torah tots pre school parent handbook

TORAH TOTS PRE SCHOOL
PARENT HANDBOOK
A project of Chabad Lubavitch of Markham
www.chabadmarkham.org
2
TORAH TOTS PRE-SCHOOL
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
Welcome to Torah Tots Pre-School. We are pleased that
you have chosen us as a “home away from home” for
your Pre-Schooler. We at Torah Tots are proud to offer a
creative Jewish environment where your child's unique
style is valued and nurtured. We encourage your child to
explore the world, to learn to be part of a group and to
solve problems in a constructive manner. Learning is
self-rewarding, joyous and non-competitive.
Torah Tots endeavours to create a unique, warm and
friendly environment with caring teachers who above all
are concerned about your children and shower the
children with love and affection.
Torah Tots shares with parents the important role of
raising children to be caring, responsible and creative
Jewish children. We look at each child as an individual
worth our attention and respect.
We are concerned that children learn how to care for and
respect others so we help them to learn non-violent
friendly ways of communication and co-operation.
TORAH TOTS FACULTY &
ADMINISTRATION
We use a traditional approach and hands-on technique in
presenting Judaic stories, Shabbat and holidays. With
the help of our Rabbi, we introduce the children to the
Shul, Torah, Mezuzah, Shofar, etc. All this is
approached in a way that Pre-School children will
understand and enjoy.
Goldie Plotkin, Director
Tel. 905.886.0420 x 225
Emergency 416.505.0480
We are concerned that children be raised in a creative
and encouraging atmosphere, so we plan a program that
respects their individual abilities and personalities. Our
program focuses on social and emotional growth, the
foundation for learning and living.
Martine Veiner, B.Ed. Literacy Consultant
Kinneret Feuer, Yoga Teacher
Estee Silver & Soochie Eizicovics, Founder
& Directors of Let’s Get Moving
Torah Tots provides the excitement of new discoveries
and development of responsible and independent
thought. Torah Tots impresses upon the child basic
attitudes, skills, and an ability to study that will always
stay with the student. Our philosophies & policies are
annually reviewed by the Director & staff to re-evaluate
its effectiveness and to make the necessary
amendments.
Jay Stenzler, Director of Sports with Jay
Esther Alexander, Administrator
905.886.0420 x 222
Rabbi Avraham E. Plotkin, Spiritual Leader/
Executive Director,
Chabad Lubavitch of Markham
905.886.0420 x 224
Torah Tots is a program of Chabad Lubavitch of
Markham.
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Torah Tots Pre-School
3
Statement
of Philosophy
Torah Tots Faculty
2
2
I.GENERAL INFORMATION
School Program
4
Fee Policy
4
Location and Entrance
4
II. CHILD’S ABSENCES, ARRIVALS AND PICK-UPS
Absences
5
Arrivals/Pick-Ups
5
Inclement Weather
5
Apparel Needs for Children
5
III. HEALTH & SAFETY POLICIES
Supervision Policy
6
Minor Accidents
6
Playground Safety Policy
6
Administration of Medication Policy
6
Emergency Information
7
Injuries
7
Serious Occurrence Policy
7
Anaphylaxis Policy
7
Childcare Supervision Policy
7
Criminal Reference Check Policy
7
IV. THE DAILY PROGRAM
Curriculum
8
Montessori
8
Reggio Emelia Philosophy
8-9
Our Enrichment Program
9
Classroom Management
9-10
V. SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Let’s Get Moving
10
Sports with Jay
10
Mad Science
10
Book and Briefcase
10
Science Box
10
Music
10
Show and Share
11
Math Sacks
11
Shabbat Party
11
Birthday Shabbat
11
Shabbat Kit
12
Shabbatots
12
Old Age Centre
12
Field Trips
12
Visitors
12
VI. MISCELLANEOUS
Parent Volunteers
13
Yarmulkes/Kipot
13
Tzedakah
13
Mitzvah Note
13
Parent Information Board
13
Statement of Nutrition
14
Snacks & Lunch Menu
14
Birthdays
14
Nut Allergies
14
Parent-School Communication
15
General Concerns
15
Newsletters
15
Parent Absence
15
Diaper Change Procedure
15
Beautiful Junk/Arts & Crafts
15
3
4
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Torah Tots Pre-School is licensed by the Ministry of Community
and Social Services and is associated with the BJE (Board of
Jewish Education). Our staff consists of qualified and experienced
teachers who are trained in early childhood education. Our
teachers participate in a continuous program of in-service education
and studies for professional advancement in order to remain alert to
the ever-changing needs of today's families and to the findings of
current research.
At Torah Tots Pre-School, your child will be offered a
comprehensive secular curriculum that includes reading readiness,
concepts in numbers, science and social studies. In addition, he/
she will be exposed to a rich and meaningful Jewish program
consisting of Jewish holidays, traditions and the Hebrew alphabet
and language. All of the above is taught through music, art and
creative play.
