General Information

The Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah is a Jewish preschool affiliated with Temple Emunah of Lexington, a member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. The Pre-School, open since 1990, serves children of Temple Emunah members and the larger community. A Board of Directors made up of Temple members and Pre-School parents run the preschool. Our teachers are professionals trained in early childhood education, special education, and related fields.

The Pre-School is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care to serve 48 children. We have one toddler class that serves children between the ages of 2.0 and 2.8 years of age and four preschool classes that serve children between the ages of 2.9 - 5 years of age. The Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah works cooperatively with the special education department of the Lexington Public Schools and other area schools to include children with special needs.

Ikkarim: Jewish Values and the Journey for Parents of Jewish Child

To view the flyer, please click here
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Non-Discrimination Policy

Enrollment is open to any child between the ages 2.0 and 5 years. We do not discriminate in providing services to children and their families on the basis of race, religion, cultural heritage, national origin, political beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability.

Philosophy, Goals & Program Objectives

The Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah is an inclusive Jewish developmental preschool committed to creating a sense of community. We provide a warm and caring environment that fosters a positive Jewish identity and respects the diversity of backgrounds and observances of our preschool families. The Pre-School is committed to creating a sense of community for our children, parents and staff. Our curriculum blends secular and Judaic programming, providing a wide range of "hands-on" learning experiences to enhance the social, physical and cognitive growth of each child. Developmentally appropriate individual and group experiences enable each of our students to grow and progress at his/her own individual rate. As an inclusive program, we welcome children with significant special needs as full participants in all of our classroom activities.

Our objectives are to:

• Provide for the physical and emotional well-being of each child, building self-esteem and self-confidence;

• Create a stimulating learning environment that will develop social, motor, language, and cognitive skills;

• Foster a positive Jewish identity by exploring our religious and cultural heritage in a joyous, creative, and nurturing environment;

• Provide a quality Jewish pre-school experience for children with a wide range of abilities, interests and needs; and

• Create a school environment that facilitates friendships among all children, regardless of ability, interests, religious/cultural background, or family observance.

Staff

The staff of the Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah is comprised of caring, creative and highly qualified teachers who have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field. Each of our teachers brings her own special brand of warmth, enthusiasm, creativity, a profound respect for young children, and an enjoyment of teaching in a Jewish preschool setting. Our staff has worked closely with consultants from the Lexington public school and other local school sytems to adapt curriculum and provide learning experiences that accommodate a broad range of abilities, learning styles, and needs. The Pre-School actively funds professional development opportunities for the staff.

Pre-School Director:

Shelley Rossman is the founding director of the Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah. She received a BSEd. with a double major in elementary and special education and went on to complete an MSEd. with a concentration in early childhood education and special education. Shelley has worked with young children in secular and Jewish settings for more than thirty years. She served as an adjunct faculty member of the Early Childhood Institute of Hebrew College. In 1996 Shelley was honored by the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Boston with a Keter Torah award in recognition of outstanding dedication and contributions to Jewish education in the Boston community.

Pre-School Teachers:

Laurie Caplan joined the Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah in 2007, assisting in the Pilonim room for four and five year olds. Laurie has a B.A. and an MSW degree. She has completed three courses at the Early Childhood Institute of Hebrew College and has one additional course needed to complete her early childhood certificate. Laurie enriches her coursework with her experience as a nursery school teacher at Temple Emanuel in Newton and as a former chair of the board of directors of the Temple Reyim Nursery School. She has served in a variety of volunteer capacities at the Rashi School where her children are enrolled.

Lucie Chag is our most senior staff member, enhancing the experience of our children for almost 15 years. She began as an assistant teacher, co-taught for several years, and assumed the role of Lead Teacher in September 2004. Lucie has a B.S. in education; she has completed several post-baccalaureate courses and participated in several workshops in early childhood education, and obtained EEC certification as a toddler teacher and preschool lead teacher. Lucie serves as the lead teacher in the Kofefim room of younger three year olds and the lead teacher in the T’layim room of toddlers.

Linda Eisenberg is an alumni parent who volunteered and substitute-taught in our program during the time that her son Daniel was enrolled in the Pre-School. As of 2007, Linda assists in the Barvazonim room for toddlers. Linda has a B.A. in sociology and human services and an MSW degree. As a social worker, Linda has worked with adults and families; her work with children include substitute-teaching at our Pre-School as well as organizing extra-curricular programming and leading activities for kindergarteners and older children at the Winbrook Elementary School in Belmont.

