Fall 2016 Proposal for Ashira Integrated High School

Fall 2016 ______________________________ Proposal for Ashira Integrated High School Program Quality Education. Supportive Environment.

Agenda Goal 3 Communal Benefit 4 Rabbinical Endorsements 5 Ashira: Year #2 6 Methodology 7 Success Stories 8 Finances 9 Projected Budget 10 Donation Options 11 Credentials 12

Goal To present Ashira, an established specialized girls high school program servicing girls with learning disabilities, providing them with a well-rounded high school curriculum and the ability to participate in the general education environment within the Jewish community. 3

Rabbinical Endorsements “The Ashira Program, led by dedicated, competent mechanchos, is a real need in our community. I strongly admire the dedication of these educators who have the courage to take this burden upon themselves and they deserve any support you can provide. ” Ha. Rav Yisroel Mantel, Rav of K’hal Adath Jeshurun "The Ashira Program performs a vital service to our community, filling a gap in girls chinuch which is long overdue. The partnership between Ateres and Ashira, servicing the community in this fashion, is a tremendous chessed. May they have much continued success. “ Rabbi MICHEL Chill, MONSEY “It is heartwarming seeing the Ashira girls growing in their amazing program while integrating with the Ateres students in classes and activities. ” Rabbi Aron Fink, Dean, Ateres Bais Yaakov 4

Communal Benefit It is the hope of every Jewish parent to ensure that his/her child succeed and develop a strong sense of independence and connection to Torah values. A vital part of chinuch is helping each child recognize and utilize her strengths to guide her growth. It is the belief of the Ashira Program at Ateres Bais Yaakov that every Jewish girl, regardless of her academic limitations, should be given the resources and opportunity to become a productive, contributing member of our community. Providing these girls with a positive school environment is the catalyst to developing strong self-confident young ladies, who will create the next link in our mesorah. 5

Ashira: 2016 -2017 Year #2 9 th and 10 th grade classes with total of 12 students from 8 elementary schools Addressing needs of girls from multiple communities: • Monsey, NY • Passaic, NJ • Bergen County, NJ • Waterbury, CT ies With inquir ts from paren e all across th nation! 6

Methodology • Small class sizes with individualized student goals • Tiered instruction based on standardized testing • Highly qualified teachers with training and experience in special education • Academic integration into mainstream Ateres Bais Yaakov classes • Social integration: § Chesed Projects § School Play § Melave Malka § Winter Retreat § Shabbaton 7

Program Features Four-Year Projection Year 1 Students Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Grade: 9 Minimum 5 Students Grades: 9, 10 Minimum 10 Students Grades: 9, 10, 11 Minimum 15 Students Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Minimum 20 Students 1 Full Time Director 1 Full Time Teacher 1 Full Time Director 2 Full Time Teachers 1 Part Time Support Teacher 1 Full Time Director 3 Full Time Teachers 1 School Psychologist 1 Part Time Support Teacher 1 Full Time Director 4 Full Time Teachers 1 School Psychologist 1 Full Time Support Teacher Staff* *position reflects total salary of multiple personnel Long Term Program Projection Long term projections include: o Transitional Planning for Post-Secondary Goals o Parent Workshops o Summer Tutoring programs o Replication of program in other communities 8

Sample Schedule 9 th Grade Ashira Schedule 2016 -2017 9

Success & Looking Forward • Biology Lab Biology labs are conducted under the collaborative instruction of both the Ateres and Ashira science teachers • Testing The 2016 Biology Midterm was made up of all NYS Regent questions – 4 out of 5 students passed. • Literature Units Ashira and Ateres English classes join for specific units of literature study • Social Integration Ashira students: o Participated as part of a committee’s leadership to organize the Ateres Ninth grade Shabbaton o Presented a D’var Torah to the school at the Winter Retreat • 2017 -2018 Prospective Students 16 families from students in 8 different elementary schools have already expressed interest in Ashira for the 2017 -2018 school year. • Monsey (9) • Passaic (3) • Teaneck (4) 10

Finances • The Ashira Program tuition requirements are below operating costs in consideration of the parents financial capabilities. • The Ashira Program relies heavily on funds raised to supplement the cost of the Program that is not included in the cost of tuition. • In addition to supplementing tuition, funds raised will allow for: o o Advancement in Technology (Smart Boards, etc. ) Student Support Services Scholarship Funds Transitional Program Working Towards Post-Secondary Goals 11

Credentials Mrs. Bracha Cohen Director of Student Development Ms. Sarah Levy Head of Program Mrs. Bracha Cohen is a special education Ms. Sarah Levy holds a Masters degree in Special teacher and Education and is also a certified Learning inspiring students in the RYNJ Transitional Disability Teacher-Consultant. Previously, she program for over ten years. A graduate of was a full-time employee of the Fort Lee Public Adelphi University, Mrs. Cohen holds a School system, where she worked as an LDT-C. Masters degree in Special Education. She also Ms. Levy was also a special education teacher at previously worked in an inclusion pre-school RYNJ program which unified general education Transitional program staff for close to fifteen students with their peers with special needs. years. Ms. Levy has worked across various Mrs. Cohen has served as a mentor for educational teachers special contained classes, collaborative classes, resource education. Mrs. Cohen currently serves as room support classes, and general education both a teacher and director in Ashira. classes. Ms. Levy is currently the Head of who has entering been the instructing field of where she was part environments of the including Program, as well as a teacher in Ashira. RYNJ self- 12