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Little Sunshine's Playhouse Teacher Honored as National Teacher of the Month
April 14, 2026
Little Sunshine's Playhouse Teacher Honored as National Teacher of the Month
April 14, 2026
ICJA Celebrates Israel's 78th Birthday with Daley Plaza Flag-Raising
Today, ICJA transformed into a slice of Israel as ICJA students marked Israel’s 78th birthday. After a special all-school davening, students enjoyed a gala Israeli breakfast, complete with “Aroma Coffee” brewed in our very own cafeteria. Students then heard an informative briefing about the current state of Israeli politics before heading into a school building that was virtually unrecognizable. The Learning Commons and Cafeteria housed different Israeli stations: IDF training, humus-making, a limonana station, areas to learn about the giants of Torah learning in the land of Israel, Magen David Adom lessons in first aid, Israeli start-up workshops, drone lessons, and more. In back of our school, Rabbi Segal grilled homemade pitot out of dough our students made by hand. In front, students enjoyed rides on a camel and created a Tel Aviv-style graffiti mural. Students then headed downtown to Daley Plaza for today’s Israeli flag-raising and Yom haAtzmaut celebration, led by JUF Chicago. Seniors Mina Brandes and Jayden Perlman led the Prayer for the State of Israel in Hebrew and in English, and senior Yehuda Goldstein recited a Mishebera for Israeli soldiers. Another highlight of the event was meeting Israel’s Consul General to Chicago and the Midwest Elad Strohmayer, who met with ICJA students and posed for photographs. Afterwards, students returned to school for a gala Israeli-style lunch of schwarma, pita, humus, and more, followed by ruach-filled dancing. It wa truly a memorable and joyous celebration. Thank you to the many teachers and administrators who planned today’s festivities, and to Gertz family who ensure that ICJA students truly celebrate Israel on Yom HaAtzmaut in memory of Doris and Paul Rosenberg, z”l.
Little Sunshine's Names April National Teacher of the Month
The Teacher of the Month award is our way of celebrating educators who live out our core values—compassion, humility, integrity, loyalty, and discipline—each and every day. We’re excited to announce that our 2026 April National Teacher of the Month is Ms. Dominique from Little Sunshine’s Playhouse of Southlake. The leadership team at Southlake had such kind words to say in light of this honor: “We are proud to recognize Ms. Dominique as our Teacher of the Month! As the heart of our Wild Things classroom, she consistently demonstrates what it means to be a truly dedicated and compassionate educator. Ms. Dominique is an amazing and caring teacher who pours love into everything she does. Her classroom is a place where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn each day. She takes the time to understand each child individually, creating meaningful connections that help them grow both socially and emotionally. Her strength in building relationships is what truly sets her apart. Parents often share how much they appreciate her communication, warmth, and the genuine bond she creates with their children. She goes above and beyond to ensure families feel connected and confident in their child’s care. Through her patience, creativity, and consistency, Ms. Dominique makes a lasting impact. Whether she is guiding learning, comforting a child, or celebrating small wins, she leads with heart and purpose. We are so grateful to have Ms. Dominique as part of our team. She represents the very best of what we strive to be every day. Congratulations, Ms. Dominique, and thank you for the love, dedication, and excellence you bring to our school community!” We asked our April 2026 National Teacher of the Month, Ms. Dominique from Southlake, a few questions so you could have the opportunity to get to know her better! What age group do you teach? I teach in the 2’s classroom. What is the name of your classroom? My classroom is called Where The Wild Things Are. What do you love most about the age group you teach? I love teaching this age group because of their little personalities and their curiosity to learn. What is your favorite curriculum project you’ve ever done in your classroom? My favorite curriculum project that I have done so far in my class is Every Child is an Artist, when we gave our students a creative outlet through art! What do you enjoy most about working at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse? I enjoy the positive and fun atmosphere, as well as working with the staff and getting to know the families. What made you want to become an early childhood educator? I knew I wanted to become an early childhood educator when I was fifteen years old and started working with kids as a volunteer to a summer camp. Since then it has always been my passion to work with children. Who and/or what inspires you and why? My students inspire me. They inspire me to be the best teacher that I can be, and they inspire me to be creative with activities. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Outside of work, I enjoy being a mom to two boys and spending time with my family, as well as going on runs. Tell us one special fact about yourself that no one would expect. I like anything that has to do with fitness! We’d also like to extend congratulations to all of this month’s nominees listed below. Thank you for your continued passion and dedication. You are all a vital part of our Little Sunshine’s family! Arvada – Noli Briargate – Laura M. Broomfield – Youri R. Cardinal – Jennifer K. Castle Rock – Elodie B. Chesterfield – Alyssa A. Chestnut – Rylie F. Colorado Springs (Cheyenne Mountain) – Riley O. Claremont – Emma B. Creve Coeur – Kaitlyn P. Dominion – Bethany C. Elkhorn North – Joye F. Erie – Elizabeth F. Franklin – Kaitlyn R. Four Points – Shelly K. Gilbert Higley – Daniela E.R. Gilbert Val Vista – Fanny J. Granite Bay – Phuong P. Hendersonville – Jamella G. Lake St. Louis – Amy H. Lakeway – Robin C. Littleton – Monique M. Mt. Juliet – Catherine S. O’Fallon – Jordyn B. Overland Park – Alexis B. Ozark – Emily S. Parker – Sam J. Rogers – Mary E. Roswell – Wanda M. Schaumburg – Resy M. Stone Oak – Lety M. The Woodlands – Carla A. Thornton – Desiree M. University City – Christi B. West Omaha – Christi B. Willowbrook – Maritza R. The post April 2026 National Teacher of the Month appeared first on Little Sunshine's Playhouse.
