Bringing Brandeis in Lawrence together through remote learning

The Brandeis School on Frost Lane in Lawrence has been closed since March 16 like all schools across New York state because of the coronavirus pandemic, and nearly two months later using the Zoom video conferencing platform student and teachers from nursery to the eighth grade have connected for general and Judaic education classes, art and gym.

Lead by Head of School Raz Levin and several teachers and administrators, Brandeis has also kept connected through virtual programs that celebrated Holocaust Remembrance Day, this year on April 21 and Israel Independence Day on April 29. 

School days have been modified based on grade level. A typical school begins at 9 a.m. and ends between 2 and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Classes are 30 minutes in length. The students have time for recess and lunch. 

“I am so impressed with how positively the Brandeis staff reacted to remote learning and how quickly they adjusted to the new method of teaching,” Levin said. “Even with all of the alterations to their curricula and new assessment methods, teachers maintained the highest level of professionalism and jumped on board.”

School officials admitted to a “few minor hiccups” during the first few days of remote learning, which was expected, they said, noting that overall a seamless transition took place. To respond to any issues, Levin holds an open forum every Friday for all Brandeis parents.

“The school hasn't skipped a beat,” said Robin Diamond, the mother of first-grader Rena Diamond. “They have reading groups, lessons, homework, programs, and all of their ‘specials.’ This is what our family needs during our time of uncertainty. Personally, we are a family where one parent isn't working, we are stuck inside our apartment, and lots of things are difficult. Having Brandeis’s support and continuing with our child’s excellent education has been so helpful to us.” 

Along with the typical education, highlights also include second grade students continuing their book club with reading teacher Heidi Beyer. Every class has a weekly Torah lesson with Rabbi Saul Haimoff, the school’s resident rabbi, a discussion that is continued on Fridays during the musical Shabbat celebration with every grade.

“One of the good things I am finding is that I am seeing more of the children’s home environments,” said first grade teacher Adena Moss. “In a way that adds more to our feeling of family.  Our classes have included guests such as puppies, a ferret and even my husband.”

Levin and other school officials said that they are consistently working with parents and teachers to help ensure that 90-year-old Brandeis continues to be what they called a “unique entity,” adding that the school has not closed only the physical building. 

“Thank you to the dedicated staff and teachers at the Brandeis School who are helping our children maintain some normalcy in this unprecedented situation,” said Michael Stein, whose daughter Natalie is in the third grade. Her siblings, Orly and Adina, graduated from Brandeis.

“Keeping the kids occupied with a daily schedule of online classes, including gym and art is great for the kids and even better for the parents who have their own responsibilities to attend to. The routine is helpful to maintain some sanity during this tough period we are all dealing with.”