Frances Jacobson
Early Childhood Center
at Temple Israel of Boston
The FJECC is proud to celebrate another year of engagement in The Rita and Adam J. Weiner and Family Outdoor Classroom. This year, we’ve placed a strong emphasis on enhancing our weekly curriculum invitations and developing efficient systems for setup and storage. These efforts ensure that children and educators alike can seamlessly transition into their outdoor learning experiences.
The mud kitchen has been revitalized, with a multitude of tools for children to use. Staff frequently dig and turn over the soil, making it a more dynamic and inviting space for exploration. A change that has received enthusiastic feedback from families and teachers.
What makes our Nature Explore outdoor classroom truly unique is the way it connects our community. We’ve introduced special features like the meeting log area, where children gather for Havdalah ceremonies, blending tradition with nature-based learning. Our Outdoor Classroom committee, compromised of FJECC staff, has been instrumental in maintaining and expanding our outdoor classroom’s potential. With recent Nature Explore training we have added fresh perspectives to our teaching methods and environmental stewardship.
We’re especially grateful for the Helen Cohen Play + Learn Fund, which honors FJECC’s Founding Director. Helen spearheaded the original building of the Outdoor Classroom, and upon her retirement this fund was created to support the future of FJECC. With this generous support an additional musical sculpture has been installed, which has helped us further enrich this beloved space.
