Three days late, on Tuesday, the school year kicked off in Sderot. The parents aren't completely satisfied, because fortification of classrooms is not entirely complete and the threat of Qassams launched from Gaza is still present.
Thanks to the personal intervention of Defense Minister Amir Peretz, a resident of the town, building continued overnight. Only the religious high school in the city has yet to open.
The Shaar Hanegev regional council in the western Negev also opened their elementary schools. Council head Alon Schuster closely supervised the fortifications and declared the schools ready for business.
Back to school (Photo: Amir Cohen)
Sderot residents were very excited about the beginning school year. Parents accompanied children to school and were greeted by teachers waiting at the entrance. Mayor Eli Moyal toured the various educational institutions.
First grader Tair Levy was very glad that school was finally opened: "I was very excited because I had waited so long to start first grade. I was sad when we didn't start like everyone else. I couldn't sleep all night, I was so excited."
Her aunt, senior Shir Buskila, accompanied her to school. She too expressed excitement to return to her final year of studies before the army, and disappointment about the delay. "We have qualification exams in the winter, and every day that passes is very important. I imagine that we'll start studying already on our first day, because of the days that were wasted," she said.