Schools

As schools have made the switch to “Zoom Learning” during the pandemic, there were many obstacles that students and teachers had to face on a daily basis. One of these issues was Zoom fatigue, becoming tired of staring at a screen for hours just to make it through a day of learning. Ezra Academy stepped in to help give local Middle School students a way to shake that fatigue and give them something to get excited about. This was evident by the overabundant enthusiasm for the Middle School Hanger Challenge from schools and students alike.

A Graduation to Remember

On Wednesday evening, June 17, Hebrew Academy of Nassau County High School seniors graduated before an audience of 130 Hondas, Nissans, and Toyotas filled with proud family members and faculty members. The ceremony took place in the parking lot at Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn Heights.

An incredible feeling of achdus and warmth was felt by the entire Bnos Malka family at our end-of-the-year drive-through on Sunday morning. After being greeted by a huge Sky Dancer, each girl received a can of lemonade from the G.O. girls, who were all dressed up in their adorable lemonade booth!

On Thursday, June 18, IVDU Long Island’s School for Special Education celebrated the end of a unique and successful school year. From September to mid-March, IVDU students and teachers benefited from the plentiful materials and resources available in our school building. When we transitioned to remote learning, teachers and therapists continued to provide the signature individualized IVDU education on Zoom. Parents received hands-on materials, lesson plans, and activities. Teachers provided individual live sessions tailored to each student, and offered at-home activities, as well. Therapists continued to service students through live sessions and at-home activities.

This has been an exciting final week of what has been the most fascinating, innovative, exhilarating, and often challenging school year for the Yeshiva of Central Queens in their “Virtual Learning Environment.” Students joined with their teachers for Zoom “baking parties” and virtual trips to Disneyland. Second graders participated in a virtual talent show, and third graders went on a “Happiness Scavenger Hunt.” Many teachers visited the students at home, dropping off gifts, and some classes came for a “socially distant” or “drive-thru” milk-and-cookies party in the yard to say their goodbyes to teachers and classmates.