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Welcome the South Campus Flood Update.

Updated: September 27, 2011 at 5:00 PM

Dear Parents,

We are very pleased to announce that we will be back in our South Campus on Monday, October 3^rd. The air quality test results were very good, and our Gan teachers and administrators were hard at work today preparing the classrooms for our children.

We have arranged the use of Shaarei Shomayim’s front lawn as an outdoor play area. Temporary fencing will be put up by Tuesday, October 4^th, creating a safe zone in which our children can run around, and play with balls and other small toys.

Keeping the safety of our children top of mind, a temporary security officer is being arranged to assist in protecting our children as they come and go, and to monitor the hallways and limit classroom access.

Please take note of the following drop off and pick up procedures:

Arrival: Children will now be entering through the shul’s front entrance. Children should be dropped off at the front steps of Shaarei Shomayim between 8:45 - 8:55 a.m. where they will be met by the South Campus staff. Children will enter the building and proceed to their classrooms at 8:55 a.m.

Dismissal: Children should be picked up from the front steps at each of the dismissal times. (12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m.) Please be on time.

Parking: Please park your cars on Glencairn Avenue, walk your children up the front steps, and immediately move your car to enable others the room to park. We greatly appreciate your help in ensuring this process runs smoothly.

The repairs to Shaarei Shomayim will continue for some time, which means that our South Campus is far from perfect. It is, however, a safe environment in which our children can learn and play. We know that all of our parents share our enthusiasm at returning to our South Campus, and that your understanding and patience will continue with the repairs.

We would like to thank Shaarei Shomayim, their lay leaders, and staff, as well as the restoration team, for the focus they placed on ensuring we were safely back in our South Campus as quickly as possible. We thank our teachers, administrative staff, and lay leaders who were instrumental in working through this difficult situation, while keeping our children’s spirits high and their learning experiences great. Finally, we thank our North and South parents for their unending patience, understanding, and support. Successfully navigating this time was truly a group endeavour, and we thank you all for the parts you played.

All of us here wish you and your loved ones a Shana Tova U’metukah.

Sincerely,

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 23, 2011 at 3:30 PM

We feel it is important to share with you that we have received confirmation that we will not have access to our outside playground area for up to several months after our return to the South Campus. The reason for this is that Shaarei Shomayim will continue to operate its offices from trailers located in the parking lot, and the power supply to those trailers travels along the playground’s back fence. As we do place a high value on outside play, we are working with Shaarei Shomayim to arrange for an alternate safe outdoor play area on the shul grounds. We look forward to letting you know where the alternate space will be.

On a positive note, we are pleased to report that, at the end of today, the repairs to all four classrooms will be complete. Repairs to room four’s furniture, however, is still underway. Work continues on areas around the classrooms, and the air quality test remains scheduled for early next week.

We would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to the restoration team, Shaarei Shomayim, and our own staff for their hard work repairing our classrooms so quickly.

Shabbat Shalom,

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 22, 2011 at 4:55 PM

As work continues on our fourth classroom, Raquel Sultan is at the South Campus ensuring the furniture in our three other classrooms has been appropriately placed. At the same time, work continues on the areas around our classrooms and throughout the lower lever of the synagogue.

We would like to again thank all of our Gan teachers for their tireless patience and support. It is you who have made this time so incredibly positive for our children.

Sincerely,

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 21, 2011 at 4:50 PM

Alan Steinfeld and our South Campus administrators, Eileen Goldstein and Raquel Sultan, visited Shaarei Shomayim yesterday to survey the progress first hand. They were pleased to report that the following repairs have moved forward as planned:

1. The furniture has been returned to the first room and is ready to be placed where needed.

2. The repairs to two more rooms have been completed. Their floors were waxed yesterday, and their furniture is being moved back in today.

3. The fourth room wall repairs are done. The floor is being prepped for install, after which the baseboards will be installed and the floor waxed.
Once this is done, furniture will be returned to this room as well. We continue to anticipate all work to this room being complete on Friday.

4. The air quality test, which we are told takes two days, is planned for early next week.

5. After the completion of a successful air quality test, our teachers will be able to set up their classrooms.

The days continue to move quickly passed us, bringing our return to the South Campus that much closer. We remain appreciative of your continued support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 20, 2011 at 4:45 PM

The repairs at Shaarei Shomayim are on track as detailed yesterday. Work also continues on the areas around the classrooms, to ensure safe access for our students and staff upon their return. We look forward to continuing to bring you good news.

