Skill Builders Summer Program

The Joy School Skill Builders Summer School was created to fill a unique need in Houston. While many schools provide activity based summer programs for students with learning differences, it is clear that there is a need for an intensive program that can specifically address the deficits faced by these students. 

For many families, the summer has historically been “catch up” time if a child has not had a successful school year. Many families try one-on-one tutoring, but this requires many hours of commitment on the part of both the families and the tutor 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 school systems. Unfortunately, with a student/teacher ratio not all that different from the regular school year, effects are minimal.

Anyone working with school age children knows that motivating students to participate in a remedial summer program can be difficult. Most kids would prefer to lounge the summer days away without having to be driven to tutoring and various therapies while their friends are vacationing or participating in fun camps.  It is our hope that providing a program that provides students with enough intensity to have an impact, but in a relaxed atmosphere where they are with peers who share similar needs, kids will be pleased to participate so that the remainder of the summer can be focused on the “fun stuff”.

At The Joy School, we believe in the importance of kids having time to be kids.  We believe that summer should allow time for students, regardless of their grades or academic difficulties, to relax and spend a significant amount of time simply enjoying life.  However, we also know what happens to kids when their academic 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 the new school year.  We do not believe that any summer program is enough to “cure” a diagnosis, or to make up for years of lost instruction, but we do hope to provide all summer school participants with tools and strategies that can be used from day one upon their return to school.  

Program Specifics

Director

Laura Rodriguez,  M. Ed, our Lower School Principal/ Educational Diagnostician, will serve as this year’s Summer Program director. Mrs. Rodriguez will be your main contact for questions regarding admissions, class placement, etc.  Throughout the summer, Mrs. Rodriguez will also work with teachers to ensure that all students are placed in appropriate classes such that their time spent in summer school can be optimized.  To reach Mrs. Rodriguez, please dial ext. 222 or email her at:  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. Most students will likely attend local public and private schools, perhaps have been recently diagnosed with a specific learning disability, or simply are struggling with the regular school curriculum.

Please submit a recent picture of your child with the application.

Placement

In general, students will be grouped based on a combination of chronological age, current grade level, and current school 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 8:30-3:00, Monday through Friday.  There are two consecutive three-week sessions:

June 4th - June 22th and June 25th - July 13th 

Students may attend one or both sessions. 

Teachers

All Skill Builders Summer School teachers are current teachers 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. 

Policies and Procedures

1.  All payments must be received by May 1st, 2012. Students may not attend classes until paid in full.

2.  Payment of tuition is for the entire three-week session, regardless of whether a student attends all three 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 3:15 p.m.  There will be a $15 late charge for every fifteen-minute increment beyond 3:15 p.m. that a student is left at school.  For example, if a child is not picked up until 3:40, the family will be charged $30, as there are two fifteen minutes increments—3:15-3:30 and 3:30-3:45.

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.

6.  Students are required to bring a lunch to school every day.  Snacks are also encouraged. 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

All classes will provide a review of the basic spelling patterns of English through an Orton-Gillingham drill.  This program emphasizes decoding abilities used for both reading and spelling words.  Multisensory teaching methods will be employed to maximize student learning.  Students will also participate in fluency building activities, as appropriate.  Our programs helps students make the leap from sounding out individual words and “sounding like a robot” when they read, to quickly recognizing common sight words and phrases to become more fluent readers. Comprehension strategies will also be taught and practiced throughout all reading activities. 

Math

The primary focus of the summer math curriculum will be mastery of basic skills.  Activities to boost memorization of math facts will be employed daily, such as games, Mad Minutes, and other drills.  In addition, daily word problems will used to review strategies and key words helpful in solving such problems. 

Writing

All classes will have a writing component.  Depending on the ages, abilities, and developmental readiness of each group, activities may include structured journal writing, basic paragraph instruction, essay writing, etc.  Strategies for brainstorming writing ideas, as well as organizing those ideas, such as outlining, webbing, etc. will also be reinforced.

Handwriting/Keyboarding

Each student will be assessed to determine the most appropriate course of action for handwriting or keyboarding instruction.  Some students may need manuscript handwriting instruction, while others may need cursive.  Older students, entering 4^th grade or above, may participate in our keyboarding instructional program, using AlphaSmarts (mini word processors) or laptops, and computer based games.

Spatial Awareness

For students who demonstrate weaknesses in skills such as handwriting, 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              $550            Due within 10 days of acceptance 50% Tuition

Tuition Session I                  $1100          Due May 1st

Tuition Session II                 $1100          Due May 1st

Tuition Both Sessions           $2200          Due May 1st            

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 $550 is deducted from tuition total.

Tuition is due May 1st, 2012 for all students attending the first session.