Summer Discovery: Where PJA Alumni Come Home to Inspire 

Things look different around here in the summer, but there’s still plenty of learning going on! Throughout the month of July, campus is bustling with children in PJA Summer Discovery. This enriching summer program allows children to do a deep-dive into a topic of their choice, everything from Puppet Theatre and Kids in the Kitchen to music, art, coding and even Pokemon. Classes are designed to be engaging and fun and kids come back year after year. 

Summer Discovery is led by veteran Kindergarten teacher Celinda Llanez. My own daughters, who are now twenty, had Celinda as a Kindergarten teacher, attended many years of Summer Discovery classes, served as Dragon Team members (leadership opportunity for older children to assist instructors) and have worked as Summer Discovery aides. Every year there are a number of returning PJA students and alumni who serve in important roles to help inspire a new generation of learners. This year, a 2022 PJA alum, Eitan Miller-Feder, is even teaching his very own class–Dungeons & Dragons! 

It’s wonderful to see young alumni coming back to PJA to share their inspiration with younger generations. Those same classes that inspired them in theater, music, nature, art, science and sports, are wildly popular among PJA families and other local families who are looking for quality programming that is fun and challenging, with the goal of providing new learning for students. There is always a table in the front lobby displaying what the children have been working on throughout the week. It’s wonderful to see the creativity and fun that shines through in each and every class.

I would be remiss not to mention the many PJA alumni who also come back to campus to work at MJCC Day Camp–and some even start their mornings at PJA and then transition to MJCC in the afternoon! The Schnitzer Family Campus is clearly a place of belonging for the many PJA alumni who come back year after year, especially for those rewarding summer jobs!

Photo: PJA Summer Discovery Director, Celinda Llanez, with PJA Summer Discovery alumni staff, many of whom Celinda taught as Kindergarteners! 

Blog written by: Lisa Katon, Donor Relations & Grants Specialist, and PJA alum, and PJA alumni parent