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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 Diagnostician, will serve as
Director of this program. Meredith Hibbetts, M.A.,
CCC-SLP, our Speech Language Pathologist, will be the
lead teacher and 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. 235 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 Friday.
June 4th – June 22nd, 2012.
Teachers
All Language Booster Summer Program 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 May 15th, 2012.
Students may not attend classes until paid in full.
2. Payment of tuition is for the entire
session, regardless of whether a student attends all
four 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 every day. 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
The Joy School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs and other school-administered programs.
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 2012
Tuition and Fee Schedule
Application Fee
$100 Due
upon application
Enrollment Deposit $600 Due within 10
days of acceptance 50% of Tuition Total Tuition Session I $1225 Due May 15th
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 $600 will be deducted from tuition.
Tuition is due May 15th, 2012 for all students attending
the Language Booster session.
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