Newsletter

Riverdale Temple Nursery School News

September 2023

This summer, we had an amazing summer camp program that ran for six weeks. We had six groups, with over 75 children, which is the largest summer camp we have had to date. Each week, the children participated in art, sports, movement, library, and a special program, such as the farm, and the bubble bus. We had plenty of water activities, spent time bouncing in the bouncy houses, and ended each day with a popsicle. 

Now that summer camp is over, I am looking forward to the 2023-24 school year. All our classes are full, and we look forward to welcoming our families at the meet and greet on September 7th. This year we have three 2’s classes, three 3K classes, and 3 PreK classes. This year, the children will participate in a different special each day of the week. They will have art and yoga with our new teacher, Joy Langer, movement with Kara Tatelbaum, and Music with Dafna Israel-Kotok. In addition, our 2’s will have Tot Shabbat on Fridays with the Rabbi and Cantor, and our 3’s and 4’s will participate in a new gardening program with the company, Grow Torah. This program will use our new garden as an experiential classroom, and the lessons will explore the relationships between humans, the earth, and our fellow creatures. Children will learn to cultivate compassion for all creatures, how to take care of the earth, and give back to our community. Our after school program will include Lego fun, dance, sports, and an extended day option until 5:00 p.m.

We have added new play structures in our playground, and created a new sensory space in our library. This sensory space will be used to help children regulate their emotions, it will give our service providers a more efficient place to work with our students with individualized education plans (IEP), and we will be able to support all our students as needed through the help of our new special ed support teacher, Stephanie Cruz. Stephanie will be working with specific children one-on-one, and she will act as a support to our teachers by giving them tools to use with children who may need a differentiated learning experience. 

This fall we will also continue our Tiny Tot program for children ages 15 months to 24 months and their caregiver. This class is taught by Rebecca Zinger, a member of our community and long-time parent of RTNS. Our Tiny Tots program was so popular last year that we have added a third day this fall. Space is still available if you are interested in participating in this program.

Having recently returned from a two-week trip in Israel with my family, I am excited for this upcoming school year. One of the many things I love about Israel is the sense of community I feel when I am there — it feels like home. Within the walls of Riverdale Temple Nursery School, we continue to foster and provide that same feeling through our curriculum and our special events. Wishing you all a Shana Tova and a happy new year.

Best,
Alexandra Abikzer
director@riverdaletemplens.org