The Primary School Celebrates Winter
“Because of the situation, we did not want to have a big winter party this year, for the entire school,” says primary school principal Neama Abo Delu. “But we still wanted the kids to have some fun, since it was Hanukkah and Christmas. So we had smaller parties in each grade. All the parents came together and participated, and it was really, really successful.”
The parties included a decorated tree and a visit from Santa Claus, bearing gifts.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, the children learned about light. Light, of course, has many meanings, and the lights of the winter holidays bring to mind many of these aspects. Light and enlightenment is also one of the sections of the HOTAM curriculum, and the fourth-grade class helped the entire school open this section. They made a presentation called “The Light in our School,” explaining how it grew out of the village of Wahat al-Salam – Neve Shalom, which stands for coexistence, equality, respect, love, peace and more. The school kids then created a mosaic, sticking up individual notes depicting their ideas about light and enlightenment.
The first-graders began their HOTAM section by thinking about differences, drawing pictures of themselves and comparing themselves with others to see how they are all different, yet much the same.
Getting back to normal
The primary school is not only getting back to a normal schedule, the emphasis is on creating a normal atmosphere and keeping to the regular flow of the school year. Thus, the first-grade class had a reason to celebrate: They finished learning all of their letters, in both Arabic and Hebrew. They had a day of special activities and fun events around their achievement. They also had the third graders come in to help them with activities around learning about the different kinds of lines and how to tell them apart.
The second graders missed their lessons in the forests, as they had to stay close to a safe space. Instead, they made up games that they then played, and they split up into groups to take responsibilities in the classroom.
The third-graders, in addition to their regular studies, had an activity called “a little peace between you and me – advancing togetherness in thought, tolerance and closeness.” While politics does not enter the classroom, every child comes with their own stresses and issues from home. The activity was a way for them to discover that others come to class with their own anxieties and traumas, and that they have the power to help one anther cope. Creating a cohesive group of children speaking two languages, who come from three religions and a variety of cultures is never easy, but the teachers are now working with kids who are hearing news of war and hatred. Such activities are thus essential to rebuilding the miniature community in the classroom.
In addition to opening the new HOTAM section, the fourth-graders held a long discussion about their return to the classroom, including their fears and feelings. That discussion turned into a poster, so that each could also write about their return to school and to thank their teachers.
The fifth- and sixth-graders found that the student council elections turned into a lesson in democracy. That lesson is more crucial than ever, and with that in mind, they prepared presentations on the responsibility of elected representatives and of voters in a democracy. The whole school participated in “democracy week” before the elections.
The sixth graders are also beginning a project in which they assist or tutor in the lower grades. This project is meant to boost their confidence and help them learn to take responsibility.
Fun is stilll important
Language is a big part of the school schedule, and a large part of this year’s emphasis is on teaching Arabic as a second language to Hebrew-speaking children. Visits to the language center resumed with the return to the classroom, as well. December 18 was International Arabic Day, and all of the classes celebrated with games and activities. International Hebrew day is coming up in January, and the teachers are prepared to celebrate when the Christian kids get back to school from their holiday.
“Of course, not everything is normal,” says Neama, “but we try to let the kids have fun. They need to have fun.” One day, for example, they decided to have a school-wide soccer match on the new soccer field. The winners would play the female teachers. Neama, herself, got out on the field, and they all felt, for a short time, they could simply enjoy themselves.