Hatikvah Celebrates Independence and Education (Video)

Students at the Hatikvah International Academy Charter School filed out of their classrooms and into the parking lot and formed a circle once they got there. Inside the circle was an arrangement of notebooks and binders, pencils and pens, all donated by students and to be given to the Literacy Programs of New Jersey.

“We wanted to do a community service outreach project and promote independence. We feel that through learning comes independence,” said MaryEllen Firestone, director of the East Brunswick Public Library and President of the Board of Directors for the Literacy Programs of new Jersey.

Families at the school were asked to donate on notebook, one pen and one pencil, with the supplies going to help adult who learning how read, write and speak English.

Principal Naomi Drewitz said the event was designed to show students that independence can be celebrated by becoming educated, something the students were particularly interested in that day. Tuesday was Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, and as Drewitz said, the perfect time to teach students about independence.

“We thought about ways to educate them about independence, and teaching the kids the meaning of independence by helping others become independent,” she said.

The Literacy Program of New Jersey provides free tutoring to adult learners to improve literacy and life skills. Some of the program’s goals include getting these students more involved in their children’s educations and increasing family management skills; increasing their likelihood for employment, job retention and job promotion; increasing their capacity or academic success; and enhancing basic life skills.

The program provides basic tutoring for adults whose native language is English but need extra help, English as a Second Language courses, conversation groups and a variety of tutoring options.

Drewitz said many of her students can relate to the plight of adults who struggle with English. Hatikvah is a Hebrew immersion school and the language is new to a good amount of the students.

So they know how it is because they’re learning a new language themselves, they can relate,” said Drewitz.