Shomrai Nursery

Weekly Glimpse

Daily thoughts, expressions, interests, communications, explorations, collaborations, adventures, research and discoveries, as experienced by

students at Shomrai Nursery 2016

Allora

Parshas Pekudei

Candlelighting: 5:53 PM

Havdalah: 6:53 PM

YISE SHOMRAI NURSERY

March 11, 2016 1 Adar II 5776

by Nancy Kohl and Ruthie Cohen

We arrived in Reggio Emilia, Italy and couldn’t help but be struck by the beautiful lyricism and poetry of the Italian language. In Reggio the educators often use elegant metaphors with layered language to describe their system and processes of thinking and learning.  We noticed that everyone used the expression Allora, most frequently at the beginning of a long sentence. After our first day, we asked what exactly does this word mean? We were told it can mean many things: and so, thus, and then, or next to name a few. We decided that perhaps by the end of the study tour, we would discover our own definition of Allora.

Now we have returned from our study tour in Reggio Emilia and are back at work, a bit jet lagged but incredibly inspired! We feel so grateful for this incredible learning experience which will stay with us forever! This journey was a transformative experience; to be immersed in learning and having the opportunity to observe three different schools is a huge gift and we will be sharing what we have learned with our families and educators. 

It is extremely challenging to succinctly summarize all of the learning and experiences that we had. First we need to take some time to process, reflect and absorb what we have learned. We can share how extremely moved we were by the quality of the relationships, the absolute consistency between the system’s core values and the practice of all of its educators, the excellence of the documentation that makes learning visible, the environments which support and provoke children’s learning and social relationships, and the fundamental belief in the competency of children which informs all of their thinking, planning, and teaching practices!  It is inspiring to know that this bastion of excellence in education is so open to sharing, that such deep respect for children, families, and learning is available for all of us to study. We must all borrow the passion and the ferocity from the educators in Reggio to always advocate for the highest quality education; an education that is grounded in Jewish values and demonstrates unlimited respect for children and families.

Before we left Reggio, we were determined to solve the mystery of Allora!  We asked a pedagogista during a visit to the Diana School, to explain Allora’s usage. She shared with us an explanation of its usage and more importantly a window into the deep consideration and thoughtfulness which lies at the heart of Reggio Emilia. Allora is meant to give the speaker and the listener a pause, a chance to reflect before speaking. The value of taking time to consider one’s words, to take time to align one’s words with one’s intent, is truly a reflection of the depth of thought and practice which we experienced. So our plan is to borrow the concept of Allora, to take a pause, be more reflective, so that when we share what we observed and learned, we do it in a thoughtful and planful manner.

Thank you to our

Shabbat Party Sponsors!

Bracha Scher and Family

Michael Slepnoy and Family

Tzvi Koff and Family

Tehilla Mandelbaum and Family

Shoshana Manes and Family

A Capital Challah

Kitat Gefen Takes Learning Outdoors

Calendar Reminders - Next Week! 

Mon Mar 14 - No School; Professional Day

Tue Mar 15 - Conferences in the evening; Aftercare ends at 5PM

Wed Mar 16 - 9AM Start Time; Aftercare ends at 5PMConferences in the evening

Pre-K Trip to Senior Luncheon. Please send your Pre-K child in costume on March 16!

Fri Mar 18 - 3PM Friday dismissal resumes. Aftercare available until 4PM

This week the AM twos created a King Achashverosh mural. Last week worked on Queen Esther and Mordechai. The children used loose materials to cover his body and adorn his crown.

On Thursday, we continued to take learning outdoors enjoying the warm weather and used the parachute. We sang songs with Morah Nancy and all of the children had turns to run under the parachute. The class shook the parachute from side to side, up and down, and went around in a circle. The class counted to ten while shaking the parachute as hard as they could.

