Focus on New Families

Stacy and Chris DeAnnuntis are parents who just recently joined the Hillel family.  “We were trying to decide between public school and private school education for our twins,” says Mrs. DeAnnuntis, “The first private school we looked at was Hillel and felt we did not need to look further.”  The DeAnnuntises, an interfaith family, considered several private schools and looked at local choice public schools.  “When we walked down the hallways at Hillel and saw the students’ work displayed, we were very impressed,” continues Mrs. DeAnnuntis.  “We could not believe that our little Sophie and Nicholas would soon be able to accomplish the same.  We saw many things we loved, from the text that accompanied the work of the young children to the silk-screens students were working on in the art room.”  The nurturing environment at Hillel convinced Stacy and Chris that this was the right place for their twins.  “We knew that our children would not get lost at Hillel,” says Mrs. DeAnnuntis.  “We felt that they would get the special and individualized attention they needed, and we were right.”

Chris, who is not Jewish, is especially happy with the high level of academics and the values and ethics instilled in the students.  He joined the Guiding Jewish Values Task Force and volunteers whenever he can.  “We both feel that volunteering at the school is important, and Hillel provides us with many opportunities to be part of the family,” says Mrs. DeAnnuntis.  “I am not religious, and both of us feel very welcome at the school.  In fact, we are now considering joining a synagogue for the first time.”

Sophie and Nicholas joined Hillel for kindergarten.  Their weekly schedule includes arts, music, technology, library, and physical education in addition to mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, Judaic studies, and Hebrew.  “It is a full day, but the teachers make it work.  Mrs. Patet, the twins’ homeroom teacher, is an exceptional educator, both soft-spoken and patient.”   

Private education is a financial commitment, but one that both Stacey and Chris felt they couldn’t afford not to make.  “This was a big decision for us,” says Mrs. DeAnnuntis.  “We live in south Tampa which calls for a daily commute to school, and good private school education is not inexpensive.  But we both felt this was the right decision for our family, and we never regretted making the commitment.” 

“We love the school.  The fact that the head of school, Mrs. Wasser, greets families at the car line every morning at drop-off and every afternoon at dismissal says a lot about Hillel.  It tells us that our children are in good hands.”

At Hillel School of Tampa acceptance is never based on financial ability.  Limited financial aid funds are available to be applied for after acceptance to the program.

Hillel’s kindergarten B class with homeroom teacher, Mrs. Patet