Academics

We are very excited to announce that the JCFS Therapeutic Day School and Yeshiva will now be the Knapp School and Yeshiva! The process of choosing the name involved a few steps and some thoughtful conversations.

Mr. Mike’s Elementary Yeshiva classroom hosted a presentation on the Solar System utilizing a style of learning called blended learning.

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." 

Dominic, a 9th grader and former TDS student made a special visit to speak to a group of students hoping to follow in his footsteps of returning to a public school. Dominic with Reintegration Specialist Stephen Jones and TDS clinician Alex Joseph.

Model of Concept car made by students in Stephanie's middle school classroom 

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. 

JCFS TDS Transition Student Ania recently celebrated a very special milestone!  She voted for the very first time, receiving a round of applause from the workers at the polling place. Ania, like many of our students in the Transition Program, has been focused on increasing independence and life skills within school and the community at large. This program helps develop these skills so that upon graduation from school, she is more prepared to enter the workforce. 

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.

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.

The JCFS Therapeutic Day School operates on the principle that a therapeutic environment for students requires meaningful participation from everyone, including the students themselves. This year, students from the program took their vision of starting a coffee cart and made it a reality.