ICJA Hosts Annual Grandparents Day with Over 150 Visitors
On Thursday, over 150 grandparents visited school for Grandparents’ Day, Thursday, April 30. Grandparents enjoyed refreshments with their grandchildren before hearing from Grandparents’ Day co-chairs Susan Stein and CB Brownstein and Rabbi Matanky. During 2nd and 3rd periods, grandparents accompanied their grandchildren to class, getting a glimpse into what ICJA students learn and what our school is like. Click here to view a special video for Grandparents’ Day 2026 that was shown at the event, and here to see some more photos and videos. Thank you to Grandparents Day co-chairs Susan Stein and CB Brownstein (pictured above), for organizing this amazing morning. Thank you also to Ilana Levy and Devy Zwelling, and to all the teachers and staff who helped make this year’s Grandparents’ Day our best one ever.
ICJA Students Lead Moving Yom HaZikaron Ceremony Honoring Fallen Soldiers
On Tuesday this week, students led an incredibly meaningful Yom HaZikaron tekes. After conducting Zoom conversations with the families of fallen soldiers over the past two weeks, students gave moving presentatiojns about six soldiers who gave up their lives al kiddush Hashem: Sean Carmeli, Shoham Ben-Harush, Uri Bornstein, Netzer Simchi, Shachar Cohen-Mavteach, and Yair Katz. Through tefillot, videos, speeches, and songs, students created a profound way to honor their memories and the memories of all of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Yaasher koach to juniors Eliana Neiger, Sarah Leonard, Bela Burstyn, Yakira Wittlin, Ariella Titievsky, Yehuda Weiss, Jacob Ackerman, Kinneret Finegold, and Levi Madoff; freshmen Dovi Finkel, Jacob Groman, Matan Gavant; sophomores Michal Belsh and Miriam Linzer; and senior Caley Gordon for their roles in the tekes! Thanks to Mrs. Shira Jacobs, Mrs. Moria Kohanchi, Ms. Martin, and Mrs. Noa Nussbaum for organizing this amazing event. This incredible Yom HaZikaron program and Tekes is generously sponsored by the Zenia and Jeffrey Cohen Fund For the Yom HaZikaron Program.
Schaumburg Preschool Explains Reggio Emilia Documentation Philosophy
By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning Walk into a Reggio Emilia preschool and look at the walls. You will not find generic posters or decorative borders. You will find photographs of children at work, their words printed carefully beneath them. You will find sketches, questions, and traces of investigations still in progress. You will find evidence of thinking preserved and displayed with intention. This is documentation. And in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, it is far more than record-keeping. It is one of the most powerful tools educators have, and one of the most meaningful gifts they can give to children, families, and the learning community as a whole. As Director of Curriculum and Learning at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, documentation is something I think about constantly. It is the principle that perhaps most visibly sets our preschool programs apart from more traditional early childhood settings. And when families truly understand what they are looking at when they see our walls, something shifts in how they understand what is happening for their child every single day. What Documentation Actually Is The word documentation can sound clinical. It is anything but. In the Reggio Emilia philosophy, documentation is the practice of carefully observing, recording, and sharing the process of children’s learning. It might take the form of photographs taken during an investigation. It might be a transcription of a conversation between two children working through a problem together. It might be a sequence of sketches showing how a child’s understanding of something evolved over several days. Documentation is not about capturing finished products. A painting on display without any context around how it came to be tells only part of the story. True documentation in a Reggio Emilia preschool captures the process. Documentation as Communication With Children One of the most powerful things documentation does is communicate directly to children about who they are and what they are capable of. When a child walks into the classroom in the morning and sees their own words printed on the wall alongside a photograph of themselves deep in thought, they receive a message that no lesson plan can deliver as powerfully: your ideas were worth preserving. What you thought about yesterday was important enough to remember. You are a thinker, and the adults around you take your thinking seriously. This matters enormously for how children see themselves as learners. Research on self-efficacy in early childhood consistently shows that children who believe their contributions are valued engage more deeply, take more risks, and demonstrate greater persistence in the face of challenge. Documentation also invites children to revisit and extend their own thinking. When children can look back at an earlier sketch, a previous idea, or a recorded conversation, they are able to reflect in ways that young children rarely get the opportunity to do. They can see how their thinking has changed. They can build on what they discovered before. The documentation becomes a scaffold for deeper inquiry rather than simply an endpoint. Documentation as Communication With Families For families, documentation is a window into a world they otherwise cannot see. Most parents drop their child off and pick them up later with only a vague sense of what happened in between. They might hear a fragment of a story in the car on the way home, or see a drawing they cannot quite interpret. The inner life of their child’s day at school is largely invisible to them. Documentation changes that. When parents can read a transcription of their child’s conversation with a peer, or see a sequence of photographs showing their child working through a problem over the course of an afternoon, they are given something remarkable: genuine insight into how their child thinks. At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, we hear again and again from families that documentation is one of the things that makes them feel most connected to what is happening inside our classrooms. It is not just a report of what their child did. It is a portrait of who their child is becoming. It is one of the reasons families who are searching for preschool programs that treat children as capable, curious thinkers find their way to us, because our walls tell a story that speaks for itself. Documentation as Communication Among Educators Documentation does not only serve children and families. It is also one of the most important professional tools educators have. When teachers document carefully, they are forced to slow down and truly look at what children are doing. The act of documentation is itself a form of deep observation. It asks educators to notice not just what happened, but what it might mean. What is this child working to understand? What question is alive for them? What does this moment reveal about where their thinking is? These questions are at the heart of reflective teaching practice. And documentation gives educators the material they need to have meaningful conversations with one another about children’s learning, to plan responsively, to identify what provocations might open new territory, and to support one another’s growth as practitioners. At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, documentation is woven into our professional development and our ongoing collaborative reflection. It is not something teachers do in addition to their real work. It is a core part of how our educators understand and continuously improve what they do, and it is one of the reasons our preschool programs attract educators who are deeply committed to this kind of intentional practice. What Documentation Looks Like in Practice For families who are new to Reggio Emilia preschool environments, it can be helpful to understand the many forms documentation can take. It is not one thing. It is