We hope to make you feel a part of our “family” as Torah Tots is a
place where parents and, indeed, the entire family play a very
integral part of the educational process. Through holiday
celebrations, newsletters, parent conferences, social activities and
PTA functions, your family becomes a significant part of the Jewish
community.
SCHOOL PROGRAM - TIMES
Our programs run as follows:
3 day program: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
2 day program: Tuesday and Thursday
5 day program: Monday to Friday
Hours: 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.
Enrichment Program: 12.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.
FEE POLICY
Upon registering your child/ren into Torah Tots Pre-School, there is
a non-refundable registration fee. The balance of the tuition is to be
paid in (9) payments dated the first of the month, with the first
payment being September (see Tuition Schedule).
You are required to give one-month notice in writing if you wish to
withdraw your child/ren from the Pre-School. This allows Torah
Tots time to fill the vacancy. You may at that time request for the
balance of monthly post-dated cheques not yet deposited.
LOCATION AND ENTRANCE
Torah Tots is located at 83 Green Lane, East of Bayview Avenue.
There is one driveway leading into our property. Please obey the
traffic signs. We ask all parents to please park in the marked
parking spaces near the special Torah Tots entrance. Entry to the
building for Torah Tots is only through the rear of the building.
Should you need to go to the office, please visit the house across
the driveway. Under no circumstances may any parent stop their
vehicle on the driveway. This will cause a major congestion and is a
fire hazard. A Directory will be posted indicating the classroom
allocated to your child.
4
II. CHILD’S ABSENSES, ARRIVALS AND
PICK-UPS
APPAREL NEEDS FOR CHILDREN
5
Please send with your child a complete, labelled change
of clothing. (i.e. socks, underwear, shirt, pants) in a plastic
bag (with the child’s name written on the outside of the
bag). This change of clothing will remain at school until
the season changes.
1.Please inform the school if your child will be absent for
any reason.
2.Please inform the school via car-pool or telephone call
in the event of communicable disease (i.e. chicken pox,
conjunctivitis (pink eye), measles). In recent years we
have found many parents neglecting to inform the
school of a communicable disease. We strongly feel
that sending a child to school with any sign of a
communicable disease is not only being indifferent to
the well-being of other students but moreover the
parent is placing their child into a very uncomfortable
situation that can easily be avoided by keeping them
home.
Please keep in mind that your child will be engaged in
messy crafts/ floor activities/ water play. Play clothes are
a must. On the first day of school please send along a
smock or an old large shirt for painting. In spite of
wearing protective smocks, they sometimes get paint or
other media on their clothing, so please dress your child
accordingly.
Please see that a pair of labelled, well‑soled slippers or
sneakers are kept at school for daily use during the boot
season.
3.Children attending school are expected to participate in
outdoor play. Please do not send your child to school
unless he is well enough to participate in outdoor
activities.
Please dress your child appropriately for outdoor play.
Labels on coats, hats, scarves, mittens and boots
minimizes loss and confusion. We cannot be held
responsible for lost items that were not labelled, as there
are many children who have the same items of clothing.
ARRIVALS
If you arrive early please remain with your child until the
classroom doors open at 9:00 a.m. There should be no
running around in the school building.
As soon as school begins, at 9:00 a.m. our teachers must
be completely involved with supervising your
children. All conversations with teachers must be
reserved for after school hours, except in the case of an
emergency. There is a message book outside each
classroom if you need to leave a detailed message and/or
a telephone number where you can be reached.
Children in Pre-Nursery still in diapers should send an
ample amount of diapers and wipes.
At the beginning of the school year each child will be
expected to purchase a Torah Tots T-shirt that is to be
worn on all field trips. The cost for the T-shirt is $10.00
and will be available for sale on Orientation Days.
PICK-UPS
If you want another person to pick up your child from
school, the school must have written notice, dated and
signed by you, stating the name of the individual you
authorise to pick up your child and the date you are
authorising them to do so. No child will be dismissed
to an individual not authorised in writing to pick him/
her up. This policy will be strictly enforced – please
co-operate.
PLEASE BE PUNCTUAL. Dismissal time is 11:45‑ 12:00
p.m. Before leaving, please ensure that you have all your
child’s possessions, including boots, backpacks, etc.
Please do not pick up your children earlier than dismissal
time.
Enrichment Program: Dismissal is at 2.00 p.m. or 3:30
p.m. For further details on our Enrichment Program,
please see (IV. The Daily Program).
INCLEMENT WEATHER
The decision about closing the Pre-School for inclement
weather will be made by the Director. Closing will be
announced on CFRB 1010, and CFTR 680.
