"Ofarim" - School for Autistic Children

Dear Donors,

We like to share with you some of our recent happenings in our school.

Ofarim School students are exposed to cultural content such as: plays, concerts and performances performed by professional actors in a customized and unique way. The “Apache” show and the circus show were two exciting shows that were presented to the students to give them a unique experience and to activate their ability to understand the humor of the spectacle culture. When the students watched the shows, they were exposed a new world of creativity, humor and games and were engaged and intrigued.

Cooperation between Ofarim school students and various volunteers is a humane activity that happens every year. When students with special needs and different volunteers work together, a positive atmosphere is created and promotes unity and mutual respect. Volunteers get the opportunity to give from themselves and be helpful with the needs of the community. This cooperation promotes social and moral learning processes, and also encourages creative thinking skills and problem solving. The common goal of all those involved in the process is to dedicate time and resources to promote education and improve the lives of the children of Ofarim School.

Teamwork at Ofarim School is a challenging, and it is important to note that its success depends on the unity and camaraderie of the team. When a team works together, with all the possible differences between the people, everyone can contribute their abilities and professionalism for the common goal - educating the students. When a team works together, there is joint activity, knowledge sharing and planning together. Respectful behavior and respect for all members of the team ensures a pleasant and efficient atmosphere. When the team works in unity, everyone feels important and part of the team, and this helps create a desire to help each other, solve problems together and take responsibility for the success. The Ofarim school team strives to implement the values of respect for difference, listening and considering the needs of the team while supporting and openness that allows the team to succeed together in their goals regardless of religion, race and gender.

The students continue to learn and develop various skills, learning language and arithmetic. Our skilled team combines all this with the help of alternative supportive communication in a way adapted to each student.

Supportive and Alternative Communication (ACC) is any form of communication that allows children and adults who have difficulty with spoken and written communication to express a position or opinion or share common experiences with the other. ACC means methods include natural and indirect ways of communication such as gestures, sign language , facial expressions and voice production as well as unique communication aids such as printed symbols, communication boards and binders, voice output devices, iPads with communication applications and communication computers.

In the same way, a lovely student who is non-verbal managed to contact her favorite singer with the help of typing. She typed him a letter and shared with him how his songs affect her. Another form of communication for non-verbal children to communicate with the world and share their feelings.

For our students, it is very important to use ACC as a means of expressing needs, feelings, thoughts and opinions. In the Ofarim school, there are symbols cards soread all over to express basic needs such as toilets, drinking or eating. In the restrooms this symbols assist students in organizing the order of operations for getting dressed or washing hands.

Thank you for your generous donation that helps us to continue our diverse work.

We wish you a happy Easter, Ramadan Kareem and a happy Passover.

Hello everyone, 

Another fruitful school year had come to the end at the Ofarim school.  

A year full of progress and students advancements.

A year full of different and various activities that include: collaborations with external parties, work using the TEACH method, educational tours to the zoo and many trips around the country.

Last month, the students also went on a trip to the capital city of Jerusalem for a tour with volunteers.  The students visited the Western Wall and the Aquarium and walked the streets of Jerusalem accompanied by trained staff.

Towards the end of the year, the students celebrated the end of the school year with celebrations at the school.  The students participated in musical rehearsals, learned songs and dances and performed at end of the year ceremony.  

The celebrations were attended by many parents and teachers who accompanied the students throughout the year.

The school year ended at the end of June and the school switched to a summer camp format.  School is organized in an optimal way for the summer camp with lots of activities and enrichment activities.  We created a summery and fresh environment for the students with the help of inflatable pools and water slides.  The students experimented with baking and prepared different kind of food.

 With the help of various professionals who volunteered to deliver activities at the school, the students enjoyed capuera, an animal circle, and a DJ dancing.

 Thank you for your kindness and we hope that you continued generous contribution and enriching cooperation.

Nachum Block

School principal 

Shalom,

Ofarim School continues its activities and blessed work.

The School is a multicultural school. The educational staff and students are from different religions and we are proud of that.  We happily celebrate the holidays of the the different religions in a creative way and expose the students to the variety of customs.

Our students continue to learn and enjoy activities that combine life experiences and skills.  Activities empower and enrich students in a variety of areas.

Ofarim School is there to promote collaborations with a variety of different organizations that vist our school like high school students, "masa aher "organization and supporting companies and individuals like you.

On Purim a lot of people came to make the holiday happier. They made Hamantashens for kids, clowns performances, and all the kids got Mishloach manot (surprise packages with sweets and toys). 

On Passover our school worked as a summer camp.  We used this time as  an opportunity for special activities for the children.  The students went out to watch movies, visited the bowling, and rode the train.  Inflatable facilities and various workshops were operated at the school as well.

Ofarim School believes in giving and receiving the other without any conditions and in providing equal opportunities to all students.  The staff continues its work as a mission and a desire to provide a better future for students.

Thank you again for your contribution We greatly appreciate it.