ABOUT GAN SHALOM
Gan Shalom Cooperative Preschool is a Jewish Early Childhood Education program inspired by Reggio Emilia, and supported by Hill Havurah, for children aged 24 months through four years old.
Enrollment is open to both Jewish and non-Jewish students. At Gan Shalom, we believe that children construct their own knowledge and develop the cognitive skills they will need throughout their lives through play and exploration. Our curriculum is designed to celebrate the competence of young children, to meet the individual needs, interests and developmental stages of each child, and to create an atmosphere in which children, teachers and parents are all active participants in the learning process. It is our desire to provide a warm, loving Jewish environment where each child feels secure and happy, and where learning is meaningful and fun.
Gan Shalom Cooperative Preschool believes that children’s first teachers are their parents, caregivers, or guardians. Parents and caregivers have an active role in the Gan Shalom community. They often participate in classroom activities and fulfill many roles to support the school. We believe that teachers, parents, and the child have equal roles in their learning and value collaboration as the child grows during their time at Gan Shalom.
Gan Shalom takes COVID safety very seriously. Some of our current precautions include: all staff and volunteers are vaccinated, and masking is optional; all children are up-to-date on covid vaccinations; we eat outdoors whenever possible; and when we’re indoors we ensure good air circulation and filtration, keeping our windows open and running HEPA air filters. We are continually evaluating and tracking COVID rates in our city and will adjust policies as needed.
Enrollment is open to both Jewish and non-Jewish students. At Gan Shalom, we believe that children construct their own knowledge and develop the cognitive skills they will need throughout their lives through play and exploration. Our curriculum is designed to celebrate the competence of young children, to meet the individual needs, interests and developmental stages of each child, and to create an atmosphere in which children, teachers and parents are all active participants in the learning process. It is our desire to provide a warm, loving Jewish environment where each child feels secure and happy, and where learning is meaningful and fun.
Gan Shalom Cooperative Preschool believes that children’s first teachers are their parents, caregivers, or guardians. Parents and caregivers have an active role in the Gan Shalom community. They often participate in classroom activities and fulfill many roles to support the school. We believe that teachers, parents, and the child have equal roles in their learning and value collaboration as the child grows during their time at Gan Shalom.
Gan Shalom takes COVID safety very seriously. Some of our current precautions include: all staff and volunteers are vaccinated, and masking is optional; all children are up-to-date on covid vaccinations; we eat outdoors whenever possible; and when we’re indoors we ensure good air circulation and filtration, keeping our windows open and running HEPA air filters. We are continually evaluating and tracking COVID rates in our city and will adjust policies as needed.
A Day in the Life
Each day children are greeted with inviting provocations using open-ended materials and options for continuing ongoing explorations. Every morning includes opportunities for free play to allow children to independently structure their learning and pursue ideas they would like to further investigate. Children are encouraged to strengthen self-care skills in each part of our daily routine, including serving snacks, getting dressed, and cleaning. Children are often seen helping and supporting each other in these self-care tasks, based on individual areas of growth to help each other fulfill their individual needs.
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Morning Program
8:30 Children arrive 8:30 – 9:00 Settling in and free play 9:00 – 9:15 Greeting the day: Circle Time 9:15 – 10:15 Exploration Activity 10:15 – 10:30 Bathroom and Handwashing 10:30-10:45. Snack 10:45 – 12:00 Walk/Exploration/Freeplay 12:00 – 12:15 Bathroom and Handwashing 12:15 – 12:45 Lunch 12:45 – 1:00 Closing Circle/Song/Story By 1:00 Caregiver pick-up or afternoon program |
Afternoon Program
1:00 – 1:30 Set up nap mats and prepare for nap/rest time 1:30 – 3:00 Nap/Rest time 3:00 – 3:15 Afternoon Greeting: Circle Time 3:15 – 3:45 Taking care of our bodies 3:45 – 5:00 Exploration Activity 5:00 – 5:15 Taking care of our bodies 5:15 – 5:30 Closing Circle/Song/Story 5:30 – 6:00 Classroom Freeplay By 6:00 Caregiver Pick-up |
THE CO-OP APPROACH
GAN SHALOM WAS FOUNDED AS A COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL, AND WE CONTINUE TO THRIVE WITH PARENT INVOLVEMENT.
Classroom Duty
Gan Shalom families are asked to assist in the classroom 4 times per year, or more if they choose. The duty parent is encouraged to share a skill, hobby, or special interest with the children. Classroom duty may be fulfilled by any caregiver designated by the parent before the beginning of the year, and may include parents, grandparents, or nannies. The classroom duty schedule is provided at the beginning of each semester, and families may sign up for the dates that work best for them.
Volunteer Positions
In addition to assisting the teachers in the classroom, each family is expected to support the school in one of two ways: Families may take on an administrative responsibility within the school. Examples of such responsibilities are listed below, and more information can be found in the Parent Handbook. Or a family may choose to support the school by making a $1500 contribution.
*Part of the Executive Committee
Gan Shalom families are asked to assist in the classroom 4 times per year, or more if they choose. The duty parent is encouraged to share a skill, hobby, or special interest with the children. Classroom duty may be fulfilled by any caregiver designated by the parent before the beginning of the year, and may include parents, grandparents, or nannies. The classroom duty schedule is provided at the beginning of each semester, and families may sign up for the dates that work best for them.
Volunteer Positions
In addition to assisting the teachers in the classroom, each family is expected to support the school in one of two ways: Families may take on an administrative responsibility within the school. Examples of such responsibilities are listed below, and more information can be found in the Parent Handbook. Or a family may choose to support the school by making a $1500 contribution.
- President*: Partners with the Director to strengthen our school.
- Vice President*: Supports the president.
- Communications Chair*: Takes/distributes meeting minutes, Handles communications for the preschool
- Treasurer*: Manages the budget
- Membership Chair*: Performs outreach to the community, Compiles lists of contacts and communicates with current and potential students about the school, Maintains waiting list and organizes school rosters with the Director
- Liaison to Hill Havurah Board*: Collaborates with the Hill Havurah Board to share information.
- Fundraising Chairs: Plan fundraising events such as Picture Day and Purim Carnival.
- Other roles: Additional volunteer roles include class coordinator, social events coordinator, fundraising coordinator, librarian, and membership assistant.
*Part of the Executive Committee
Questions about Gan Shalom? Contact president.ganshalom@HillHavurah.org
For more information about the Hill Havurah, please visit: www.HillHavurah.org
