HAFTR Brochure

HEBREW ACADEMY of the

Five Towns & Rockaway ‫ישיבת חוף דרום‬

INSPIRING JEWISH LEADERS BECOMING LIFELONG LEARNERS

HEBREW ACADEMY OF THE FIVE TOWNS AND ROCKAWAY The Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR) was established in 1978 through a merger between two outstanding South Shore yeshivot, The Hebrew Institute of Long Island (HILI) and The Hillel School. HAFTR was created as a Modern Orthodox yeshiva with Torah as the foundation of its philosophy. For over forty years, HAFTR has set the standard of excellence for American Jewish yeshiva education on both the lower and secondary levels.

HAFTR is a co-educational Modern Orthodox yeshiva with a rigorous dual curriculum in limudei kodesh and general studies. We strive to instill in our students a love of Hashem, lifelong learning, community, and Israel. We celebrate the uniqueness of each child by providing innovative, stimulating, and varied opportunities that address individual developmental needs. We facilitate our students’ pursuit of academic excellence and development of midot tovot; preparing critical thinkers, bnei/bnot Torah, and future leaders and representatives of the Jewish people.

EARLY CHILDHOOD Mrs. Cyndy Goldberg, Director 389 Central Avenue • Lawrence, NY 11559 516.569.3659 earlychildhood@haftr.org LOWER SCHOOL Ms. Joy Hammer, Principal Ms. Tova Zucker, Assistant Principal 33 Washington Avenue • Lawrence, NY 11559 516.569.3043 lowerschool@haftr.org MIDDLE SCHOOL Mr. Joshua Gold, Principal 44 Frost Lane • Lawrence, NY 11559 516.569.6352 middleschool@haftr.org

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HAFTR has a heritage almost half a century long of providing the highest quality academic instruction to our students. This mission was relevant in 1978 when we were founded, and it is perhaps even more relevant today. Along with our rigorous dual curricular education in limudei kodesh and general studies, HAFTR strives to instill a love of Hashem, lifelong learning, community, and Israel in our students. We are preparing the next generation of critical thinkers, leaders, and bnei /bnot Torah by facilitating our students’ pursuit of academic excellence and personal growth in a warm and caring learning environment.

I am honored to present this glimpse of our curricula and activities, which are innovating the future of our community.

Among the numerous reasons I encourage you to choose HAFTR as your home are: • Our student body of almost 1,400 individuals is housed at our state of the art campuses. We have modern STEM and science labs in each facility, magnificent gyms, and expansive outdoor spaces.

• Our commitment to educational excellence, supported by our incredible facilities, provide students innovative learning opportunities and interactive experiences.

• Our professional, outstanding, and impassioned educators embrace a wide range of instruction techniques to make learning accessible to every student.

Our student body reflects the diversity of our community. Students travel from all areas of Long Island and the 5 Boroughs, and come together in our warm and caring school community.

While I am extremely proud of what we are accomplishing, I am always looking at how we can take HAFTR to the next level and truly realize our vision of being the exemplary yeshiva of the 21st Century.

As you consider your child’s path, I am excited to welcome you as a part of our HAFTR family, where together, we look forward to an amazing future.

Warmly, Ari Solomon Executive Director

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends

EARLYCHILDHOOD

Strong Start, Bright Future

HAFTR’s Early Childhood program is excited to have you partner with us as we lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning. We offer preschool classes for two, three, and four year old children including early drop off and late pick up options.

Early Childhood provides a warm, caring, comfortable, and safe environment for your child. Love of Torah, mitzvot, Shabbat, Medinat Yisrael, and Am Yisrael are the cornerstones of our program. Jewish traditions and values inspire everyday learning opportunities and lifelong connections to Judaism. Our developmentally appropriate curriculum prepares students with a core base of knowledge in both limudei kodesh and general studies, serving as their foundation for later learning.

• • • • •

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Small student to teacher ratio State-of-the-art playground Sensory gym Specialties: lashon, music, art, physical education, science, cooking, and more!

Monthly programs include health month, book of the month, siyum sefer Bereshit, Chanukah chagiga, Tu B’Shvat seder, Purim chagiga, model seder, and school-wide Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrations Language development: listening, speaking, pre-reading, and pre-writing Cognitive development: math skills developed through patterns, numbers, measurement, shapes, and science activities Creative development: visual arts, music, role play, story telling Physical development: fine and gross motor skills, spatial awareness Personal, social and emotional development: communication, understanding of self and relationship with others

We recognize the power of play as the primary occupation of a child. Our robust learning environment advances our students’ physical and intellectual competence, communication skills and creativity.

