Jewish Academy steps ups safety to welcome back students

Jewish Academy of Orlando began the 2020-2021 school year on Monday, Aug. 17, after adding additional precautions to ensure a safe start. Some students began attending in-person with precautions in place while others participated in remote learning. The school will provide a blended learning model, utilizing both synchronous instruction (lessons that will be delivered simultaneously in the classroom and available for remote learning) and asynchronous instruction (recorded lessons that can viewed at a time of your choosing).

“We are thrilled to welcome back our students — both those that are learning in person and those that have chosen to begin the year with remote learning,” said Head of School Alan Rusonik. “We are especially grateful for the work of our strategic task force that advised us throughout the summer and for the additional equipment and resources that have been put in place to minimize risk for our students and faculty.”

In order to ensure the safest possible learning environment, the school recently installed touchless disinfectant stations at entrances, touchless soap dispensers at sinks, touchless towel dispensers throughout the facility, classroom hand sprays of disinfectant for high touch surfaces, upgraded janitorial equipment and services, and refurbished and upgraded Ultra-Violet sanitation throughout the facility.

Robert Gebaide, president of the school’s board of directors stated, “The new and upgraded equipment is an important part of the school’s multilayered approach to reducing risk, which will also include pre-entry screening, monitoring of student and faculty health, required face masks, physical distancing, smaller classroom sizes, hand washing, and frequent facility cleaning and disinfection.” 

Rusonik added, “We are excited to start school with our students and look forward to the rest of the year.”

Jewish Academy of Orlando serves central Florida students of all faiths from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. The school delivers a whole-child education fostering academic excellence and character education rooted in Jewish values. Jewish Academy of Orlando is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools.  

To learn more about Jewish Academy of Orlando, please visit: jewishacademyorlando.org or follow the school on Facebook https://facebook.com/JewishAcademyOrlando/ 

To learn more about COVID-19 precautions at Jewish Academy of Orlando, please visit: https://www.jewishacademyorlando.org/covid19.