The Joy School Language Booster was created to fill a unique need in Houston. While many schools provide activity based summer programs for children with speech and language delays, it is clear that there is a need for an intensive program that can specifically address the deficits faced by these children. 

For many families, speech and language delays can be frustrating.  Children have a difficult time communicating their wants and needs and at times appear disobedient because they did not understand the given directions.   Many families try one-on-one therapy, but this requires many hours of commitment on the part of both the families and the professional in order to be effective. Given vacation schedules, as well as complicated logistics, this can prove to be a challenge. Other families try traditional summer school programs provided by public or private school systems. Unfortunately, with a student: teacher ratio not all that different from the regular school year, effects are minimal.

Most preschool children love to bring their backpack to school and discover new things, but the learning cannot stop there.  It is paramount that the family be involved to help encourage carryover of newly taught concepts.  It is our hope that this  program will provide students with enough intensity to have an impact, but in a relaxed atmosphere where they are with peers who share similar needs.  Additionally, we hope to impart tools to parents to use and build on throughout their children’s academic career.

At The Joy School, we believe in the importance of children having time to be children.  We believe that summer should allow time for students, regardless of their speech or language difficulties, to relax and spend a significant amount of time simply enjoying life.  However, we also know what happens to children when their speech and language deficits are not addressed. We know that the gap inevitably widens each year that intervention does not take place.  Our hope is to provide a program that allows for intensive intervention for a limited, but meaningful period of time, so that the challenges faced may be minimized upon the start of school.  We do not believe that any summer program is enough to “cure” a diagnosis, but we do hope to provide all summer school participants with tools and strategies that can be used from day one upon their entry into school.  

Program Specifics

Director

Ms. Laura (Connor) Rodriguez, M.Ed., Lower School Principal/ Educational Diagnositican, will serve as Director of this program.  Meredith Hibbetts, M.A., CCC-SLP, our Speech Language Pathologist, will be the lead teacher.  Mrs. Rodriguez will be your main contact for questions regarding admissions, class placement, etc.  Throughout the summer, Miss Hibbetts will also work with students and parents to ensure that time spent in the preschool program can be optimized.  To reach Miss Hibbetts, please dial ext. 279 or email her at:  mhibbetts@thejoyschool.org

You may also contact Laura Rodriguez, Lower School Principal and Summer School Coordinator, with any questions.  Ext 222.

lrodriguez@thejoyschool.org

Admissions

Students will be accepted based on our belief that our program can provide meaningful benefits to address the child’s particular needs.  This decision will be based on testing reports and parent descriptions submitted during the application process. Some students may be asked to participate in a brief interview session to ensure that we fully understand the child’s needs.

Placement

In general, students will be grouped based on a combination of chronological age, current developmental level, and current preschool placement. Class sizes will average 6 students per teacher, depending on the needs of the students.  All curriculum-planning decisions will be based on the needs of the students within each group. 

School Day

The school day will run 8:30-12:00, Monday through Thursday. Language Booster will be a 15-day program, running

June 2-June 26th 2008.

Teachers

All Language Booster Summer Camp teachers are current teachers and a certified Speech Language Pathologist with The Joy School. Their school year experience and intensive training provide them with the tools required to teach a range of student needs in the summer school classroom.  Classes will be supported with one or more University of Houston students currently studying in the Communication Disorders department.

Policies and Procedures

1.           All payments must be received by the first day of the session. Students may not attend classes until paid in full.

2.           Payment of tuition is for the entire five-week session, regardless of whether a student attends all five weeks available.  No tuition refunds will be made.

3.           Students should arrive no later than 8:40 a.m. in order to get the most out of the program, as make up time cannot be granted. 

4.           Students must be picked up no later than 12:15 p.m.  There will be a $15 late charge for every fifteen-minute increment beyond 12:15 p.m. that a student is left at school.  For example, if a child is not picked up until 12:40, the family will be charged $30, as there are two fifteen minutes increments—12:15-12:30 and 12:30-12:45. 

5.           Students are expected to comply with all classroom and school rules. Any child deemed to be disruptive to the learning environment, or dangerous to others, will be dismissed immediately without refund.

6.           Students are required to bring a snack to school everyday.  Carbonated soft drinks are not allowed.

7.           Students should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for a school setting. Open toe, backless shoes are not allowed   

Nondiscriminatory Policy

Our Instructional Program

Reading Readiness

The class will provide phonological awareness activities such as an introduction of sound-symbol correspondence, phonological segmentation, rhyming, etc.  Emergent literacy will be addressed as well through shared reading.  Comprehension strategies will also be taught and practiced throughout all reading activities. Multisensory teaching methods will be employed to maximize student learning. 

Math Readiness

The primary focus of the summer math curriculum will be mastery of basic number sense.  Activities to boost memorization of numerals will be employed daily, such as games and music. 

Oral Language

The class will participate in oral language activities.  These activities will introduce students to new vocabulary in a systematic manner and enlarge their world knowledge by exposing them to new experiences.  These two components will help the children in social situations as well as reading comprehension.

Receptive language

Receptive Language is understanding what is being spoken or written.  Students will engage in activities that will require them to follow directions or answer questions regarding spoken information.  These lessons will aid success in social and academic settings.

Pragmatics

The class will focus on pragmatics, which is often referred to as social language.  The children will practice active listening, identify various feelings, reading facial cues, etc.  These activities will use multisensory techniques in the classroom and at recess.

Spatial Awareness

For students who demonstrate weaknesses in skills such as organization, reading comprehension, or understanding math concepts, poor spatial awareness (often labeled as visual motor integration or visual perception) is often the culprit.  All students will be assessed to determine the appropriate level of instruction if needed.  Dr. Jerome Rosner’s geoboard program and Spatial Awareness Skills Program will be used to address these needs.

The Joy School

Summer School 2008

Tuition and Fee Schedule

Application Fee                                $25         Due upon application

Enrollment Deposit                          $100       Due within 10 days of acceptance

Tuition Session I                               $950       Due May 30, 2008

Application Fee is nonrefundable and must be received with the completed application.  This covers the time involved in reviewing applications, interviewing parents and students if necessary and contacting outside professionals as needed.

Enrollment Deposit is nonrefundable and ensures your child’s spot in the program.  The $100 will be deducted from tuition.

Tuition is due May 30th, 2008 for all students attending the preschool session. 

We regret that financial assistance and payment plan options are not available for our summer school programs this year.