The Parents Association Pages
Brought to You by the Barnert Temple Preschool Parents Association
Direct from the Director
Bruchim Ha Baim: Welcome to the 21st Year of Our Amazing Preschool!
This newsletter is a major player in our communication tools, so I hope you will be sure to check it each month. I like to use my space as a “pulpit” of sorts, sharing observations about child development, Jewish tradition, social action and sometimes, just random thoughts. As you get to know my writing and me, you’ll learn that I write as I speak, which frequently means “stream-ofconsciousness” ideas. I tell people that I am not an opinionated person, except about the things about which I have strong opinions. So, you’ll really hear it when something pushes my buttons. You can ALWAYS push back. I don’t expect that we’ll agree on everything, but at least we’ll have something to talk about. Finally, I have changed my schedule to allow me to be “present” every morning in the Preschool entryway (which we call the Atrium) or in the classrooms or school office. If you have questions (after 25 years, I may have good answers!), concerns or just want to offer some positive reinforcement about the Preschool (hugs are good too!), stop me and we’ll catch up. Let me take this opportunity to wish your families Shana Tova: a very happy, healthy and meaningful New Year. Sara Losch (aka: SaraLosch, one word.)
September 2009 Direct from the Director…………….1 September Special Events………………2 Monthly Reminders...…...….3 A Special Thanks Goes Out to………3 Caring Community Update…………….4 High Holiday Young Family Worship……5 Pizza in the Hut Sukkot Event….......6 High Holiday & Weekly Challah Orders……..….…7-8 Sally Foster Gift Wrap & Goodies Sale…….………......9 September Preschool Calendar...….…..10
September Newsletter 2
September Special
BARNERT TEMPLE’S CONGREGATONAL PICNIC SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th, 11 AM – 1:30 PM
Say good-bye to summer and welcome the new school year at Barnert Temple's Annual Congregational & Community Picnic. Food, fun, and friends for the grown-ups and kids. Come grab a burger (or two), chat with some friends, make some new ones, and bring the kids to the preschool playground for a big group playdate with fun and games! The kids will be so excited to see their school buddies and have time to run and play on our fabulous outdoor facilities! What a great way to spend a couple of hours on the last Sunday before school! We hope to see you there!
BTPPA PARENT ORIENTATION COFFEE! FRIDAY, SEPT. 11th, 9:30 AM - 12 NOON
All preschool parents are invited to join us for coffee, light fare and good company at this year's Parent Orientation Coffee. Don't rush out while your child attends student orientation. Spend an hour with your fellow parents and learn more about our plans for the upcoming school year. Sara Losch and representatives from the BTPPA will be on hand to tell you more about plans for the year. We have some new and exciting programs! We will also have volunteer forms and challah order forms on hand. Not sure if you want to order challah? Try some free samples on Friday! We hope to see you all on Friday!
ORDER YOUR HIGH HOLIDAY CHALLAH FROM US! ORDERS DUE FRIDAY, SEPT. 11th
The High Holidays are a busy time of year. Make things a little easier by ordering your High Holiday challah through us. It couldn’t be easier to help yourself out and support the BTPPA at the same time! Zadie's of Fairlawn will be delivering round challahs to Barnert Temple on Sept. 17 for Rosh Hashanah and Sept. 25 for Yom Kippur. The round loaves are $4.50 each and are available in plan, whole wheat or raisin. Profits from all challah sales benefit the BTPPA. Do you know of friends or family who might be interested? Why don't you order challah for them. What a lovely gift to start the New Year! All orders and payments are due on Sept. 11. Simply return your completed order form and payment to the BTPPA mailbox or bring it to the Orientation Coffee. Questions? Contact Amy Miller at awm427@gmail.com.
September Newsletter 3
September Monthly Reminders
Tuesday, Sept. 8 Tuesday, Sept. 9 Friday. Sept. 11 High Holiday Ticket Pickup, 5:30 – 8:15 pm High Holiday Ticket Pickup, 5:30 – 8:15 pm Student Orientation, 9:30 am – 12 noon Parent Orientation Coffee, 9:30 am – 12 noon High Holiday Challah Orders and BTPPA Forms Due Sunday. Sept. 13 Barnert Temple Congregational Picnic, 11 am – 1:30 pm High Holiday Ticket Pickup, 11 am – 1:30 pm Monday, Sept. 14 Tuesday, Sept. 15 Thursday, Sept. 17 Friday, Sept. 18 First Regular Day of School High Holiday Ticket Pickup, 12 – 1:15 pm Rosh Hashanah Challah Delivery 12:30 DISMISSAL FOR ALL STUDENTS (NO HOT LUNCH) Erev Rosh Hashanah Saturday, Sept. 19 Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah Young Family Worship, 2 pm Tashlich Service, Depart from Barnert at 3 pm Friday, Sept. 25 Sunday, Sept. 27 Monday, Sept. 28 Yom Kippur Challah Delivery Erev Yom Kippur SCHOOL CLOSED (YOM KIPPUR) Yom Kippur Young Family Worship, 9 am Friday, Oct. 2 Weekly Challah Orders Due Pizza in the Hut Sukkot Family Celebration, 6:15 pm
This information can always be found on our website at www.barnerttemple.org/learning under “Preschool News & Events” Information at your fingertips – 24-7!
