2023-2024 PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION

 

MESSY BABIES – SPRING ’23
A fun sensory exploration for children 16-30 months

Welcome

Welcome | Programs | Staff | Testimonials | Contact Us | For Current Parents

A Message from our Director:

Welcome to Kol Emet Preschool! It is my sincere pleasure and honor to work with a loving, professional staff, amazing parents and exceptional children. I am so excited to be the new director of Kol Emet Preschool. I first became part of the Kol Emet family in 2002 when my twins started preschool here. During the three years that they attended Kol Emet, I was Homeroom Parent and PTO President. The following year when Pennsbury was on strike, I came to Kol Emet to teach a pop-up kindergarten that was offered until classes started. In 2017 I was hired as the Preschool STARS Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. Slowly my 9 hour a week job grew as I became an Assistant Teacher in the afternoons. Last year, I became the Assistant Director and I am honored that I have been selected as the new Director for a school that has been an important part of my life for so many years.

I have the difficult job of stepping into the shoes of a director who has made KEPS thrive since its inception. As we transition into new leadership I am committed to continuing the four core values so ingrained into our preschool community:

    1. Treat every child with dignity and respect.
    2. Use every moment in school as a teaching moment.
    3. Combine fun, creativity, and hands-on experiences within our school.
    4. Constantly listen to parents and students and adapt to meet the needs of our community.

Our staff is committed to the care, safety and developmentally appropriate practice for young children.

I always say I have the best job in the world and I truly mean it! Every day and every moment is filled with exploration, engagement, and enjoyment.

Thanks so much!!

Liz Ravitch
Director

Programs

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Pracheem (T & Th) – 2 year-olds
The perfect “first time” exposure for young toddlers.  From learning to share, to painting, working with clay, music and more, this is an ideal environment for our newest and youngest children.  Children in this class usually turn 3 between January and August.

Parpareem (M/W/F) – 2 year-olds
This class is for 2-year-olds who will turn 3 between September and February.  A little more sophisticated than our youngest group, they are included in more special activities and have more social and learning opportunities.

Notzitzeem (M/W/F) – 3 year-olds
IMG_3322Notzitzeem incorporates a little more academics with a lot of time to explore, play and socialize.  This is a perfect class for a “taste of preschool.”

Doobeem (M-F) – 3 year-olds
Doobeem is a well-rounded 3 year-old program.  Every day is filled with learning, compromising, art, music, outdoor play, and social opportunities.  Children thrive on routine, and Doobeem provides routine by meeting every day.

[Please note that depending on registration, 3 year-old classes may be combined.  We always abide by state-mandated ratios.]

IMG_3524Solileem (Full Day) and Yanshoofeem (Half Day) (M-F) 4 year-olds
Solileem and Yanshoofeem are our Pre-K programs.  These state-licensed programs mesh perfectly with preparatory Kindergarten standards.  Phonemic awareness and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) are all included through daily explorations.

[Please note that depending on registration, our 4 year-olds will either be grouped based on half- and full-day registration or will be combined.]

IMG_3468Pre-K Enrichment (M/W/F afternoons)
Emergent curriculum at its finest.  Children learn about Social Studies, Science, and Culture through their interests and our staff’s creativity.

Afternoons (M-F) for 2s and 3s
Every day is a different experience:
M – Art
T & Th – Emergent Monthly Units
W – Science
F – Healthy Living & Cooking

 

Staff

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Sue Weiner, Preschool Administrator – This is Sue’s first year at Kol Emet Preschool.

I am excited to be a part of the Kol Emet Preschool team. As administrator I am here to say hello and smile with you and your children each day. In addition to the Preschool, I am the Religious School Director, so I get to see the Kol Emet children of all ages and stages in their lives.

Growing up in Levittown, PA, I became a B’nai Mitzvah tutor at Temple Shalom the day after my Bat Mitzvah and have been involved in Jewish life since. I was the JCC Camp Director in Ewing and Rider College for 20 years, Active Adult Director at Klein JCC and most recently the Religious School Director at Temple Micah in Lawrenceville. In addition to the director positions, I found myself teaching at Congregation Brothers of Israel since college. The pandemic has given me the opportunity to teach many students on-line my love of Judaism and I continue to teach students in Virginia, Mississippi and California.

When I am not at Kol Emet or on zoom I enjoy talking to my daughter, who is currently a Commander in the IDF and loving her life in Israel as a Lone Soldier. I also enjoy taking walks and spending days at the park with my dog Luna. Most importantly I enjoy smiling and making the most of every day.

