This is the text of an e-mail sent by Rabbi Head of School Rabbi Ari Segal after school today outlining procedures to cope with a heat wave expected next week with temperatures in the high 90s.  The JCC, where school is being held this year, has no air-conditioning in upstairs classrooms.

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your patience over the last two weeks as we get accustomed to our temporary home. I appreciate all the constructive feedback. I have weighed all the relevant factors and have made the difficult decision not to make the significant investment necessary to purchase air conditioning. As with all my operational decisions, I have weighed the potential short term benefits against what is best for the long term viability of the school.

The decision leaves us trying to make the best of a difficult situation. As you know from my emails, we are continuing to buy more fans, provide as much cold water and ices as we can and find ways of generating more cross-ventilation. We are considering buying individual fans for each student. In addition, the JCC has agreed to let us use the large air-conditioned auditorium whenever it is not in use so that teachers can bring classes there. We are truly doing everything we can to make this as tolerable as possible.

As you may have read in my email, next week we expect mid to high 90 degree temperatures. As soon as I realized that, it became clear to me that we would either need to cancel school (and probably reschedule those days somehow) or find air-conditioned options. I contacted a number of communal institutions and have located a few alternate spaces that can hold around one grade each (50 students). I presented this information to the educational leadership team and asked them to develop a plan that would be as “teacher friendly” and “student learning centered” as possible. The leadership team is  currently working up a schedule, but the most challenging aspect will involve teachers going from location to location. To solve this issue, we are working on some kind of transportation “shuttle” between the various locations that will alleviate teachers’ driving and parking concerns.

Therefore, for the entirety of next week:

• 9th grade classes will be conducted at Young Israel of Century City.
• The 10th grade classes with be conducted at Congregation B’nai David-Judea.
• The 11th and 12th grades will continue to occupy the JCC in the air conditioned areas

A schedule of classes is at the end of this letter. Please note that we are ending our day at 3:55 PM to allow for students and teacher to get to their various co-curricular activities.

Drop-off/Pick-up

Drop-off and pick-up will continue as planned at the JCC. Drop-off/pick-up for BDJ and YICC will take place in the alley behind those synagogues. We must be very respectful while driving in the areas as they are graciously allowing us to use their facility.

Backpacks

We are very aware of the challenge of backpacks given the lack of lockers. See below for the plan that we have discussed with teachers today and which will go into effect over the next two days.

I ask for everyone’s patience and positive attitude during this challenging time. It is my hope and belief that this will all be a distant memory once the weather cools somewhat.

Thank you,

Rabbi Segal

Schedule for Heat Wave Week, 9/15-9/19

Fire Week

Notes

1. Every consecutive period will have a 25 minute break built into the schedule so that teachers can get to and from each location with enough time to set up.

2. So that we do not need to concern ourselves with parking, the school will order everyone Ubers throughout each day and/or use Robyn’s van for a car service.

3. School will end earlier each day so there is more flexibility to arrive at co-curriculars.

4. We are not having advisory this week.

5. We will not have AGS this week.

6. Each period will be 10 minutes shorter except on Thursday when class will remain an hour long (because of no advisory).

7. Each teacher will be able to teach in an air conditioned room during this time.

8. On Wednesday, the 10th graders go on a field trip.

BACKPACK PLAN

TEXTBOOKS

Home & School Use

If a textbook ever needs to be used both in class and at home the textbook must be kept at home at all times.  If a textbook needs to be used in class, we will have copies or PDFs made for class.

NOTEBOOKS & BINDERS

Students shouldn’t have more than 2 notebooks/binders in their backpacks –  One for General Studies and one for Judaics.

Related: It’s back to JCC after Heat Wave Week ends early

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Related: VIDEO: Heat Wave Week

Related: What you need to know for Heat Wave Week

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