New Admissions Associate Shares Her Passion for CJDS

By Alison Lerner

Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge fan of the Charlotte Jewish Day School (CJDS). Both my kids graduated from Charlotte Jewish Day School, one in 2009 and the other in 2010. I have remained a lay leader, on the board or a committee, or have helped with a project here and there ever since.

So when I recently mentioned to Mariashi Groner, the head of the school, that I was looking for a part-time job where I could contribute to something meaningful, I could not have been more thrilled with the phone call I received later that day…“How would you like to help manage our admissions?” If I had to create a job for myself, I don’t think I could have come up with a better one!

Talking about the CJDS and the influence it has on our children, their families, and our community has been something I have been doing for years. I am so proud of the education, both Jewish and general, that its students receive. They become lifelong learners and adept at critical thinking in a time at which it has never been more necessary. The Jewish values that are the foundation for that education help create truly ethical future leaders of our community because they have been taught that each person is unique and significant, respected and accepted. Judaica is taught in a way that brings joy to each student. Learning Hebrew adds even more richness — in addition to the cognitive benefits of a second language learned at such an early age. Day school graduates become proud and confident members of their Jewish communities.

I have spent the first few weeks as admissions associate contacting prospective CJDS parents. I have been asking for feedback about their perceptions of school, whether they have questions or concerns, what other schools they might be considering, and so forth. Inevitably, the most engaging and enjoyable part of the conversation is letting them know how wonderful the day school education is and how my personal experience might relate to theirs.

CJDS is going to have a transitional kindergarten (TK) class for the first time in many years. For many families, TK is an obvious choice, but for those who have been told by their preschool teachers that their child would benefit from TK, it may be a surprise to hear and a difficult decision to make. When my son Sean was in the 4s and planning to go to CJDS the following year, Fern Sanderson, the then-director of Jewish Preschool on Sardis told us that Sean could use an extra year before kindergarten — that he was physically small and somewhat emotionally immature. “But he’s so smart! And he’s ready!” I remember crying in her office. Fortunately, I knew enough to realize that she only had Sean’s best interests in mind and that I needed to get a grip! TK was the best thing we could have given Sean at the time — it was truly a gift. He had time to mature, developmentally and emotionally, but was still in a “big kid” environment where he was being introduced to elementary school.

Sharing stories like this and others with prospective CJDS parents, while learning about what they want for their children, allows me to share my passion about a school that many in our community don’t know that much about. Each family that comes to CJDS is looking for the next step for its children and has specific dreams about what its children will experience. I am fortunate to work with these families to navigate this decision. I can only hope that their children, and the families too, will benefit from CJDS, just as mine did.

If you are considering TK, elementary school, or middle school (yes, you heard me!) for your child anytime soon, please contact Alison at alerner@cjdschool. org or (704) 366-4558.

Pictured above: Alison and her family in Israel