Anonymous
Post 06/18/2014 08:27     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Thanks very much for your thoughtful respones -- I really appreciate it.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2014 22:11     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Anonymous wrote:Also, any thoughts on diversity? We are a mixed race family.


Although very open and welcoming, the Center is not very diverse at all. There are a small handful of children of color, and a few families with same-sex parents. However, even with the lack of diversity, we have always felt very comfortable there, as has our child (we are not white.)
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2014 22:08     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Any more recent experience? Are non-Jews welcomed?


My child has attend TE for the past two years and we are not Jewish. We have been welcomed and brought in the Temple Emanuel family with open arms. My experience with the program (including Madeline and the teachers) has only been a positive one. I can't say enough about the high standard and quality of education set forth at the school through the Reggio Emilia inspired approach. My background is in Early Childhood Education, and I've worked both as a teacher and as a researcher, using different approaches and curricula. It honestly really doesn't get much better than Temple Emanuel. The effort and intentionality that the staff put into each and every aspect of the day, the sense of respect that is afforded to each child, the daily blog, the documentation of learning, the knowledge that my child has gained through being there, nothing can compare to it. I don't know the backstory of the DCJCC and so cannot speak to that, but I will say that Madeline has been more than responsive to all of my questions, concerns and inquiries. I guess it really all boils down to what you are looking for in a well-rounded, high quality program, but speaking for my own family, we feel very, very lucky to have stumbled upon this gem of a school, and would recommend it to anyone without hesitation.


Wow, thanks! Do you find the holiday closures difficult?


The holiday closures are a bit challenging but my husband and I just try to be as flexible with our schedules as we can. We also have family in the area so that helps a lot.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2014 20:51     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Also, any thoughts on diversity? We are a mixed race family.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2014 20:50     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Any more recent experience? Are non-Jews welcomed?


My child has attend TE for the past two years and we are not Jewish. We have been welcomed and brought in the Temple Emanuel family with open arms. My experience with the program (including Madeline and the teachers) has only been a positive one. I can't say enough about the high standard and quality of education set forth at the school through the Reggio Emilia inspired approach. My background is in Early Childhood Education, and I've worked both as a teacher and as a researcher, using different approaches and curricula. It honestly really doesn't get much better than Temple Emanuel. The effort and intentionality that the staff put into each and every aspect of the day, the sense of respect that is afforded to each child, the daily blog, the documentation of learning, the knowledge that my child has gained through being there, nothing can compare to it. I don't know the backstory of the DCJCC and so cannot speak to that, but I will say that Madeline has been more than responsive to all of my questions, concerns and inquiries. I guess it really all boils down to what you are looking for in a well-rounded, high quality program, but speaking for my own family, we feel very, very lucky to have stumbled upon this gem of a school, and would recommend it to anyone without hesitation.


Wow, thanks! Do you find the holiday closures difficult?
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2014 13:42     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Anonymous wrote:Any more recent experience? Are non-Jews welcomed?


My child has attend TE for the past two years and we are not Jewish. We have been welcomed and brought in the Temple Emanuel family with open arms. My experience with the program (including Madeline and the teachers) has only been a positive one. I can't say enough about the high standard and quality of education set forth at the school through the Reggio Emilia inspired approach. My background is in Early Childhood Education, and I've worked both as a teacher and as a researcher, using different approaches and curricula. It honestly really doesn't get much better than Temple Emanuel. The effort and intentionality that the staff put into each and every aspect of the day, the sense of respect that is afforded to each child, the daily blog, the documentation of learning, the knowledge that my child has gained through being there, nothing can compare to it. I don't know the backstory of the DCJCC and so cannot speak to that, but I will say that Madeline has been more than responsive to all of my questions, concerns and inquiries. I guess it really all boils down to what you are looking for in a well-rounded, high quality program, but speaking for my own family, we feel very, very lucky to have stumbled upon this gem of a school, and would recommend it to anyone without hesitation.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2014 12:49     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Any more recent experience? Are non-Jews welcomed?
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2013 00:45     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
I have only good things to say about this pre-school. My daughter had 2 wonderful years at TEECC and we miss it dearly. Madeline is not just a director, she is an educator with an outstanding commitment to direct an excellent program inspired in the Reggio approach. Madeline was very supportive of my child, her needs, our needs as parents. We miss the teachers too, great, great people there.
Anonymous
Post 11/21/2012 20:34     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Ditto 15:52.