5
III. HEALTH & SAFETY POLICIES
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION POLICY
The health 6of Pre-School children is important to their
parents and is also a concern for our faculty. It is the
parents’ responsibility to determine that their child is well
enough to come to school. If you child is not feeling well,
please keep him/her at home. This will protect him/her
health as well as the health of the other children in the
class.
Although ill children are required to stay at home,
children whose illness is not infectious may return to
Torah Tots if they are feeling well. Some children
require routine medication/treatment over 24 hours.
Torah Tots may choose to administer the medication/
treatment providing it can be done safely.
If the staff considers a child too sick to be exposed to the
other children, parents will be called and asked to pick up
the child as soon as possible. The staff will use their own
discretion concerning the seriousness of a cold.
Each prescription or medication must be accompanied
by a written authorization from the parent. Refer to
For health precautions, children’s hands are washed
with soap after they use the washroom, have their
diapers changed, paint or do messy crafts, and before
food is served. Teachers wear gloves and lay fresh
examination paper on the change table when changing
diapers. They also wash hands with soap upon
completing the diaper change. Day care children bring
their own sheet and blanket for naptime, that will be
sent home every week for washing.
Children must have their immunizations up to date
before being allowed to start the school year. No child
can enter school without a copy of their immunization
record on file.
SUPERVISION POLICY
The supervision policy states that volunteers and
students do not have unsupervised access to children
in child care centres.
MINOR ACCIDENTS
In the case of a minor accident, the staff member who is
closest to the injured child will take the following steps:
Staff member treats child.
Staff member phones parent if she is unsure whether
further medical treatment should be sought.
Staff member fills out Accident Form.
Director signs Accident Form.
Parent signs Accident Form.
PLAYGROUND SAFETY POLICY
Torah Tots Scheduled Medication/Treatment Record
form.
If the medication is to be given at the judgment of a
Torah Tots staff person or in an emergency, please
refer to the Torah Tots Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan
form.
The parent should hand deliver the medication in the
original container and the device for dispensing it, and
give the written instructions to the appropriate Torah
Tots staff member. Refer to Torah Tots Scheduled
Medication/Treatment Record form.
Medication must be stored as directed and kept in a
locked container/cabinet.
It is preferable to remove a child from the activity area
to administer medication in a quiet environment with the
least possible interruption.
Medication should be administered in a well-lit area.
For each child receiving medication, an entry should be
made on the Torah Tots Scheduled Medication/
Treatment Record form. The Torah Tots staff member
who is giving the medication should list each dose
administered and the time. If a dose is omitted, reasons should be listed.
Our Playground Safety Policy contains supervision plans
for the playground with diagram of playground showing
Any accidental administration of medication (i.e. mediwhere staff will be positioned.
cation to the wrong child or dose error) should be
There must be adequate supervision of children on the
playground to provide a safe outdoor play environment,
recorded and reported Goldie Plotkin, who should then
and to promote creative and constructive play for children.
notify the child’s parent immediately
Staff ratios cannot be reduced on the playground. Staff
must position themselves so that all areas of the
playground are visible, and must scan all play space
constantly. A staff must be within three meters of all 6 Torah Tots Scheduled Medication/Treatment Records
will remain in the Torah Tot’s school records for a miniclimbing equipment. Staff schedule for each playground
mum of two years.
which will be posted and kept in the Playground Safety
binder.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
ANAPHYLAXIS POLICY
7 that parents supply the school with their
It is important
daytime telephone numbers and telephone numbers of
relatives or friends authorised to act for the parents (in
case the parents cannot be reached).
Each child with anaphylaxis will have an individual
Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan. A copy of this form will be
kept in the child’s file, in the zippered case with the Epipen,
and also posted in each classroom and the kitchen. In the
event that the child has an anaphylactic reaction, the staff will
follow the procedures laid out in the child’s Anaphylaxis
Emergency Plan.
Parents should notify the office promptly, in writing, of any
change in address, telephone number, as well as any
change regarding emergency situations. Promptness
and accuracy are necessary to keep records up to date
and to communicate with the home when necessary.
CHILDCARE SUPERVISION POLICY FOR VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS
Behavior management policies and procedures are
reviewed with volunteers or students who will be providing
care or guidance at Torah Tots Pre-School before they
begin providing care or guidance and at least annually
afterwards.
In the event of an emergency, the following procedure will
occur:
An attempt will be made to notify the parent.
Depending upon the severity of the emergency, the child
may be taken to the emergency room for treatment or
911 may be called.
If the parents cannot be reached, an attempt will be made
to notify the emergency contact.
If the emergency contact cannot be reached, an attempt
will be made to communicate with the child’s physician.
All teaching staff are trained in first-aid and CPR.
There is a written procedure for monitoring the behavior
management practices of volunteers or students who
provide care or guidance at Torah Tots Pre-School.