a practice that looks different depending on what is being captured and why. Some common forms of documentation in a Reggio Emilia preschool include: Photographs paired with written observations, displayed at children’s eye level Transcriptions of children’s conversations and questions, often printed alongside images Sequences of sketches or artwork showing how an idea or investigation evolved Digital documentation shared with families through platforms like our LuvNotes app Classroom portfolios, in which educators and students collaborate to document the child’s work throughout the year (typically documented in the form of a binder or folder) What all of these share is intentionality. Nothing appears on a Reggio Emilia preschool wall by accident. Every piece of documentation is there because an educator made a deliberate choice to preserve and share a particular moment of learning. The Deeper Purpose of Documentation in a Reggio Emilia Preschool There is something worth saying about what documentation ultimately communicates, beyond the specific content of any individual panel or photograph. When a classroom is rich with documentation, it tells everyone who enters something important about what is valued here. It says that learning is a process, not just a product. It says that children’s thinking is worthy of serious attention. It says that what happens in this room is worth remembering. In a world that often reduces early childhood education to readiness checklists and developmental milestones, documentation is a quiet but powerful act of resistance. It insists that what children think, wonder, discover, and create in these early years is not preparation for something more important later. It is important now. It is worth capturing. It is worth sharing. It is worth celebrating. This is what separates truly intentional preschool programs from those that simply keep children occupied until kindergarten. At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, every document, photograph, and transcription on our walls exists because we genuinely believe that every child’s learning story deserves to be told. If this article sparked your interest, there’s so much more to explore. Our About page dives deeper into how exceptional early education can nurture a child’s natural curiosity, confidence, and love of learning. You can even experience this approach for yourself at one of our Reggio Emilia preschools and daycares near you. We’re glad you’re here. Let’s keep learning together. Keep reading about the seven principles of Reggio Emilia! (1) Children Are Active Participants in Their Learning (2) Learning Thrives Through Collaboration (3) Children are Natural Communicators (4) The Classroom is the Third Teacher (5) Teachers are Partners and Guides (6) Documentation as Communication The post Principles of Reggio Emilia: Documentation as Communication appeared first on Little Sunshine's Playhouse.
Southlake Preschool Family Art Show Celebrates Process Over Product
There is a moment that happened over and over again at our Family Art Show last April, a child grabbing a parent’s hand, pulling them across the room, and saying with complete confidence: “Look what I made.” That moment is everything. It is what we work toward every day inside our classrooms at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, your Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool in Southlake, TX. Not just the artwork on the walls, but the child standing next to it, beaming, proud, certain that what they created matters. Watching that unfold in a room full of families was one of the most amazing evenings we have had in a long time. Art as Exploration, Not Perfection At the heart of our art show was something called process art, an approach that puts the experience of creating above the final product. Rather than following a template or working toward a predetermined result, our children were given the freedom to paint freely, mix colors, explore textures, and experiment with a wide variety of materials. No two pieces looked the same. That was entirely intentional. In our classrooms, art is not about getting it right. It’s about discovery. It’s about a child finding out what happens when two colors meet, or what it feels like to press their hands into something soft and leave a mark behind. It is about learning to communicate something true about yourself before you have all the words to do it. This is the most developmentally appropriate way for children under six to learn. It is one of the many reasons families choose our daycare in Southlake, TX, because we believe the earliest years of a child’s life deserve more than worksheets and circle time. They deserve the wonder that will set them up for a lifelong love of learning. Inspired by the Greats, Made Entirely Their Own To deepen the experience following the event, we’ve spent time introducing our children to some of the world’s most beloved artists and inviting them to explore their styles in ways that were meaningful and age-appropriate. Our little students and new prospective friends created swirling night skies inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night. They painted expressive self-portraits in the spirit of Frida Kahlo. They designed bold, colorful circle compositions influenced by the abstract work of Wassily Kandinsky. And those were just a few of the artists we explored together throughout the month. What was beautiful to see was that while the inspiration came from masters of their craft, every single piece remained entirely the child’s own. You could see Van Gogh’s swirls and still see the child who made them. The influence was a doorway, not a mold, and walking through our gallery that evening, the individuality of each small artist was unmistakable. What Made It Truly Special The artwork was stunning. But honestly, that was not even the best part. The best part was the energy in the room. Parents stayed after to talk with teachers. Families introduced themselves to other families. Children who were shy in September stood tall in front of their work and narrated every creative decision they made. Grandparents had their phones out, photographing everything. Events like this remind us what early childhood education is really about. It is not just academics or milestones or school readiness. It is about belonging. It is about a child knowing in their bones that what they create is worth celebrating and that the people around them will show up and be proud. When families feel connected to a school, children feel it. And when children feel supported and seen, something wonderful happens: they thrive. It is something we hear from families throughout Southlake, TX and the surrounding communities, that what sets our preschool apart is not just our curriculum, but the way their children feel when they walk through our doors. A Reflection of Who We Are Our Family Art Show was not just an event on the calendar. It was a reflection of our values made visible, a room full of evidence that this community is something real. Keep an eye out for our events in the future to feel the magic for yourself, or schedule a private tour at our school at a time that works best for you. If you are looking for a preschool in Southlake, TX where your child will be seen, celebrated, and genuinely known, or a daycare in Southlake, TX that treats the early years with the depth and intention they deserve, we would love to welcome your family. Come see what we are building inside our castle. Because we have always believed that the best thing a school can be is a place where children feel safe enough to be exactly who they are. And if our art show was any indication, our children know exactly who they are. Read More From Our Little Sunshine’s family! Matrescence: The Identity Shift of Becoming a Mother Nobody Talks About How to Identify Your Child’s Learning Style (And Support It at Home) Principles of Reggio Emilia: The Classroom is the Third Teacher The post Our Southlake Preschool Turned Every Child Into an Artist appeared first on Little Sunshine's Playhouse.
