New School Next Door
As many of us may know a new school has moved across the street from TABC. Under the name of Yeshivat He'atid, this new Jewish elementary school is a Modern Orthodox establishment that, believing firmly in the educational benefits of today's technology, incorporates both traditional methods and modern methods of teaching into their curricula. Previously, the school was located at 139 South Washington Avenue in Bergenfield, NJ, their home since their first opening in 2012. However, due to a growth in admissions, they needed a larger campus, and decided upon what used to be the Teaneck Data Center at Palisades Avenue, across from TABC. After they purchased the land in the fall of 2015, they got to work with construction, and began classes the following September.
With all that being said, how much of an effect has Yeshivat He'atid’s new presence had on TABC? When the news got out that we would become neioghbors, the overall reaction was: how is there going to be enough room on the street between two big schools? Now that they’re here, that concern hasn’t really been an issue. The street is still the same street, and there is ample room for both schools to share. In fact, due to the different opening and closing times of the schools, carpool and busing have not been affected.
In a recent poll conducted by Eye of the Storm involving, 134 students were asked their thoughts on this new school and how it has affected them. It is clear from the results l that the majority of students were already aware of Yeshivat He'atid’s arrival in the neighborhood. Yet when asked how this new school has affected them personally, 68 percent responded that they did not sense that the new school’s presence has been felt. Interestingly, 70 percent of the student body said that they did not even care about Yeshivat He’Atid.
So maybe our new neighbor has not received such a warm welcome. But it’s not that bad - maybe one day, TABC students will come to appreciate the youth and exuberance that has been brought to this side of Queen Anne Road. After all, this school could be a good supply of students for TABC. For now, however, the question remains: Do we send them down to Maayanot?