LITERACY AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

Our children acquire foundational literacy skills in English and Hebrew by participating in meaningful language enriched experiences.

Their knowledge of Hebrew grows through our Ivrit language immersion program “Chalav U’dvash.” Our specialty programs feature music, physical education, science, art, and library. We guide the development of the whole child while fostering his/her abilities in academics, socialization, and fine and gross motor skills.

BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM Establishing strong self-esteem in our children is one of our primary goals. We provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where each child is free to take risks and ask questions. Social and emotional development is encouraged to nurture self-esteem and responsibility. Our morot utilize a variety of teaching strategies that recognize diverse learning styles, allowing each child to progress at his/her own pace.

PARENTS & TEACHERS

Parents are viewed as partners, collaborators, and advocates for their children, and they are an integral part of the educational process. In recognition of this important role, parent involvement is actively sought, encouraged, and welcomed. We work together to build trusting relationships that support each child’s individuality, creativity, and potential.

Our exceptional group of morot are loving, proactive, early childhood professionals who are well trained in research-based educational techniques that enable and promote lifelong learning for your child.

INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENT INSPIRING ACHDUT

THE POWER OF PLAY

SCHOOL Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow

HAFTR Lower School builds on the skills obtained at HAFTR Early Childhood, and continues to focus on the development of the whole child. Social and emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and middot are cultivated within our warm and caring, yet challenging learning environment. Recognizing that each child is unique, with individual educational needs, interests, and learning styles, every student is given the opportunity to maximize his/her learning potential with curricula designed to accommodate our diverse community of learners.

Our goal is to foster a deep knowledge and understanding of our mitzvot and minhagim, a love of Israel, and a connection to our culture and our past. Our limudei kodesh curriculum centers on a love of Torah values and Israel, with a strong emphasis on modern Hebrew language. The study of tefillah, chagim, and yediot klaliot play an integral part in the solid foundation that is fostered at HAFTR Lower School. As students progress grades, they learn crucial skills necessary for independent study of chumash, navi, and mishna.

Our general studies program meets New York State standards and is characterized by progressive pedagogical techniques including: Reading and Writing Workshop, differentiated instruction, Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and interest-based learning, problem-solving, hands-on/real world learning, authentic assessments, and ongoing professional development for our educators. Cultural arts are valued and included in our extensive music and art programs, field trips, and evening programming.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

HAFTR Lower School is renowned for our special programs' emphasis on hands-on learning, student engagement, and integration of subjects and creativity. Students learn about themselves, their community, and the world at large.

Schoolwide programs include The Shabbat Project, Safety Week, Health Week, Book of the Month, and celebrations and activities for each chag, including Yom Ha'Atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim.

Grade-wide programs include: Chagigat Siddur, Chagigat Chumash, M’Dor L’Dor/Generation to Generation, Evening of the Arts, Family Learning Programs, and Tefillah/Breakfast Program.

Our full-time guidance team provides weekly classes on social skills as well as counseling to support the social-emotional growth of all our students. Our psychologists, social workers, and interns support students, facilitate conversations, and teach students to solve problems effectively.

CLASS STRUCTURE

All classes are co-educational and grouped heterogeneously. Classes are regrouped each year to facilitate socialization among students across the grade. Beginning in fourth grade, students are separated by gender for limudei kodesh classes, and grouped homogeneously for Ivrit and math to maximize each child’s learning potential.

SUPPORT AND ENRICHMENT

Recognizing that each child is an individual, HAFTR Lower School provides opportunities for students to receive support and enrichment to meet their educational needs.

SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

• Classroom teachers, assistant teachers, and reading teachers provide small group instruction to all students in their class.

• Group support is offered from our Learning Center specialists in both limudei kodesh and general studies, and is targeted to the specific needs of the group.

• HAFTR's collaborative classroom is ideal for students who need support throughout the day. Students who meet the criteria for this class are grouped together with their peers and receive additional support from a special education teacher who co-teaches with the classroom teacher.

• Special Education services provided by the Lawrence School District include Resource Room, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Counseling.

• Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy are provided in our in-house sensory gym.

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Students in grades three through five participate in a club period known as MI Time, joining a club that facilitates growth in their preferred intelligence and personal strength.

• Book clubs are available for strong readers on all grade levels.

• TOTs (“Thinkers of Tomorrow”) is a program for gifted students.

TOTs students are challenged with higher level thinking activities involving flexibility, originality, and elaborative problem solving.