I look forward to getting to know you and your children at Kol Emet. My door is always open so stop by to say hello, ask a question or share a concern.

Claudia_BlockClaudia Block, Teacher/Gym Teacher – Claudia has taught at Kol Emet Preschool for 16 years. Previously a pharmaceutical representative for Johnson & Johnson, she holds a BA in International Relations, and a Masters in Elementary Education. When not working, Claudia likes to work out, cook, go to the beach, and watch her son play soccer. About teaching, Claudia says: “I love the energy of the kids and the pure innocence. I love watching them learn all year and to see how much they have grown by the end of the year.”

 

Heidi Bush, Lead Teacher – This is Heidi’s 14th year teaching at Kol Emet and she has been teaching preschoolers for over 25 years. She majored in speech communication at Syracuse University, and embarked on an enjoyable career in public relations working for the largest advertising firm in Philly. But after some self-reflection, she realized something was missing in her professional life! Heidi has never looked back….and finds teaching our young children one of the most fulfilling occupations a person can have. In her spare time, Heidi loves to spend time with her family, travel, and do volunteer work for local non-profits.

Kedma Cantor, Lead Teacher – This is Kedma’s first year teaching at Kol Emet. She has been an educator for 20 years she spent the last 10 years working in preschools across the country. Originally from Canada, Miss Kedma, her husband and four children moved to Pennsylvania the summer of 2022 from California. Miss Kedma loves working with children and having the opportunity to learn as much from her students as they do from her. Kedma has a Masters of Education specializing in Jewish and Hebrew education and three other degrees she got for fun. She believes that learning is a life-long joy and hopes to pass on that love to her students.

Amy_Hampel2Amy Hampel, Lead Teacher – This will be Amy’s 7th year as one of our teachers. Amy is a veteran Hebrew school teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching 2nd grade at Congregation Beth El, where she also taught 3 year-olds in preschool. She has also taught in the 2 and 4 year-old classrooms at The Northern Hebrew Day Nursery in Philadelphia. Prior to pursuing her Masters in Elementary Education at Arcadia University, she graduated Philadelphia University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys reading mysteries, playing mahjong, and watching Philly sports with her husband and three sons. Her favorite thing about teaching preschool is “seeing the excitement on the children’s faces when they are learning something new.”

Jenn Hogancamp, Assistant Teacher – This is Jenn’s 2nd year at Kol Emet Preschool. Jenn worked as a substitute teacher and lunch aide at God’s Love Christian Preschool. Jenn has a degree in Social Work, lives in Yardley and has 3 beautiful children. She is delighted to be working at Kol Emet Preschool.

Melissa Huffman, Assistant Teacher – This is Melissa’s 3rd year at Kol Emet Preschool. She has been a part of the Kol Emet community since 2012 when her children began their preschool education. Melissa is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. Prior to teaching, she worked in the Mother Baby and Neonatal Intensive Care Units. In her free time, Melissa enjoys cooking for family & friends, riding her Peloton bike, and spending time with her husband and 3 children. Melissa says, “I look forward to creating a nurturing, loving, and safe environment for my students where they are free to grow and learn through play.”

Denise Kaplan, Lead Teacher – This is Denise’s 2nd year at Kol Emet. She has been teaching in Jewish Early Childhood education for more than 20 years and LOVES it! She earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and her Masters Certificate in Early Childhood Education form William Paterson University. She is the proud mother of 2 children, 3 grandchildren, a dog and a cat. She is an avid, but mediocre golfer.

Cheryl Roseman, Assistant Teacher – This is Cheryl’s first year teaching at Kol Emet. She is a graduate of Temple University with a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and has been teaching at the preschool level for many years. She lives in Newtown, PA with her husband, Howard, and their dog, Ella. She has two adult children and two beautiful granddaughters. She is very excited to be working with the wonderful children at KEPS and watching them grow and learn throughout the year.

Mor Smorgonsky, Assistant Teacher – This is Mor’s 3rd year at the Kol Emet Preschool. Before Joining Kol Emet, Mor was a staff member at St. Andrew’s School in Newtown and worked with Pre-K children. Mor and her family moved to the area from Israel where she worked at the Adler institute for Child Development and Psychology as a course administrator while also taking courses in the Adlerian Philosophy fundamentals. Mor has two girls who graduated from the Kol Emet Preschool. In her spare time, Mor enjoys cooking and especially loves baking, as well as traveling with her family and friends. As a native Hebrew speaker, Mor will make sure our pronunciation is always correct.

