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 IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE OR A LOT OF TIME, THERE IS A PLACE AND NEED FOR YOU!
Volunteer Today!
Welcome to the 2009-10 Barnert Temple Preschool school year! We have lots of activities - some old and some new - planned for the year. Be sure to visit the News & Events page of our website to learn more.
The BTPPA is supported and run by Barnert Temple Preschool parents, under the guidance of our Preschool Director, Sara Losch. Each year, we run and fund a wide varity of events ranging from educational to purely fun! Our events are designed to: enrich the preschool experience for both students and parents; and provide our children and their families with a unique experience that brings them closer to the Barnert Temple and broader Jewish communities.
The BTPPA can’t do what it does without its wonderful parent volunteers. Whether you have a lot of time or just a little, there is a place and need for you! See below for a list of 2009-10 committees. If you have questions about our committees or would like to volunteer, contact Rebecca Rund Placer or Michelle Wickwire.
If you do not have a child enrolled in the Barnert Temple Preschool and would like information about our program, please contact the preschool office at (201) 848-1027 or schooloffice@barnerttemple.org. Sara and her staff would love to tell you more about our wonderful preschool!
BTPPA EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Volunteer Today!
 Our committed and energetic parents give of their time and talents to make our events a success each year. If you don’'t think you have time to offer, think about your skills and expertise. Over the course of the year, we reach out to our parents looking for expertise in a wide variety of areas, including: web design, graphic design, landscaping, carpentry, and marketing, to name a few. (Yes, the BTPPA does engage in projects that utilize all of this skill sets!)
Scroll down for a list of 2010-11 committees. We are currently collecting volunteer forms (mailed home on August 10) from parents for the upcoming school year. Please return your completed volunteer form by Tuesday, September 7 (orientation day). We hit the ground running each year and your cooperation will help us with this effort.
- BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT SOCIAL
Chair(s): Nicole Breen, Stacy Spiewak
We are always looking for ways to create connections between our Preschool families to reinforce our sense of community at Barnert Temple Preschool. This is an informal social gathering following back-to-school night to give parents the opportunity to mingle and socialize in a casual setting.
- CARING COMMUNITY
Chair(s): TBD
Barnert Temple and our Preschool are a k’hillah k’doshah (sacred community). We strive to make our community an intimate place by reaching out to families and staff during times of joy and times of sadness to let them know we care through g’milut chassadim (acts of loving kindness). This committee receives donations, typically in honor of special events or family losses. A note is then sent to the designated recipients letting them know that a donation has been made. The Caring Community uses the contributions to send Shabbat dinners to preschool families after the birth of a baby, the loss of a loved one or to provide support during significant illness.
- CHAI CARING DAY
Chair(s): Julie Johnson, Elissa Silverman
Tikkun olam (repair of the world) and tzedakah (justice/charity) are central beliefs in Judaism and are woven into everything we do. This is a day dedicated to helping others in our community. Preschoolers bring in contributions (typically money or food) in multiples of 18 (chai). Children also participate in classroom activities and discussions related to helping others.
- CHALLAH & CHALLAH DOUGH
Chair(s): Nicole Breen, Mandy Rosen
The mitzvah (commandment) and ritual of honoring Shabbat is central to our Jewish community. Making it easy for families to bring home fresh-baked challah helps encourage this ritual and create wonderful memories for our families and children. This committee promotes, coordinates, and distributes weekly challah dough orders to Preschool and Temple families.
- CHANUKAH PARTY
Chair(s): Karen Resnick, Stacy Spiewak,
Chanukah is always a fun-filled holiday for our kids. Preschoolers attend the Chanukah party with their classmates during school hours. The party involves a combination of Chanukah crafts and activities to honor the holiday and its traditions.
- JEWISH BOOK SALE
Chair(s): TBD
Learning and education are the backbone of the Jewish community. Jewish books are a great way for children and families to learn together and celebrate their faith and traditions. This committee coordinates and oversees sale of Jewish book to Preschool and Temple families during school and at the Sisterhood’s Holiday Boutique on Nov. 14.