ICJA Celebrates Torah Excellence and Character at Lag B'Omer Awards
This week on Lag B’Omer, our entire school came together to celebrate students who have excelled in Torah learning, good character, diligence, and chesed. It was a meaningful way to mark the day. In addition to our students’ impressive achievements, it was wonderful to watch their classmates cheer each award winner, filling our entire award ceremony with ruach, support, and achdut. The Daf Yomi Club opened the ceremony by making a siyum. Yasher koach to junior William Moscovitch for leading the siyum and to other club members Yoni Chastkofsky, Yaakov Chastkofsky, Ruvi Gurvich, Bennett Kroll, Max Leonard, and Jacob Thomas. Torah Excellence Awards recipients included: Emily Adler, Ami Appel, Dahlia Bildner, Shosh Boshes, Yis Burgher, Yoni Chastkofsky, Eli Comrov, Molly Fogel, Ayden Frankel, Tani Frazin, Dina Gottlieb, Yona Jones, Devorah Kaplowitz, Maayan Kohanchi, Raeli Lopin, Asher Segal, Yael Schwartz, Aharon Steinberg, Jacob Thomas, Ariella Titievsky, and Kira Wittlin. Middot Tovot Award recipients included: Emily Adler, Libby Bleichman, Yair Dreytser, Zamira Elias, Eli Fretzin, Zachary Fogel, Asher Gelerinter, Oren Goizman, Zachary Kupietzky, Hillel Lennon, Max Leonard, Avigayil Loebmann, Levi Madoff, Ariele Martin Shafrir, Esti Mora, Orli Neiger, Eliana Neiger, and Meira Schultz. Hasmadah Award winner included: Dani Allswang, Rivky Belsh, Lily Douek, Tani Gavant, Ami Gavant, Ruvi Gurvich, Yaffa Hoberman, Akiva Joseph, Aaron Koenig, Max Leonard, Sarah Leonard, Josh Miller, William Moscovitch, Jacob Thomas, and Kira Wittlin. Yegiah b’Torah Award recipients included: Sammy Bajtner, Michal Belsh, Chavi Campbell, Yair Dreytser, Asher Gadd, Aaron Gelb, Yoni Hellman, Zachary Kupietzky, Shiri Litwak, Maydon Mosbacher, Kira Neiger, Eden Salvadori, Menachem Steinberg, and Shuli Stopek. Binyamin Friedman, Yaffa Hoberman, Isaac Kaplowitz, Baila Laber, and Ariella Titievsky were honored for performing the most chesed this year. The Nach Yomi Club celebrated their second cycle of Tanach: mazel tov to club members Libby Bleichman, Maayan Engel, Kinneret Finegold, Yaffa Hoberman, Maya Kutliroff, Sarah Leonard, Meira Schultz, Ariella Titievsky, and Kira Wittlin. Yasher koach to senior Ami Gavant on winning the Jason Lerner ’95, z”l, Memorial Yehudi HaTov Award, honoring a student selected by his or her peers for exceptional dedication to Torah, middot, and chesed. Thank you to our Mechanchim for making this event so beautiful and meaningful, and thank you to senior Josh Miller for photos of the event.
Little Sunshine's Playhouse Offers Comprehensive Educational Programs in Schaumburg
Little Sunshine's Playhouse of Schaumburg, IL provides educational programs for children. The facility focuses on creating a nurturing environment that supports early childhood development through structured educational activities and play-based learning.
ICJA Students Hear from Holocaust Scholars and Authors During Yom HaShoah Program
On April 14, 2026, students observed Yom HaShoah with a fascinating conversation between ICJA alumna Alison Pure-Slovin ’75, Midwest Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and two distinguished children of Holocaust survivors. Miriam Starck Miller is the daughter of ICJA grandparent Izzy Starck and the author of A Boy Named 68818, about her father’s Holocaust experiences. Howard Reich is a journalist and author of five books including Prisoner of Her Past, about his mother Sonia’s experiences during the Holocaust, and The Art of Inventing Hope: Intimate Conversations with Elie Wiesel. Students listened as these writers discussed their parents’ experiences and the ways that it affected them growing up. Our speakers also shared important advice with our students. Mrs. Starck Miller stressed how important it is to speak with one’s grandparents. Even if students discuss seemingly trivial items with their grandparents, she explained, they are still building a connection and gaining their grandparents’ wisdom. Mr. Reich shared an insight he learned from Elie Wiesel: “To bear witness is to be a witness.” This program was sponsored in memory of Rabbi Shlomo Hirsch Koller, hy”d and his sister Etka Koller-Cykornik, hy”d, by Sharon and Seymour Gertz and the estate of Margalit bat Rav Shilem Gertz z”l.
ICJA Students Lead Moving Yom HaZikaron Ceremony Honoring Fallen Soldiers
On Tuesday this week, students led an incredibly meaningful Yom HaZikaron tekes. After conducting Zoom conversations with the families of fallen soldiers over the past two weeks, students gave moving presentatiojns about six soldiers who gave up their lives al kiddush Hashem: Sean Carmeli, Shoham Ben-Harush, Uri Bornstein, Netzer Simchi, Shachar Cohen-Mavteach, and Yair Katz. Through tefillot, videos, speeches, and songs, students created a profound way to honor their memories and the memories of all of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Yaasher koach to juniors Eliana Neiger, Sarah Leonard, Bela Burstyn, Yakira Wittlin, Ariella Titievsky, Yehuda Weiss, Jacob Ackerman, Kinneret Finegold, and Levi Madoff; freshmen Dovi Finkel, Jacob Groman, Matan Gavant; sophomores Michal Belsh and Miriam Linzer; and senior Caley Gordon for their roles in the tekes! Thanks to Mrs. Shira Jacobs, Mrs. Moria Kohanchi, Ms. Martin, and Mrs. Noa Nussbaum for organizing this amazing event. This incredible Yom HaZikaron program and Tekes is generously sponsored by the Zenia and Jeffrey Cohen Fund For the Yom HaZikaron Program.
