early childhood
ENGAJE Long Island invites the Early Childhood faculties of participating schools to its winter Yom Iyun. Click here to download the information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SAJES Jewish Early Childhood Directors Network presents Simchat Morim, our annual conference for Early Childhood Educators, on Thursday, March 19 at Temple Beth Torah in Melville. The theme of the day is "BRINGING OUR GIFTS TO THE SACRED COMMUNITY OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOM ":
With the changing face of society, we are struck by how different families are today than they were ten or even five years ago. The same is true in our educational settings. The challenges faced by today’s teachers are unique and in many respects, more challenging than ever before. As our society restructures itself with a wide variety of factors from blended families and isolation of the nuclear family, to concern for personal fulfillment and economic and political uncertainty, we are faced with unprecedented challenges. Cathy Rolland, Director of Early Childhood Education at the Union for Reform Judaism, will explore these current social pressures and discuss how our Jewish early childhood settings can be effective in offering a well designed toolbox for our families and their young children.
From the SAJES and BJE Early Childhood Education Department Team: Jewish early childhood education is a priority at SAJES and at BJENY. The EC Departments of SAJES and BJENY are working together to create a mutual vision of Jewish EC education for the greater New York region. We are beginning by coordinating some programs, leadership opportunities and events such as regional directors networks, professional development seminars, directors days, population focused list serves and more. Together, the EC departments of both agencies look forward to enhancing and enriching the profession of the Jewish EC educator. We seek to elevate standards of Jewish practice, bringing the centers to even greater heights of strength and learning. We invite you to download/read this brochure on EC professional development offerings so you know what opportunities are available for you and your colleagues.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SAJES recognizes that Jewish early childhood education is often an entry point - the first "official step" into the Jewish community. Susan Remick Topek is the Director of the SAJES Department of Early Childhood Education, providing multiple and varied professional learning opportunities for all EC educators. Under her guidance and direction the department:
- publishes Chagim Supreme, the 2008-2009 a weekly newsletter with ideas and suggestions for holiday study and celebration for the preschool and primary classroom.
- You can also find a full collections of A Sense of Jewish Symbols, the 2007-2008 newsletter, and
- Israel 24/7, the 2006-2007 newsletter with great ideas for teaching Israel in the early childhood classroom.
- facilitates the SAJES Jewish Early Childhood Directors Network, a group representing 21 preschools who have been inspired, though the work of the Network, to develop quality seminars and presentations on topics that impact developmentally appropriate curricular changes in their schools and in the methods, techniques and philosophy of the teachers.
- hosts Simchat Morim, our annual conference for Jewish Early Childhood Educators, attended by more than 200 EC educators.
- facilitates the Teachers of Toddlers and Twos Chat Group (3Ts), a professional development forum for teachers of toddlers and twos. Meeting every six weeks, each session offers a discussion topic with resources specific to Toddlers and Twos, as well as featuring a time for an open form discussion. A 'Certificate of Participation' is given at the conclusion of each meeting.
- NEW! A pot luck evening for Teachers of Threes and Fours. Teachers are invited to bring original ideas for curriculum, activities and events to share on an announced topic. Resources and an open forum for discussion is included. 'Certificate of Participation' is given at the conclusion of each meeting.
- hosts workshops to update educators’ skills on topics such as CPR and First Aid.
- provides both on and offsite workshops for early childhood and primary educators and an Early Childhood Resource Center for both parents and educators.
Simchat Morim 2008 was a great day. Click here for pictures.
Watch your mail and email for information on Simchat Morim 2009!
ENGAJE Long Island, a project of SAJES, is dedicated to transforming Jewish Early Childhood Education in this region. ENGAJE Long Island is made possible through generous funding provided by the Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal (CoJIR) of UJA-Federation NY.
SAJES is a change agent for the professional learning of early childhood educators. We are excited and proud of ENGAJE Long Island, a project that is transforming Jewish early childhood educators and education on Long Island. We believe that through their participation in ENGAJE LI, the current cohort of eighty Early Childhood educators in five sites on Long Island will have the motivation, knowledge and tools to enact and integrate new ideas into the Early Childhood classroom.
Dont' miss photos of the successful opening Yom Iyun at the Long Island Children's Museum.
The five participating institutions in this first cohort for ENGAJE Long Island are:
Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz coordinates ENGAJE Long Island. Click here for more information on ENGAJE Long Island.
For more information on SAJES Department of Early Childhood Education, please contact Susan Remick Topek.