The individual plan for a child with anaphylaxis and the
emergency procedures are reviewed by volunteers and
students who will be providing care or guidance at Torah
Tots Pre-School before they begin providing that care or
guidance and at least annually afterwards.
INJURIES
Criminal reference checks are required for all volunteers
having direct contact with children in Torah Tots
Pre-school and for all persons usually on the premises of
Torah Tots Pre-School.
In the event of a minor accident, G-d forbid, the
following steps will be taken:
1. Staff member treats child.
2. Staff member calls parent if she is unsure whether
further medical treatment is necessary.
3. If parent is unavailable, contact on application form
will be called.
4. If contact is unavailable, child will be treated with the
best of care at school, or taken to the doctor.
In the event of an emergency, the same procedures
will be done, only staff members will call 911 first.
The ministry criminal reference check policy does not apply
to students placed in the child care program by an
educational institution; however criminal reference checks
are routinely required by community colleges and
universities prior to students beginning a placement in child
care.
CRIMINAL REFERENCE CHECK POLICY
In order to comply with the policies of the Ministry of
SERIOUS OCCURENCE POLICY
All Serious Occurrences will continue to be reported to
Children’s Services in accordance with the current Serious
Occurrence Reporting Policy and Procedures.
Enhanced Serious Occurrence Reporting procedures will be
followed when emergency services (i.e., police, fire and/or
ambulance) are used in response to a significant incident
involving a client of Ministry of Community and Social
Services and/or the incident is likely to result in significant
public or media attention.
The Director is responsible for reporting an incident that
requires Enhanced Serious Occurrence Reporting. If the
Director is not available the Torah Tots Administrator, as
delegated by the Director prior to leaving the Centre, will be
responsible.
The Centre’s Designated Authority is the Supervisor who will
ensure that the Ministry’s early alert system is notified within
three (3) hours of becoming aware of the incident.
Community & Social Services, the following policy has been
approved by the board of Directors of the preschool, effective
March 1, 1995, and approved by vote of the members at the
annual general meeting on May 31, 1995.
Criminal reference checks will be done for the following staff,
student and volunteer positions:
7
1.
All new teachers hired by the school;
2.
All substitute teachers;
3.
All new students who attend the school as a part of their training, or
others who attend to do community service work. An exception will be
made for short-term volunteers (20 hours or less) or those who will not
have unsupervised access to the children.
4.
All new approved duty day substitutes;
5.
All new volunteer parents;
6.
All new employees
IV. THE DAILY PROGRAM
While participating in these activities, each child will have
opportunities to:
8
Our class schedule
can be summed up in the following way.
When the children enter the classroom in the morning, they are
greeted by their teacher, then given the freedom to explore the
various learning activities and interest centres that have been
prepared before their arrival. These centres are changed from
week to week, day to day, and sometimes from hour to hour.
Paint. Clay. Collage. Musical instruments. Blocks, Books. Dolls
to bathe. Suitcases to pack. Flour and salt to make play dough
with. Special things for special days. And each day is a special
day.
There are enough interest centres and activities going on at
one time that knowing that motivates the child. Always
something new or some way that is new. But always enough
things remain the same to provide the securities and comfort of
familiarity.
- play with his/her peers and alone
- share and take turns
- explore and discover
- learn new concepts, ideas and tasks
- develop creativity
- expand interests and abilities
- learn about the world around him/her
- develop gross and fine motor skills
- learn and practice the social skills needed to make friends
and play/work co-operatively
- construct with materials that may otherwise be unavailable
- use “messy” art materials
- learn from others while broadening his/her horizons
- develop a healthy sense of self-worth as well as respect for
others
CURRICULUM
MONTESSORI
We are pleased to offer a Montessori segment in our school.
It is an unusual mix of the best of both worlds being provided
to the Torah Tots children. The basic principle of the
Montessori theory is that children progress at their own level.
The Montessori classroom operates on the principal of
freedom within limits. We define freedom not by allowing the
child to do what he likes, rather by liking what he does!
Through freedom he comes to self-discovery! The steps of
learning any concept are well analysed by the teacher and are
systematically offered to the child. A child is always learning
something that is indirectly preparing him to learn something
else. The principle of teaching from concrete to abstract, from
simple to complex assures any child any orderly
understanding of any given concept.
Torah Tots Pre-School provides a curriculum that incorporates
all areas of a child’s development (physical, emotional, social
and cognitive) through an integrated approach.
The curriculum emphasises learning as an interactive process.
Teachers prepare the environment for children to learn through
active exploration.
Opportunities are provided for children to choose from a variety
of activities, materials and equipment with time to explore
through discovery and involvement. Adults facilitate children’s
engagement with materials and activities and extend the
children’s learning by asking questions or making suggestions
that stimulate children’s thinking.
When the environment and teachers meet all the needs of
children, they become physically healthy, mentally and
psychologically fulfilled and well educated.
