The 2021–2022school year will open as scheduled for hospitalized children at the Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital of Rambam Health Care Campus. The hospital’s school is run by the BRACHA Education Center under the direction of Israel’s Ministry of Education.
Staff of the BRACHA Education Center. Photography courtesy of Rambam HCC.
At Rambam, ten classes are held for hospitalized children ages 3 to 21, including those children who will enter first grade while in hospital. The educations staff invest several days of careful organization and preparation in advance to ensure that the children feel welcome and that the classes are run as effectively as possible. They know that providing hospitalized children with an enjoyable learning experience that minimizes the impact of their illness from day one is critically important, particularly for those facing an extended hospital stay.
Classes continued to be held for all grades throughout the summer, until August 15, in a summer camp framework. Activities were coordinated with the Ministry of Education and Rambam management, in ensure as much continuity as possible for children whose educational momentum had been interrupted by illness.
Planning for this school year was exceptionally complex because of coronavirus concerns. With the aid of the Ministry of Education’s technology unit and Rambam, hospitalized middle school and high school students were able to join their classmates using laptop computers. Rambam also provided vaccinations for the teaching staff to help protect both the children’s and them from infection – an important element for allowing all to progress through the school year as smoothly and productively as possible.
Ilana Levi, Director of the BRACHA Education Center, said: “This is the second time that we must start the school year under a wave of rising coronavirus infections. The children’s individual needs are being addressed as they attend classes in accordance with the hospital’s rules and requirements. In addition, children who cannot attend class because of their medical situation are provided with educational support. I wish all the students of Israel good health, success, and a school year filled with accomplishments!”