Quality, Affordable Early Education Child Care Since 1903

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October 25, 2014 – People on the Move: Keeping it Lively At JDN Harvest Bowl!

People were in motion all evening at Jenkintown Day Nursery’s Harvest Bowl fundraiser, sending their bowling balls down the lane, celebrating strikes, checking out the wide array of raffle baskets, and choosing from among the many refreshments at hand.

It was an inter-generational event, with participants including grandparents and teen-agers, parents, young children and even months-old babies. (The littlest ones chose to watch, rather than bowl.)

One young man came to celebrate his birthday with a sizable group of family members and friends. Some children and adults came in orange and black to celebrate Halloween in advance.

School-age participants tried their luck guessing the number of candies held in a huge brandy glass. Four guesses came close to the 900-plus total, and so several who submitted their bids went home with prizes.

The fund event had an important purpose: raising funds to help provide tuition assistance to JDN families who need scholarship help. We are grateful to the many contributors who helped make the event possible, and to the staff at Thunderbird Lanes who made it run smoothly. Special thanks are due to our sponsors:

MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

GOLD:

• Perry N. Blackman, CPA
• The Samuel Staten Sr. Charitable Trust

SILVER:

• The Deibert Family
• Millie Ellerson
• Justine Gerety and Richard Perelman
• Laborer’s LECET Fund
• Wawa

CIRCLE:

• Abington Health
• David and Barbara Junkin
• Judith A. Lopacki
• John O’Donnell & Sons Inc.
• Pat O’Leary
• Riemenschneider Agency
• The Willow Foundation

 

May 15, 2014 – Making it beautiful!

 Our children learned how nature and beauty go hand-in-hand in an outdoor get-your-hands-dirty science lesson with Mr. Ted.

The children took some pretty impatiens plants, checked out their roots, leaves and blooms, then gently placed them in the soil all around the JDN grounds. Their efforts included freshening up the garden dedicated to the memory of Qa’id Staten, and also planting in other areas on the periphery of the playground.

Then it was time to step back, smile, and clean those hands!
 

April 11, 2014 – Springtime!

 Our children couldn't help but smile as they discovered a hill filled with daffodils during a springtime walk in the neighborhood. Everybody's excited about the new things they can see in the spring!
 

March 17, 2014 – Green, green and more green!

Plenty of shamrocks and all kinds of green -- shiny, stripy, springlike and bright – filled the hallways and classrooms at JDN as children and teachers put lots of enthusiasm into celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

The wearin’ of the green extended to showy hats, bright shirts and jackets, ties, bows and stripes in every direction. Shamrocks could be spied on necklaces, eyeglasses, socks and even atop a pair of antennae.

Children in every classroom read stories about shamrocks and Ireland. They also created Irish doughnuts and potatoes and, capping off the day, had a treat of frozen yogurt topped with green sprinkles.

It turned out to be an especially lucky day for some prizewinners, who were recognized for their creative costumes.

October 29, 2013 – Family Bowling Night: Full of Fun, Good Will & Great Support for JDN

There was something for everybody at Jenkintown Day Nursery’s Family Bowling Night – fun, food, exercise, good company and an array of raffle baskets to tempt every taste.

Happy chatter sounded above the rumble of bowling balls and the clank of falling pins as our group rolled through Thunderbird Lanes on Saturday, Oct. 26. From grandparents to young parents, toddlers to teens, league-quality bowlers to beginners, everyone brought energy and good will to spare as they turned out to support JDN’s mission of providing quality, affordable early childhood education and care for families in our community.