To promote the child’s total development, the following activities
will be included in his/her Pre-School experience:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Creative Art • Cooking Projects
Language Experiments (oral & written)
Puppet Play • Storytime • Water/Sand play
Dress-up • Housekeeping
Construction Activities • Games
Block play • Creative movement
Outdoor play • Fingerplays and Rhymes
Manipulatives • Prewriting Activities
Reading Readiness Activities
Playing with friends • Science Experiments
Computer Literacy • Dramatic play
Playing With Toys • Flannelboard activities
Music and Rhythms
Math Activities • Puzzles
Books • Woodworking
... And more
The Montessori curriculum covers all principals, skills and
problem solving, science, geography, history, art and music.
REGGIO EMELIA PHILOSOPHY
The Torah Tots philosophy has always been to consistently
grow and expand our horizons. As such, I have been
researching a highly acclaimed philosophy which some of
you may be aware of – the Reggio Emelia approach to Early
Childhood Education.
This approach has attracted educators and researchers
from around the world. Many of the top schools in the U.S.,
U.K and Australia have been inspired by the Reggio
approach.
Some of the key features of Reggio Emelia’s Early
Childhood Program are as follows:
Role of Environment as Teacher
8
Within the Reggio approach, the teachers place great attention to
the look and feel of the classroom. The teachers organize
environments that are rich in possibilities and encourage students
to undertake extended exploration and problem solving.
A classroom atmosphere of play and joy pervades.
OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Children Multiple Symbolic Languages
This program runs from 12 noon until 2.00 p.m. or
3:30 p.m. and includes:
Torah Tots has
9 consistently been using Dr. Howard
Gardner’s notion of Schooling for Multiple Intelligences. The
Reggio approach is in sync with this integration of art,
cognitive, linguistic and social development. We constantly
make sure to provide our students with art, drama, music,
puppetry and play.
Mad Science: Brings a unique, hands-on science
experience to children that are both entertaining and
educational.
Creative Cooking and Baking Day: Each week a special
activity will be explored through measuring, cooking,
baking and using a multitude of sensory experiences.
Sports with Jay: Focuses on developing children’s
motor skills, physical aptitude, overall confidence and self
–esteem.
Music with Lynn: Brings an impressive assortment of
some of the most popular Hebrew and English Folk
and Holiday songs. Musical techniques to improve
your child’s dynamics, tempo, beat and rhythm will be
taught.
Enriched Literacy: For our JK & SK students. We will
focus on reading and writing through games, stencils
and projects.
Documentation as Assessment and Advocacy.
This documentation is unique to Reggio and is something
that we will be focusing on very strongly next year. Your
children’s work will be documented daily and will be displayed
regularly for you to understand your children’s expressions,
ideas, feelings and interpretations. Teachers act as
documenters for the children, helping them trace and re-visit
their words and actions.
Long-Term Projects
Our children will work through projects which can be short
term - one week, or long term – throughout the school year.
The projects are child-centered and they can choose to
re-visit them again and again. Teachers will help the children
make decisions regarding the direction of study.
Parents provide dairy or pave, nut free lunches. No meat
products are permitted.
Home-School Relationships
The goal of classroom management is to help the child become
self-disciplined. This is viewed as an integral part of educating
the young child.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Children, teachers, and parents are interactive and work
together. We will endeavor to include our parent body with
the implementation of the Reggio approach into our school
and ensure that the vision of “education based on r
elationship” comes into fruition at Torah Tots next year.
Discipline at Torah Tots Pre-School will take the form of positive
classroom management.
The school recognises that children are unique individuals who
behave and learn in different ways.
One Hundred Languages of Children
The school strives to help the child become self-controlled, that
is, to help him/her to experience the intrinsic pleasure in a
ppropriate behaviour as opposed to “behaving” just to please
adults.
By: Loris Malaguzzi
The child is made of one hundred.
The child has a hundred languages, a hundred hands, a
hundred thoughts.
A hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking.
A hundred, always a hundred ways of listening, of marveling,
and of loving.
A hundred joys for singing and understanding.
A hundred worlds to discover.
A hundred worlds to invent.
A hundred worlds to dream.
The focus of this past year’s Art Exhibit was One Hundred
Languages of Children. The theme was inspired by Reggio’s
philosophy. The feedback we received from our parent body
was outstanding. We are sure you will be equally fascinated
by what is about to come this year.
We hope that by bringing the Reggio Emelia
approach to Torah Tots, we will discover and unfold your
child’s love of learning, discovery, and of life. We are
confident this will complement our already successful and
vibrant program at Torah Tots.
On our Curriculum Night in September we will
welcome Tiziana Ciccone, our Reggio consultant who will
address the parents and teach us about the Reggio
philosophy so parents and teachers can work together toward
reaching new goals in our curriculum.
