18 Years of Life Lessons and Learning

When launched the in 1994, organizers anticipated about 25 students would be enrolled.

But the 25 quickly became 75 students, according to Kathy Sang, the school's director who was a teacher in the room for 30-month-old students at the time.

"And then we grew and grew," she said.

The school grew in thanks to several factors including the growth of Warren—especially the development of the Greenwood Meadows subdivision, which brought a number of new families and new Jewish families to Warren who found the school's programs ideal for their young children.

"Greenwood Meadows was such a gift to us—and to the Jewish community," Sang said.

Enrollment at the school shot up—peaking at nearly 200. To accomodate the growing school and the religious school, Temple Har Shalom expanded in 1998, building a wing with 20 new classrooms, which Sang said helped the school handle the growth.

Although the school offers a non-sectarian education, Sang notes much of the educational programming is grounded in based in teaching the kind of life skills that foster better socialization for kids.

"Our curricukum is really based on the Torah—but the children don't know they're learning the Torah, they're learning the Golden Rule and about treating people nicely," Sang said. She said the students—which includes  do particpate in mitzvahs and weekly Shabbat services with Temple Rabbi Randi Musnitsky and Cantor Anna Berman, which reinforce the classroom lessons.

The lessons are also designed to dovetail with the kindergarten classes at Mt. Horeb School, so the students can make a smooth transition from preschool to school.

To celebrate the school's successes and growth through the years, families and students of the school through the years will join services on April 20, which kicks off the Temple's weekend celebrating the school.

Everyone can join in the Temple's s Atlantic City Boardwalk Casino Night fundraiser, which follows on April 21. The fundraiser will include a catered Kosher cocktail-style dinner, drinks, professional gaming tables, live music and a Chance Auction—tickets can be purchased through the Temple Har Shalom website for $90 per person.

And kids of all ages will want to stop by the April 22 "Touch-a-Truck" event set from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mt. Horeb School, where as many as 20 trucks of all types will be on hand and open for close inspection by kids.

"It's really going to be a one-of-a-kind event for this area," Sang said.

She said kids at the school always seem to enjoy getting close to large vehicles, so why not bring a collection of such vehicles to one place for kids to enjoy? Sang said the event will include ambulances, fire trucks, police vehicles, dump trucks—and the Gamin' Ride van filled with video games.