We would like to offer a huge thank-you to our wonderful sponsors, and to the many supporters and contributors whose generosity helped make the event a great success:

Our Sponsors:
Gold – Samuel Staten, Sr. Charitable Trust; Brad Rude, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
Silver – Perry N. Blackman, CPA; Ellen & Jim Foulke; Justine Gerety & Rich Perelman; and WAWA
Bronze – American Home Title Agency; Bravo!; Cucina Italiano; David & Nancy Deibert; Millie Ellerson; L.E.C.E.T.; Mary & Jeff Paul; Salon Manivanh; SB1 Federal Credit Union; and Woodcock, Washburn LLP
Circle – Abington Health; Aquatic & Fitness Center; Rose & Bill Cochran; Jean & John Hassler, Jr.; Lori & John O’Donnell; Theresa Rollins; and Thunderbird Lanes

Our Contributors:
Abington Pharmacy; Allegheny Art Company; Aquatic & Fitness Center; Susan Asplundh; Baederwood Pharmacy; Carl Berlinger; Body Therapeutic Massage; Blue Mountain Vineyard; Bravo! Cucina Italiano Restaurant; Café Loren; Dynamic Advertising Solutions Inc.; Irene Cosmatos; Cheesecake Factory; Chili’s of Jenkintown; Chick-Fil-A; Drake Tavern; Edible Arrangements; Millie Ellerson ; Franconi’s; Giant Food Market; Carol Henderson; Jewelry Studio; Joyce Krauter; Barbara & David Junkin; Lee’s Hoagie House of Southampton; Laborer’s Local Union 57; Judith Lopacki; Lux Nail Salon; My Jewel Shop; Nature’s Harvest; Panera Bread; Pure/Pro Window Cleaning; Rhinoceros Toy Store; Salon Manivanh; Shoe Krazy; State Senator LeAnna Washington ; Danielle Smith; Trader Joe’s; Tulips Lingerie; Marianne Tyson; Emily Wagner; Weinrich’s Bakery; West Avenue Grille; Whole Foods Market, Jenkintown; and Willow Grove Park.

 

October 2, 3013 – JDN supporters get warm thanks and a moment in the sun as bright skies favor 12th Annual Golf Classic

Golfers enjoyed a perfect day on the links at the 12th Annual Jenkintown Day Nursery Charity Golf Classic on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Skies were sunny over Spring Mill Country Club, and temperatures were comfortably warm. Meanwhile, participants in the accompanying bridge game played their hands, tallied their points and took advantage of helpful advice from instructor Bobbie Gomer, after enjoying an open-air lunch on Spring Mill’s patio. Bridge beginners got a lesson on bidding and basic play.

The fundraising event supports JDN’s mission of providing quality, affordable care for hardworking families, helping us to provide substantial tuition assistance to families who need it.

JDN children sent along colorful thank-you posters and cards to the sponsors, participants and contributors who made the event a success. The artwork adorned the ballroom where golfers dined, chatted and recalled their best shots at the close of the day.

Many thanks from JDN families, board members, staff and supporters are extended to our sponsors, including:
Gold sponsors: Brad Rude of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Blue Bell; The Samuel Staten Sr. Charitable Trust.
Silver sponsors: Wawa Inc.; Perry N. Blackman, CPA
Flag Stick sponsors: Ellen and Jim Foulke, SB1 Federal Credit Union
Tee sponsors: Pye Karr Ambler & Co. Inc., Quinn & Wilson Realtors, Laborers’ Local 57, Emily & Gerald Lemole, and Capella Tax Network.

Special thanks go to Perry and Jodi Blackman and Dana Blackman Brady for their assistance in planning the event. We are also grateful to the players, advertisers and other contributors, and to the management and staff of Spring Mill Country Club in Ivyland for all of their help.

 

 

May 2, 3013 – Go Green!

Children at JDN celebrated Earth Week with activities in which they learned about reusing materials, recycling and reducing waste. They created "hand-made" T-shirts in which green handprints served as leafy treetops, went on a nature walk and sang "After the Rain Comes the Rainbow."

The children read books about recycling and celebrating the earth, and talked about what families can to to help.
 

 

May 1, 3013 – JDN Honored

Jenkintown Day Nursery was honored for decades of service to the community, receiving the Citizens that Care award from the Abington Community Task Force in a ceremony at North Hills Country Club.

