JCC New Albany Preschool Plans Scholastic Bookfair

The JCC New Albany Preschool will host its annual Scholastic Bookfair, "Reading Road Trip," from Feb. 8 to 15, in the preschool's gymnasium (79 N. High St., New Albany), with a large selection of affordable children's books appropriate for ages Preschool through Fifth Grade. Sale of the books will benefit the JCC New Albany preschool program.

Highlighting the event will be a "PreSchool Musical," – a family-style dance party with Buckeye Sounds – on Feb. 10 from 3 to 4 p.m.

The Reading Road Trip Scholastic Bookfair is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the JCC New Albany Preschool at (614) 855-4885.

Chanukah Lights Dance at the Hop

JCC New Albany preschooler, Jacob Rathkopf (above), lights the fourth Chanukah candle at the Community Wide Chanukah Hop held at Columbus Torah Academy on Tuesday, Dec. 11. The 2008 Chanukah Hop will be hosted at the JCC New Albany Preschool. For more information on the preschool and its early registration schedule for the 2007-2008 school year, visit the JCC of Greater Columbus' website at www.columbusjcc.org.

Former Pro Players Visit JCC New Albany Preschool

Former professional basketball players, Lawrence Funderburke (Chicago Bulls forward) and Valerie Still (Washington Mystics forward), visited with Kindergarten-bound students at the JCC New Albany Preschool on Dec. 17. Funderburke, who was raised in Columbus and played for the OSU Buckeyes basketball team, also played in leagues at the JCC while in high school. His daughter, Nyah, now attends the JCC New Albany Preschool. The visit was made in conjunction with the school's Ethical Start program, which teaches Jewish values and ethics from Pirkei Avot, one of the books of the Talmud, the body of Jewish civil and ceremonial law. The program was developed by the JCC Association and funded by grants from the Columbus Jewish Foundation, Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation. Funderburke read aloud, "Words Are Not For Hurting," a favorite bedtime story in his own home. Still, the founder of a children's education program, "No Stinky Thinking," handed out hats to the students and shirts to the teachers with the program's logo imprinted on them to help educate others about the ability to stop "stinky thoughts" and make good choices about the words said to others. Above, the players, students and teachers share a light moment. From left to right, they are: Sophia Vershini, Kurt Wichman, Valerie Still, Jacob Rathkopf, teacher Kelsey Parsons, Matthew Eastwood, Rose Ziegler (partly hidden), Nyah Funderburke, Lawrence Funderburke, Spencer Brown, teacher Doris Cohen, Nathanial Shnider, teacher Leah Goeke, and Jacob Cohen.

Generations Gather in New Albany to Share Art

Thirteen young students from the JCC New Albany Preschool recently visited residents of the New Albany Gardens to sing Chanukah songs, share some of their artwork and work on projects together. Above, Ava Einstein of Westerville (right), guides Phyllis Holmes in the making of a picture frame. For more information on the JCC New Albany Preschool, visit the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or call (614) 855-4885.