Back to School Guide to Programs and Activities for 2017

Enjoy the waning days of summer ... school begins for everyone on the Tuesday after Labor Day – September 5 – with Grade 9 orientation on Wednesday August 30th. Many are already practicing with their sports teams for the fall season and everyone's thinking about what the new school year will bring for kids from 2 to 17. We contacted local organizations to see what they are offering this fall – and here is what they shared. Whether you're looking for a nursery school or seeking out opportunities for dance, school enrichment, or sports training, you'll find many good options below:

For the Youngest Set:

The Early Childhood Program at Congregation Kol Ami is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate curriculum teaching and modeling Jewish values. We believe that children learn best through experiential play and provide for these rich experiences within warm, accepting, and nurturing surroundings. All of our Head Teachers have Masters Degrees in Early Childhood or N-6 or related educational fields. We offer a wide range of programs for children (from 1 to 5 years old) and their families. Our A Step Ahead! program for Fall 5 year olds provides full day Pre-K learning. For more information, contact: Nan Blank, ECP Director at nanblank@nykolami.org or call her 914-949-4717 x107.

KIDS Base/Little School: Open enrollment for the 2018-19 school year begins on October 1st at the Little School. We offer Half-Day Two's program in the morning and in the afternoon; Half-Day and Full Day Three's and Full Day Four's as well as early drop-off at 7:00am and Extended Day Child Care until 6:30pm. Our facility includes 8 large classrooms and a newly renovated enclosed playground. We focus on cognitive, linguistic and social-emotional competencies in our efforts to educate the whole child. We strive to make each child's first school experience a positive one that inspires a lifelong love of learning. We are proud to be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) meeting rigorous standards for health, safety, teacher qualifications, curriculum and ongoing training. We work closely with Scarsdale Schools to ensure that our children are well prepared for kindergarten and future years.

The Little School Pre-K Academy is a transitional 4s program for children who want the "gift of time" prior to entering kindergarten. The class is a blend of play based learning, through the Project Approach with an academic curriculum that challenges children who are waiting to enter kindergarten. Registration for this class and all Little School classes for the 2018-2019 school year begins October 1, 2017.

The Little School is located at 307 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale in front of the Pool Complex. For further information or to request an application, please call 914-472-5409, email office@kbls.org or visit our website at www.kbls.org.

Mazel Tots® at Scarsdale Synagogue provides a warm and stimulating environment, which encourages children's curiosity and helps them to grow socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Our warm and nurturing staff will guide the children through a curriculum filled with a variety of child-centered and developmentally appropriate activities that are safe, fun and friendly. The children's spiritual growth will be enriched by the study of Jewish holidays, traditions and family values. We also offer a group of special activities such as sports and games, music, creative movement, sign language, nature, yoga, karate, science, art and more! We have two beautiful new playgrounds and gardens, plus a newly equipped indoor play space featuring ride-on toys, gym equipment, giant blocks, stepping stones and the like! Our Early Childhood Program serves children from 18 months until Kindergarten-bound! We also have afternoon Enrichment Programs and a Parenting Program! For more information please contact Jody Glassman, Early Childhood Program Director at 914-723-3001 or mazeltots@sstte.org. You can also visit our website. Scarsdale Synagogue is located at 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. 914.725.5175.

The Early Childhood Center of Westchester Reform Temple is dedicated to guiding, supporting and enriching young children's lives spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. Our warm staff of experienced educators, along with Temple clergy and specialists, work in partnership to implement our program. Using developmentally appropriate best practices, we prepare our students for the demands of kindergarten readiness. Our pre-school curriculum reflects continuity of content and skills, subsequent growth at each age level, and is responsive to children's interests and individuality in the creation of emergent curriculum. Our facility offers beautiful indoor classrooms, play spaces and two age-appropriate outdoor playgrounds, filled with light and surrounded by nature.

Our ECC is unique among preschools in our area. We provide families with opportunities to participate in and appreciate their Jewish heritage. Equally as important, we create a warm, positive environment which fosters social connections among children as well as their parents. We are known as a Center for families with young children. There are many opportunities for families to participate in some of the fun and often free events we offer throughout the year.