Linna Ettinger assists in the Pilonim room for four and five year olds and substitute-teaches in other classrooms. Linna has a B.S. in mathematics and is an alumni parent who has done extensive volunteer work and substitute teaching in our program.

Kate Hermann serves as Lead Teacher in the G’malim room for three and four year olds. Kate has more than 18 years of experience as an early childhood educator: five years as Lead Teacher in the G’malim room and over ten years of experience in our program. Kate has an M.A, in education with a specialty in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Additionally, Kate has completed several post-baccalaureate courses, participated in several workshops in early childhood education, and obtained EEC certification as a preschool lead teacher.

Sara Miller volunteered and substitute-taught in our program during the seven years that her children Talya, Kayla, and Avi attended our Pre-School abd she joined our staff in March 2004. Sara brings a wealth of experience as well as an MEd. in elementary education and a B.S. in speech pathology and audiology.

Lois Rohtstein assists in the T’layim room for toddlers. Lois is returning to our Pre-School staff for her seventh year. Before joining our staff Lois was a frequent volunteer in our classrooms while her daughter Marci attended the Pre-School. Lois has a B.A. and an M.A. in human service management.

Pat Saraiva assists in the G’malim room for three and four year olds. Pat joined our staff in March 2004 substitute-teaching in several classes and assisting in the G’malim and Pilonim rooms. Before joining our staff, Pat served in a variety of volunteer capacities for the schools that her children attended. Pat has a B.A. in history with a minor in education, as well as a number of graduate courses in library science.

Sarah Scully joined our staff in 2004 when her son Noah entered the Pilonim room. Sarah came to us with several years of preschool teaching experience at Another Place to Grow (Arlington) and The Open Center for Children (Somerville). She has a B.A. in English, an Med. in elementary education, and EEC certification as preschool and infant/toddler teacher. For the past two years Sarah has worked as part of the G’malim teaching team and one year ago co-taught our first toddler class, the T’layim room. Sarah currently serves as Lead Teacher in the Barvazonim room for toddlers.

Rachel Star began her career at the Pre-School as a substitute teacher and we were delighted when she joined our staff as the lead teacher of the G'malim room in 2005. Rachel came to us with several years of lead teaching experience in Jewish early childhood classrooms in Temple-based and Jewish Community Center programs. She has a B.A. in psychology, a post-baccalaureate certificate in early childhood education, an M.A. in school psychology, and EEC certification as a preschool lead teacher.

Facilities

The Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah offers four well-equipped classrooms, a lovely common space for all-school activities, a nicely stocked kitchen, and a large indoor playground. The Pre-School has its own ground floor entrance that is accessed w/ a secure keypad system. Our spacious outdoor play area was redesigned this summer and it now includes all new state-of-the-art equipment for toddlers, younger preschoolers and pre-kindergarteners. The equipment meets the varied needs, abilities and interests of young children for "big muscle", sensory, and imaginative play. The outdoor play space is fenced, provides sunny and shaded areas, and a combination of soft-surfaced areas as well as a black-topped surface for riding toys and ball games. Our Pre-School offers ample parking as well as a free curbside drop-off option every morning.

Application Procedure

The Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah begins to accept applications on September 1st of the year preceding enrollment in the school. Parent/guardian(s) inquiring aobut the school are encouraged to meet with the Pre-School Director. Parent/guardians may make appointments to visit the school beginning in November. Notification of acceptance will be sent no later than mid-February and a $200 non-refundable deposit will be required within 30 days to reserve a space.
The Pre-School is open to all residents of Lexington and other neaby communities. Although membership in Temple Emunah is not required, priority acceptance is given to re-enrolling students, siblings of children who have already attended the Pre-School, Temple Emunah members and children with special needs.

For the application form for toddlers (2.0-2.8 years of age), please click here.

For the application form for preschoolers (2.9-5 years of age), please click here.

Enrollment Information

INTAKE PROCEDURE AND POPULATION SERVED

The Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah begins to accept applications in September for enrollment in the following school year. The Pre-School is open to all residents of Lexington and other area communities. The Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah works cooperatively with the special education department of the Lexington Public Schools and other area schools to include children with special needs. Membership in Temple Emunah is not required; however, priority acceptance is given to re-enrolling students, siblings of children who have already attended the Pre-School, Temple Emunah members, and children with special needs. A detailed description of the enrollment policy follows. Parents inquiring about the school may conference by phone (or in person, if so requested) with the Pre-School Director. Written materials including the school brochure, application form, statement of philosophy, and fee schedule are sent by mail. Parents may make appointments to visit the school beginning in November. Notification of acceptance is sent by the end of February and a $200 non-refundable deposit is required within 30 days of notification to reserve a space for the following September.