Sincerely,

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 19, 2011 at 4:40 PM

As progress continues at our South Campus, we are pleased to provide you with today's update:

1. Repairs on the first classroom are complete.

2. We anticipate the rest of the classrooms should be completed by the end of the week.

3. All of the furniture has been repaired and is ready to be moved back into the classrooms as they become available.

4. We are awaiting information on when the air quality test will be completed.

5. Once the classrooms have been set up and the air quality test passed, our teachers will prepare their classrooms for our children.

We continue to anticipate returning to our classrooms shortly after Rosh Hashanah. In the meantime, our children continue to enjoy their opportunity to be together as one Netivot HaTorah family.

Sincerely,

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 16, 2011 at 2:40 PM

Raquel Sultan, our South Campus Coordinator, visited Shaarei Shomayim at the end of the day yesterday. She was happy to see the following progress being made on our classrooms:

1. The first room has been painted, the floors have been refinished, and they are ready for the installation of baseboards.

2. The second room has been painted and is ready for the floors to be refinished and the baseboards to be installed.

3. Walls in the third and fourth rooms have been plastered. Air scrubbers continue to run in the fourth room. Next week, room three’s floors will be
refinished while room four’s are replaced. Both rooms will be painted and new baseboards will be installed.

We know this news is welcomed by the entire Netivot HaTorah family, who continues to amaze us with unending patience, support, and understanding.

Shabbat Shalom!

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 15, 2011 at 4:50 PM

The repairs continue on our classrooms at Shaarei Shomayim. Here is what is in the works:

1. The two rooms that sustained the least damaged have been emptied, drywalled and are being painted. The floors will likely be stripped and re-waxed, and new baseboards will be installed.

2. The third room is receiving some new drywall and electrical repairs. Once complete, this room will also be painted, the floor will be stripped and re-waxed, and new baseboards will be installed.

3. The fourth room, which sustained the most damage, has had some additional plaster removed to further the drying process. Drywall is being installed and electrical repairs are being completed. When ready, this room will also be painted, and a new floor and baseboards will be installed.

4. Air scrubbers continue to run in multiple places throughout the building, cleaning the air.

5. While the above repairs are taking place, furniture that sustained minor damage is being repaired. This is being completed simultaneously with the room repairs so that everything will be ready for our children at the same time.

At this time we would like to thank the restoration team, who is doing such a wonderful job of returning our South Campus to a safe environment for our children.

Sincerely,

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 14, 2011 at 5:00 PM

Today, I visited Shaarei Shomayim with Mr. Alan Steinfeld and Mrs. Shawna Magence, our Board President. While there, we visited the classrooms and learned that returning our children to safe classrooms is the synagogue’s top joint priority - the other is to be as operational as possible for Rosh HaShanah. In fact, Shaarei Shomayim put on hold the repair of the synagogue offices, as well as other areas, until the repair of our classrooms and surrounding areas have been completed. As a result of this decision, given what we know today and barring any unforeseen circumstances, we anticipate returning to our South Campus shortly after Rosh Hashanah.

Not all repairs to Shaarei Shomayim will be completed at the time of our return. For safety purposes, the area of the water rupture has been segregated from our classrooms by plywood walls and locked doors. Other more cosmetic repairs will be done after the chagim, and will be coordinated as much as possible with the school. It is important to note that our return is subject to approval by the engineers, and dependant on a clean air quality test, but most importantly the administration deeming it a safe environment conducive to teaching and learning. We commit to keeping you informed as the repairs continue.

We wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Shaarei Shomayim for the priority they have placed on bringing our South Campus students home, and to our teachers, staff, and parents who continue to make this a comfortable and happy time for all of our children.

Sincerely,

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 13, 2011 at 1:30 PM

On the afternoon of Monday, September 12^th, Mr. Alan Steinfeld again visited Shaarei Shomayim. He surveyed the progress onsite, and recived the following update:

1. The water line was capped yesterday. The flow of water has slowed, and in a day or two it will be known whether the flow has been stopped completely.