- LADIES NIGHT OUT
Chair(s): TBD
We are always looking for ways to create connections between our Preschool families to reinforce our sense of community at Barnert Temple Preschool. This committee organizes evening events for preschool parents to socialize in a casual setting while raising money for the BTPPA. Note: These events do not have to be exclusive to moms. This is up to the discretion of the committee and the interest of fathers.
- ME & MY SPECIAL GUY
Chair(s): TBD
We are always looking for ways to help the entire family create connections to our Preschool and Barnert Temple. This Sunday event is intended for the children and their special guys (father, uncle, grandfather, etc.) and provides the “big boys” a chance to experience our Preschool community and to get to know one another in an informal setting.
- INNISBROOK GIFT WRAP, GOODIES & UNIQUE GIFTS FUNDRAISER
Chair(s): Michelle Wickwire, Deb Tomaskovic
Fundraising is one way we pay for our special programs and activities. This committee promotes and coordinates sales of Innisbrook giftwrap and gifts to preschool and outside families.
- PRESCHOOL SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Chair(s): TBD
Tikkun olam (repair of the world) and tzedakah (justice/charity) are central beliefs in Judaism and are woven into everything we do. This committee helps promote and coordinate preschool social action collections and activities (i.e., Top the Teepee Thanksgiving food drive) and aims to find ways to make helping others tangible and concrete to our young preschoolers. This committee also works with the Temple’s Social Action Committee.
- SPECIAL GUEST SHABBAT
Chair(s): Shari Wolk
The mitzvah (commandment) and ritual of honoring Shabbat is central to our Jewish community. This event allows us to create special connections with extended family as our preschoolers share a morning of special Shabbat-related activities in their classrooms and the Sanctuary with their special guest(s) (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.).
- TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY LUNCHEON
Chair(s): Mandy Rosen, Courtney Raff
Our teachers and staff are an important part of the k’hillah k’doshah (sacred community) at Barnert Temple Preschool. Parent volunteers organize a special luncheon during school hours for the teachers to thank them for the amazing job they do with our children.
- TOUR DE BARNERT CHARITY TRIKE-A-THON
Chair(s): Nicole Breen, Mary Rosenberg
Tikkun olam (repair of the world) and tzedakah (justice/charity) are central beliefs in Judaism and are woven into everything we do. This charity trike-a-thon raises funds for Barnert Temple Preschool and Valley Home Care’s Butterflies Program. The committee organizes, promotes and runs the trike-a-thon, where participants raise money through pledges for riding laps on their bikes.
- CLASS PARENTS
Rising Stars: Rachel Lohman, Stacy Spiewak
Big Shots: TBD
Fantastics: Nicole Breen, Karen Resnick
Kindergarten & Explorations: Ivy Nazzaro, Alyssa Weisler
Serving as a class parent is a great and easy way to get involved. Class parents play a key role in the communication pipeline at Barnert. Class parents serve as extra sets of eyes, ears and mouths by helping Sara and the BTPPA communicate information with our families, and keeping Sara and the BTPPA informed about key issues and concerns our families may have. They also organize teacher gift collections (Chanukah, Teacher Appreciation, Year End) and help coordinate classroom volunteers for various events throughout the year.
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OUR COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL ACTION (Tzedakah & Tikkun Olam)
 Tzedakah (justice/charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) are core beliefs in Judaism. Our commitment to helping others is reflected in our everyday actions at Barnert Temple Preschool. Our teachers and staff make every attempt to make the concepts of tzedakah and tikkun olam concrete and tangible for our children. Our hope is to make it easy to give and help others and to transform tzedakah and tikkun olam from a special event to simply something we do as members of our community.
To learn more about upcoming social action activities at our preschool, visit the News & Events section of the Barnert Temple Preschool website. Scroll down to learn more about some of the social action projects supported by the BTPPA.