PRE-SCHOOL ENROLLMENT POLICY

The Pre-School has an established policy for priority acceptance. Each priority category has a specified closing date. Applications must be returned to the Pre-School by the closing date in order to maintain consideration within the priority category.
Within each priority category, top priority is given to applications for students who were waiting-listed the previous year in their current or higher priority category. In those cases the priority order from the previous year will carry over to the current year. All other applications will be treated equally within each priority category, if received by the indicated closing date. If space is not available for all applications in a given category, a lottery will be conducted (among the applications from such priority category) to randomly select applications for acceptance and to determine wait-list order, placing them below any applicants who were wait-listed the previous year.
Applications for a particular category received after the closing date will fall to the next lower applicable category, whose closing date has not passed. At least one space each year will be reserved until January 1st for children with special needs.

Please note: THE EARLIEST ACCEPTANCE DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 1ST OF THE YEAR PRECEDING ENROLLMENT. Any applications received before September 1 will be returned. Acceptance letters & contracts will be mailed out after January 15.

The priority categories and closing date are in the following decreasing order:

1. Re-enrolling students. Applications must be received by October 15 for priority consideration.
2. Temple Emunah Member with a concurrently enrolled sibling. Applications must be received by October 15 for priority consideration.
3. Non-Emunah member with a concurrently enrolled sibling. Applications must be received by October 15 for priority consideration. (This is to avoid the inconvenience of enrolling preschool aged siblings in two different schools.)
4. Children of Pre-School staff, full-time Temple Emunah staff, or Rabbis of Temple Emunah or Temple Isaiah. Applications must be received by October 15 for priority consideration.
5. Temple Emunah Member with alumni sibling(s). Applications must be received by October 15 for priority consideration
6. Non-Emunah Member with alumni sibling(s). Applications must be received by October 15 for priority consideration.
7. Any Temple Emunah Member who does not fit into a prior category. Applications must be received by November 15 for priority consideration.
8. Any Temple Isaiah Member who does not fit into a prior category. Applications must be
received by November 15 for priority consideration.
9. Non-member of Temple Emunah or Temple Isaiah who is affiliated with any other local Jewish congregation. Applications must be received by November 15 for priority consideration.

*Any remaining spaces, once all students in priority categories are accepted, will be filled with students who do not fit into any prior categories. They will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Temple Emunah Members are granted priority status as listed above; however, membership does not guarantee enrollment. Applicant family must be a Temple Emunah Member in good standing by September 1 to be considered in priority categories 2, 5, or 7 above. Applicant family must be a Temple Isaiah Member in good standing by September 1 to be considered in priority category 8 above. Enrollment, among all priority categories, is accepted on a space-available basis. For more information, please call Shelley at the Pre-School Office at (781) 861-0708.

Tuition

Tuition for the Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah has not been established for the 2008-2009 school year. The fee schedule for the 2007 – 2008 school year is as follows:

2007 – 2008 TUITION (9AM – NOON)

2-day rate for Temple Emunah members $3100
2-day rate for non-members $3300

3-day rate for Temple Emunah members $3450
3-day rate for non-members $3675

5-day rate for Temple Emunah members $4850
5-day rate for non-members $5200

2007-2008 FEE FOR EARLY BIRDS, LUNCH BUNCH, AND KESHET CLUB*

Contracted rates are billed according to the number of days/times that you select. The cost of each space is per weekday for the entire year. If you are interested in more than one day per week, multiply the daily rate by the number of days per week that you will use.
*These rates are contracted for the full year.

½ Early Birds (8:30AM – 9AM) $160 per morning per year (M-F)
Early Birds (8AM – 9AM) $295 per morning per year (M-F)
Lunch Bunch (noon – 1:30PM) $395 per lunch day per year (M-TH)
Keshet Club (noon – 3:30PM) $790 per full afternoon per year (M-TH)

Please note that Lunch Bunch and Keshet Club are NOT offered on Fridays.

Drop-ins may be arranged on a space-available basis at the following rates:

½ Early Birds (8:30AM – 9AM) $5.00 per morning (M-F)
Early Birds (8AM – 9AM) $10.00 per morning (M-F)
Lunch Bunch (noon – 1:30PM) $13.00 per lunch day (M-TH)
Keshet Club (noon – 3:30PM) $26.00 per afternoon (M-TH)

For more information, please contact Shelley Rossman, Pre-School Director,
Billy Dalwin Pre-School of Temple Emunah, at (781) 861-0708.

For a printable file click here.

