Enrichments

We’ve added more inclusive physical education equipment and activities for our Knapp School & Yeshiva students with disabilities! Group activities like rolling skating are opportunities for students to have fun while they develop valuable life skills and healthy lifelong habits.

What do our parents and guardians have to say about the JCFS Knapp School and Yeshiva? Here are some highlights.

For many students at TDS, development in emotional growth is the key to long-term school success. "I really enjoy using this curriculum because it offers our students the vital tools they need to be successful," says Julie Noparstak, TDS clinician, who leads a weekly Social Work Group in an elementary classroom. "I've seen students much more connected to one another with an increase in respect and listening to one another." 

A warm cup of freshly brewed coffee, sold at an affordable price, served with a smile.  Welcome to School Grounds, the JCFS TDS coffee cart. 

We have an exciting new program at TDS this year — CAAEL (Chicago Area Alternative Education League). Used throughout the school day, CAAEL is intended to motivate students to come to school, complete their assignments, and behave appropriately. Through this organization, students in Therapeutic Schools have an opportunity to participate in interscholastic sporting and other types of events throughout the year, such as: basketball, chess, bowling, a spelling bee, flag football, volleyball, soccer, softball and more.

It’s Volunteer Week and we’re kicking off our TDS Tuesday post with a shout out to all those who’ve spent time giving back to our school community. If you are interested in learning how to support the JCFS TDS and volunteer, please contact Kathy Morris. 

Welcome to the Snoezelen Room, a new hotspot and enrichment at Knapp School & Yeshiva that is designed to stimulate all the senses while foster a feeling of relaxation among students.

The Therapeutic Day School of JCFS is one of 110 Chicago-area schools to receive more than $110,000 of brand-new sports equipment to help support physical education programs. The Chicago Cubs and national nonprofit Good Sport donated the equipment as well as hosted an event to sort, pack and ship physical education kits (PE) to the various recipient schools.

As part of our mission to provide a holistic education for students that helps them achieve success in life and in the community, staff at the JCFS Therapeutic Day School participate in professional development days, or staff in-service events. During a recent in-service event, staff learned new techniques for helping students accept responsibility for their actions, change their behaviors, and cultivate their social-emotional growth.

Ever wonder how a hump of clay transforms into a beautifully designed finished product?  Read about how our TDS students crafted 100 mugs to help fulfill a special design purchase order. TDS students visit the Art Room every week where the engage in out-of-the box activities.