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Mission Statement and Philosophy Sephardic Gan dedicates itself to instill family values and positive character traits within its students. The students gain a love of Torah, as well as an excitement and interest in all Judaic aspects of life. Sephardic Gan prides itself on an excellence in general studies, as well. In addition, there is a focus on Sephardic Tradition, with an emphasis on Ivrit. Sephardic Gan is committed to helping each child reach their potential and encourages close cooperation between home and school.
Sephardic Gan provides a nurturing environment where Jewish children from various homes and backgrounds will feel welcome. The children are able to develop a positive Jewish identity as well as social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills that are the foundation for future academic and social success.
At Sephardic Gan the children learn more than just numbers, letters, and colors. Through discussions about stories, holidays, and Jewish values, the children learn how to ask questions, think about problems and figure out possible answers. Most importantly, they learn the fundamentals of social skills: how to get along with others, how to share and how to communicate positively with their peers.
At Sephardic Gan we believe that the Judaic and Secular realms can be successfully blended. Lessons in science, math, and language are integrated with Judaic topics and concepts. For example: when learning about Noach and the Ark, the children will explore the concepts of floating and sinking. When learning about the Chanukah candles, the older children also cover a unit on safety, and the younger ones learn the skills of counting. When learning about Chessed (kindness) children also learn how to relate to animals and how care for them. The Torah parasha (portion) is studied and discussed on a weekly basis. This provides a framework for learning about moral and ethical behavior, such as acts of kindness and how to judge others favorably. The children learn who our forefathers were, and what they, as Jewish children should seek to emulate.
Whenever possible, learning extends outside the classroom. On a field trip, at a birthday party, or on the playground, children are constantly learning. Specialty classes are integrated during the course of the year. Physical Education, music and science bring specialty teachers into the classroom for additional enrichment.
Pre-reading skills begin with the youngest children with story telling and predicting their outcome. Pre-writing skills begin through coloring, painting and learning how to hold a pencil. Many of the objects in the classroom are labeled and children are able to recognize words once they start reading. Similarly, every child’s cubby is labeled with their name and children very quickly learn to “photograph” although they are not reading, yet.
Each age group has a curriculum and set of goals to be covered during the course of the year. There are parent/teacher conferences as well as progress reports twice a year. These reflect each child’s individual development and achievements.
Our Toddler curriculum focuses on getting accustomed to classroom routine as well as early social interaction with peers. Toddlers experiment with a variety of sensory activities and appropriate skill building. Our Nursery curriculum includes academic units such as colors, shapes, numbers, opposites, etc. These are taught through a variety of interactive activities as well as art and music. Our Pre-K curriculum covers both the Hebrew alphabet and the English alphabet. Children learn to recognize each of the letters as well as the sound each letter makes. Our Kindergarten curriculum covers Beginner Hebrew Reading, Reading Readiness in English, as well as early math skills. At the end of the Kindergarten year children are able to read in both Hebrew and English.
At Sephardic Gan conversational Hebrew is incorporate in many of the routine activities. A daily music time is an excellent venue for the children to incorporate Hebrew vocabulary with movement and coordination.
The faculty at Sephardic Gan recognizes and respects differences in abilities, interests, and the rate of development of individual students. The program offers a balance of individual and group activities, indoor and outdoor activities, and teacher-selected as well as student selected activities. Whether the students are davening, or coloring, singing dancing or working on a project as a team, the atmosphere is, relaxed, happy, accepting and loving.
Special Events and Programs · Friday Folder · Gymnastics Specialty · Hot Lunch Program · Orientation · Back to School Night · Shofar Blowing in honor of Rosh Hashana · Shana Tova cards mailed to parents and grandparents · Special Evening for parents with Rabbi D. Bernstein of Torah Umesorah · Special Program for parents with Mrs. Brenda Trifon, Early Childhood Specialist · Special Community Event with Mrs. Karen Siegel, Nutritionist · Art Share-A-Thon with Morah Shalva’s Pre-K Class · Share and Sing-A-Thon with Morah Fraydee’s Kindergarten Class · Toddler Chanukah Party with Morah Shirlee · School-wide Chanukah Party with Mini-Chinese Auction · Gymnastics Share-A-Thon · Chanukah Souvenirs mailed to parents and grandparents · Community Newsletter · Trip to Houston Zoo · Visit to JCC Sukkah to shake Lulav and Etrog · Simchat Torah Hakafot with friends from the Bertha Alyce Center (B.A.C.) · Visit to JCC Bookfair for a special story time · Participated in the JCC’s Gift Wrap Program making Chanukah Cards for families affected by Hurricane Katrina · Tu B’Shvat Planting · Trip to Museum of Health and Science · Baking Cookies with Morah Fraydee · Nutrition Presentation by Ms. Shachar Doron · Speech Screening · Pizza Lunch in honor of Rosh Chodesh · Rosh Chodesh Adar Clown Show · Rosh Chodesh Adar Programming for Mothers · Performance to JCC Seniors in honor of Purim
Coming Up: · Mini Purim Carnival · Trip to Library for Special Presentation · Picture Day · Program with Seniors at Seven Acres in honor of Pesach · School Pesach Seder · Sephardic Gan Family Picnic · Lag B’Omer Outing · End of school year community wide celebration
2006-2007 Tuition and Fees* Toddler Program (18 mo., 2 yrs.) 8:15 - 12:00 Noon - $5200
Preschool Program (3 yrs; 4 yrs; Kindergarten) 8:15 - 2:15 p.m. - $6400
Elementary Program (First Grade) 8:00 - 4:00 p.m. - $9800
Aftercare Program: Toddlers Only -12:00 – 2:00 p.m. - $1000 Toddlers & Preschool – 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. - $1000 Available to Everyone – 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. - $1200
Snack Fees (Preschool Only) $60 per child per year 8:00 – 2:00 p.m. $90 per child per year 8:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Registration Fee: $220 per child by April 7, 2006 $320 per child after April 7, 2006
*Tuition fees do not include Hot Lunch Fees or Specialty Fees. Financial Aid will be given on a first come first serve basis. Financial Aid is not available for any aftercare programs. |