ICJA Celebrates Torah Excellence and Character at Lag B'Omer Awards
This week on Lag B’Omer, our entire school came together to celebrate students who have excelled in Torah learning, good character, diligence, and chesed. It was a meaningful way to mark the day. In addition to our students’ impressive achievements, it was wonderful to watch their classmates cheer each award winner, filling our entire award ceremony with ruach, support, and achdut. The Daf Yomi Club opened the ceremony by making a siyum. Yasher koach to junior William Moscovitch for leading the siyum and to other club members Yoni Chastkofsky, Yaakov Chastkofsky, Ruvi Gurvich, Bennett Kroll, Max Leonard, and Jacob Thomas. Torah Excellence Awards recipients included: Emily Adler, Ami Appel, Dahlia Bildner, Shosh Boshes, Yis Burgher, Yoni Chastkofsky, Eli Comrov, Molly Fogel, Ayden Frankel, Tani Frazin, Dina Gottlieb, Yona Jones, Devorah Kaplowitz, Maayan Kohanchi, Raeli Lopin, Asher Segal, Yael Schwartz, Aharon Steinberg, Jacob Thomas, Ariella Titievsky, and Kira Wittlin. Middot Tovot Award recipients included: Emily Adler, Libby Bleichman, Yair Dreytser, Zamira Elias, Eli Fretzin, Zachary Fogel, Asher Gelerinter, Oren Goizman, Zachary Kupietzky, Hillel Lennon, Max Leonard, Avigayil Loebmann, Levi Madoff, Ariele Martin Shafrir, Esti Mora, Orli Neiger, Eliana Neiger, and Meira Schultz. Hasmadah Award winner included: Dani Allswang, Rivky Belsh, Lily Douek, Tani Gavant, Ami Gavant, Ruvi Gurvich, Yaffa Hoberman, Akiva Joseph, Aaron Koenig, Max Leonard, Sarah Leonard, Josh Miller, William Moscovitch, Jacob Thomas, and Kira Wittlin. Yegiah b’Torah Award recipients included: Sammy Bajtner, Michal Belsh, Chavi Campbell, Yair Dreytser, Asher Gadd, Aaron Gelb, Yoni Hellman, Zachary Kupietzky, Shiri Litwak, Maydon Mosbacher, Kira Neiger, Eden Salvadori, Menachem Steinberg, and Shuli Stopek. Binyamin Friedman, Yaffa Hoberman, Isaac Kaplowitz, Baila Laber, and Ariella Titievsky were honored for performing the most chesed this year. The Nach Yomi Club celebrated their second cycle of Tanach: mazel tov to club members Libby Bleichman, Maayan Engel, Kinneret Finegold, Yaffa Hoberman, Maya Kutliroff, Sarah Leonard, Meira Schultz, Ariella Titievsky, and Kira Wittlin. Yasher koach to senior Ami Gavant on winning the Jason Lerner ’95, z”l, Memorial Yehudi HaTov Award, honoring a student selected by his or her peers for exceptional dedication to Torah, middot, and chesed. Thank you to our Mechanchim for making this event so beautiful and meaningful, and thank you to senior Josh Miller for photos of the event.
ICJA Hosts Annual Grandparents Day with Over 150 Visitors
On Thursday, over 150 grandparents visited school for Grandparents’ Day, Thursday, April 30. Grandparents enjoyed refreshments with their grandchildren before hearing from Grandparents’ Day co-chairs Susan Stein and CB Brownstein and Rabbi Matanky. During 2nd and 3rd periods, grandparents accompanied their grandchildren to class, getting a glimpse into what ICJA students learn and what our school is like. Click here to view a special video for Grandparents’ Day 2026 that was shown at the event, and here to see some more photos and videos. Thank you to Grandparents Day co-chairs Susan Stein and CB Brownstein (pictured above), for organizing this amazing morning. Thank you also to Ilana Levy and Devy Zwelling, and to all the teachers and staff who helped make this year’s Grandparents’ Day our best one ever.
