Students return to Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway Elementary School

Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway Elementary School students returned to their Lawrence campus for the first time since the Jan. 10 fire that began in a second-floor science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, lab, and resulted in water and smoke damage to other parts of the school.

Roughly 500 students were displaced from the school and disbursed to three locations. Kindergartners went to HAFTR’s Early Childhood Center, also in Lawrence. First-and second-grade students were relocated to the Congregation Beth Sholom synagogue in Lawrence. Third-and fourth-graders moved to the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst shul in Cedarhurst, and fifth-graders transferred to HAFTR Middle School.

“I am happy to report that as of March 25, all students are back on campus in two beautiful, state-of-the-art modules,” HAFTR Executive Director Ari Solomon said. Kindergartners, first- and second-graders are back in the school building, while fourth- and fifth-graders are using the modules on the elementary school campus.

Each module has eight classrooms, Solomon said, and each classroom has a restroom, along with Smartboards, smart televisions and Wi-Fi. About 75 percent of the school building can be used, he explained, adding, “There are eight to 10 classrooms that still need construction.”

The Nassau County fire marshal determined that the early-morning fire in January was accidental.

“We worked very hard to get everything back in,” said Yaron Kornblum, president of HAFTR’s board of directors. “The number one goal was, only when it’s safe and when it’s ready would the students return. It’s really miraculous.”

“We are very pleased at the speed which we moved,” said Neil Wiener, the board chairman, noting the process of receiving approvals from an insurance company and variances from the Village of Lawrence. “We exceeded expectations, and the multi-phase plan to move back into the building was a success.” He added that the modules were set up to minimize classes’ movement to help ensure the best educational environment.

Kornblum heaped praise on the institutions, organizations and people of the Five Towns who were ready, willing and able to help their neighbors at a difficult time. “All I can tell you is we’re lucky to be in the Five Towns community,” he said. “Whether it be [Hurricane] Sandy or when we need each other, the community shines.” Kornblum singled out district Superintendent Ann Pedersen, Assistant Superintendent Jeremy Feder, Board of Education Vice President Asher Mansdorf and Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department Chief James McHugh, and also credited HAFTR parents for their understanding and support after the fire.

Solomon said that the school building was tested for air quality, and that it was time for the next phase of planning to reconstruct the classrooms, library and STEM lab that were damaged in the fire. “Right now we’re in a holding pattern,” he said, “but our intention is to come back bigger, better and stronger. We’re finalizing ideas on how we want to utilize that area right now.”