Schechter Boston, a private Jewish day school in Newton, reopened its doors for in-person learning on Sept. 2 with nearly 100 new students ages 15 months through Grade 8.

In the middle of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, Schechter is delivering an engaging, dynamic curriculum that includes general and Judaic studies, Hebrew, creative arts and after-school programming. Head of School Rebecca Lurie shares, “We have developed a sound and consistent plan for physical distancing, improved ventilation and cleaning, daily health attestations and universal masking for all community members 2 years of age and above. I am grateful to our incredible, heroic teachers and staff for all they have done to make our reopening a success and to parent and alumni volunteers for their continued support.”

Schechter Boston moved to an online learning program, Schechter@Home, on March 17, holding online classes from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m., as well as live after-school activities, throughout the pandemic. The school spent the summer preparing for its reopening, consulting a committee of doctors and specialists who have supported Jewish day schools throughout Boston.

This year, indoor classrooms have been carefully measured and configured for safety and six feet of social distancing. The school has also created outdoor learning spaces and classrooms for each student cohort and covered outdoor spaces for rainy days. Schechter parent and community artist Tova Speter and parent, staff and student volunteers created colorful murals to welcome back the community.

“I can’t thank Schechter enough for having a plan, literally on day one of this whole mess of a pandemic. Our children are being seen and heard in the most profound way I have ever experienced,” shares Karin Sharav-Zalkind, parent of children in second and sixth grades.

“So grateful to Schechter Boston for working tirelessly the last few months to create a safe space for our kids to learn and grow,” adds Solomon Sheena, a Schechter Boston alumnus who now has children in pre-K, second and fourth grades. “My kids were close to tears because they couldn’t wait to go back to school over the weekend.”

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