School Sees Continuous Growth

On Sukkos, 1977, the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy (LYA) in Springfield, MA, was hit by arsonists and the school building suffers major damage. Fortunately for the students the fire occurred during the night, but the damage is devastating. The building is unfit for use and a decision for the future has to be decided.

Rabbi Dovid Edelman, head shliach to Western Massachusetts, meets with his board to plan a course of action.

The choices are narrowed to two options: Rebuild or move to a new location. Rabbi Edelman takes the suggestions of his committee and wrote to the Rebbe outlining his choices, the first, which will be more cost-effective and quicker, and the second, involving greater expenses and time.

The Rebbe replied by underlining four Hebrew words of the question: A new building in a new neighborhood.

Land was found in the upscale suburb of Longmeadow. Construction was begun, and the new building was ready for use 3 years later. Over the years, the building has been expanded three times to accommodate the growth of the school and the community.

It is now 36 years later. Baruch Hashem, under the direction of Rabbi Edelman, Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy continues to see the fruits of the Rebbe’s foresight. This year, the school opened its doors to a new school year with much more than just students and academics.

The school sees an increase in enrollment in the Kindergarten through 8th grade program. In contrast to national trends, new families are relocating to the Western MA and sending their children to LYA. New staff was hired to teach in the Middle School, to accommodate an increase in enrollment in grades 6-8.

Using “the Leader in Me” model for the third year, LYA continues to use the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and sees the positive results of students becoming effective in their lives, achieving their goals and becoming competent and confident leaders.

Community-wide attendance increased at programs and events organized by the school during the past year and into the summer months. The LYA Summer Barbecue and weekly study classes during July and August make LYA a destination all year long.

LYA administration and staff members strive to constantly challenge themselves to improve and raise the bar on educational excellence. The summer of 2013 was no exception; LYA secular staff synergized over the summer and began the process of modifying the curriculum standards to meet the goals of the new Common Core State Standards in education. The Judaic staff met weekly over the summer and worked on updating the Judaic curriculum and clarifying expectations to ensure seamless transitions from one grade to the next grade.

Over the summer, the principal Rabbi Noach Kosofsky coordinated building enhancements designed to improve and update crucial areas of the facility. Improvements include replacing two HVAC units in different wings of the school, painting elementary classrooms, installation of a new roof over the middle school and cafeteria, and landscaping upgrades around the building. Educational upgrades include new classroom computers and new Judaic books for early readers through advanced readers for the LYA Library.

“The new enhancements that took place at LYA over the summer are due to the generosity of community members, who believe in the mission and the growth that is taking place at LYA”, commented Rabbi Kosofsky.

LYA would like to thank to following community members for their generosity in providing the funds for the summer enhancement projects: Joanne Brown, friends at Horizon Sheet Metal, The Hambro Family, Devorah Keller Natkin in memory of her parents Paul and Sis Keller, an anonymous donor, and the Estate of George Sosin.

“Our work in creating a vibrant community in Western Massachusetts is ever increasing and important; as LYA looks to the future, it is vital that in addition to strengthening our school and community, we continue to invest in the physical LYA structure. We are not finished with our plans yet”, cautioned Rabbi Kosofsky, “LYA’s additional enhancement renovation plans include painting the exterior gym walls and updating the school entrance.”

LYA is accredited by NEASC, The New England Association of School and Colleges and is a Leader in Me school. An LYA education offers excellence in Judaic and secular studies for toddlers through eighth grade with individualized attention, as well as providing family education, and holiday programming.

For more info, visit LYA.org