Classes are offered for ages toddler to four-year-olds, and we offer half day and full day options for older children. For information, and to schedule a visit to our pre-school, please contact ECC Director Sue.tolchin@wrtemple.org or call us at 914 723-5493.

For Kids of all Ages:

Education at the JCC of Mid-Westchester: Feeding the Minds and Bodies. Pre-school learners all benefit from the full service nursery schools, fitness and sports facilities and professional teaching staff throughout the JCC. A year round indoor pool, fitness programs, arts programs and Special needs programs. All under one roof! Early drop off late pick up available. The JCC's Summer Art Center (SAC), a one of a kind program that provides a non-competitive, nurturing and flexible environment for all children with a passion for the Arts, continues throughout the year! Classes are all taught by professional artists and teachers and offers high quality instruction in Fine Arts, Dance, Theatre and Music. The Dance School provides extensive programs for pre-schoolers, teens, and adults. The Academic Center offers everything you need to prepare your kids for college entrance. One of the best things about having more than 250 programs for the whole family is that we can offer discounts to our members and patrons. For example, Nursery school families get significant discounts on the fitness packages, camps, and even pre-registration priority for programs that sell out like gymnastics. NEW this year is a pre-K Spanish immersion class! Contact the JCC for more information or to schedule a tour: 914-472-3300, www.jccmw.org.

The JCC is expanding their STEAM offerings. The JCC STEAM program is filled with exciting new classes including LEGO Mathematics, which brings the joy of math to children in grades K-1 and TEKI Tynker, a coding and programming class for children in grades 2-3. Favorite classes from last year, including our very popular Robotics and Jr. Robotics teams where participants work together to design and build a number of increasingly complex robots, as well as Animation and Video Game Creation, will also be offered. Classes are limited to 10 students so register early at jccmw.org we are also adding STEAM birthday parties for your child at the JCC of Mid Westchester.

Shaarei Tikvah, the Scarsdale Conservative Synagogue, invites your children, from Kindergarten through b'nei mitzvah age and beyond, to join in our vibrant and fun Jewish learning. The Anna and Louis Sheriff Religious School seeks to inspire our children with an appreciation of Judaism's rich traditions and culture. Our Teen Engage program offers a unique, elective-based curriculum, that combines experiential learning with our Jewish Debate Club (taught by Rabbi Adam Baldachin). Our weekday-only program (Monday and Wednesday) provides a strong foundation in Hebrew language and prayer, incorporating music and the arts that make learning fun. At Shaarei Tikvah, children experience mitzvot, Torah, Shabbat, holidays, Israel and Jewish history. Please find us on the web here or contact us with questions at synagogue@shaareitikvah.org or 914-472-2013 ext. 300.

The Arts:

Right here in Scarsdale – Starlight Starbright Music offers Music Together®, the international early childhood music and movement program for children from birth through age 8—and the grownups who love them®. In addition to our Babies (0-6 months), Mixed-Age (0-5 years), and Guitar for Grownups classes, new this fall are Rhythm Kids—Music Together with drumming—for preschoolers (4-5 years) and grade schoolers (grades K-2), and Sing Shalom—Music Together with Jewish songs—for mixed ages (0-5 years). Non-Music Together offerings include Uke U., parent-child beginner ukulele for 3- to 6-year-olds; Ukulele Party, for adults and teens; and private guitar lessons for 6- to 10-year-olds. For information about classes and free demos, please visit www.slsbmusic.com or call (914) 924-0995. 78 Garth Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

Steffi Nossen School of Dance (White Plains) has a class for you! We offer classes for dancers of all abilities. Through the discipline and joy of dance in a nurturing environment, students develop grace and fitness, build confidence and poise, and experience the creative process. We offer classes for tots to teens; from Parent and Toddler to a Pre-Professional Program. Parent and Toddler for 1 – 3 year olds, is a fun-filled opportunity for youngest dancers to express themselves through movement while working on balance and coordination. Pre-schoolers chose from Creative Movement, Tap-Ballet Combo, and an energy filled Boy's Movement class. Core Programs in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Hip-Hop and a Pre-professional Program and Moving Wheels and Heels – an adaptive class for dancers with special needs - something for everyone who wants to dance. White Plains and Chappaqua. Visit our website, www.steffinossen.org or contact us at info@steffinossen.org or (914) 328-1900.

