VICKERY MEADOW MITZVAH PROJECTS

Fun Saturdays needs you!

Jill Stone Elementary School serves children within the Vickery Meadow Improvement District---a zip code area where many families live below the poverty line and many are immigrants from Mexico, Bosnia, Africa, and other countries. This neighborhood has the largest population of working poor and immigrant poor in the city of Dallas. Students need opportunities to speak and learn from English-speaking friends as many of their parents do not speak English. Since Vickery Meadow has no parks or community centers for children to safely play, Fun Saturdays is vital. This program allows Jill Stone students to play in a safe environment.
The principal of the Jill Stone Elementary holds monthly parenting workshops during Fun Saturdays. Past workshop topics include: anger management, nutrition, dental hygiene and the like. Some workshops are taught in Spanish. We support her efforts by providing child care, allowing the parents to attend the classes.

Purpose: The goals of the project are three-fold:

1) to provide a safe place for Jill Stone Elementary students to play;

2) to provide educational opportunities that help the children learn English and understand basic problem-solving skills through games; and

3) to provide an opportunity for our Jewish families to get to know a diverse population in a fun and positive way.

Volunteers should be able to interact with elementary age school children. TE members are encouraged to volunteer as families with their own children beginning in the 2nd and 3rd grades.

Fun Saturday activities include: arts and crafts; play-dough; puzzles; board games; student led and organized athletic activities in the gym; play ground; and healthy snacks. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to earn Mitzvah and community service hours.

2011-2012 Fun Saturday Dates:
September 17 with ECEC Parent Association Board members
October 29 with Young Adults
January 7 with Outreach Committee
February 11 with Board and Executive Committee
March 3 with WRJ
April 14 with Caring Congregation and 2011 Congregational Israel Trip
May 5 with Brotherhood
Volunteers are welcome on all dates listed above.
Time: The time commitment for volunteers is from 1:30-4 p.m. (Jill Stone students are in our care from 2-4 p.m. We use the first 30 minutes to set up and have a short D’var Torah)
Where: Jill Stone Elementary at Vickery Meadow | 6606 Ridgecrest Road (at Ridgecrest and Eastridge).
Contact: Karen Naseck at ksn90@aol.com or Diana Coben Einstein at deinstein@tedallas.org or 214-706-0000.

Time: The time commitment for volunteers is from 1:30-4 p.m.
(The children are in our care from 2-4 p.m. We use the first 30 minutes to set up and have a short D’var Torah)

Where: Jill Stone Elementary at Vickery Meadow | 6606 Ridgecrest Road (at Ridgecrest and Eastridge).

Contact:Karen Naseck at ksn90@aol.com or Diana Coben Einstein at deinstein@tedallas.org or 214-706-0000.

Jill Stone Elementary Parent Workshops
Help plan classes for these neighborhood parents while our Temple members play with their children. Each month, while we entertain children during our Fun Saturdays, we help the school by planning the parent workshops. Bring ideas, plan the calendar, help with Saturday dates, translate, coordinate speakers – all help is welcome.

Hours: one Saturday afternoon per month, 1:30-4:00 p.m.

Contact: Rabbi Knight’s study at 214-706-0026

Reading Is Fundamental (“RIF”)
With financial assistance provided by the Priscilla R. Stern Memorial Funds, every student enrolled at Jill Stone Elementary School receives four books each year to keep as their very own. Volunteers are needed three times a year (from one-four hours each event) to help sort and distribute the books.

Hours: 1-4 hours at each event

Contact: Syl Benenson sylben@sbcglobal.net 972.62 0.2212

Food Pantry
Fun Saturdays

Yad B'Yad
Leadership