Giving Tree Early Learning

Join us for fun on the playground and drop off your school supplies! You will get to meet your teachers and see your child's classroom! We can't wait!

⏰ The countdown is ON — Pop Up Play is THIS Sunday! 🎨📦

Join us on July 27 from 2–4 PM at HHAI for an afternoon where kids (ages 3+) can dream, build, and create with endless imagination. Together with PJ Library in Greater Indianapolis, we’re turning simple, everyday materials into castles, forts, inventions — and tons of summer fun.

It’s FREE, open to the community, and spots are almost full!
🔗 Register now at www.hhai.org

Let’s make some memories (and maybe a little mess 😉) this Sunday!

🎨 Starting the year with creativity and calm!

During our upcoming staff training week, Giving Tree educators will take time to focus on their own wellness before the school year begins. In collaboration with Jewish Family Services, we’re excited to welcome Kira Shemesh — a talented fluid artist (and proud HHAI alum!) — to lead a pour painting workshop.

Through swirling colors and creative flow, our teachers will explore mindfulness, reflection, and presence — all essential tools for fostering a joyful, healthy school environment for our students.

Here’s to beginning the 2025–26 school year with intention, balance, and a splash of color! 💙✨

Inspire creativity and have some summer fun! Register for our free Pop Up Play event this Sunday at www.hhai.org.

A huge thank you to PJ Library Indianapolis and Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools for making this magical afternoon possible! ✨

🍎 Welcoming Mrs. Alethia Minzlaff to Kindergarten! 🍎

We’re excited to share that Mrs. Minzlaff, who has led our Giving Tree Early Learning program as Director for the past three years, is stepping into a new role as Kindergarten Teacher at HHAI!

With a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (with a Reading minor) from Indiana Wesleyan University, Mrs. Minzlaff brings over 10 years of teaching experience to the classroom. Her expertise in early literacy and child development will make our kindergarteners’ first year in elementary school a strong foundation for future learning.

Born and raised in Indianapolis and now living in Sheridan, Mrs. Minzlaff is passionate about creating warm, engaging, and structured learning environments where every child can thrive. Outside the classroom, she enjoys coffee, dogs, and getting lost in a good book.

Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Minzlaff to her new role and celebrating her continued impact at HHAI! 💙

🛠 Imagine it. Build it. Play in it! 🎨📦

Pop Up Play is almost here — and we can’t wait to see what your kids create! On Sunday, July 27 from 2–4 PM, HHAI and PJ Library in Greater Indianapolis are teaming up to turn simple materials into extraordinary play spaces.

For kids ages 3+, this is a FREE afternoon of hands-on fun — inventing, building, collaborating, and, yes… a little mess-making!

📍 HHAI
✨ Open to the entire community
🔗 Sign up now at www.hhai.org before spots fill up!

Let’s turn cardboard into castles, forts, and fun — together! 🏰💡

🌿✨ Welcome, Emily Schankerman! ✨🌿
We are thrilled to welcome Emily Schankerman as the new Director of Giving Tree Early Learning!

Emily brings a deep passion for Jewish early childhood education, with a background rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach and a commitment to nurturing curiosity, resilience, and wonder in young learners. 🌱

A proud alumna of the Indianapolis Jewish community, Emily is excited to return home and give back to the place that shaped her. With experience mentoring educators, leading collaborative teams, and building thoughtful learning environments, she’s ready to help Giving Tree grow and thrive.

Please join us in giving Emily a warm Giving Tree welcome—we can’t wait to see all the ways she will inspire our youngest learners! 💙

Join us for popsicles, community and playground fun on August 5th! This will also be a great opportunity to meet teachers and drop off supplies. We can't wait to see you!

☀️🌴 Fun in the Sun… Indoors! 🌴☀️
In mid-May, our Giving Tree Early Childhood families wrapped up the school year with our much-anticipated Fun in the Sun celebration! 🌞💙

Although the heat and humidity moved the party indoors, the summer vibes were in full swing! Our little ones enjoyed:
🍧 Sensory play with ice and sand/ocean colored rice
🌊 A full beach experience for our youngest learners with so many bubbles
🍦 Making pretend ice cream with pom-poms
🐞 Bug-themed crafts and games
🪩 A toddler dance party and so much more!

From giggles to dancing feet, the day was filled with joy, creativity, and community. What a sweet way to end the school year! 🌈

🎉 Ready. Set. CREATE! 🖍️📦

We’re counting down the days to Pop Up Play — an afternoon where kids take the lead and imagination has no limits! ✨

🗓 Sunday, July 27
🕑 2:00–4:00 PM
📍 HHAI, in partnership with PJ Library in Greater Indianapolis

Expect a magical mix of cardboard, creativity, and community — all designed for kids ages 3+ to invent, build, explore, and get a little messy.

🌟 It’s open to everyone and completely FREE — but spots are going fast!
🔗 Sign up today at www.hhai.org

Let’s dream big, build bigger, and PLAY together! 💥

🍦 Back-to-School Fun for Giving Tree Families!
We can’t wait to welcome you to a sweet new year at Popsicles on the Playground!

🗓️ Monday, August 5
🕓 4:00–5:00 PM
📍 HHAI Playground

Bring your school supplies (info coming soon) and drop them off in your child’s classroom before heading outside for popsicles, playtime, and community fun! This is a great chance to say hello to teachers and connect with other families before the first day. 🌳✏️🧃