It was not the place for us. I wanted to be involved in my childrens pre-school experience.

I was also unhappy at the constant staff turnover, sometimes mid school year for un-explained reasons.
Anonymous
Post 11/21/2012 20:30     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
I am another happy parent at Temple Emanuel. While I don't think the director is a communicative or receptive as she could be, the school is well run, the teachers are great and the children are happy and safe. Madeline clearly cares deeply about the children and the school. The school itself is clean and well taken care of. I have had two productive meetings with her about my child's development, during my 3 years at the school and she occasionally follows up with no prompting.

I love the place. Is it perfect? No, but I don't believe perfect is attainable

Anonymous
Post 11/21/2012 20:16     Subject: Re:New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
I'm not sure what the previous person is talking about. We have been at the school starting in September and my daughter loves the place. I had to keep her home for being sick and she cried! The teachers are warm, everyone knows her name, the art projects are fun and engaging, she seems to be learning new things nicely. It would be great to hear some real specifics of what Madeleine did that was so horrible and that the Temple supported, rather than vague character assassination. I think someone may have an axe to grind . . .
Anonymous
Post 11/21/2012 15:52     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
We initially loved the place, but then it increasingly became awful. It will not get better with Madeline Lowitz-Gold at the helm. Run far away.

On the surface, TE is clean, bright and shiny. Their marketing materials are great. But underneath is a decaying rot of an administration, not just Madeline but the temple as well. They will back her up no matter what terrible decisions she makes because as one parent told me, "she brings in gobs of money."

If you like a place in which parents are to be seen and not heard, this is the place for you. If you break this unwritten rule and displease Madeline and question her arbitrary and just generally bad decision making in any way, your child will be targeted, especially if he/she is in any way showing signs of their age, e.g., acting like a child. Children are welcome so long as they act like little adults, and parents are welcome if they do not in any way advocate for their children or question the director's authority.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2012 21:53     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Can the parent 18:54 identify his or her classroom? And/or state the nature of the problem in which you had no voice with Madeline?

Are the problems confined to one class? I am another parent in the B'roshim class (3.5-4 year olds) and am completely unaware of any problems. I've been very happy thus far.

I feel like it is important to know whether this about safety or not getting your particular child's needs met (which is important, too).
Anonymous
Post 03/13/2011 18:54     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Another parent with advice to get out early. The parents do not have a voice with the director and we found that only the problem children had a voice in the classroom.
Anonymous
Post 02/03/2011 17:30     Subject: New Temple Emanuel Nursery School Feedback???
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm also a parent and I've been nothing but satisfied with the school, the director and the community. I've heard rumors about problems in a 3 year old classroom but as I understand it the problems are being addressed. There has also been some turnover this year (2 or 3 teachers.)

I believe the children are universally respected by the professionals at the school. I have almost daily interactions with Madeline on an informal basis and a couple of formal meetings. She has responded to my needs and requests in an organized and professional fashion.

I know the school is not perfect but my experience has been a positive one and more importantly my child LOVES the school.


I am the PP. I am glad that you are having a good experience. We had a good experience at first and that has changed. I now understand all too well the warnings about the JCC because similar things (which fortunately do not directly affect your child/children) have, in my opinion, occurred at TE.



15:56 here. Could you give some more information so I know if it something that I should watch out for and/or expect to encounter next year. Thanks and I'm sorry about your experience.