- TOUR DE BARNERT CHARITY TRIKE-A-THON
(Benefits Valley Home Care's Butterflies Program)
This is our largest charitable event of the year. Preschool-aged children participate gather pledges and ride their trikes to raise funds for their school as well as Valley Home Care's Butterflies Program, which provides a variety of support and hospice care to children, and the families of children, with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses. The event raised over $8,000 and has now become an annual event.
- PENNIES FOR PEACE
(Benefits the Central Asia Institute)
Our children collected a variety of non-perishable food items to help replenish the Center for Food Action pantry, a local agency that distributes nutritious food to those in need in Bergen County. Each family was asked to bring in 7 cans over seven days. The children collected over 500 cans and filled the teepee TWICE!
- BIG SHOTS PUMPKIN PIE SALE
(Benefits Heifer International)
The Big Shots (3s & 4s class) baked pumpkin pies and sold them at their own Pumpkin Pie Store. Parents came and purchased pies from the children. The proceeds were used to purchase animals (selected by the children) through Heifer International, an organization dedicated to ending hunger and poverty by providing animals to communities to help develop sustainable resources and self-reliance.
- KINDERGARTEN CHANUKAH GELT SALE
Our kindergarten children donned their chef hats and filled cellophane bags Chanukah gelt (chocolate coins) during the Chanukah holiday. The funds raised were used to purchase approximately 100 pairs of gloves/mittens for our Keeping Kids Warm Winter Clothing Drive.
- SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR CHILDREN OF KATRINA
(Benefited 6 Schools in New Orleans Affected by Hurricane Katrina)
Families donated approximately 14,000 school supplies, from markers and pencils to bulletin boards and dictionaries, to help six New Orleans school that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Supporters of Jewish Helping Hands traveled to New Orleans in December to help with the rebuilding process and deliver the supplies.
- KEEPING KIDS WARM WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE
(Benefited the Center for Food Action, Mahwah, NJ)
Families donated new articles of winter clothing for children, including gloves/mittens, scarves, hats, socks, PJs, and jackets to help children who would otherwise go cold during the winter months. We collected over 200 articles of winter clothing that were distributed to area families by the Center for Food Action in Mahwah, NJ.
- CHILDREN'S CLOTHING COLLECTION FOR YAD LEAH
(Benefited Yad Leah)
Preschool families donated gently-used children’s clothing to benefit families in Israel. Yad Leah is an organization addressing the effects of poverty in Israel by providing excellent quality, new and lightly-used clothing to low-income communities in Israel. Approximately 75 bags of clothing were collected during the drive.
- TOP THE TEEPEE THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
(Benefited Center for Food Action and CUMAC)
Preschool families and children were asked to bring in 7 cans each during the 7-day food drive. The goal was to fill the teepee with food to help local pantries in our area. Our Preschool collected approximately 25 large laundry baskets filled with non-perishable food items.
- DIAPER DRIVE
(Benefited OASIS, a Haven for Women and Children)
Preschool families were asked to donate diapers, wipes and newborn baby supplies to help parents in need of basic, but often expensive, baby supplies for their young babies. Over 100 items were collected and distributed to families to help ease the financial burden associated with baby care.
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THE PRESCHOOL CARING COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
Donate Today!
 The Preschool Caring Community is a committee whose purpose is to enact the mitzvah of g’milut chasadim – acts of loving kindness. The committee is comprised of preschool parent volunteers and is funded by the generous donations of our preschool families. We try to make our school community an intimate place by reaching out to preschool families and staff during times of joy and times of sadness to let them know we care. How do we do this? Typically, the committee sends meals or gifts to families during times of need (i.e., illness or loss of a loved one) and during times of joy (i.e., 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.
How Can You Help?
