Lander-Grinspoon Academy

A Jewish Day School in Northampton, Massachusetts

Facts and Forms

LGA-Calendar-2021-2022
Family Handbook 2020-2021 and COVID-19 Addendum updated 4.12.21.docx

Back-to-School Night

Early in the school year, an evening is planned for parents and teachers to meet each other. Teachers describe the year’s program, explain general expectations for the year, and answer questions. Parents’ attendance at this program is fundamental to children’s positive school experience. This is true for returning families as well as for new families as each new grade and teacher presents new expectations and curriculum. Parents are encouraged to bring general questions to teachers or the Principal at Back-to-School Night as well as at any other time.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parents are asked to fill out a questionnaire in September regarding the child’s interests and experiences and the parents’ goals, concerns and particular needs of their child.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled twice each year: one about 6 weeks into school and the second in the early spring. The first conference allows teachers and parents to articulate questions, concerns, and impressions from the first weeks of classes, and to establish goals for the year. Additional conferences can be arranged at the request of a parent or teacher.

Family Education

Through the support of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, the Family Education program includes at least one grade specific shared experience for families. The dates for these events, which link directly to the grade’s curriculum, can be found on the school calendar. In addition, there is a school-wide family Shabbaton retreat in the spring and other special events.

Snow Days and School Closings

LGA follows the Northampton Public Schools for all snow closings and delays, but not for closings due to cold. For announcements, listen to WHMP AM 1400 or 99.3 FM radio. Closings are also listed on TV 22 and 40 and on our Facebook page. To receive text messages about school closings and delays download the WWLP app. The school voicemail will contain information about closings and delays as soon as the information becomes available. Please do not call staff about school closings.

If there is a one-hour delay, school will open at 9:00 am. and classes will start at 9:15 am. If there is a two-hour delay, school will be open at 10:00 am and classes will start at 10:15 am.

Because our students come from a wide geographical area and weather can vary from town to town, parents are encouraged to use their best judgment to decide whether or not to keep their children home from school or bring them in late.

If Northampton Public Schools call for an early dismissal, LGA will make its own decision when to close. The building will remain open until 3:15 pm; after-school and all clubs/electives will be cancelled.

LGA does not make up snow days at the end of the school year.

Mission and History

  Lander-Grinspoon Academy is a Jewish day school in the Pioneer Valley welcoming children of families from all Jewish traditions and backgrounds. Our mission is to provide a rich, academically rigorous, and values-based education integrating general and Jewish studies in a nurturing environment. Our vision is to inspire a community of lifelong learners to create a better world. LGA emerged from a small group of parents who were motivated by a desire to provide an excellent … Read More