The award recognizes individuals and community organizations that have distinguished themselves in service to young people in Abington Township and Rockledge Borough.

In presenting the award, Abington Police Lt. Pat Molloy, Task Force co-chair, recalled JDN’s long history of providing quality, affordable care for children of working parents in the community, starting in 1903, when Annie Culver gathered volunteers to care for young children who were fending for themselves during the day because there was no one available to look after them.

JDN Board of Directors co-presidents Nancy Deibert and Justine Gerety accepted the award on behalf of the many volunteer board members and supporters and staff members who have carried on JDN’s mission, helping thousands of children and families over the years.

“Now, as always, without our volunteers and our many supporters in the community JDN wouldn’t be able to provide for all of the wonderful children who bring their smiles through our doors and put their trust in us every day,” Justine said.

The Abington Community Task Force (ACT) is a coalition of more than 30 community organizations dedicated to creating a responsible, caring and safe community. Representatives meet throughout the year to share information and work together for the benefit of local youth and their families. Each year its Citizens that Care awards recognize several individuals and local organizations that have distinguished themselves in serving young people.

JDN is proud to have been honored by ACT this year.

Feb. 8, 3013 –Singing Their Hearts Out!

Dressed in Valentine’s Day red, Jenkintown Day Nursery children raised their voices in song and gave their hearts to Samuel Staten Jr. when he visited and brought a special gift from the Samuel Staten, Sr. Charitable Trust. Just ahead of Valentine’s Day, Mr. Staten Jr. presented a $20,000 donation to help JDN continue its mission of providing safe, high quality, affordable early childhood education and care for children of working families. Also on hand to celebrate the generous donation was State Sen. LeAnna Washington, who has long worked to ensure that Pennsylvania’s young children have safe, licensed care.

The children smiled and sang about big red hearts, love and kisses, and little valentines. At the end of their performance, they took their hearts – construction paper cutouts – and presented them to Mr. Staten. Each class also gave him a colorful thank-you card.

Samuel Staten, Sr., for whom the Trust is named, is the Retired Business Manager of Laborers’ Local 332 and the Laborers District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia and Vicinity. Samuel Staten, Jr., who made the presentation at JDN, is Business Manager of Laborers’ Local 332 and the Laborers District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia and Vicinity.

The Statens, the Laborers' District Council and the Charitable Trust have been strong supporters of JDN for many years. Hundreds of children and families have benefited from their contributions.

January 16, 2013 — A Heartfelt Valentine for JDN Children from Staten Charitable Trust!

A special early Valentine is on its way to the children at Jenkintown Day Nursery from the Samuel Staten, Sr. Charitable Trust.

It's a gift from that goes well beyond a heart-shaped card and is more valuable than a dozen roses. Samuel Staten, Sr., Samuel Staten, Jr. and other representatives of the Trust will visit JDN on Feb. 8 to present a $20,000 donation, which will provide significant support for the nursery's mission to offer affordable, quality early childhood education and care for children of working families. The Statens, the Laborers' District Council and the Charitable Trust have been strong supporters of JDN for many years. Hundreds of children and families have benefited from their contributions. (View Press Release)

October 22, 2012 — Ice Cream Party!

Ice Cream for All!

Ice cream for everyone is JDN board member Janice Bers’s idea of a great way to celebrate her birthday every year, and 2012 was no exception.

Beaming with pleasure, Mrs. Bers arrived at JDN on a recent afternoon, followed shortly afterward by a Mr. Softee ice cream truck, which pulled up into the driveway. Mrs. Bers basked in the bright sunshine just outside the nursery and watched with delight as children from one classroom after another lined up on the sidewalk, stepped up to the serving window and politely requested ice cream or a popsicle. Treats in hand, they turned and thanked the petite lady in the red jacket who had made their day so special.

“I got a Sponge Bob!” one little boy enthused to a classmate before he sank his teeth into the icy yellow figure. Others held up ice cream cones of chocolate or vanilla, some with sprinkles. Teachers and staff members took part in the celebration as well. Spurred on by the hostess, one staffer walked away from the window with a three-scoop banana split dripping with colorful toppings.