The Caring Community committee serves as a central point of contact to coordinate meals, gifts or other forms of support. You can help us support our families by doing the following:
- Be Our Eyes and Ears: Let Us Know if a Family Could Use Our Help or Congratulations
The committee can’t help if it doesn’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 names coming soon
- Make a Contribution to the Caring Community Fund
The next time you have a special event to celebrate (i.e., birthday, new baby, get well) or a memory to honor, please consider a $5 (or more) donation to our Preschool Caring Community. The recipient does not have to be a member of the Barnert community. When you make a contribution, a card will be sent to your intended recipient. Simply place a contribution form (located in the Caring Community mailbox) and your payment (payable to BTPPA) in the Caring Community mailbox outside of the preschool office.
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HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE BTPPA
Throughout the school year, the BTPPA sells a variety of items whose proceeds benefit either the BTPPA General Fund or the BTPPA Caring Community Fund. Money raised for the General Fund is used to pay for special programs that help enrich the preschool experience for our children and families, such as holiday celebrations and lectures/educational series. Money raised for the Caring Community Fund is used to provide families with meals and other forms of support during times of joy and times of need.
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Challah & Challah Dough
Download a High Holiday Challah Order Form.
Download a Weekly Challah Order Form.
Families can order weekly challah or monthly challah dough from Zadies of Fair Lawn, NJ. Regular (egg), raisin and whole wheat challah loaves can be purchased as well as regular (egg) or whole-wheat challah dough. The dough can be frozen and then used at your convenience.
The cost for weekly challah delivery for the 2010-11 school year is $112 ($4/week). Loaves are placed in your child’s mailbox at school on Friday morning. The challah is available in regular (egg), raisin or whole-wheat.
The cost for monthly challah dough for the 2010-11 school year is $72 ($8/month). The dough is available in regular (egg) or whole-wheat. It can be used to make cinnamon-sugar challah, babkas, and a variety of other treats in addition to standard challah.
The ready-to-bake (or ready-to-freeze) dough is delivered on the first Friday of each month and contains enough dough for 4 small challah loaves.
If you have questions about challah orders, contact Nicole Breen or Mandy Rosen. |
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Innisbrook Gift Wrap, Gifts and Gourmet Goodies
We all use giftwrap and have a need for unique, small gifts for others throughout the year. Innisbrook is your answer! Innisbrook offers a wonderful selection of gift wrap, home décor items and gourmet edibles. All items can be purchased online and shipped directly to you. Orders can be placed at any time throughout the year. 40% of all sales benefit the Barnert Temple Preschool.
To order items, visit www.innisbrook.com. Be sure to enter the code (coming soon) in the "Enter School Code" field when checking out so our preschool can receive credit for your order. |
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“It’s All Challah to Me!” Children’s CD
Artist: Sheldon Low (The New Face of Jewish Music!)
The kids asked for it, and Sheldon delivered! Now, a CD with music especially for them! Sheldon Low's extraordinary new kids album captures an exciting day in Sheldon's life, from waking up and heading off to school to getting tucked in at night. With songs, skits, and a wide variety of musical styles, It's All Challah to Me includes wonderful Jewish lessons about Shabbat, tikkun olam (repairing the world), blessings, self-confidence, love of community and family, and world peace. To listen to sample tracks, visit www.sheldonlow.com/music.htm.
CDs are $15/each. To order a copy contact Rebecca Rund Placer. Payments can be accepted via credit card or PayPal and we can ship CDs directly to you! |
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Barnert Temple Preschool T-Shirts
These collegiate-style shirts can be worn by preschoolers and religious school students alike, as the logo reads:
Product of Barnert Temple Preschool
Est. 1989
Shirts are white with a dark blue logo (shown left). A baseball style shirt with navy blue 3/4 sleeves and a white body is also available.
Shirts are $15/each. Remaining sizes include 3T, XS and S. To order, contact the preschool office. |
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Barnert Temple Preschool & Family Center periodically checks the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to ensure that all of our toys and supplies are safe for your children. The following link will provide you will a list of all toys that have been recalled for safety hazards. Please check the list to ensure that your home is safe for your child.
Learn more about New Jersey's licensing requirements for child care centers |
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