Passover brought exciting events and celebrations to our nursery school. Our children were excited to learn about and experience
Passover, as every child baked matzah together with Rabbi Buechler. Our families joined us for hands-on Passover activities, celebrations
and sweet Passover songs led by our talented Linda Press. A wonderful time was had by all!
How fast the school year has flown by! It’s hard to believe the end of our school year is almost here, as our children planning special
activities to share together. Our toddlers have been enjoying creating projects that reflect the changes that take place during spring. The
culmination of our experience will be a book for each child to share with their families at home. Our three-year-old children have been
using their curiosity to learn about spring and the life cycle of the butterfly. This experience will be enhanced by observing each
caterpillar mature, change into a chrysalis and finally emerge as a Painted Lady Butterfly! Our three-year-old enrichment classes are
having fun while reinforcing age-appropriate skills, as they learned about plant and animal life in our rainforest unit. We had a special
treat when a fire truck from The Dix Hills Fire Department visited our school to teach us about community helpers, thanks to Todd Cohen
who arranged this outstanding experience. Our four-year-old “astronauts” had a blast as they were exposed to
our Solar System and compared planet characteristics. We built an awareness of the many types of dinosaurs, how they lived and theories
explaining extinction. The children are preparing for our trip to Israel, an exciting event that they share with their families. Our classrooms
are magically transformed into Jerusalem, Safed, Tel Aviv, The Dead Sea, The Sea of Galilee, Negev and a Kibbutz. After a short flight
on El Al Airlines (with a snack of course), we arrive in Israel and the children excitedly have their passports stamped and claimed
their luggage. Our four-year-old tourists enjoy crafts, games, music, shopping, dancing and many other stimulating hands-on activities
during their trip to Israel. Happy Birthday to Nola Abromowitz Jenna Atlas, Jake Barazani,
Aerin Black, Addie Blitzer, Rachel Braverman, Hayden Cherlock, Molly Deblinger, Dana Gilman, Vanessa Goldbaum, Alexander
Goldman, Julia Gordon, Zachary Harel, Gale Kurland, Grant Kurland, Chloe Leshnower, Robert Rosen, Aidan Schwartz, Riley
Schwartz and Hannah Tabackman. Our Graduation on Friday, June 8th marks the end of their nursery
school years at Dix Hills Jewish Center. We wish each of our special children the best of good luck, knowing that our dedicated and
nurturing teachers have given them the love, confidence and skills to believe in themselves and succeed in the challenges ahead of them.
I appreciate the support and cooperation throughout the year that we received from our nursery school parents. I would like to thank the
dedicated and loving teachers of Dix Hills Jewish Center Nursery School for making our school so special. Thank you to Rabbi Buechler
for his wisdom and guidance and to Hazzan Bear for his music and the special time that he spends with our children. The support of
Brenda Rosenberg, Melissa Jacobs and the Education Committee is very much appreciated.
I know that our summer program will be fun-filled with old and new friends, and we are looking forward to a successful 2012-2013 school year.
I wish you a safe and happy summer,
Mona Ives
Early Childhood Director