JEWELS first opened its doors in 2012 with 13 students and a goal to equip each child with the skills to achieve his or her full potential through special education, rehabilitation, and loving support, all in a Jewish setting. Five years later, JEWELS has tripled in size to 40 students and has 34 incredible staff members, including therapists. JEWELS is growing…and thriving! Special Educators lead each of the six classes, divided by age and level of development. Through its clinic, which provides therapies to children from all schools, JEWELS fulfills its mission of servicing the entire community, regardless of ability.
JEWELS is the only inclusive preschool program in the Baltimore Jewish community that is equipped to educate children with special needs. Each child has a custom-tailored learning and therapy experience so he can succeed. Additionally, students benefit from a range of supplemental enrichment activities, including music, gymnastics, cooking, and art.
Just last week, JEWELS officially became an accredited preschool by the MSDE. This prestigious mark of excellence from the state of Maryland came with countless hours of hard work, professional guidance, and cooperation of the staff on all levels. To achieve this significant accreditation, JEWELS had to commit to continuous quality improvement, and to operating on a standard above par in all areas of curriculum, classroom management, parent and staff communications, and more. In addition, staff members must be highly qualified with many required to have master’s degrees in their respective fields.
When parents are asked about their experience with the school, their first description is one of warmth and professionalism. Their children feel loved and, in turn, love going to school every day. The teachers are constantly involved – hands on – and parents receive notes with details of their child’s experiences each day. For many children, the experience of academic success would be unlikely in another school setting. The typically-developing children in JEWELS are on par with the children their age in other preschools in our community. In addition, they are gaining invaluable skills in dealing with children who are different from them. For families of children with special needs who need to relocate, Baltimore has now become an important city to consider.
Each child’s experience at JEWELS is unique because of the considerable effort put into customizing the learning and environment according to his needs and abilities. Ruchama Chaya, an adorable two-year-old who started at JEWELS this year refers to her teachers as her friends. Realizing that she would need a more specialized program, her parents felt great relief when their daughter was accepted. JEWELS catered to her special needs by changing around her classroom and the toys and supplies in it.
Ariel’s mother describes how attached he is to his Morahs and the benefits of having all different types of friends. At JEWELS he is accepted by his peers for who he is, and he can learn about Torah and mitzvos with a “Yiddishe taam” from his talented teachers. While parents once had to choose between a Jewish school for a Jewish education or a public school that caters to their children’s unique needs, in JEWELS they now have the best of both worlds: a Jewish school that caters to their children’s unique needs.
Parents of children with special needs work tirelessly to help their children become as independent as possible. In JEWELS, where therapists are on site, children have a greater chance of success. Therapies can be scheduled when children have the most energy and patience, and customized to different activities to help a child succeed in a school environment.
Binyomin, a fourth-year student, was joined this year by his younger brother Meir, who is typically developing. Though Meir is only two, they share a special bond. The opportunity of going to the same school as his brother, which we typically take for granted, is a priceless gift.
The JEWELS program, a necessary and integral part of our community, is astronomically expensive to run. With customized programs for many of the children, the ratio of teachers to students in the classroom is close to 1:2.
JEWELS’ monthly operating expenses include salaries for teachers, assistants, therapists, and administrative staff. Additionally, there is rent, general maintenance, supplies, equipment maintenance, insurance, and liability.
Only 25% of the operating budget is covered by tuition. Grants, which JEWELS works hard to procure, cover an additional 10%. This leaves 65% of operating expenses that need to be covered from community support and philanthropy.
JEWELS is excited to announce their second Charidy Campaign/JEWELS on Jan 10. You can help the children at JEWELS succeed by donating online and spreading the word to all your family and friends. Join the campaign by visiting charidy.com/JEWELS.
Be a part of making a significant difference in the lives of families with a child with special needs.