FACULTY

All HAFTR Lower School general studies faculty hold graduate degrees in Education, with many holding additional certifications in Childhood Education and Special Education. Limudei kodesh faculty come from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences.

Our Hebrew language educators are native Hebrew speakers and are trained in the iTalLAM program.

INSPIRING CREATIVITY INSPIRING RUACH

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING

MIDDLE SCHOOL Keep Going, Keep Growinf

The goal of HAFTR Middle School is to guide students in grades six through eight from the fundamental discovery years of the primary grades to the exciting challenges of high school in both limudei kodesh and general studies. HAFTR Middle School celebrates the uniqueness of this age by providing innovative, stimulating, and diverse learning opportunities that address the specific developmental needs of each student in a warm and nurturing atmosphere.

As middle school corresponds with becoming a bar/bat mitzvah, our curriculum addresses the significant transition from childhood to adult responsibility from a Torah perspective. Through specially designed classes in tefillah and ethics, and throughout the curricula, students are imbued with an understanding of the basic tenets of Judaism and religious Zionism, including the centrality of the State of Israel to Jewish identity.

GROWTH MINDSET

Our Instructional Focus includes the cultivation of a “Growth Mindset” and teaching this concept to our students. In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work - brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.

EXPLORATORY PROGRAM

All HAFTR Middle School students take an exploratory class every Friday. The role of Exploratory in HAFTR Middle School is to provide students with experiences in areas beyond classroom subjects, such as drama, music, health, art, Zionism, foreign language, advanced Torah study, life skills, and technology.

HAFTR Middle School’s SEL initiative, led by Dr. Yali Werzberger, is critical to the development of our students. SEL teaches students how to regulate their emotions, connect effectively with others, and use and develop their strengths. Using a multi-tiered approach, students are provided with programming, workshops, and activities on school-wide, classroom, and individual levels. Programs include; positive psychology, mindfulness, digital citizenship, healthy relationships, Pathways, and drug and alcohol use prevention.

LEARNING SUPPORT HAFTR Middle School and the Lawrence School District provide a variety of support and enrichment programs to help every student achieve educational success including; • • • •

Response-to-Intervention Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) 504 Accommodations Resource Room

LEARNING CENTER The Learning Center is a support provided by HAFTR for students who struggle academically. Learning Center teachers pre-teach, re-teach, scaffold, and modify material to ensure that each child can effectively access the material they are taught in the classroom. Study skills and test taking strategies are also incorporated through the content that is taught. Learning Center classes provide students with small group instruction where they learn how to develop their skills and review the general studies curriculum with the support of dedicated special education teachers.

ACES PROGRAM The ACES Program (Academic Center for Educational Success) was founded so students with significant academic challenges can continue attending a yeshiva. In addition to district services, ACES students receive intensive, targeted, evidence-based support in reading and writing skills, as well as support in content areas.

INSPIRING TORAH LEARNING INSPIRING ARTISTRY

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)

CLUBS AND TEAMS

Boys 6th Grade Basketball Boys 7th Grade Basketball Boys 8th Grade Basketball Girls 6th Grade Basketball Girls 7th Grade Basketball Girls 8th Grade Basketball Boys Hockey Boys Soccer Girls Soccer Robotics Team Drone Team

Boys Torah Bowl Team Girls Torah Bowl Team Debate Team Drama Club ESports Team Art Club Yearbook Club Play Wellness Initiative Student Government Names, Not Numbers Rosh Chodesh Breakfast

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Throughout the school year, students participate in a number of field trips and co-curricular events designed to complement our curriculum and provide experiences that are educational, culture-enhancing, and team building.

Achdut Week/ Color War Grade Trips Senior Trip Boces Project Adventure Mishmar Boys Shabbaton Girls Shabbaton Tefillin Workshop Masbia Trip Chanukah Dinners at Teachers' Homes Chanukah Chagiga Yimei lyun Taanit Esther Auction 8th Grade Melave Malka Guest Speakers Yom Ha'Atzmaut Celebration Yom Hashoah & Yom Hazikaron Commemorations

Purim Carnival Lag B'omer Trip Cupcake Wars Body Project Country Fair Science Fair Mitzvah Fair Bar/Bat Mitzvah Workshop Mock Bar/Bat Mitzvah STEM Summit Capstone Project

HEBREW ACADEMY of the

Five Towns & Rockaway ‫ישיבת חוף דרום‬

RUACH SPIRIT ARTISTRY INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY TORAH LEARNING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

SIMCHA

RUACH CREATIVITY ACHIEVEMENT INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY

SPIRIT

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

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