The Great Room Shift

“All hands on deck!” was the rallying call on September 10th, and PJA’s teachers, staff, and maintenance team answered with energy, flexibility, and the spirit of kehillah (community).

The effort began several days earlier as staff stayed late to clear materials from closets, shelves, and cabinets. Boards and furniture were removed so classrooms in the main PJA building could receive a fresh look, while items from the modular classrooms, affectionately known as the “mods,” were professionally cleaned and temporarily stored until moving day.

While we have loved the mods and their proximity to PJA’s outdoor spaces, they were designed to be temporary structures. Once we determined that unexpected and necessary repairs would come at substantial cost, and knowing that they would require increasing repairs in the years ahead, the fiscally responsible decision was to “retire” the mods and relocate the classrooms they housed.

When moving day arrived, each relocating teacher was paired with a staff member to help purge, pack, move, and set up their new space. Throughout the building, one phrase echoed again and again: “How can I help?”

What was certainly a stressful day also became a remarkable demonstration of teamwork. There were countless bright spots and many unsung heroes: colleagues lifting boxes, assembling furniture, organizing supplies, solving unexpected problems, and stepping in wherever they were needed.

Our PJA families provided nourishment, caffeine, and treats to get us through the day. At lunchtime, it was standing room only as staff members shared pizza and expressed their thanks, celebrated their progress, and discussed plans for their new classrooms.

The Great Room Shift was a wonderful expression of the PJA middot (values) of kehillah (community) and hodaya (appreciation). We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped transform our learning spaces and to all of our families for their support and patience during a challenging time. We invite you to come see the results of the Great Room Shift!