Here at JEMS Academy we recognize that children with special needs require support on multiple levels: academic, physical, behavioral, social-emotional, and sensory. No two children are exactly the same and that is why we tailor make an Personalized Educational Plan that ensures a holistic approach to ensuring each child can truly reach his or her potential. Our team of dedicated Special Education professionals is focused on charting a path forward for each child which interconnects both academic and therapeutic interventions. The result is a truly harmonious approach to giving our children the very best education, the highest level of professional therapy, and the warmth and caring that ensures they can thrive and succeed.
Here at JEMS Academy we recognize that children with special needs require support on multiple levels: academic, physical, behavioral, social-emotional, and sensory. No two children are exactly the same and that is why we tailor make an Personalized Educational Plan that ensures a holistic approach to ensuring each child can truly reach his or her potential. Our team of dedicated Special Education professionals is focused on charting a path forward for each child which interconnects both academic and therapeutic interventions. The result is a truly harmonious approach to giving our children the very best education, the highest level of professional therapy, and the warmth and caring that ensures they can thrive and succeed.
Our state-of-the-art sensory gym is a blend of therapeutic equipment designed to strengthen and develop gross motor and fine motor skills, and areas designed to give children the sensory input they may need to function optimally. Some children require movement, bouncing, rolling or textured materials in order to be able to focus and open their minds to learning. For these children, a sensory gym is critical to their ongoing success.
Life skills development areas provide an immersive experience for children, ultimately helping them to achieve a higher level of independence. Household chores, safety, and personal care are just a few of the areas we strive to teach our children to navigate
South Florida educators have long grappled with the dilemma of how to accommodate children with special needs. While some children have managed to move along with their typically functioning peers, they often struggle mightily, learning a fraction of what they are truly capable of, and lacking coordination of care to manage their school experience.
Other children who are not so fortunate find themselves in various environments that are usually far from ideal. Some children are in non-religious settings where they are learning only secular subjects, and where their parents are compelled to bring them to off-site therapies after an exhausting day of school. Results are not optimal, both because of timing and because the therapy does not integrate with what they are learning and working on in school.
Public school is truly a last resort, as parents can attest to the poor educational programs, challenging environment often conflicting with Jewish values, and group therapy sessions that barely move the needle on their childrens’ therapeutic goals. Unfortunately, cultural differences can lead to hostility from staff members as well. Often incidents can go undiscovered for some time, as many children don’t have the words to express the difficulties they are encountering. Parents confide how difficult it is for their children, and only wish their child could just have a friend.
Our dedicated team of volunteers is wholly committed to bringing the JEMS vision to all the children who can benefit from our school within our community. Whether they are supporting fundraising efforts, helping coordinate events, lending their considerable talent to recruitment of both staff and students, or assisting with day-to-day practical setup and maintenance of the school’s facilities, our volunteers are truly our heroes.
Most children with special needs require a very high student:staff ratio. Some children even need a one:one ratio to succeed. They also require a high level of oversight and team planning. The cost of educating our children is therefore an average of four to six times that of a typically functioning student.
Our staff members have been hand-picked for their stellar educational achievements, advanced level of experience, and passion for special education.
Our students are our JEMS. Each one is precious and each one has his or her own story and journey.oMen
