The need to encourage the active involvement of parents in the education system and in the education of their children has been an ongoing concern since the massive Aliyah of Ethiopian Jewry in Operation Solomon. In response, Hebrew University developed a program for parents of 3-5 year old children. This three-year program was discontinued in l999 due to budget constraints.

Jewish Agency's Arad Tamar Partnership 2000 expressed its interest in the project, contacting Hebrew University and the Etgar people asking that the program be adjusted to meet the needs of the Region. The program was adapted to a one-year format, educating Russian speaking parents on how to prepare their children for 1st grade. This is the third year that this program is being implemented in Arad under the auspices of Partnership 2000. The Etgar Program is based on the belief that the environment at home - parental involvement in the child's intellectual, emotional and social growth - is crucial to his/her academic success. The Program focuses on building parents' self-assurance in their ability to contribute to their child's growth and readiness for school, increasing their chance of success. The Program also enhances Hebrew proficiency of parents and a better understanding of the Israeli school system and its demands.

Today, two groups of 15 new immigrant families are involved in the Arad program. At their group encounters, parents are provided with guidebooks and aids to work with their children. Instruction and enrichment activities are directed to build the skills needed for 1st grade.

The program, which is fully funded by Partnership 2000, is moderated and monitored by a professional staff, coordinated by Zahavit Shasha under the guidance of Hebrew University. Partnership 2000 has also been instrumental in procuring a designated gift from a donor in New Jersey.

Today, after three years, program graduates have successfully made the transition to first grade, their social skills are better that those of other children and show good class level scholastic achievements. Parental involvement in the education system and especially the knowledge and the tools they have acquired have also been instrumental in helping their children deal well with daily challenges.

Iyar 5762 - May 2002