Dianne Stevens, Assistant Teacher – This is Dianne’s 3rd year working at Kol Emet Preschool. She previously worked at Abrams Hebrew Academy as an Assistant Teacher for 3 years and as a Teacher for 2 years. She recently earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate from Northampton University. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 kids at the beach. What she loves about teaching is seeing a child’s face light up when they learn something new.

Annmarie Tesarck, Lead Teacher – This is Annmarie’s 4th year at Kol Emet Preschool. She has been teaching for over 20 years and has her BA in Elementary Ed. After raising their three children with her husband she went back to teaching in early childhood education in the Pennsylvania area. When she teaches she loves to incorporate music , movement and art in the classroom. The most rewarding thing about teaching is seeing children learn through play. Annmarie feels very fortunate to be working alongside such dedicated and warm-hearted teachers.

Lauren_Young Lauren Young, Lead Teacher – Lauren has been teaching at KE for 15 years. Before that, she taught Pre-K for the N. Hanover (NJ) School District for 8 years. Lauren earned a BS in Education from the University of Delaware, and a Master’s degree from Villanova University. When she’s not teaching, Lauren loves taking fitness classes, going out to dinner with friends, spending time with her family, and taking beach walks. According to Lauren: “Teaching preschool (Pre-K) is very rewarding to me. I am passionate and truly concerned for the best interest of every child in my class. I enjoy planning creative lessons to inspire all the kids. I love children and love to help them develop a love of learning. I look forward to sharing my love for early childhood education with your child and excited that I am given an opportunity to be part of their education.”

Testimonials

Welcome | Programs | Staff | Testimonials | Contact Us | For Current Parents

We were looking for a local preschool for our 3 year old and had no idea where to go. A dear friend recommended Kol Emet. My first reaction was, “I am not Jewish, am I allowed to go there?” My friend, who is Catholic, said, “OF COURSE!!!” And we are forever in her debt because it was the BEST choice we have made so far for our daughter. Kol Emet is excellent in education in a way that promotes love of learning, they are caring, kind, funny and become your family. If you are still looking, please visit them. They fill up quickly but Miss Carrie always finds a way. We have moved up to elementary school but will forever hold a special place for our Kol Emet family. Love them to pieces!

Bonnie, parent of former student


I absolutely love everything about the incredibly high standards set at Kol Emet Preschool. My son has learned and grown so much during his time there. The teacher to student ratio is low, so each child gets individual attention. The director and staff are incredibly involved and responsive to all needs. Most importantly, I know that when I drop off my son each morning he will be happy, safe, and loved.

Natasha, parent of son in Pre-K


Two years ago I looked into switching my oldest child to Kol Emet Preschool after hearing a number of my neighbors rave about how wonderful the school was. It only took one visit to let me see what an amazingly warm and inviting environment it is, and two years later I can truly say that every teacher there knows and appreciates both my children for who they are as individuals. I know they are in safe, loving hands when I drop them off, and I feel that my oldest will be well prepared for Kindergarten next year both academically and socially. We couldn’t be happier with Kol Emet Preschool!

Beth, parent of son in Pre-K and daughter in 2 year-old program


Both of my children are thriving at Kol Emet! For the younger one, there is extra special attention given to helping him adjust to a classroom setting. For my older one, he is engaged on so many levels: making friends and learning about the world. He loves going to school so much, he asks me to take him on the weekends! It is also such a comfort to me to know both of my children are in such good hands when I’m not there.

Kathleen, parent of son in Pre-K and son in 2 year-old program


We chose Kol Emet Preschool because when we visited, Carrie Walinsky, the director, and all the teachers were practically bursting with enthusiasm and love for what they do and the children in their care. There is a special sense of community and compassion that one feels the minute you walk in the building. Kindness and generosity is imbued in everything they do, and it is a joy to watch the children respond in kind.

Anne, parent of daughter in Pre-K and daughter in 2 year-old program

Contact Us

Welcome | Programs | Staff | TestimonialsContact Us | For Current Parents

We would love to meet you and your child!  Please call or email us to arrange a personal tour of our school.

Kol Emet Preschool
1360 Oxford Valley Rd.
Yardley, PA 19067
215-493-8522 ext. 103
Email: liz@kolemet.org

Click here for directions.

For Current Parents

Welcome | Programs | Staff | Testimonials | Contact Us | For Current Parents

Parent Information
Financial & Registration Documents
Calendar / Events

 

              

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