COVID-19 Protocols
Fall 2020 Reopening of School Update
While we have been actively working to get our school ready to welcome back all of our students for in-person learning, the governor's criteria for reopening K-8 schools and the current case rate in Los Angeles County have made us put that hope on hold for now.
Please read this full letter from Dr. Marc Lindner, Head of School, which outlines plans for the reopening of school, which includes in-person learning for our ECC and online learning for K-8. Our goal remains to have all students, Toddlers to 8th Grade, on campus with us for in-person learning. At the same time, we must prioritize the health and safety of our entire community and adhere to the policies set forth by our state and local governments.
Please read this full letter from Dr. Marc Lindner, Head of School, which outlines plans for the reopening of school, which includes in-person learning for our ECC and online learning for K-8. Our goal remains to have all students, Toddlers to 8th Grade, on campus with us for in-person learning. At the same time, we must prioritize the health and safety of our entire community and adhere to the policies set forth by our state and local governments.
Dear Sinai Akiba Families,
We plan, God laughs. While we have been actively working to get our school ready to welcome back all of our students for in-person learning, the governor's criteria for reopening K-8 schools and the current case rate in Los Angeles County have made us put that hope on hold for now.
Our goal remains to have all students, Toddlers to 8th Grade, on campus with us for in-person learning. At the same time, we must prioritize the health and safety of our entire community and adhere to the policies set forth by our state and local governments. Our SAA Medical Task Force continues to be a valuable resource for our planning and decision making. Our plans for the start of the school year are below.
ECC and Parenting Center
Toddlers, 2 year-olds, 3 year-olds, and Pre-K will begin the school year in-person on the Sinai Akiba Academy campus. Because the ECC and Parenting Center are licensed for child care, in-person learning for these students is fully allowed.
Upcoming key dates for the ECC are:
- Pre-K First Day of School- September 8
- 3 Year-old First Day of School- September 10
- 2 Year-old First Day of School- September 14
- Toddler First Day of School (3-day and 5-day)- September 14
- Toddler First Day of School (2-day)- September 15
Lower and Middle School
For the start of school, all K-8 classes will begin online. The virtual classroom experience will be robust, capitalizing on lessons learned from SAA’s online learning last spring. We found that the digital model is most effective when we have students in small groups, for example, in “breakout rooms.” Live interaction online is critical for optimal learning to occur. When students are given opportunities to be more active in their studies through activities and projects that are shared with others, they tend to be more engaged. Throughout the summer, faculty have been honing their virtual lessons. We have hired two experts in the field of online learning to work with our teachers during staff week. Guided by the experts, our faculty will be engaging in additional professional development for teaching in virtual environments. To create the most seamless start to the school year, all families will come to campus and drive through our garage to receive all of their books and materials. Faculty and staff will be on hand to greet everyone and we can’t wait to see you!
Upcoming key dates for Lower School are:
- August 17-31- Kindergarten and 1st grade home visits (to be scheduled)
- August 25 and 26- Kindergarten and 1st grade JS Zoom meetings with individual families (to be scheduled)
- August 25 and 26- 2nd-5th grade, Zoom meetings to meet teaching team for individual families (times to be announced)
- August 27- Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade Back to School Night on Zoom (7:30-9:00pm)
- August 28- Welcome to School Celebration Parade: Student materials pick up drive-through celebration (times to be announced)
- August 30- Alternate date to pick up student materials
- August 31- First Day of School for grades 1-8
- September 1- Kindergarten “meet and greet” with teachers, outdoors, in small groups (to be scheduled)
- September 2- First Day of School for Kindergarten
- September 3- Back to School Night on Zoom for grades 3-5 (7:30-9:00pm)
Upcoming key dates for Middle School are:
- August 27- 6th-grade Zoom orientation (10:00am-12noon)
- August 27- 7th and 8th-grade Zoom orientation (1:00-2:00pm)
- August 28- Welcome to School Celebration Parade: Student materials pick-up, a drive-through celebration (times to be announced)
- August 30- Alternate date to pick up student materials
- August 31- First Day of School for grades 1-8
- September 15- Back to School Night on Zoom for Middle School (7:30-9:00pm)
Additional Information for All Grades
Additional details for the start of school will be sent separately by the ECC, Lower, and Middle School Directors next week. COVID-19 Procedures and Protocols for in-person learning are being finalized and will be accessible on the Sinai Akiba website. You will be notified via email as soon as they are available.
We are aware that there are a few local schools that are planning to have in-person learning for Kindergarten, with Kindergarten as part of their ECC license. Additionally, some local schools are planning to have an in-person camp for children of various ages. We have been advised that these approaches do not supersede the mandates put forth for K-8 schools by California and LA County and they are not consistent with our value of Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof (ethical responsibility). Furthermore, we don’t want to jeopardize the long-term viability of Sinai Akiba Academy. For grades K-6, as soon as we are able to apply for a waiver to allow in-person learning, we will do so. For grades 7-8, we must wait until the number of cases of COVID-19 drops below the threshold set by Governor Newsom for LA County. We continue to pursue any and all legal avenues to bring our students back on campus for in-person learning.
As we look to the current school year, please respond to this brief survey. It is about your interest and comfort with the possibility of your child attending an in-person service with her/his pod (for K-8 only). The service would be approximately 45 minutes in length, led by Rabbi Feig and/or one of the Sinai Temple clergy. It would be held in one of the outdoor spaces of Sinai Temple. This type of experience is allowable per the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s protocol for places of worship. The goal would be for the students to have some in-person time with the others in their pod and to connect with our liturgy and traditions.
No matter what, this school year your children will benefit from the academic excellence and Jewish values that are the hallmarks of a Sinai Akiba education. Your children are our future, and we are committed to helping them grow and thrive.
Don’t hesitate to be in touch with questions or thoughts.
Shabbat Shalom,
Dr. Marc Lindner, Head of School
© Sinai Akiba Academy, All Rights Reserved.
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About Sinai Akiba Academy
Sinai Akiba Academy is a private Jewish day school in Los Angeles, serving students in Early Childhood through Grade 8. We also offer a variety of parenting classes and programs for children through our Parenting Center. A Sinai Temple school.
Notice of Non-Discriminatory Policy As to Students
Sinai Akiba Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.