Here Ye, Here Ye…It’s a Call for Volunteers!
The BTPPA will be finalizing the list of committee chairs and class parents (note the name change) during the first week of school. Please be sure to return your volunteer form to the BTPPA mailboxes outside the preschool office by Friday, Sept. 11th. You can even bring it with you to the BTPPA orientation coffee that morning! If you have any questions about our committees or events for the year, please ask a member of the BTPPA Board – Rebecca Rund, Mary Rosenberg, Deb Tomaskovic, Nicole Breen or Michelle Wickwire. We are more than happy to answer your questions!
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September Newsletter 4
Caring Community: Supporting Our Families
What is the Caring Community?
Our families experience times of joy and times of sorrow during their lives. While our children attend preschool together, we share these events and try to support each other. As a preschool community, we all play a role in creating a caring community by reaching out to our fellow families when they need us. However, the Preschool Caring Community has the “official” job of sending meals or gifts to families during times of need ( illness or loss of a loved one) and during times of joy (birth of a baby). The goal is to not only make a “nice gesture,” but to also provide real support and help to families during difficult times. The meals and gifts sent by the Caring Community are funded by the generous donations of our preschool families.
How Can You Help?
You never know when you will need support of the Caring Community. Just ask some of the families who we have helped over the years. Some have faced sudden illness of a parent, injury of a child, or other unexpected and difficult events in their lives. So, how can you support the Preschool Caring Community? 1. Be our eyes and ears and let us know if a family could use our help or congratulations. We can’t help a family if we don’t know there is a need. If you think a family could benefit from a phone call, meal, gift or some other form of support, contact Monica Pollack at monicarussell@optonline.net or (201) 4858126. 2. Make a contribution to the Caring Community fund. Typically, people make contributions in honor of a person/event (i.e., birthday, new baby, get well) or in memory of an individual. We welcome contributions as little as $5, and the recipient does not have to be a member of the Barnert community. We will send a card to your intended recipient with a note about your contribution. Simply place a contribution form (located in the Caring Community mailbox or available on the BTPPA website and your payment (payable to BTPPA) in the Caring Community mailbox outside of the preschool office. It’s that easy.
If you have been a recipient of a meal or gift from the Caring Community, a contribution to the fund is always appreciated. It’s a great way to say, “Thanks!”
The next time you have a joyous event to celebrate Or a special occasion to commemorate, think of The Caring Community. The Caring Community will think of you when you need help!
September Newsletter 5
Special opportunities for our families and youngsters to worship and celebrate the High Holidays together
Our young families and youngsters have special needs during the High Holidays, and Barnert Temple aims to create opportunities for worship that are relevant and accessible to all – including our youngsters! Our family-friendly services are designed to make the themes and messages of the High Holidays relevant to younger children (grades 2 and younger). The interactive services are typically 60-90 minutes in length and help our younger members develop positive impressions of High Holiday worship. Tickets for Family Services are free but must be presented on the day of the service. Tickets can be obtained during one of the High Holiday ticket pick-up dates listed on the Barnert Temple website.
Rosh Hashanah Family Worship Saturday, September 19 at 2 pm Tashlich – Come and Toss Your “Shmutz” in the Stream at Graydon Pond! Saturday, September 19 at 3 pm
Tashlich is a moving and symbolic ceremony where we cast our sins (represented by small pieces of bread) from the year into a moving body of water that carries them away and helps us create a fresh start for the new year. This is a wonderful experience for adults and youngsters alike!
Yom Kippur Family Worship Monday, September 28 at 9 am
Please note that parents are expected to remain with their children during Family Worship.
Celebrate Sukkot & Shabbat
PIZZA IN THE HUT!
A Family Event with Food & Fun in the Barnert Sukkah
(located outside the social hall)
Friday, Oct. 2nd 6:15 – 7:15 pm All are Welcome!
During Sukkot, we are supposed to eat, drink and be merry in the sukkah, so come and join the party! Once again, we will join together to eat, sing, shake our lulavs & etrogs and share the joy of Sukkot with a family-friendly celebration led by Rabbi Frishman & Cantor Sher. Pizza, drinks and treats will be served. If you have never experienced the sukkah, you don’t know what you are missing! Don’t forget your blankets for some “al fresco” dining!
RSVP by Tuesday, Sept. 29
Sheryl Moskovitz at mosk9798@aol.com or Natalie Cohen at ncohen1847@barnerttemple.org
Please let us know how many adults and children will be attending
Questions? Contact the Temple Office at (201) 848-1800
Make your Holidays a Little Easier… Order your HIGH HOLIDAY CHALLAH from us! Place your order by Friday, Sept. 11
Jewish Fast Fact
Why is the challah we eat on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur round and not braided, like the challah we eat on Shabbat? The challah we eat on the high holidays is round to symbolize the unbroken cycle of life. Zadies Bakeshop of Fair Lawn will be delivering round challahs to Barnert on 9/17 for Rosh Hashanah and 9/25 for Yom Kippur. Loaves are $4.50/each. The BTPPA earns a percentage from each loaf ordered. Questions? Contact Amy Miller at awm427@gmail.com
ALL ORDERS AND PAYMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 Place your order and payment (payable to BTPPA) in the “Challah” folder outside the preschool office.
