Going back to school never has been so sweet! As AMIT schools opened in a very limited way this week, returning students were met with warmth, candy, and signage welcoming them back into the classrooms – the first time in two months since the Education Ministry closed schools because of the pandemic.
AMIT’s 11th and 12th graders have returned to prepare for their bagrut, matriculation exams, only. Grades, 1 through 3, have returned slowly, as well. Preschools are expected back May 10, and grades 4 through 10, continuing distance learning for now, are expected to return June 1, if all goes well.
[vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”40293,40292,40291,40290,40289,40288″ img_size=”medium”]
There was such excitement that Zipi Harpenes, principal at AMIT Elaine Silver Vocational School, Beer Sheva, said they recited the Shehechiyanu, the blessing of new beginnings, upon opening.
To ensure the safety of all, AMIT schools are following a plethora of strict health guidelines, including limiting students to groups of 17 (“capsules”) who don’t mix with other groups, shorter days, no social activities or programming, among several other rules. In taking all precautions, where a teacher is high-risk, he or she will continue distance learning even for bagrut, subjects. AMIT schools are navigating a very complicated system, and each school is working out details, according to its needs.
For now, officials said, the main goal is to get back to the school routine, and for upperclassman to be prepared for their upcoming bagrut. AMIT prides itself on an 86 percent bagrut rate, well above the national average of 70 percent.
Welcome back!