The school encourages children to be independent and to solve
their own problems. The teacher will lead the child to this point
gradually, offering assistance and modelling along the way.
The school takes into consideration behaviour that is typical
and developmentally appropriate and provides developmentally
appropriate equipment, materials and activities.
Expectations are stated in the positive form, such as “Please
walk” versus “Don’t run”.
Teaching staff use meaningful and descriptive praise.
Teaching staff respect the child.
Teaching staff do nothing to humiliate or shame the child.
Teaching staff speak to the behaviour, not the child; e.g. “Hitting
hurts. Let’s find another way to solve this problem”, instead of
“You are a bad child for hitting”.
9
The child is allowed to experience the natural and logical
consequences of his/her behaviour whenever possible. For
example: the natural consequence of playing too roughly with
The logical consequence of spilled paint is that you need to
help clean it up. A natural consequence requires no outside
involvement.10A logical consequence needs an adult to follow
through.
If necessary, in order to prevent a child from hurting himself or
others or from doing damage to equipment, a teacher may
block the child without physical restraint. The child will be
helped as lovingly as possible with a helpful attitude rather than
a punishing or admonishing one. The child is allowed to express anger, frustration, sadness, hurt or fear – all of which are
honest, healthy emotions.
“Sit and watch” is used after other management techniques
have been tried. During “sit and watch”, the child sits on a chair
within sight of the teacher. The child may determine when he/
she is ready to get up, or a short (2 or 3 minutes) time limit may
be set. In rare cases, a child will be asked to leave the classroom and sit in the office for a short time, always supervised.
No corporal (physical) punishment is used.
V. SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
LET’S GET MOVING
This part of our program offers a fun-filled interactive program
for pre-school children that focuses on developing and
strengthening gross motor skills while incorporating music,
instruments, songs and finger play as well as hoops, balls of
all sizes, colourful scarves, parachute, bubbles and much
more. We include interactive activities which encourage
children to work together with their peers in a fun and
stimulating atmosphere. By engaging the children in a variety
of physical activities, we create a high energy learning
environment where the children are encouraged to expand
their minds and exercise their bodies.
SPORTS WITH JAY
This program is focused on developing children’s motor skills,
physical aptitude, overall confidence and self–esteem. It is
taught in a non-competitive, structured and fun fashion. This
ensures that each child will benefit from the program at his/
her own pace. Even children, who usually don’t express an
interest in sports have a great time.
Co-operative Games: The programs are successful because
they always start with co-operative games. While these
games are lots of fun, they also promote teamwork so the
children learn the importance of sportsmanship and encouraging others. Some of the sports we play at Torah Tots include: soccer, baseball, basketball, floor hockey, tennis, volleyball, lacrosse and dodge ball.
MAD SCIENCE
Torah Tots is proud to partner up with Mad Science, the
world’s leading science enrichment program. Mad Science
gives a unique, hands-on science experience to children that
are both entertaining and educational. The program
10
introduces a world of discovery while sparking children’s
imaginations. Mad Science encourages scientific literacy in
children in an age when science is as vital as reading, writing,
particular area of science and include topics like rocketry,
magnets, polymers, and even the science of toys! Children
engage in exciting hands-on activities, watch spectacular
demonstrations and take home things that they have made
themselves like model rockets, periscopes, Mad Science
putty and more.
BOOK AND BRIEFCASE
An attractive briefcase full of stationary, scissors, pens,
crayons, etc. is given daily to one child at Torah Tots. This
child will have the opportunity to choose his/her favourite
book from our school library to include in a B & B. The
purpose of a B & B is to give you and your child the
opportunity to read this book together, draw or write
something that your child will share with the class the next
day. We hope this will foster a healthy literary development
in your child.
THE SCIENCE BOX
Our Junior Kindergarten classes incorporate our Science
Program called “The Science Box”. Each week a child will
be chosen to take home a box full of science experiments.
You will have the opportunity to experiment with your child
using the many usual and unusual objects that we will
supply. Upon completing your experiments, your child will
have a chance to share his/her observations with the class.
You might develop an Einstein after all!
MUSIC
An impressive assortment of some of the most popular
Hebrew and English Folk and Holiday songs have been c
hosen for the children to learn. Musical techniques to
improve your child's dynamics, tempo, beat and rhythm will
be taught. Music class also features folk dancing, musical
instruments, and drama/ poetry, developing musical
memories of pattern and rhythm and much more.
11
SHOW AND SHARE
Wednesday will be Show and Share day. The children can
bring in any item they choose from home (of course, with the
approval of Mom first!). They will have the opportunity to talk
about it to their classmates during circle time and share it
with their friends during free play. This gives the children an
opportunity to share their belongings with their friends while
boosting their confidence. Toys should only be brought in
for Show & Share Day. Teachers cannot be responsible for
toys brought in at any other day.