Schaumburg Preschool Explains Reggio Emilia Documentation Philosophy
By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning Walk into a Reggio Emilia preschool and look at the walls. You will not find generic posters or decorative borders. You will find photographs of children at work, their words printed carefully beneath them. You will find sketches, questions, and traces of investigations still in progress. You will find evidence of thinking preserved and displayed with intention. This is documentation. And in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, it is far more than record-keeping. It is one of the most powerful tools educators have, and one of the most meaningful gifts they can give to children, families, and the learning community as a whole. As Director of Curriculum and Learning at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, documentation is something I think about constantly. It is the principle that perhaps most visibly sets our preschool programs apart from more traditional early childhood settings. And when families truly understand what they are looking at when they see our walls, something shifts in how they understand what is happening for their child every single day. What Documentation Actually Is The word documentation can sound clinical. It is anything but. In the Reggio Emilia philosophy, documentation is the practice of carefully observing, recording, and sharing the process of children’s learning. It might take the form of photographs taken during an investigation. It might be a transcription of a conversation between two children working through a problem together. It might be a sequence of sketches showing how a child’s understanding of something evolved over several days. Documentation is not about capturing finished products. A painting on display without any context around how it came to be tells only part of the story. True documentation in a Reggio Emilia preschool captures the process. Documentation as Communication With Children One of the most powerful things documentation does is communicate directly to children about who they are and what they are capable of. When a child walks into the classroom in the morning and sees their own words printed on the wall alongside a photograph of themselves deep in thought, they receive a message that no lesson plan can deliver as powerfully: your ideas were worth preserving. What you thought about yesterday was important enough to remember. You are a thinker, and the adults around you take your thinking seriously. This matters enormously for how children see themselves as learners. Research on self-efficacy in early childhood consistently shows that children who believe their contributions are valued engage more deeply, take more risks, and demonstrate greater persistence in the face of challenge. Documentation also invites children to revisit and extend their own thinking. When children can look back at an earlier sketch, a previous idea, or a recorded conversation, they are able to reflect in ways that young children rarely get the opportunity to do. They can see how their thinking has changed. They can build on what they discovered before. The documentation becomes a scaffold for deeper inquiry rather than simply an endpoint. Documentation as Communication With Families For families, documentation is a window into a world they otherwise cannot see. Most parents drop their child off and pick them up later with only a vague sense of what happened in between. They might hear a fragment of a story in the car on the way home, or see a drawing they cannot quite interpret. The inner life of their child’s day at school is largely invisible to them. Documentation changes that. When parents can read a transcription of their child’s conversation with a peer, or see a sequence of photographs showing their child working through a problem over the course of an afternoon, they are given something remarkable: genuine insight into how their child thinks. At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, we hear again and again from families that documentation is one of the things that makes them feel most connected to what is happening inside our classrooms. It is not just a report of what their child did. It is a portrait of who their child is becoming. It is one of the reasons families who are searching for preschool programs that treat children as capable, curious thinkers find their way to us, because our walls tell a story that speaks for itself. Documentation as Communication Among Educators Documentation does not only serve children and families. It is also one of the most important professional tools educators have. When teachers document carefully, they are forced to slow down and truly look at what children are doing. The act of documentation is itself a form of deep observation. It asks educators to notice not just what happened, but what it might mean. What is this child working to understand? What question is alive for them? What does this moment reveal about where their thinking is? These questions are at the heart of reflective teaching practice. And documentation gives educators the material they need to have meaningful conversations with one another about children’s learning, to plan responsively, to identify what provocations might open new territory, and to support one another’s growth as practitioners. At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, documentation is woven into our professional development and our ongoing collaborative reflection. It is not something teachers do in addition to their real work. It is a core part of how our educators understand and continuously improve what they do, and it is one of the reasons our preschool programs attract educators who are deeply committed to this kind of intentional practice. What Documentation Looks Like in Practice For families who are new to Reggio Emilia preschool environments, it can be helpful to understand the many forms documentation can take. It is not one thing. It is a practice that looks different depending on what is being captured and why. Some common forms of documentation in a Reggio Emilia preschool include: Photographs paired with written observations, displayed at children’s eye level Transcriptions of children’s conversations and questions, often printed alongside images Sequences of sketches or artwork showing how an idea or investigation evolved Digital documentation shared with families through platforms like our LuvNotes app Classroom portfolios, in which educators and students collaborate to document the child’s work throughout the year (typically documented in the form of a binder or folder) What all of these share is intentionality. Nothing appears on a Reggio Emilia preschool wall by accident. Every piece of documentation is there because an educator made a deliberate choice to preserve and share a particular moment of learning. The Deeper Purpose of Documentation in a Reggio Emilia Preschool There is something worth saying about what documentation ultimately communicates, beyond the specific content of any individual panel or photograph. When a classroom is rich with documentation, it tells everyone who enters something important about what is valued here. It says that learning is a process, not just a product. It says that children’s thinking is worthy of serious attention. It says that what happens in this room is worth remembering. In a world that often reduces early childhood education to readiness checklists and developmental milestones, documentation is a quiet but powerful act of resistance. It insists that what children think, wonder, discover, and create in these early years is not preparation for something more important later. It is important now. It is worth capturing. It is worth sharing. It is worth celebrating. This is what separates truly intentional preschool programs from those that simply keep children occupied until kindergarten. At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, every document, photograph, and transcription on our walls exists because we genuinely believe that every child’s learning story deserves to be told. If this article sparked your interest, there’s so much more to explore. Our About page dives deeper into how exceptional early education can nurture a child’s natural curiosity, confidence, and love of learning. You can even experience this approach for yourself at one of our Reggio Emilia preschools and daycares near you. We’re glad you’re here. Let’s keep learning together. Keep reading about the seven principles of Reggio Emilia! (1) Children Are Active Participants in Their Learning (2) Learning Thrives Through Collaboration (3) Children are Natural Communicators (4) The Classroom is the Third Teacher (5) Teachers are Partners and Guides (6) Documentation as Communication The post Principles of Reggio Emilia: Documentation as Communication appeared first on Little Sunshine's Playhouse.