Extended Day Programming

Billy Dalwin Pre-School offers extended hours for preschoolers before and after our morning program. The Extended Day program provides the opportunity for children to spend time with friends from their class and from other classes. Our children enjoy extending their indoor and outdoor playtime, having lunch with their friends, listening to stories and participating in projects and dramatic play.
Early Birds, Lunch Bunch and Keshet Club are designed for mixed age groupings. Although children are generally grouped with some friends from their morning class, they also have the opportunity to spend time in other classrooms, playing with older and younger friends from different classes, and developing important bonds with various staff members. Our Extended Day program has helped to strengthen the sense of community that exists within the preschool, facilitating cross-class and cross-age friendships.

The contracted rates for the full year are as follows:
½ EARLY BIRDS (8:30-9 a.m., Monday through Friday): $150 per day per year
EARLY BIRDS (8-9 a.m., Monday through Friday): $275 per day per year
LUNCH BUNCH (noon-1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday): $375 per day per year
KESHET CLUB (noon-3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday): $750 per day per year

We accommodate drop-ins on a space-available basis. Drop-in rates for the upcoming school year are as follows:
$5.00 for ½ Early Birds M-F (8:30-9 a.m.)
$9.00 for Early Birds M-F (8-9 a.m.)
$12.75 for Lunch Bunch M-Th (12-1:30 p.m.)
$25.50 for Keshet Club M-Th (12-3:30 p.m.)

EXTENDED DAY PROGRAMMING FOR THE 2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st.

Kaytana Summer Program

The Billy Dalwin Pre-school of Temple Emunah offers a six week summer program called Kaytana. Kaytana Summer Program is open to all children, ages 2.9-5 years of age. Program hours are from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. day, Monday through Friday. Extended hours are offered on either end of the program day.
Kaytana Summer Program makes full use of our indoor and outdoor space in a relaxed and informal way. It is a time for outdoor play, water play, dramatic play, music, movement, big muscle games, nature exploration, arts & crafts, and making new friends. The program incorporates many enrichment specialists, visitors and special activities into enjoyable theme-based units. Preparing for Shabbat on Friday mornings is one of the highlights of each week.
For further information, please contact Lauren Munnis, Kaytana Summer Program Director at (781) 861-0708.

Pre-School Calendar

Classes begin in early September and end in early June, for a total of 35 weeks. The Pre-School follows the public school calendar of vacation days. In addition, we are closed for all major Jewish holidays and one professional conference day. Classes meet from 9 a.m. - noon daily with extensions available on either end of the program day. For a complete calendar, click on the attachment below.

Class Schedule

Temple Emunah Religious School 5767
Class Schedule

Overview of Classes

Gan/Kindergarten:
Tefillah moment
Focus on the holidays and mitzvot
Creating a personal connection to God
Beginning Tefillot (prayers)
Classroom Hebrew

1st Grade:
Tefillah moment
Basic bible stories
Holidays
Focus on tzedakah (charity), gemilut hasadim (acts of loving kindness)and mitzvot
Beginning Tefillot (prayers)
Classroom Hebrew

2nd Grade:
Tefillah moment
Beginning Hebrew reading
Holidays
Parashat HaShavua (Weekly Torah Reading)
Jewish values
Beginning Tefillot (prayers)
Classroom Hebrew

3rd Grade:
Tefillah moment
Hebrew reading and writing
Friday night service
Our Connection to Israel
Book of Genesis
Holidays
Conversational Hebrew

4th Grade:
Tefillah moment
Exodus
Haggadah
Pesukei Dezimra (morning psalms)
Hallel
Torah Trope
10 Commandments
Cities in Israel
Conversational Hebrew
Holidays

5th Grade:
Tefillah moment
Megillot (Ruth, Esther, Jonah)
Jewish values (Being a Mensch)
Shabbat Shaharit (morning service)
Ancient Jewish History
The State of Israel
Conversational Hebrew
Holidays

6th Grade:
Tefillah moment
Lifecycle
Medieval Jewish history
Parashat Hashavua (Weekly Torah Reading)
Torah Service & Musaf
Holidays

7th Grade:
Tefillah moment
Mitzvot
Prophets

6th/7th Grade Sample Elective Offerings:
• Women in Judaism
• Jewish Ethics
• Jews Around the World
• Conversational Hebrew
• The Holocaust
• Israel
• American Jewish History
• Kosher Cooking
• Jewish Art

* These are the major topics covered in each grade. Subjects that appear in many grade levels such as holidays, conversational Hebrew, and Tefillot, build off one another from year to year.