MATH SACKS
Welcome to Math Sacks. We hope that you and your child
will have an exciting time together exploring the wonderful
world of math. Math Sack contains a different math activity
extending concepts currently being taught in your child’s
class. These activities serve to involve parents in the
learning process as well as reinforce the math concepts that
the children have learned in school. Each Math Sack also
includes a book that relates to the theme of the activity, and
some Math Sacks contain extra fun activities that you may
want to try with your child. Math Sack is not homework, but
is meant to be a fun activity for the children to share with
their parents.
SHABBAT PROGRAMS:
SHABBAT PARTY
Friday is a very special day at Torah Tots. On Friday we
organise a Shabbat party for the children. Every week a
different boy and girl will be chosen to be the Eema
(Mommy) and Abba (Daddy). A note will be sent home in
the beginning of the week informing you if your child was
chosen. The Abba should bring along 2 small Kosher
Challah and the Eema should bring a special nosh for the
class.
The real Mommies of these children are then invited to join
us for this special program and take pictures of these
precious moments. Kosher foods must be purchased
through IGA, Clark and Hilda. This program also takes place
on Thursday for those children who attend only 2 days per
week.
BIRTHDAY SHABBAT
Every Hebrew month there will be a Birthday Shabbat
celebration for children whose birthdays fall within that
month. Parents and extended family members will be
invited to attend this celebration, which takes place on
Shabbat at our Synagogue. Your child will be called up for
a special blessing in honour of their birthday. They will
also receive a beautiful “Hebrew” Birthday Certificate and
enjoy a huge Birthday Cake at our Kiddush following
services. Invitations will be sent out a month prior.
11
SHABBAT KIT
12 one boy and one girl from each class will
Each Shabbat
be given a Shabbat Kit to take home for the weekend.
This kit contains two Challah, grape juice, candlestick and
candle, head coverings and a Journal. The families are
asked to use this Kit and then write their comments in the
Journal. The Kit should then be returned to school on the
following Monday.
SHABBATOTS
ShabbaTots is our Shabbat program for Torah Tots age
children. They meet with Morah Esther on Saturday
mornings at 10.30 a.m. to learn the delights and wonders
of Shabbat first hand. This program makes the transition
into Torah Tots that much easier – the children become
familiar with the building and its layout. Please try and
join us before September – you’ll be so glad you did!
OLD AGE CENTRE
Periodically the children will visit an old age centre to
bring the elderly the spirit of the holiday or just simply a
smile. This program has as everlasting effect on the
children, giving them as appreciation for different phases
of life and helps them to learn how to communicate with
the elderly in their own respective families. This program
is for our older class.
FIELD TRIPS
Throughout the year your child will participate in several
exciting and educational field trips. Permission slips will
be sent home and must be signed and returned before
each trip. The school will make arrangements for
transportation with a private bus company. When
needed, we will ask of parents to help chaperon and
accompany us on some outings. We always appreciate
your voluntary assistance and urge you to participate
whenever possible. Sometimes, there may be a small fee
for the children on these trips. Please note that if you
participate in any field trips, any such fees, etc. will be
your responsibility. Children must wear their Torah Tots
T-shirts on all field trips.
VISITORS
The staff welcomes interesting visitors (i.e. doctors,
musicians, artists) to the program, who will talk with the
Pre-School children about their professions, interests or
hobbies. Please inform the staff if you know of such a
person, since the children will enjoy their participation in
the program.
12
VI. MISCELLANEOUS
13
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Torah Tots has an extremely active PTA. We need two
parents per class to volunteer. The function of the PTA
will be to act as a liaison between parents and teachers/
Director, to help with fundraising projects and other
school related activities. If you have ever done this
before and enjoy being directly involved in your child’s
school, please call Goldie before September.
YARMULKES/KIPOT
All boys are required to wear Kipot every day to school.
Please send along 2 Kipot with your child's name on
them. We prefer large ones that do not require pins and
they should be kept in school. Teachers will be enforcing
this school rule. Thank you in advance.
TZEDAKAH
One of the most beautiful Mitzvot in Judaism is charity.
The children are encouraged to bring a penny every day
to put in the Tzedakah box (pushka). This experience in
giving helps develop awareness and a commitment to
share with others who are less fortunate.
MITZVAH NOTE
Please send a Mitzvah Note periodically. This is a note
that tells something special that the child has done.
Children really look forward to hearing what their parents
have to say.
PARENT INFORMATION BOARD
On the large bulletin boards in the corridor you will find
our parent information board. Please check this board
daily as the information on the board changes frequently.
Some information will include your child’s daily progress
with all developmental goals outlined clearly for all to
understand. Special trips, events or visitors. News and
views about parenting. Lectures or courses offered for
parents and an opportunity for parents to exchange
information.
