The system of charter schools in New York educates children of refugees from Ukraine for free

System Hebrew Public Charter Schools in New York accepts for free educating the children of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.

In addition to the main school curriculum, children study modern Hebrew and the culture of Israel, and refugees are additionally helped with mastering English.

One of the Hebrew Public schools in Brooklyn, Hebrew Language Academy (HLA), has already accepted three Ukrainian children and is preparing to accept dozens of new students from Ukraine next school year. The idea of ​​helping refugee children emerged in the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Its initiator is Valeria Khaitina, head of public relations at Hebrew Public, a native of Kyiv.

“I realized that at some point refugees will come to us, and we can really help them by accepting children in our schools,” says Khaitina.

Immediately after the outbreak of the war, she sent out information to public organizations in New York that Hebrew Public school system is ready to accept refugees from Ukraine, and asked to be redirected to them who wish to receive education and assistance.

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Support for children at all levels

Mykola and Stefania Rybchinsky, twins from Kyiv, have been in the sixth grade at HLA for a month now. They don't have Jewish roots, but Hebrew Public is happy to help anyone. The Rybchinskys came to the US with their mother while their father is fighting as part of a special unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to protect strategic facilities.

In addition to the main lessons in the general class, the children are individually tutored by a teacher who works to improve their spoken English. This is one of the special services of the school for refugees from Ukraine. Besides, Hebrew Public provided them with clothes, shoes, tablets and consumables.

Families are fleeing Ukraine with little or no money and with many traumas, mental and social. The school understands this and wants to help at all levels.

HLA has a Russian-speaking social worker who helps children adjust to life in a new country. Each refugee child is introduced to a classmate who is assigned the role of mentor and helper in school life. Children in refugee classes are told briefly about the situation in Ukraine so that they understand what their new classmates have gone through and support them as much as possible.

In addition to the Rybchinskys, HLA also accepted a refugee from Ukraine, Maria Weinstein, into the eighth grade. Together with their mother and sister, they fled from Odessa a few weeks ago.

Help for moms

Mostly mothers with children come to the USA from Ukraine, fathers stayed to fight or volunteer in anticipation of mobilization. HLA cares not only for refugee children, but also for their mothers: they receive social and emotional support as much as possible. Sometimes they just need to talk.

“Mothers want to talk. They want to tell about the experience, and each story is a whole life. We just listen, sympathize and do our best to support them, ”said Khaitina.

Which Hebrew Public schools are waiting for refugees

Ukrainians fleeing the war are accepted wherever there are free places in the system Hebrew Public and related schools. Already, refugees have shown interest in early childhood education, and such classes will be launched at HLA, HLA2 and Harlem Hebrew in the fall.

Hebrew Public has branches in Brooklyn, Harlem, Staten Island and Philadelphia, as well as affiliated schools in Los Angeles and San Diego (California); Washington (District of Columbia); East Brunswick (New Jersey); and Edina (Minnesota).

“The mission of the school is to teach modern Hebrew and raise children to be productive global citizens. For me personally, as a native of Ukraine, it is important to help people fleeing the war, accept them in our schools and support them in every possible way. My American colleagues fully support this initiative and are happy to meet our new students,” Khaitina summed up.

More information about schools can be found at Hebrew Public website or by e-mail: [email protected].