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2022
- TBE Tots Poppin' Bubbles - May 2022 (18 photos)
- Kabbalat HaSiddur 2022 (20 photos)
- Second Night Seder 2022 (22 photos)
- Kids Passover Experience 2022 (33 photos)
- Mitzvah Day 2022 (55 photos)
- KOA 2022 (67 photos)
- Purim Carnival 2022 at CBI (11 photos)
- Rabbi Mangold's Installation Celebration (22 photos)
- TBE Tots Flowers & Football - Feb. 2022 (26 photos)
- Social Justice Historical Walking Tour - Heritage Trail 2022 (10 photos)
- MLK Jr. Parade 2022 (6 photos)
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
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2018 and older
- 2019 - MLK Jr Parade (4 photos)
- 2018 - Mitzvah Day (12 photos)
- 2018 - KOA (52 photos)
- 2018 - 101 Menorahs & Donut Wars (39 photos)
- 2018 - Israel 70! (13 photos)
- 2018 - Passover - Bring Back Chametz (16 photos)
- 2018 - Pride Parade (15 photos)
- 2017 - 101 Menorahs (60 photos)
- 2015 - 101 Menorahs (119 photos)
Early Childhood Center
"my friends are my favorite part of school!"
-Piper, 2's Class
About the Early childhood Center
We believe that all children at the Temple Beth-El's Early Childhood Center benefit from a warm, supportive environment that includes opportunities for children to grow & develop emotionally, socially, cognitively & physically through a variety of experiences. Children at our ECC are surrounded by loving & experienced early childhood educators who are committed to excellence and exposing children to age-appropriate activities. Our approach is designed to embrace the natural curiosity of the child. The primary goal of our program is to provide a sound learning environment that will help each child reach their fullest potential.
At the Temple Beth-El Early Childhood Center we often use a project approach, expanding into themes that come directly from the children’s expressed interest. Throughout the month, a Judaic & secular thematic approach to programming is incorporated into the curriculum. We recognize that our children’s growing awareness of their Jewish identity is an integral part of their personal development, and therefore, we provide numerous, age appropriate developmental Jewish experiences. These are related to the celebration of Shabbat, holidays & everyday life practices.
Enrollment Information
Enrollment space is limited! To begin your child's placement in one of our Early Childhood Center classes please contact us about availability. There are forms that will need to be completed as well as a non-refundable registration fee even to be added to the waitlist. Please click below to contact our Director of Early Childhood Education, Randi Nash-Ortiz or you can call the ECC directly at (727) 350-5885. We are unable to accept walk-in appointments but would be happy to schedule a time for you and your family to have a tour of the campus and meet the staff.
VPK
School doesn't start in kindergarten anymore! The Early Childhood Center at Temple Beth-El offers a state-of-the-art program with special features. A comprehensive, literacy-based curriculum incorporating "Doors To Discovery", "Creative Curriculum", which is a developmentally appropriate practice for quality preschools recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, theme related Jewish activities, low child-to-teacher ratio, engaging enrichments such as yoga, gymnastics and music and the same warmth, caring & nurturing experiences to which your child has (or will) become accustomed to at Temple Beth-El all within 540 instructional hours.
Available to ALL children who turn 4 on or before September 1st, residing in Florida
It's easy as 1, 2, 3...
1. Visit www.vpkpinellas.net and complete the online application. You may also call VPK Pinellas at 727-400-4411 for technical assistance.
2. Make sure all required documents are uploaded.
3. Visit Temple Beth-El to formally enroll and present your Certificate of Eligibility (which will be emailed to you once you complete the VPK Pinellas registration process online)
"School is my favorite because of challah on shabbat! and paint!"
- Caroline & Tazia, 3's Room
Staff
Randi Nash-Ortiz
director of early childhood education
Randi has been in the Early Childhood profession as a teacher, mentor and director for over 30 years. She has been the Director at TBE since 2005. Randi's level of energy and experience brings a wealth of excellence to TBE as she has held positions at some of the finest facilities including University of Alaska's Child Care Center, Director of a Preschool in Anchorage & Asst. Director at the Dave & Mary Alper Jewish Community Center in Miami. Randi has a Birth-Five and Florida Child Care Directors Credential Level II. Randi and her husband, David, have 2 amazing children, Danielle and Brandon.