We are also encouraging all parents to drop us a note
every once in a while to our exchange box (located in our
corridor) with any comments, ideas or suggestions - we
like to keep the lines of communication always open.
13
TORAH TOTS STATEMENT OF NUTRITION
14
Our standards of nutrition adhere to the Canadian Food Guide
recommendations and is supported by Canadian certified
Dieticians.
SNACKS & LUNCH MENU
We serve healthy snacks and juice daily. - Our snack menu is
posted on our parent bulletin board.
All children who stay for the lunch program are provided with
a hot lunch prepared fresh daily.
The following is our weekly snack & lunch menu:
Day
AM
Lunch
PM
Mon.
Applesauce or
sliced
vegetables
with dip
Cheerios
Raisins
Scrambled Eggs
Fries
Sliced Veggies
Cheerios
Pita with Chummus
Whole wheat
pasta OR couscous
Steamed veggies
Fish Fillets
Brown Rice
Steamed Mixed
Vegetables
Vegetable Soup
Pizza
Hearty Vegetable
soup
Sliced vegetables
N/A
Pretzels
Sliced Apples
Tues.
Wed.
Fresh Fruit
Thurs
.
Pretzels
Fri.
Shreddies
Shreddies
Sliced
Vegetables
with dip
N/A
BIRTHDAYS
Classroom birthday parties may be arranged in co-operation
with the staff at school - at least two weeks in advance. The
school must certify all refreshments brought for the celebration kosher and approved. Our teachers will be more than
happy to advise you in the planning and preparation of the
party, and in addition, will add special games, stories and
songs to make this a special time for your child.
We cannot distribute birthday party invitations –
Sorry.
NUT ALLERGIES
PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR BUILDING IS A
COMPLETELY NUT-FREE FACILITY. ITEMS
CONTAINING NUTS OR NUT OIL ARE NOT
PERMITTED.
14
PARENT-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
15
Communication between parents and school is very important
to insure that Pre-School is a meaningful and pleasant
experience for your child.
Parent/Teacher conferences are held annually. Times are set
aside for your personal interview with your child’s teachers.
You can also expect to receive two telephone calls over the
year from your child’s teacher.
If you have any questions regarding your child’s progress before, after or in between conference dates, please feel free to
contact the Director for an appointment. Telephone
conferences are not encouraged.
GENERAL CONCERNS
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your
child's class, we expect that you will contact the following
professionals in this order:
a)
Your child’s teacher;
b)
School principal;
c)
The chairperson of the Education Committee.
NEWSLETTERS
Newsletters will be given out approximately once a week. They
will tell about special events in the classes as well as important
information you need to know. Please read them. Your c
omments are always welcome, as we are always looking for
new ideas and ways to improve our educational program.
PARENT ABSENSE
If, for any reason, parents will be away from home for any
length of time, please advise the school. This is especially
important if the absence is due to special conditions, such as
hospitalisation, which may be upsetting to the child. When
teachers are aware of such conditions, they often can be of
great help in alleviating the child's distress.
DIAPER CHANGE PROCEDURE
for Pre-Nursery Staff
1.
Prepare your Change Table with
- paper towel
- plastic bag
- wipes
- diaper
- disposable gloves
2.
Cover change - pad with paper towel.
3.
Remove wet diaper and discard.
4.
Put soiled diaper in plastic bag.
5.
Wipe child thoroughly and place wipes in plastic bag
with diaper, tie and discard (remember to wipe girls
from front to back).
6.
Encourage the child to use the toilet.
7.
Discard paper towel.
8.
Wipe down change pad with disinfectant (spray bottle
on windowsill) Please leave area tidy.
9.
Wash hands thoroughly.
BEAUTIFUL JUNK/ARTS & CRAFTS
Please consult our office regarding your possible "discards"
from home and work since they may be considered
15 "BEAUTIFUL JUNK" for our Pre-School. THANKS!!!
16
An Encouraging
Word
“I’ve got two A’s,” the small boy cried
His voice was filled with glee
His father very bluntly asked
“Why didn’t you get three?’
“Mom, I’ve got the dishes done,”
The girl cried from the door
Her mother very calmly said,
“And did you sweep the floor?”
“I’ve mowed the grass,” the tall boy said
“And put the mower away,”
His father asked him with a shrug
“And that took you all day?”
The children in the house next door
Seem happy and content
The same things happen over there
But this is how it went!
“I’ve got two A’s,” the small boy cried
His voice was filled with glee
His father proudly said, “That’s great
I’m glad you live with me!”
“Mom, I’ve got the dishes done,”
The girl cried from the door
Her mother smiled and softly said,
“Each time I love you more.”
“I’ve mowed the grass,” the tall boy said
“And put the mower away,”
His father answered with a grin
“Well done, you’ve made my day.”
Children need encouragement
For tasks they’re asked to do
If they’re to lead a happy life
So much depends on you.
16
17
17