Southlake Preschool Family Art Show Celebrates Process Over Product
There is a moment that happened over and over again at our Family Art Show last April, a child grabbing a parent’s hand, pulling them across the room, and saying with complete confidence: “Look what I made.” That moment is everything. It is what we work toward every day inside our classrooms at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, your Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool in Southlake, TX. Not just the artwork on the walls, but the child standing next to it, beaming, proud, certain that what they created matters. Watching that unfold in a room full of families was one of the most amazing evenings we have had in a long time. Art as Exploration, Not Perfection At the heart of our art show was something called process art, an approach that puts the experience of creating above the final product. Rather than following a template or working toward a predetermined result, our children were given the freedom to paint freely, mix colors, explore textures, and experiment with a wide variety of materials. No two pieces looked the same. That was entirely intentional. In our classrooms, art is not about getting it right. It’s about discovery. It’s about a child finding out what happens when two colors meet, or what it feels like to press their hands into something soft and leave a mark behind. It is about learning to communicate something true about yourself before you have all the words to do it. This is the most developmentally appropriate way for children under six to learn. It is one of the many reasons families choose our daycare in Southlake, TX, because we believe the earliest years of a child’s life deserve more than worksheets and circle time. They deserve the wonder that will set them up for a lifelong love of learning. Inspired by the Greats, Made Entirely Their Own To deepen the experience following the event, we’ve spent time introducing our children to some of the world’s most beloved artists and inviting them to explore their styles in ways that were meaningful and age-appropriate. Our little students and new prospective friends created swirling night skies inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night. They painted expressive self-portraits in the spirit of Frida Kahlo. They designed bold, colorful circle compositions influenced by the abstract work of Wassily Kandinsky. And those were just a few of the artists we explored together throughout the month. What was beautiful to see was that while the inspiration came from masters of their craft, every single piece remained entirely the child’s own. You could see Van Gogh’s swirls and still see the child who made them. The influence was a doorway, not a mold, and walking through our gallery that evening, the individuality of each small artist was unmistakable. What Made It Truly Special The artwork was stunning. But honestly, that was not even the best part. The best part was the energy in the room. Parents stayed after to talk with teachers. Families introduced themselves to other families. Children who were shy in September stood tall in front of their work and narrated every creative decision they made. Grandparents had their phones out, photographing everything. Events like this remind us what early childhood education is really about. It is not just academics or milestones or school readiness. It is about belonging. It is about a child knowing in their bones that what they create is worth celebrating and that the people around them will show up and be proud. When families feel connected to a school, children feel it. And when children feel supported and seen, something wonderful happens: they thrive. It is something we hear from families throughout Southlake, TX and the surrounding communities, that what sets our preschool apart is not just our curriculum, but the way their children feel when they walk through our doors. A Reflection of Who We Are Our Family Art Show was not just an event on the calendar. It was a reflection of our values made visible, a room full of evidence that this community is something real. Keep an eye out for our events in the future to feel the magic for yourself, or schedule a private tour at our school at a time that works best for you. If you are looking for a preschool in Southlake, TX where your child will be seen, celebrated, and genuinely known, or a daycare in Southlake, TX that treats the early years with the depth and intention they deserve, we would love to welcome your family. Come see what we are building inside our castle. Because we have always believed that the best thing a school can be is a place where children feel safe enough to be exactly who they are. And if our art show was any indication, our children know exactly who they are. Read More From Our Little Sunshine’s family! Matrescence: The Identity Shift of Becoming a Mother Nobody Talks About How to Identify Your Child’s Learning Style (And Support It at Home) Principles of Reggio Emilia: The Classroom is the Third Teacher The post Our Southlake Preschool Turned Every Child Into an Artist appeared first on Little Sunshine's Playhouse.
Little Sunshine's Names April National Teacher of the Month
The Teacher of the Month award is our way of celebrating educators who live out our core values—compassion, humility, integrity, loyalty, and discipline—each and every day. We’re excited to announce that our 2026 April National Teacher of the Month is Ms. Dominique from Little Sunshine’s Playhouse of Southlake. The leadership team at Southlake had such kind words to say in light of this honor: “We are proud to recognize Ms. Dominique as our Teacher of the Month! As the heart of our Wild Things classroom, she consistently demonstrates what it means to be a truly dedicated and compassionate educator. Ms. Dominique is an amazing and caring teacher who pours love into everything she does. Her classroom is a place where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn each day. She takes the time to understand each child individually, creating meaningful connections that help them grow both socially and emotionally. Her strength in building relationships is what truly sets her apart. Parents often share how much they appreciate her communication, warmth, and the genuine bond she creates with their children. She goes above and beyond to ensure families feel connected and confident in their child’s care. Through her patience, creativity, and consistency, Ms. Dominique makes a lasting impact. Whether she is guiding learning, comforting a child, or celebrating small wins, she leads with heart and purpose. We are so grateful to have Ms. Dominique as part of our team. She represents the very best of what we strive to be every day. Congratulations, Ms. Dominique, and thank you for the love, dedication, and excellence you bring to our school community!” We asked our April 2026 National Teacher of the Month, Ms. Dominique from Southlake, a few questions so you could have the opportunity to get to know her better! What age group do you teach? I teach in the 2’s classroom. What is the name of your classroom? My classroom is called Where The Wild Things Are. What do you love most about the age group you teach? I love teaching this age group because of their little personalities and their curiosity to learn. What is your favorite curriculum project you’ve ever done in your classroom? My favorite curriculum project that I have done so far in my class is Every Child is an Artist, when we gave our students a creative outlet through art! What do you enjoy most about working at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse? I enjoy the positive and fun atmosphere, as well as working with the staff and getting to know the families. What made you want to become an early childhood educator? I knew I wanted to become an early childhood educator when I was fifteen years old and started working with kids as a volunteer to a summer camp. Since then it has always been my passion to work with children. Who and/or what inspires you and why? My students inspire me. They inspire me to be the best teacher that I can be, and they inspire me to be creative with activities. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Outside of work, I enjoy being a mom to two boys and spending time with my family, as well as going on runs. Tell us one special fact about yourself that no one would expect. I like anything that has to do with fitness! We’d also like to extend congratulations to all of this month’s nominees listed below. Thank you for your continued passion and dedication. You are all a vital part of our Little Sunshine’s family! Arvada – Noli Briargate – Laura M. Broomfield – Youri R. Cardinal – Jennifer K. Castle Rock – Elodie B. Chesterfield – Alyssa A. Chestnut – Rylie F. Colorado Springs (Cheyenne Mountain) – Riley O. Claremont – Emma B. Creve Coeur – Kaitlyn P. Dominion – Bethany C. Elkhorn North – Joye F. Erie – Elizabeth F. Franklin – Kaitlyn R. Four Points – Shelly K. Gilbert Higley – Daniela E.R. Gilbert Val Vista – Fanny J. Granite Bay – Phuong P. Hendersonville – Jamella G. Lake St. Louis – Amy H. Lakeway – Robin C. Littleton – Monique M. Mt. Juliet – Catherine S. O’Fallon – Jordyn B. Overland Park – Alexis B. Ozark – Emily S. Parker – Sam J. Rogers – Mary E. Roswell – Wanda M. Schaumburg – Resy M. Stone Oak – Lety M. The Woodlands – Carla A. Thornton – Desiree M. University City – Christi B. West Omaha – Christi B. Willowbrook – Maritza R. The post April 2026 National Teacher of the Month appeared first on Little Sunshine's Playhouse.