Mrs. Bers, now an honorary JDN board member, has long been a staunch supporter of the nursery. She is a past board president and was an originator of the “Rags and Riches” fundraiser, which once included a weekend clothing sale that drew streams of bargain hunters to JDN’s doors.

See photos of the JDN Ice Cream Party

 

August 3, 2012 — JDN Olympics!

Run for the Gold
Every student athlete gave his or her all in the JDN Olympics. Participants’ enthusiasm rivaled that of the top athletes at the London Games, as each of our classrooms competed in its own special event. Our young toddlers tested their speed in guiding pull-string animal toys along the race course. The older toddlers were hurdlers, jumping over big, soft blocks. Three- and four-year-olds raced their fastest on a straight, grassy course, some participating in relays, others running a straightforward individual race. In the crowning moment of the Olympics, five-year-old campers – our JDN graduates who will be moving on to kindergarten in September – competed in a colorful sack race, hopping their way down a slight, grassy slope and then back up again.

Executive director Mr. Larry Feeley distributed gold medals to everyone before the children went on to claim their ultimate prize, ice cream or freeze pops for all.

 

February 29, 2012 — Snowflakes!

Snow may be scarce outdoors this winter, but lots of snowflakes were fluttering around indoors at JDN on Friday, February 24.

Pre-K children performed in “Snowflakes,” a winter musical, before an audience of proud parents, teachers and board members. Dressed in paper cut-out snowflake costumes, and with tufts of cottony “snow” at their feet, they sang and kept the beat to a series of cheery winter songs – from “Sprinkle, Sprinkle Little Snow” to “Counting Snowflakes.”

With only sun and rain in the forecast, the children had to draw upon their memories of past snows, but it was clear from their onstage moves that they remembered just how snowflakes dance through the air. And they showed they knew exactly what to do once the snow hit the ground: at the end of the performance, they gathered up the white tufts from the floor and formed them into “snowballs,” before helping stuff it all into a cleanup bag, handily offered by a teacher.

(See Snowflake photos in our gallery )

 

January 31, 2012 —
Art Opening featuring JDN's art teacher, Amy Wergelis!

JDN's art teacher, Amy Wergelis, is showcasing her art at an Opening on February 5, 2012 from 3 to 5pm at The Frame House, 7900 High School Road, Elkins Park, PA. All are invited to attend.

 

January 13, 2012 —
In Memoriam:
Mary Warwick

Our longtime teacher Mary Warwick is well remembered for her boundless warmth and her commitment to the many children who came under her nurturing care. Miss Mary passed away quietly on January 5. We mourn her loss, but we know that the glow of her kindness remains in the hearts of the students, teachers, staff members and board members who were part of the JDN family during her 34 years here.

“Teach with love,” Miss Mary would often say, and she put her precept into practice. Years after “graduating” from JDN, young people would stop by hoping to see Miss Mary. Even in recent months, a pair of young men who stopped by to revisit the nursery were unabashed in expressing their affection for her.

She was also generous in assisting fellow teachers. Betty Jones said that when she arrived as a new teacher at JDN, Mary reassured her and supported her as she developed her skills in the classroom. They went on to work together for 15 years.

A memorial service for Miss Mary will be Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 11:30 a.m., at St. Thomas’ Church, Whitemarsh, located at Camp Hill Road and Bethlehem Pike in Fort Washington.

 

See archives for previous news about JDN

 

 

The Jenkintown Journal

“The Jenkintown Journal” is our school's monthly newsletter, published to keep families aware of school activities that their children will be participating in. Theme of the month, parent events, field trips and special events are highlighted in each issue.

See archives for previous issues of The Jenkintown Journal

 

Press Releases

1/16/2013 — Samuel Staten, Sr. Charitable Trust gives Jenkintown Day Nursery a Valentine's Day Gift that rises above red roses ( View .pdf )

See archives for previous press releases