Sunny Days at BT's Chanukah Sesame Street Party

What could be more exciting for a PreSchooler than meeting Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster all in one day? Meeting them on Chanukah!

On December 16, 150 PreSchoolers and their families enjoyed a screening of Shalom Sesame’s "Chanukah: The Missing Menorah," munched on Chanukah treats and spent the afternoon schmoozing and playing. The event was part of a new PreSchool Family Programs initiative, designed to not only allow current PreSchool families to get to know one another, but to open BT’s doors to other parents in the community considering their PreSchool options.

Dana Stein appreciated all the thoughtful touches that were evident in the day’s activities—mats on the floor, “so the kids could move around when they were restless,” the age-appropriateness of the movie, and the free play time afterwards. Her PreSchooler Shimshy enjoyed the whole day; 20 month-old Astrid “was so excited about the characters and followed Morah Marci everywhere.”

Holly Venick’s school-aged kids, Jordyn and Hunter, loved seeing their teachers – and Mrs. Schorr – in costume. “They thought it was hysterical.” But it wasn’t just the kids who had a good time.

For Holly, an active PA volunteer who describes herself as “the grandmother of the preschool,” the Chanukah party also provided parents a much-needed opportunity to socialize and mingle. “I feel like I don’t see people on a daily basis — parents don’t always come into school,” Holly says. “This was nice – to come and chit chat, to have a connection.”

The event also gave prospective BT parents a glimpse at all BT has to offer their children. Holly believes that for those families, the day “was good exposure to the school – people walked in and said, ‘Wow, look at this gym!’.”

Dana feels that the overwhelming response to the day was positive. “It seemed like everyone had a good time, and we're all happy to have something fun and educational and Jewish to do in the late afternoon.”

There are many more exciting PreSchool Family Programs already in the works. Visit www.bethtfiloh.com/PSfamilyprograms to learn more and sign up!