BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION 5315 Old Canton Road  Jackson, Mississippi 39211

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board Beth Israel PRESCHOOL The School:      Beth Israel Preschool was founded in 1975 as the only non-sectarian preschool in the area. Being housed and owned by Beth Israel Congregation made it quite unique.        It occupies 11 classrooms and the Social Hall during the week days. A specially designed playground was constructed on the Temple grounds for the children in the school.       Children from Kindergarten down to Almost Threes are in attendance. They are divided into 8 different classrooms with 2 teachers per class; this provides a very low teacher-to-student ratio. The Goal:      The original goal was to provide a quality early childhood education to all children, regardless of their religious backgrounds. The goal has been accomplished by following a careful plan of combining learning, the arts, play and lots of personal attention.  The Staff:     The school today has a staff of 24 dedicated adults, who spend hours of time devoted to the students they teach.       They receive a minimum of 50 hours of In-Service training, in addition to the education they bring with them.     Their job is to know how children develop in order to meet their needs. In addition the staff attends numerous conferences and professional meetings to accomplish this end. TOP of PAGE The Students:      Our student population of 130 represents many racial, ethnic, social, economic and international backgrounds.      They and their parents are invited and encouraged to share the heritage from which they come. All our students are enriched because of the tremendous diversity in the school. The Values: Though there is no religious instruction in the school, children are taught to respect themselves and their classmates. Good manners, honesty and kindness permeate the curriculum.    TOP of PAGE The Curriculum: There’s not one single thing which we can point to as being the reason why we have been so successful. The curriculum is constructed on a careful balance of four pillars of learning: Academics  Arts Play Personal attention The entire program revolves around monthly units woven together thematically to give a cohesive learning experience.  After School Care: Extended Care is offered during the school year until 6:00 p.m. on a limited basis only to working parents. Lunch and Play Day: Every Wednesday the morning-only children may stay for lunch and play until 1:45 p.m.    TOP of PAGE Fact-at-a-Glance: Almost thirty years of experience A diverse, non-sectarian program Classes for Almost three-year olds through Kindergarten. Low student-to-teacher ratios. Program hours 8:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. Weekly Lunch and Play Day Extended Care for children of working parents Proven language and reading programs Daily exposure to the Arts Emphasis on character development Licensedby the Mississippi State Board of Health Mary Golde Howell    TOP of PAGE     Contact webmaster Copyright © 2003, Beth Israel Congregation

Mary Golde Howell has been the preschool’s director since 1978.      Fact-at-a-Glance The School Goals Staff Students Values Curriculum Extended care Lunch and play day