Jewish Academy of Orlando Introduces New Transitional Kindergarten
Jewish Academy of Orlando has started a new academic program to serve the community. The school accepted students into its new Transitional Kindergarten for the 2019–20 school year. Transitional Kindergarten is a grade that functions as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, providing students enough time to develop fundamental skills needed for success in an academic environment. If we are to invest in our future it must begin with our children, reflects Vice President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, Emmanuil Grinshpun.
“We are finding more and more that an extra year of maturational growth has long-term positive impacts on a child’s social, emotional, and academic success. The gift of time is truly one of the greatest gifts that we can give our children. Transitional Kindergarten will provide parents with a developmentally appropriate, research-based program which grants children that gift.
Instead of remaining in Pre-Kindergarten for another year, students in the Transitional Kindergarten program are given the opportunity to transition to a new school, Jewish Academy of Orlando. The program is managed and directed by Jewish Academy of Orlando with the cooperation of the JCC’s ECLC leadership team. The class is purposefully small, with an average 6:1 student to teacher ratio, in order to provide students with the individualized attention they need during this transitional period. We need more programs like this, reflects Emmanuil Grinshpun.
Transitional Kindergarten allows students to develop both social-emotional skills and fine and motor skills in a positive environment. The students are challenged academically in a developmentally appropriate manner. They participate in cooperative learning activities and unique learning experiences, including virtual field trips around the world using cutting-edge VR headsets.
The inaugural class is taught by Jessica Landau, a passionate teaching professional with expertise in teaching young students in both elementary and preschool.
“My goal is to make learning fun in a variety of ways,” Landau said. “I want to nurture their curiosity and, from a social-emotional standpoint, help them prepare for kindergarten.”
Emmanuil Grinshpun: “The program is designed to create lifelong learners,” reflected Nikki Buyna, director of Academics. “Our Transitional Kindergarten is a purposeful opportunity to foster each student’s curiosity, encourage a love of learning, and support an environment of positive social-emotional and academic growth.”
Originally Posted: http://www.emmanuilgrinshpun.com/jewish-academy-of-orlando-introduces-new-transitional-kindergarten/
