The hours your child spends with us will be a safe and enjoyable experience. It is with this goal in mind that we have prepared our Parent's Guide. Please read it in its entirety so you are familiarized with our policies and procedures.
PROGRAM
To each family enrolled in The David Joshua Berg Nursery School at Temple Beth Torah, we make a commitment to provide your child with a safe, secure and loving environment. We believe that the early childhood years should be a time of fun, discovery and encouragement.
Our program includes experiences in creative arts, science, cooking, stories, Jewish culture and tradition, games and large muscle activity. The activities we plan are designed to enhance each child's social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth and to build self-esteem. It is our hope that each child will leave us with a feeling of great self worth and confidence and that each family will always remain a part of our temple family.
ADMISSIONS
Children are placed in classes according to the child's age as of December 31st. Class sizes are limited, therefore admissions are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Temple Beth Torah does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race or religion.
TUITION
A non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 plus a deposit, which is refundable until March 1, is due at the time of registration. The amount of tuition and deposit are stated on the application contract. Tuition is paid in quarterly or ten monthly installments. The deposit will be applied to the last payment. The balance of the tuition is to be paid in four installments due on August 1, November 1, February 1 and April 1 or in 10 monthly payments beginning in July. Refunds are not issued for absences, school closings or snow days. There are no make-up days. Non-payment of tuition may cause removal from the program.
ARRIVAL AND PICK-UP
No child will be admitted to a classroom before the class is scheduled to begin. Our teachers come to class early so they can prepare a fun and exciting day.
Please be prompt in picking up your child. It is very upsetting to a child to have to wait for a parent who is late. Parents should wait in the hall at dismissal time.
For reasons of security there will be no dismissals from the playground. Temple Beth Torah is not responsible for providing transportation to and from school.
AUTHORIZATION TO PICK-UP A CHILD
No child will be released to a person not authorized in writing to pick up the child. We require written notification of any play dates or car pools that are arranged. All individuals (other than parents) must sign children out before we will release them.
In the event that an authorized person does not come to pick up the child at the end of the school day we will hold the child, without late fee until an authorized person can be reached. If we are unable to reach anyone we will contact the police and will release the child to them.
SNACKS
We provide a healthy daily snack. Snacks are used as a part of our curriculum and are often related to classroom topics and holidays. Please advise the teacher in advance if you would like to send in a special treat for your child's birthday or for other special occasions.
PLAYGROUND
Weather permitting, we will use the outdoor playground throughout the school year. Your child should be dressed in clothing that will enable him or her to be warm outdoors. Provide sweaters and jackets even on the first sunny fall days.
ILLNESS
Your child's health is a matter of major importance to all of us. No child will be admitted to school without a current medical completed by a physician.
Keep your child home if he or she has any of the following signs of illness:
Has a fever or has had one during the previous 24-hour period.
Has a cold.
Has an earache.
Has symptoms of possible communicable disease (these are usually sniffles, reddened eyes, sore throat, headache and abdominal pain).
Please notify the school at once if the child does have a communicable disease.
Has been on prescription medication for less than 48 hours.
Any child who becomes ill during school hours will be brought to the office while we call the parent of emergency contact to take the child home.
TZEDAKAH
The giving of tzedakah (money for charity) teaches children the importance of sharing with others who are not as fortunate as we are. Each class will maintain their own tzedakah box. We ask that you encourage your child to bring in tzedakah (even if it's just a few pennies) to foster the seed of fulfilling this important mitzvah.
HOLIDAYS
We will learn about and observe Jewish holidays that occur throughout the school year. We also will celebrate many secular holidays such as Mother's and Father's day. We do not celebrate Halloween or Valentine's Day.
TOYS FROM HOME
Except for toys that are needed in the very opening days of school to help ease your child's transition from home to school, we ask that you leave your child's toys at home or in your car. That very same toy which you thought would comfort him or her, becomes a source of tears and frustration when ruined, lost, or taken by another child.
BOTTLES AND PACIFIERS
For reasons of health and safety we do not allow bottles of pacifiers in our classrooms.
DIAPERS
Many schools do not change diapers. We do, but to avoid misunderstandings we have established the following guidelines on diaper changing: We will change diapers if your child appears uncomfortable, requests to be changed or if we detect an odor. No diapers will be changed during the last 15 minutes of class. Please make sure your child comes to school in a clean diaper. Parents are responsible to replenish their own child's supply of diapers and wipes.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
We welcome parent participation and invite parents to join us in school holiday celebrations throughout the year. Parents are invited for Sukkot, Thanksgiving, Passover and Shabbat. Parents may observe their child in class, are encouraged to regularly discuss their child's progress with the child's teachers and have semi-annual parent/teacher conferences. It is very important for parents to share with the teacher any changes in the home environment as these changes may affect the child in school as well.
In the early years of a child's life, a warm and supportive atmosphere encompassing new and exciting experiences are significant factors in development and growth. The David Joshua Berg Nursery School at Temple Beth Torah combines the best elements of early childhood education with enriching experiences in Jewish living that lead to the formation of a positive self-image and Jewish identity. A staff of caring teachers in an environment equipped with state of the art early childhood equipment provides a setting in which individual development will flourish within a group setting. An outdoor playground center and indoor gym equipment designed specifically for pre-schoolers afford year round areas for large motor skill development. Selections of programs are offered for two, three, and four-year-old children.
A part of the Temple Beth Torah Nursery family since its inception, Zelda began work as a head teacher in our Mommy & Me program in 1991. With the expansion of our program in the fall of '92, "Miss" Zelda taught Terrific Two's, a position she held through June 1998. During the 1997-98 school year, she was a head teacher in our three-year-old program as well. In her 6+ years as Head Teacher, her responsibilities included assisting with the interviewing, selecting and in-servicing of assistant teachers and curriculum development for our Toddler Program. With the departure of her mentor, Paula Rothman, Zelda assumed the position of Nursery School Director in the fall of 1998.
