The Schechter School of Long Island has added large planters around the perimeter of the building as a preventative safety measure in case a driver decides to smash their car into the building, Associate Head of School Ofra Hiltzik said.
She said the planters are not a reaction to the current political climate.
The empty planters were funded by a grant that the school applied for through its security company, Global Operations Security Services Inc., in response to the firm’s recommendation, she said.
While Hiltzik said the security company has not dealt with an incident of someone driving their car into a school building, it is a security measure taken by private Jewish schools and temples worldwide.
“If you would walk around temples, other day schools in the tri-state area, you would see that those planters are there,” Hiltzik said.
The head of school clarified that the planters are not a reaction to the Israeli-Palestinian war.
“This work was an ongoing project for three years. I know that it will come across like, oh, my God, this is because of [Hamas’ attack on] Oct. 7,” Hiltzik said. “No. No. This is not reactive to that.”
Rather, she said, the timing of these planters is coincidental and due to the recent grant approval. The Mineola school district approved the planters’ installation and has been involved throughout the process, she said.
The sizable planters will soon be filled with soil and flowers and will look “very friendly” since they are not meant to act as a deterrent, Hiltzik said.
The head of school said there have been no recent hate messages or incidents against the Schechter School. She emphasized how wonderful it has been working with the surrounding community in Williston Park.
“This is our 16th or 17th year in the neighborhood and the neighborhood, the neighbors, the stores around, St. Aidan’s … we do great programs with them,” Hiltzik said, citing the strong fabric of the community.
