Founder & Director

At the beginning of May, I found myself sitting in our beautiful preschool Garden of the Arts with my entire staff, celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day. I looked around at the laughter, the connection and the peaceful atmosphere, and realized that it truly felt like being together with family.

We had made it through an academic year like no other, teaching through a pandemic, and were able to bond over the shared experience. POTA has always called ourselves a family, and that begins with staff feeling like family. That warmth and connection spills over to our students and parents, creating a community that genuinely cares for one another.

This May, we complete 10 years of Preschool of the Arts. It has been a rollercoaster of a journey with a lot of blood, sweat and tears invested into building this institution from the ground up.

Ten years ago, I could never, in my wildest dreams, have imagined a preschool that looks like ours today. Back then, we were starting a fledgling preschool with a vision of an excellent early childhood education and my two daughters as the first students enrolled in the school. I had no idea what POTA would become, but the foundation was set on an idea of creating a family of professionals who always put our children first.

We sought out early childhood educators who are driven to give 100% of themselves, reach for greater heights and love and nurture confident and creative young learners.

Over the last decade, we have been buoyed by parents, educators, and supporters who believed in our vision and I thank every person who helped make this dream a reality.

Built on a foundation of family and growth, there is no such thing as stagnation. If we are family, we want the very best for our children and we make it happen. That is how we expanded to new elements of our program — the Children’s Marketplace, the Garden of the Arts, the Nature Playscape, the Blue Blocks Imagination Playground, updated playground equipment and the brand-new Studio of the Arts, which we just opened this month!

Just like a home renovation is inspired by wanting better for our family, these extensions of POTA were driven by wanting to give our children the best.

Our parents give so much to us and we always strive to show our gratitude for our POTA family. Mid-month, we brought our community together – in person – for a special Mother’s Day event.

At POTA, we know that the mothers give their all to our children every single day, long after pick-up time, and deserve all of the recognition in the world. In a fun-filled Spa-rty, our adorable preschoolers pampered their moms with manicures, pedicures and hairstyling, along with gifts and performances. It was an exciting day filled with mommy and me memories.

At the end of May, our end-of-year celebrations and performances highlighted the children’s yearlong achievements and thanked those who guided the students to reach their full potential. We were so excited to celebrate the hard-won accomplishments of our Pre-K graduates at our graduation ceremony in Cambier Park.

The milestone marked their growth and successes throughout the years in our preschool. It is always a complete joy to watch how the once tiny toddlers have become capable, schoolready children!

Throughout this past year, our dear children have discovered so many new aspects of the world around them, gaining a multitude of skills and knowledge through exploration and play that will serve them well on their lifelong journey of learning.

I thank our dear parents for entrusting your precious children to our care. POTA is the home away from home for your child and we cherish every moment. They are, and forever will be, a part of our family.

For more information about our program, please visit NaplesPreschoolof theArts.com, email NaplesPreschool oftheArts@gmail.com or call 239- 263-2620.