Miflasim School
צילום: דורון גולן
Students return to Katyusha-stricken school
Kiryat Yam school that suffered a direct rocket hit during war opens its gates for hundreds of students, their teachers on first day of new school year; ‘we are putting our fears aside and trying not to think of what may happen,’ father of 1st grader says
The Miflasim School in Kiryat Yam suffered a direct Katyusha hit during the recent war in Lebanon, but on Sunday it opened its gates to hundreds of students and their teachers on the first day of the new school year.
The destruction is still visible, but according to Shimi, the father of a 1st grader in the school, “we are putting our fears aside and trying not to think of what could happen.”
Principal Vered Fisher admitted that a week ago she did not believe the school year would begin on schedule.
“Following two weeks of preparation we were able to do the unthinkable,” she said.
Some 200 students, who were waiting to return to their daily routine after spending more than a month in the bomb shelters, seemed excited.
“My biggest concern was the bell,” Shimi said. “I though it might remind my child of the sirens, but the sound was pleasant, not like when I was a child.”
'We came back with a smile'
Ilanit, mother to twins Idan and Natan, said she wanted to remain close to her children on their first day in the 1st grade.
“We were not scared, mostly excited; we know the school is prepared for any scenario. They promised us that they would perform a drill in which the children are taken down to the school’s bomb shelter, so we are calm,” she said.
Vladimir and Larissa accompanied their daughter, who is also entering the first grade.
“The most important thing is what you project to your child,” Vladimir said. “After a rocket fell here, my daughter came here to see what happened and I responded calmly. I told her it was nothing, so she behaved accordingly and today she is happy to begin the 1st grade.”
Principal Fisher added “we all live in the area, and some of the teachers have children who were called up during the war while others stayed in shelters for long periods of time, but the difficult times are behind us. We came back with a smile and a lot of motivation, and this is what matters most.”
