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May 13, 2005/Iyar 4 5765, Volume 57, No. 37
Temple Chai preschool selected for national program
COURTNEY KREUZWIESNER
Special to Jewish News
Temple Chai has been selected as one of approximately 15 schools nationally to participate in a prestigious three-year pilot program to create models of excellence in Jewish early childhood education.
The Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative (JECEI) will assist the Chai Early Childhood Center in obtaining national accreditation, provide a mentor partnership with a sister school and award a $20,000 grant.
"We were very impressed with the high potential from the leadership (at Temple Chai) for growth and change and self-reflection through coaching," said Diana Ganger, JECEI program director.
JECEI is a national program designed to increase the number of families with children attending quality Jewish early childhood centers, and raise the number of families continuing to engage in Jewish learning and living after preschool.
Ganger says of the 70 schools considered across the country, JECEI will invite approximately 12 to 15 schools to participate in the program this year. Temple Chai was the only school in Arizona selected.
"This relationship with JECEI really enables us to take our program to the next level," said Debbie Popiel White, director of early childhood education. "We have an awesome opportunity to work with the country's top professionals in early Jewish childhood education. This partnership affords us tremendous resources."
According to Ganger, each school will work with a team of trained melavim (mentors) who will participate in and support them on their journey. The melavim, directors, teachers, lay leaders and families will have the opportunity to attend retreats and network.
Chai Early Childhood Center is currently working on obtaining its accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Once completed, the school will receive the grant funds. White said administrators will likely have a better idea of what the money will be used for as the school moves through the process of working with JECEI. She said the funds could pay for items such as additional professional development training, new programs or upgrading playground equipment.
Three years ago, the school opened with an emphasis on reaching out to families with young children. In addition to the early childhood education program for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years, the school hosts a variety of activities for young families, including parent education classes.
"We want to create a social environment where the children feel good about themselves, and where they love learning. Our developmental program is about creating little mensches," says White. "We want to enable young children to become socially and emotionally ready to further their Jewish education."
White said she was very impressed with how the school and the community came together to apply for the JECEI program. "The teachers and the parents were very involved in the (application) process. I think for me that's what makes this so special - to see everyone come together cohesively for a common goal."
Courtney Kreuzwiesner is a freelance writer in Peoria.
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