How Does the Children's Garden Grow?
Very Well, Thank You!

Did you know that the College Avenue Early Childhood Program has a Childrens' Garden? Did you know that each spring and summer for the past 4 years, our youngest learners have sowed seeds, dug dirt, grown gourds and sunflowers, and more? Did you know that the gourds planted in the spring have blossomed and grown big enough to hang in our sukkah in the fall?

"What a great way to teach about the environment, Tikkun O'lam, and an appreciation of nature," said Barbara Topolosky, Early Childhood Services director.

"Our Children's Garden is in a fenced in area behind the preschool," she said. "There are raised beds and flat beds around the border.

"Last year, we had sunflowers and Peter Rabbit's lunch. We grew lettuce, carrots, radishes, and onions. The center bed was a pizza garden, filled with basil, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. Another bed attracted butterflies and the border contained peas, beans, and squash," she said.

Our children love digging in the garden, discovering the flowers, baby vegetables, watching birds and bugs, and tasting the produce," said Topolosky. "We've woven fabric through the fence and made false snakes to chase away the rabbits. The children have explored the world of worms and have run through the spray as we water the plants."

The garden keeps the camp children interested, too, she noted.

This year, our community project is making and selling hand-made stepping stones," said Topolosky. "The funds from the sale will help purchase plants, fresh soil, and compost."

Sign a child up to make a personal stepping stone and visit the garden this May. Cost for making the stepping stone is $10. For more information, contact lmuzzo@columbusjcc.org for more information.

JCC College Ave. Honors 'Week of Young Child'
With Special Events Throughout Community

In honor of the Week of the Young Child, the College Avenue Early Childhood program will feature student art throughout the JCC.

"The Week of the Young Child is a national celebration to bring attention to the education of young children and the needs of their families," said Barbara Topolosky, Early Childhood Services director.

"To create an awareness of the need for quality childcare and show off the beautiful work of our children, College Avenue will feature a Storytime and PJ Party on April 13," she said. "the highlight of the event will showcase teacher Carol Highfield's 'Story Bags'."

Storytimes will take place at 5 p.m. each evening throughout the week. Special guest readers will read their favorite books to the children.

Children will be creating and illustrating their own stories and bookmarks. Supplies will be collected to assemble Story Bags to donate to community agencies.

For more information on becoming a guest reader, contact Topolosky at (614) 559-6290.

Early Childhood Educator Goldsmith Leaves JCC

The JCC has announced that Linda Goldsmith recently left employment with the JCC. As an early childhood educator and a veteran teacher, Linda dedicated herself to the lives and families of hundreds of children during her 32 years of service at the JCC. During her tenure at the JCC, Linda received many kind and supporting words from the parents of her students for contributing to the social growth of their children, for providing wonderful learning experiences, and for guiding the children through developmentally critical years.

During her tenure with the JCC, Linda was commended for serving as a "cooperating teacher" by the Capital University Teacher Education Department. The Ohio State University also gave recognition to Linda for providing mentoring experiences and opportunities for teaching interns. She received a gift from OSU's M.Ed. Early Childhood Program with an inscription that she feels extremely proud of and that reflects her ideals: "It is not what we give, but what we share. For the gift without the giver is bare."

Linda will be remembered for her dedication to her students. She was well known for her welcoming style and her enthusiasm in instilling Judaic knowledge and understanding in her students and preparing them socially and academically for kindergarten.