Shabbat Shalom,

Morot Daniella, Chaya Sara and Sigla

Adar has arrived in Pre-KChodesh Tov! ״משנכנס אדר מרבים בשמחה״On Thursday, Kitat Rimon began with a discussion of what we could do to make the school a happier place today. Nechama Leeba said that her father saw that some people had put desks and chairs on the roof of a building and drove a car through the hallways! We didn't think that this was so practical to do at Shomrai, however."We can run and play!" suggested Meir."Let's eat Hamantashen!" hoped Moshe K."We could dress-up," offered Rusie. In honor of Rosh Chodesh Kitat Tamar and Kitat Rimon dressed up in costumes. Once the classes were dressed, we joyously sang, marched, and paraded around the playground. The entire school was present. We sang out loud ”״משנכנס אדר מרבים בשמחה accompanied with instruments.When the children in the other classes saw the spectacle, some of them were confused, and were not sure what happened. Other children were excited and started to run alongside the parade. A happy time was had by all!

During center times, the children worked on drawing our monthly Rosh Chodesh self portraits. The idea was for each child to draw themselves in their Purim costume on their photo.“We are now going to draw ourselves in a purim costume,” The morah instructed.The children were silent at first because they were focused on the task at hand.The children also demonstrated an innate skill for sharing the markers. Before long they began a conversation.“Now I'm making my wig,” Ahuva described.“I'm gonna be a white bunny rabbit. This is my real costume that I’m gonna be a bunny rabbit,” Leah announced proudly.“I'm also making my crown, and then I will make my face paint. Look at my clown. I’ll put a red nose.” Ahuva added.“I’m dressing up as a kallah,” Nummy said.“I'm dressing like a super man,”Eli declared.“I am the cheshire cat,” Rachelli said as she explained her photo.“I’m making me Elsa, but it doesn't have to be all blue,” Tehilla volunteered.“I’m gonna dress up as a ninja turtle and then a pirate,” Eliav announced excitedly.“I’m Elsa too,” Rena shared.“I am a king,” Moshe F shared“I am a baker,” Reuven stated proudly.“This is Elsa’s palace,” Rena continued.“My costume is Spiderman,” Moshe J told the children.

In Kitat Rimon, the girls, led by Elisheva and Nechama Leeba, enjoyed decorating their faces with "princess makeup". Meir decorated himself as Achashveirosh, and Gedaliah dressed himself as the Kohein Gadol. Moshe K. was unsure that he could color himself as a ninja, but he ended up drawing a wonderful ninja mask! And as you saw in yesterday's newsletter, Sara was a zebra, and Rafi was a tiger.

When the children finished they were proud of their masterpieces.We can’t wait to see the children in their costumes on Wednesday, March 16.Shabbat ShalomMorot Lisa and Devorah SarahRabbi Mati and Morah Yvette

The PTA is recruiting volunteers and prizes for our

Lag B Omer Raffle and Carnival! We need a few folks to help collect prizes. Or, if you have a prize you'd like to donate (service,

item, gift card) that would be great too!

Consider donating something in honor of your child's teachers.

We also need a volunteer to organize our annual Lag B Omer Carnival.

Please be in touch if you are interested in 1. helping to collect prizes, 2. donating a prize

3. organizing our carnival.

Send an email to Emily at todd.emily.friedman@gmail.com

By Rabbi Mati Pomerantz

This week's parsha, Pekudei, contains a fascinating pasuk: And it was, in the - ויהי בחדש הראשון, בשנה השנית--באחד לחדש"first month of the second year (of leaving Egypt), the Mishkan was erected.” For the last five parshiot (Terumah, Tetzaveh, Ki Tisa, Vayakhel, and Pekudei) the Torah has been discussing little else except for the commandments regarding the building of the Mishkan and the actual construction of the Mishkan and its vessels. And yet, "the Mishkan was erected" - as if by magic, all on its own!