2. Two of the classrooms are ready to be prepped for repair. We are awaiting a timeline in which the repairs will be completed, and will communicate this timeline when it is confirmed. A third classroom should be ready for repairs shortly.

3. Sections of wall in the fourth room, which sustained the most damage, have been opened up to facilitate the drying process. We continue to discuss with Shaarei Shomayim the use of an alternate space, should this be necessary.

4. As rooms become ready for repair, air scrubbers will be installed to clean the air. All spaces will need to pass an air quality test before they are deemed safe for use.

We again thank all of you for your continued understanding and patience as we work with Shaarei Shomayim to ensure a timely return to a safe environment. In the meantime, our blended students continue to enjoy their time together at our North Campus, where we look forward to seeing you at Meet the Teacher on Wednesday.

Sincerely,

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 9, 2011 at 3:00PM

Our Director of Operations, Mr. Alan Steinfeld, visited Shaarei Shomayim today to observe first-hand the situation there. He spoke with the insurance experts and restoration manager, and has been informed of the following:

1. They are working diligently to have Netivot return as soon as possible.

2. Three of the classrooms are in better physical shape than the 4^th classroom (the SK classroom connected to the Brotherhood hall). This room has endured significant damages which will take a longer time to repair. We will continue to provide you with an update regarding this room as information is made available to us. In the meantime, we will discuss the use of an alternate space with Shaarei Shomayim.

3. Water is still seeping into the building. The city is working over the weekend to stop the flow.

4. Further checks are being made regarding structural damages and stability, air quality and repairs that will need to be done.

5. The building must meet proper health and safety standards before we can consider returning.

6. We hope to have additional information on Monday which will be transmitted to you promptly.

At our north campus, the children have had a good week of learning and adjusting to their school environment. We want to thank you for your understanding, as well as our teachers and Gan administration, Eileen Goldstein and Raquel Sultan, for all their extraordinary efforts.

Shabbat Shalom!

Dr. Reuven Stern

Updated: September 8, 2011 at 3:45PM

Background information

On Thursday, September 1, 2011, a fresh-water main at Shaarei Shomayim burst, flooding the ground floor to the extent of about 6”. Damage to the ground floor was extensive, with varying effect upon our classrooms.

When will we be able to move back to Shaarei Shomayim?

Unfortunately, the water may still be seeping into the floor from the water main. Shaarei Shomayim has had structural and mechanical engineers come to investigate the leak and have not found the source yet. Restoring and repairing the water main cannot commence until the location of the leak is found. Both Shaarei Shomayim and Netivot's insurance companies have been examining the site and have not yet informed us of all the repairs that may be necessary. As information regarding the repairs becomes available to us, we will continue to update you on this site and through email communications.

What is the extent of the damage to the Netivot classrooms?

Netivot classrooms are mostly intact. However, the insurance company will not let anyone back into the classrooms before a full damage assessment is completed, and these spaces are deemed safe. Other sections of the ground floor cannot be occupied. The floors and carpeting on the ground floor have been removed, and industrial flood fans have been brought in to circulate dehumidified air.

Is Netivot considering renting portables or space down south?

Ensuring the safety of our children and school personnel is of the utmost importance to Netivot. At this time, the administration feels that bussing the children and staff to the north campus is the safest response to the flood.

The administration has carefully considered other options including, using space in homes, portables and renting space in a nearby school or synagogue. Logistically, we are awaiting answers from Shaarei Shomayim before deciding what is the next best possible solution. There are permit and insurance requirements that limit our ability to occupy spaces not suited for school-age children. We are continuing to investigate. We have checked with at least ten synagogues, businesses and schools. Most have no available space. We are visiting other sites where potential space exists. In regards to portables, they are not equipped with washrooms and the administration is concerned about housing them at Shaarei Shomayim during the construction and repair.

We thank you for your patience and cooperation. We will continue to update this site and to email information as it is made available to us. If you have any questions, please email Dr. Stern, Head of School, at rstern@netivothatorah.com.

North Campus
18 Atkinson Avenue ● Thornhill
Ontario, L4J 8C8 Netivot HaTorah Day School
The Jack & Anne Weinbaum Education Centre
Tel: 905-771-1234 ● Fax: 905-771-1807
Charitable Reg. # 12995-0291-RR0001 South Campus
470 Glencairn Avenue ● Toronto
Ontario, M5N 1V8

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