Yeshiva Beth Yehudah opens its
new preschool building.

Staff Photos by KRISTA HUSA

ochel Lea Groundland, preschool
coordinator at Yeshiva Beth
Yehudah, came into the school's
pre-1A class the first week in
February with a big question.
"What's the difference between this week
and next week?" she asked.
The class, which includes Groundland's 5-
year-old daughter Dena, was quick to answer:
"This week, we're the youngest. Next week,
we'll be the oldest."
On Feb. 7, the Southfield school's 150
preschoolers moved into their own specially
designed building. The 15,500-square-foot
Norma Jean and Edward Meer Early
Childhood Development Center includes 10
classrooms surrounding a central meeting
area. There are special conference rooms, a
teachers' library and lounge, and administra-
tive offices. Every classroom includes its own
computer, library, puppet theater, sand and
water table and pint-sized cubbies.
The building can accommodate as many
as 250 preschoolers, ages 3-5.
"The children feel a certain amount of
pride in having a building they can call their
own," Groundland said. ❑

— Diana Lieberman