Rashi addresses this seeming inconsistency. He brings a Midrash that when the Jews had completed building all the parts of the Mishkan, they brought them to Moshe to assemble. Moshe asked Hashem, "How is it possible for a human being to erect the Mishkan?" Hashem told Moshe, in short, ”You do your part, and I will do Mine." And so the Mishkan was built! With human effort, no doubt, but as if by magic, on its own!

This is an important lesson for us to remember as parents. The idea of taking a completely dependent baby and raising him or her into a fully functioning person is an overwhelming task indeed. Even just one part of the parenting process, such as potty training or teaching our children to clean up after themselves, can be overwhelming! At the same time, however, we need to remember that while we must do our best as parents, the rest is in Hashem's hands. There may be times when we feel frustrated and overwhelmed as parents, but the knowledge that we are doing all that we can do and Hashem will do His part, should help calm us. And we should know that at a certain point we will look at our child and think - how did this child become so grownup and mature? And although we will know how much work we put into raising our children, it will be as if it happened by magic, all on its own!

Who Built the Mishkan?

Parsha Questions from Pre KLeah: Why did fire come down from the sky to the Mishkan?Nummy: How did the water fill up in the kior by itself?Tehilla: Why did they have to take down the Mishkan?Moshe F: Moshe Rabbeinu, when he was building the Mishkan why does it stand up by itself?Rena: Why did the walls go up by themselves?Rachelli: Why did they have to follow the cloud?Reuven: Why, when the Jews built it, it fell down?Eli: Why did the Mishkan fall down?Eliav: Why couldn't the Jews build the mishkan?Ahuva: Why did the wall pick itself up?Rachelli: Why when B’nai Yisrael try and build the Mishkan it didn’t work, but when Moshe built it, it did work?

On Monday and Tuesday Kitat Gefen made a Purim display for our class. We offered the children different materials and scissors. The children began cutting fabric."It is too hard to cut," said Tzionah. Esti and Eliana agreed with her. We suggested that they cut the shiny papers. The children began cutting."I did it," said Shalom as she was cutting at the edge of the green paper.

Cutting paper was easier than fabric for our class.We heard many echoes of "I did it," as the children cut paper.Kitat Gefen glued the cut paper unto figures of King Achasveros and Queen Esther. We put the two figures on display in our room.”I like Queen Esther, said Esti.

On Thursday, Kitat Gefen continued exploring gragers.

”I have a grager at home. It makes soft sounds," announced Eliana."My grager makes a lot of noise," said Leba."I am going to shake the grager in shul," continued Esti."I am going to shake my grager to Haman's name," said Moshe."I am going to make a loud noise when I hear Haman's name," declared Eliyahu."Haman wanted to do bad things to the Jewish people," observed Esti.The children shook they gragers and sang Shake your Gragers One Two Three It is Purim Day. "

Have a Shabbat Shalom,

Morah Anna and Morah Leah

Purim Preparations in Kitat Gefen

Three’s Purim Party!

On Thursday, parents, guests and students were invited to create their own Purim masks and write cards and pack mishloach maanot for the residents of the Ring House. The mishloach maanot will be delivered on Purim!

Three’s Purim Party Continued

YISE Youth Program Presents

Everything You Always Wanted to Ask a Pediatrician

with Lynn Trombka, MD

Sunday, March 13, 2016 8:00 pm

Small Social Hall

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah 1132 Arcola Avenue

Silver Spring, Maryland

For more information, contact Debbie Katz at dkatz@yise.org

Happy Purim!

Yes, it is that time of year again!Please support YISE Shomrai Nursery by ordering our

beautiful full color, glossy, Purim cards featuring our very own community children!

Order 3 cards for $6

10 cards for $1820 cards for $3630 cards for $5440 cards for $72

E-mail nursery@yise.org and state your name, phone number and number of cards ordering. Call Ruthie Cohen at 301-593-7365 with

questions.

Cards available for pickup

from shul office or

Nursery office from Feb 17

We wish you a freilichin Purim!