The 2015-2016 school-year will be the third year of operation for the YEDA-Leo Baeck school in Kiryat Bialik. This year we have 147 students enrolled including 42 third-graders, 54 second-graders, and 51 first-graders. The school week at the YEDA schools are 44 hours long, 50% longer than the standard number of hours for elementary schools in Israel.
With two years of work, we have developed a program emphasizing the child’s specific needs. Each classroom has a second teacher who joins the lessons for part of the regular day, and during afterschool hours to give the children more specialized attention. These secondary teachers bring their experience with diverse populations to the students at YEDA, providing them with additional guidance and leadership.
At YEDA we emphasize the establishment of clear boundaries with the understanding that they provide both security and tranquility. This allows both children and adults the freedom to create and thrive in a safe, nurturing environment.
We believe that a child’s ability to “think outside of the box” comes first from the ability to “think inside of the box.” At YEDA, we provide the tools for children to develop the proper social skills and confidence which will allow them to cope with difficulties and challenges when they reach adulthood. 
Finally, the opening of the new YEDA-Leo Baeck School in Petach Tikvah gives us strength and pride, knowing that our dream is becoming a reality.
Shana Tova!
Itai Karin, YEDA-Leo Baeck Kiryat Bialik School Leader
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