Mercaz Academy Celebrates First-Ever First Day Of School

PLAINVIEW, NY — A little rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of students and staff at the newly minted Mercaz Academy on a day of firsts. On Sept. 6, the school opened for its first day of classes ever as the Mercaz Academy, the newly independent Jewish day school in Plainview.

“As the only Jewish day school east of the Meadowbrook Parkway, we know how vital we are to the Jewish community, and we are delighted to open our doors for students from preschool through sixth grade from all over Long Island,” said Gary Katz, chairman of the school’s Board of Trustees.

Smiles shone even brighter than the freshly spruced-up school building as the students stepped off the buses. Along with parents, staff and lay leaders — and accompanied by live music — the children sang along and danced in ever-shifting lines and circles before classes started. Amidst all the color and excitement, students and families stepped up to a soaring balloon arch for a group photograph, memorializing their first day of school as well as their positions as the first classes ever at Mercaz Academy.

New beginnings call for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and each class, represented by a student new to the Plainview campus, used the ceremonial scissors to cut its own ribbon, opening gateways to a new year of study and to launch the new school.

“This is not just an old school with a new name,” said Rabbi Kalman Fogel, principal of Mercaz Academy. “Mercaz has prioritized and expanded its educational offerings from our predecessor. We’ve created a new position of assistant principal for general studies and we’re intensifying instruction of Hebrew language, while increasing our focus on educational technology, resources for students who are non-typical learners, and physical education, among many other new initiatives.”

Students of families attending Mercaz Academy span a wide spectrum of religious affiliations and levels of family observance, and come from 18 different communities in central Long Island.

“Many of our students began their education in public school, but chose our day school for its nurturing atmosphere, educational excellence and traditional values. Parents also appreciate our strong sense of community,” said Fogel.

Mercaz Academy will continue to celebrate its opening on Sept. 11, when it will host a free, family-oriented day of fun from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m..