ICJA Celebrates Israel's 78th Birthday with Daley Plaza Flag-Raising
Today, ICJA transformed into a slice of Israel as ICJA students marked Israel’s 78th birthday. After a special all-school davening, students enjoyed a gala Israeli breakfast, complete with “Aroma Coffee” brewed in our very own cafeteria. Students then heard an informative briefing about the current state of Israeli politics before heading into a school building that was virtually unrecognizable. The Learning Commons and Cafeteria housed different Israeli stations: IDF training, humus-making, a limonana station, areas to learn about the giants of Torah learning in the land of Israel, Magen David Adom lessons in first aid, Israeli start-up workshops, drone lessons, and more. In back of our school, Rabbi Segal grilled homemade pitot out of dough our students made by hand. In front, students enjoyed rides on a camel and created a Tel Aviv-style graffiti mural. Students then headed downtown to Daley Plaza for today’s Israeli flag-raising and Yom haAtzmaut celebration, led by JUF Chicago. Seniors Mina Brandes and Jayden Perlman led the Prayer for the State of Israel in Hebrew and in English, and senior Yehuda Goldstein recited a Mishebera for Israeli soldiers. Another highlight of the event was meeting Israel’s Consul General to Chicago and the Midwest Elad Strohmayer, who met with ICJA students and posed for photographs. Afterwards, students returned to school for a gala Israeli-style lunch of schwarma, pita, humus, and more, followed by ruach-filled dancing. It wa truly a memorable and joyous celebration. Thank you to the many teachers and administrators who planned today’s festivities, and to Gertz family who ensure that ICJA students truly celebrate Israel on Yom HaAtzmaut in memory of Doris and Paul Rosenberg, z”l.
ICJA Students Hear from Holocaust Scholars and Authors During Yom HaShoah Program
On April 14, 2026, students observed Yom HaShoah with a fascinating conversation between ICJA alumna Alison Pure-Slovin ’75, Midwest Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and two distinguished children of Holocaust survivors. Miriam Starck Miller is the daughter of ICJA grandparent Izzy Starck and the author of A Boy Named 68818, about her father’s Holocaust experiences. Howard Reich is a journalist and author of five books including Prisoner of Her Past, about his mother Sonia’s experiences during the Holocaust, and The Art of Inventing Hope: Intimate Conversations with Elie Wiesel. Students listened as these writers discussed their parents’ experiences and the ways that it affected them growing up. Our speakers also shared important advice with our students. Mrs. Starck Miller stressed how important it is to speak with one’s grandparents. Even if students discuss seemingly trivial items with their grandparents, she explained, they are still building a connection and gaining their grandparents’ wisdom. Mr. Reich shared an insight he learned from Elie Wiesel: “To bear witness is to be a witness.” This program was sponsored in memory of Rabbi Shlomo Hirsch Koller, hy”d and his sister Etka Koller-Cykornik, hy”d, by Sharon and Seymour Gertz and the estate of Margalit bat Rav Shilem Gertz z”l.
Obituary: Kathleen Clifford-LaSpina of Palatine
Kathleen Elaine Clifford-LaSpina of Palatine, Illinois, passed away peacefully surrounded byfamily on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026, at the age of 81.Born on January 3, 1945, in Chicago to Mario and Elaine Lencioni, Kathy graduated fromBowen High School in 1962. She went on to work as an administrative assistant, Avonrepresentative, and real estate agent.Kathy married James “Jim” Clifford after they met at a Fourth of July dance in 1966 mergingfamilies from the Italian South Side and the Irish West Side neighborhoods. Together theymoved to Palatine, where they raised three children. Though they divorced for a period of time,they remarried in 1986 before later separating again. In 2004, Kathy married Dr. Phil LaSpina,whom she met while ministering to his mother, a homebound parishioner at St. Thomas ofVillanova. They remained together until Phil’s passing in 2018.Kathy volunteered for many years as a minister of care for homebound and hospitalizedparishioners. She modeled selflessness in the way she cared for and befriended the familiesshe encountered. Kathy felt deeply compelled to help, love, and welcome people into her lifeand even under her own roof. She formed lasting friendships everywhere she went; in theneighborhood, at restaurants and casinos, in the hair salon, at the bank and grocery store, atwork, and at church.The seeds of loving kindness that Kathy planted throughout her life grew into a forest of supportthat surrounded her during the final years of her life as she faced dementia. Her sons cared forher every step of the way in the comfort of her home and beyond, including one final trip to LasVegas to see Barry Manilow, one of her favorite performers, in concert.Kathy is survived by her sister, Janet (Steve) Ostrowski; her children, Michael Clifford, Patricia(Dave) Fuglestad, James Clifford Jr., Philip LaSpina Jr., Karen (Jason) Carmichael, Beth(Brandt) Richter, and Megan Caudill; her grandchildren, Jordan (Rhayna) Lantaya, DanielFuglestad, Kate Fuglestad, and Slade LaSpina; her great-grandchild, Avery; and many belovedcousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Richard (Lori)Lencioni, and Kelly Nash.In the words of one of her favorite Barry Manilow songs:“This one’s for you wherever you areTo say that nothing’s been the sameSince we’ve been apartThis one’s for all the love we once knew.”In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored if you would consider making a donation tojourneystheroadhome.org , a local homelessness shelter that Kathy supported.A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, June 14th from 10am until 12pm at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home 185 E. Northwest Hwy. Palatine, IL 60067. Info 847-359-8020
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