Last week, Raanana’s Agam Elementary School began operating its Sleepover Weekend Program, in which the students are invited to spend the weekend at the school, without their parents and accompanied by the professional staff and the therapists.

8 students, who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe mental retardation, participated in the first weekend.  They were provided with a supportive framework with the assistance of the team of therapists that work with people with special needs.  On Friday, a Kabalat Shabbat ceremony was organized for the children.  Games, a refrigerator for medications and special equipment for students with special needs were purchased for this project.

The initiative for operating this project at school was originated by the municipality in cooperation with the Balev Parents Association and the Ministry of Welfare.  The advantage of this unique initiative is that it enables the students and parents a place for their children to stay that is familiar, close to home and which provides a safe environment in which the students receive dedicated and professional treatment.

The Agam School began operation this year in its new building in the Lev Hapark neighborhood and provides an educational and treatment framework for dozens of children from Raanana and its environs, aged 6-21.

The next weekend will be held at the end of November and in addition to the Agam students, patients from Beit Issie Shapiro and Raanana residents with special needs who fit the criteria are invited to attend the weekend as well.

Mayor Nahum Hofree:  “I am proud of our ability to provide a quality and fitting framework to people with special needs, to enable them to become an integral part of the community in which they live and to take part in the leisure activities in their supportive and familiar environment.