Editor’s note: To read a long-form story with profiles of all 15 2014-2015 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!
JEWISH COMMUNITY PROJECT
PRINCIPAL: SHARON SHOROFSKY MACK
Early Childhood Center: Grown Up & Me-PK; Hebrew School Project: PK-7
146 Duane Street
jcpdowntown.org
AWARD: OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL
Describe your school’s core educational philosophy.
JCP Early Childhood Center is committed to supporting growth and to encouraging a love of learning… Teachers recognize “access points” in each child, respecting them and encouraging their interests and ideas. Our process-oriented approach to all aspects of education allows for focus not only on an end-product, but on the process of growing, creating and learning. Jewish values are interwoven throughout the curriculum including weekly in-class Shabbat celebrations and Tzedakah (Righteous Giving)/outreach in every class.
Tell us about a few of the school’s achievements or distinguishing programs—as well as its challenges.
We are especially proud of JCP’s Specialist Program, the Resource Collaboration Model, recently featured in the Parents League Review. The program is a unique approach to supporting development using a team of specialized professionals who work directly with families, teachers, and administrators… Additionally JCP offers an outstanding Arts Appreciation Curriculum with visits from professional artists throughout the year. Children converse with artists about the creative process and develop appreciation for the arts as they observe, create, and explore music, dance, drama, and visual arts. JCP recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary and our greatest challenge is our growth! The Early Childhood Center is one part of our growing organization and space continues to be a challenge. We are in the process of exploring opportunities for space that will allow further growth and expansion.
What’s new?
JCP continues to work very closely with all of our families as they research opportunities for Kindergarten in ongoing schools. Our goal is to help families find the right match for their child and we feel fortunate to have been continually successful in those partnerships.
What do you love about your school?
I love the respect that is part of our school culture. Walking into a classroom, the respect that the teachers and children have for each other is obvious. I love having worked with my colleagues to build a place that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of so many families. When our school comes together for our
all-school events there is a magic that is palpable. Siblings, cousins, and friends wave from across the room or spontaneously hug in delight. Likewise, our children learn to greet each other at our weekly Shabbat celebrations and turn to one another offering a handshake wishing each other “Shabbat Shalom.” These moments of affirmation of enjoying each other’s presence are truly touching.