Sports!

House of Sports is a 100,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility located in Ardsley. The facility offers a wide variety of sports programming options for athletes of all ages. House of Sports offerings include Learn to Play classes for children ages 2 to 7, sports training, leagues and teams for athletes 8 years old through High School and fitness classes and leagues for adults. We also offer a range of Open Play and rental options for basketball courts and turf fields. Visit us online for more information at www.houseofsportsny.com. Or contact us via email at: info@houseofsportsny.com, or (914) 479-5419 for more information.

Kids In Sports is a dynamic specialized sports program for children 12 months through 12 years old. Founded in 1999, Kids In Sports instructs children in multi-sport classes including Basketball, Baseball, Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer and Volleyball. Headquartered on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, we recently opened our newest location in Scarsdale on Central Park Avenue.

Offering benefits that go beyond the game, Kids in Sports classes are designed to offer a combined learning experiencing energizing the mind and body of your children. With participation and separation options available, Kids In Sports has it all. With a 1:5 coach to child ratio, we focus on teaching the fundamentals of sports in an organized, safe, fun, and supportive environment with emphasis on sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, and communication. With a change in sports every 2-3 weeks, your child is sure to master the technique of each individual sport, while getting the experience and excitement of them all!

With bountiful options to choose from, Kids In Sports offers everything from multi and sport specific classes to summer and day camps, afterschool programs, pre-school alternatives, and birthday parties. We offer free trials for all new students so be sure to check us out at https://scarsdaleny.kidsinsports.com/ give us a call on 914-358-9732 or visit us at 365 Central Park Avenue in Scarsdale.

Westchester Skating Academy is a year-round, twin-rink ice skating Learn to Skate facility offering recreational, hockey, and figure skating for all ages and abilities. WSA programs include public skating, learn-to-skate classes, group events, birthday parties, summer/holiday camps and clinics, adult and youth hockey leagues and instruction, and much more. Visit us online for more information at www.skatewsa.com. Or contact us via email at: skateinfo@skatewsa.com, or (914) 347-8232 for more information.

Local Sports Organizations:

Scarsdale Sharks: Please go to Scarsdalesharks.com to read up about this great opportunity to play travel basketball, in house leagues and clinics in Scarsdale. Train and play games locally with our exceptional coaches. Fall season starts in early September. For more info, email at Scarsdalesharks@yahoo.com, visit: www.scarsdalesharks.com or email: scarsdalesharks@yahoo.com.

Scarsdale Youth Lacrosse Association is now accepting registrations for K-8 Boys and Girls in our Fall lacrosse programs. Fall lacrosse is about improving skills, game IQ development, playing games against other town teams, and having fun playing lax in the beautiful Fall season. The intent of the programs is to offer an alternative in the Fall for those who may not play traditional fall sports or who would like to continue to play lax during the off-season in a fun and competitive environment. SYLA programs are for all levels of players from beginner to advanced. We offer lacrosse programs in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. SYLA is dedicated to promoting lacrosse at the youth level for families residing in the Village of Scarsdale. We strive to develop strong fundamental skills and teamwork while adhering to the standards of sportsmanship and fair play. If you have any questions, please email us at scarsdalegirlslax@gmail.com. Visit our website to register today! 

Maroon and White is the Scarsdale parent organization supporting interscholastic athletics, physical education, and health at the high school. All Scarsdale families are welcome as members and can join through our website, www.maroonandwhite.org.We regularly raise funds through membership, from the sale of Raider merchandise and spiritwear, and from family and business ads in the M&W SHS Sports Journal. We are presently accepting ads through our website or by emailing Kate Conlan at sportsjournal@maroonandwhite.org. Ads placed by October 30, 2017 will appear in all three printings of the Journal (i.e., Fall, Winter, and Spring). Please come out and support our fall athletes. The schedule of games and matches is available on our website.

Do you have a program you would like to add to the guide? Email us at scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.