CLICK HERE to contact Randi
or call (727) 350-5885.
Ms. cynthia
Teacher
Cynthia has been working at TBE since 2020. She has been working with children since 1994 ranging from infants to school-aged children, with her main focus on infants. Cynthia has her Infant & Toddler National Child Development Associate Credential. She grew up in Jacksonville, FL, and moved to St. Petersburg in the early 1980's. She loves spending time with family and devoting time to the sick, homebound and those less fortunate.
Ms. Allison
Teacher
Allison has been at TBE since 2021 and has been working with children for almost 25 years. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University. Allison began her career as a Developmental Specialist working with children birth to three with disabilities. Her love of learning has continued as she has taught Kindergarten for 10 years and Pre-K for 10 years. she was born and raised in St. Petersburg, her son just graduated from USFSP and she loves to go boating with her husband and beagle!
Ms. KAYLA
Teacher
Kayla has been at TBE since 2021 and has been working with children since 2015. She earned her A.A. in Early Childhood Education
& Care from American Military University. She is also in the process of finishing her degree in Elementary Education. Kayla was born and raised in St. Petersburg. She recently moved back to the area after 10 years of being an Active Duty Army spouse with her son and two doggies! she enjoys spending time with her family.
Ms. Roxana
Teacher
Roxana is new to our ECC family and started her journey as a teacher, in her hometown of Mumbai, India. She moved to Massachusetts to further her education. She then taught the hearing impaired in Michigan for 15 years. Most recently, she taught at a preschool in Gulfport for 3 years. Teaching children has brought Roxana immense joy and fulfilment. She hopes to share that joy with the children at Temple Beth-El. Her other great loves are her family, books, and music. Roxana's undergraduate degree is in psychology and English literature. Her graduate degree is in the education of the hearing impaired. She has done DCF training from birth to fix years.
Ardra Green
Early Childhood Center
Assistant Director
& Teacher
Ardra has been at TBE's Early Childhood Center since 1999. She grew up in St. Petersburg and loves to go fishing, bike riding and do anything outdoors. She is family oriented with 2 great kids and 4 beautiful grandchildren. She enjoys home decor and is always redecorating! She holds a Birth-Five Credential and Directors Credential Level I. Ardra is constantly seeking and updating classroom ideas and practices.
Ms. Alice
Teacher
Alice has been working at TBE since 2007. She has one daughter and a wonderful
son-in-law with 3 grandchildren. She is actively involved in her church, working with children from 3-18 years old where she orchestrates the theater, praise dance and stomp. Her biggest pride and joy is watching the kids perform.
She loves shopping, spending time with her family and spoiling them too! She holds a
Birth-Five Credential.
Ms. Terri
Teacher
Terri has been at TBE since 2007, from office work to classrooms. Everyday is an adventure in the classroom! Terri has completed all her Early Childhood hours through DCF and is currently continuing her education. She is married and has a wonderful son, Joshua.
Ms. Jennifer
Teacher
Jennifer is new to TBE as of 2021. She's been working with children since 2018. Jennifer earned her Early Childhood Professional Certificate from Saint Petersburg and Miami. Her interest include fishing, reading, music, exploring, and playing video games. She also enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and volunteering for children's ministries.
Ms. claudia
Teacher
Claudia earned her B.A. in Psychology at
Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY. Throughout her college career, she had the opportunity to work with kids and fell in love with teaching and helping them reach milestones. She started working as a preschool teacher in the fall of 2020. She was born in Cuba and moved to NY when she was 10 years old. She currently lives in St. Petersburg with her boyfriend, Connor, her cat, Cleo, and her dog, Cali. In her free time she enjoys reading, kayaking, and going to the beach.
"my favorite part about coming to school is our classroom!"
- Jaxon, VPK Alumni 2015
our students are going places!
These two families of ECC graduates met up in Paris for Summer 2019!
Send us your Summer Fun pictures by emailing ecc@templebeth-el.com
and you could be featured on our social media pages!