Child’s Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Child’s Class: (please circle)
Mommy & Me Little Sprouts Rising Stars Big Shots
Fantastics
Kindergarten/Explorations
Challah for Rosh Hashannah: # Loaves ____________ X $4.50 = $ ________________ Circle: Plain, Whole Wheat or Raisin # Loaves ____________ X $4.50 = $ ________________
Challah for Yom Kippur: Circle:
Plain, Whole Wheat or Raisin Total Payment: $________________
Yummmm. . . .CHALLAH!
Enjoy fresh-baked challah on Shabbat and support your Preschool Parents Association (BTPPA) at the same time. It’s a no-brainer! Weekly Challah Delivery $108 for the year ($4/week)
A full-sized loaf of fresh challah from Zadies in Fair Lawn will be placed in your child’s mailbox on Friday mornings (delivery dates on the back of this form).
Monthly Challah Dough
$72 for the year ($8/month)
A 3 ½ lb bag of ready-to-cook (or ready-to-freeze) dough from Zadies in Fair Lawn will be delivered to the school on the first Friday of each month (delivery dates on the back of this form). One bag contains enough dough for 4 medium-sized loaves of challah. The dough can be easily frozen and thawed for use each week.
BTPPA earns a percentage of each challah order placed. This is one of our biggest fundraisers each year! Questions? Contact Amy Miller at awm427@gmail.com
Please return your order and payment by FRIDAY, OCT. 2. Place your form and check (payable to BTPPA) in the folder marked “Challah” outside of the Preschool office.
Child’s Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Child’s Class: (please circle) Mommy & Me Little Sprouts Rising Stars Big Shots
Fantastics I would like to order: (please circle) Weekly Challah (plain, whole wheat, or raisin)
Kindergarten/Explorations Monthly Challah Dough (plain or whole wheat)
Weekly Challah: # Orders __________ X $108 = $____________________ Challah Dough: # Orders __________ X $72 = $______________________ Total Payment: $____________________
BTPPA Annual Fundraiser
50% of All sales benefit the BTPPA
Now – oct. 16
The school year means birthday parties, holidays and lots of gift-giving! Save yourself a trip to the store and support your Preschool Parents Association by ordering unique gift-wrap, goodies and gifts from Sally Foster!
There are two ways to order…
Online Orders
• Visit www.sallyfoster.com • Click “Support a Fundraiser” and
Catalog Orders
• Catalogs and order forms will be
enter our school code 68178 • Online orders arrive in approximately 7 business days • Free shipping on orders over $70 • Can place online orders anytime between now and Oct. 16 (even over the summer)
distributed on Sept. 16 • Return your order form and payment by Oct. 16 to the BTPPA mailboxes (outside the preschool office) • Free shipping & no sales tax on all catalog orders • Catalog orders delivered to your child’s mailbox at school on Nov. 18
Anyone can order online or via catalog TO support our school, so tell your friends and family! Happy Shopping!
Questions? Contact our BTPPA Fundraiser Co-Chairs Michelle Wickwire mswickwire@gmail.com DEB TOMASKOVIC ENDTOMO@OPTONLINE.NET
SEPTEMBER 2009 PRESCHOOL CALENDAR
Sunday Monday
1
Tuesday
Wednesday
2 3
Thursday
Friday
4 Preschool Forms Due 11 Preschool Student Orientation, 9:30 am -12 noon* BTPPA Orientation Coffee, 9:30 am12 noon High Holiday Challah Orders Due All BTPPA Forms Due 5
Saturday
6
7 LABOR DAY
8 High Holiday Ticket Pickup, 5:30 – 8:15 pm
9 High Holiday Ticket Pickup, 5:30 – 8:15 pm
10
12
13 Congregational Picnic, 11am – 1:30 pm All Preschool Families Welcome! High Holiday Ticket Pick-Up, 11 am – 1:30 pm 20
14 First Regular Day of Preschool for All Students (including Kindergarten) Hot Lunch
15 High Holiday Ticket Pick-Up, 12-1:15 pm
16 Sally Foster Order Forms & Catalogs Distributed Hot Lunch
17 RH Challah Delivery
18 EREV ROSH HASHANAH 12:30 Dismissal for All Students (No Hot Lunch)
19 ROSH HASHANAH Young Family Worship, 2 pm Tashlich, 3 pm
21 Hot Lunch
22
23 Hot Lunch
24
25 YK Challah Delivery Hot Lunch
26
27 EREV YOM KIPPUR
28 SCHOOL CLOSED YOM KIPPUR Young Family Worship, 9 am
29 RSVPs Due for Pizza in the Hut
30 Hot Lunch
Pizza in the Hut Sukkot Celebration Friday, Oct. 2nd , 6:15 – 7:15 pm Weekly Challah Orders Due Friday, Oct. 2nd