Innovation through inclusion

For about three decades, Keshet and Solomon Schechter Day School’s partnership has provided all children with the opportunity to learn within one community. Since Schechter opened its doors to Keshet, thousands of students have received top-notch education at Keshet’s therapeutic day school on Schechter’s Northbrook campus.

This school year, Keshet and Schechter are bringing students together in one classroom to launch its pilot inclusive kindergarten. Co-taught by a Schechter kindergarten teacher and a Keshet special education teacher, curriculum and materials are accessible and adapted for all students and their unique learning styles. Keshet is providing social workers, occupational therapists, and speech therapists for additional support, as well.

“For a long time, there has been a gap between students whose needs could be met with our robust student services team at Schechter, and those who required a therapeutic environment,” explained Dr. Lena Kushnir, Head of School at Schechter. “Because of the new model that we have in place now, we are able to educate more children who are looking for a Jewish education, and that is what is so exciting and powerful in an inclusive environment.”

The partnership aspires to help all students develop a sense of belonging within Schechter’s community and provide them with better preparation for life in the community as children and adults.

“They are Schechter students who are receiving Keshet support through the partnership, and the families are over the moon,” Kushnir added.

“It’s about creating that community of belonging,” said Jennifer Phillips, CEO and President of Keshet. “There were families whose siblings go to school at Schechter, and they weren’t sure their child could come. They thought they had to go to public school. They were stunned that this could be an option and are very appreciative and joyful that they could have this education. To be able to continue the Schechter journey is very important to them.”

“The Keshet-Schechter inclusive kindergarten partnership is such a unique and beautiful program,” added Elissa Staiman, a Schechter parent whose children are in kindergarten and 3rd grade. “It allows young children to see that not everyone learns in the same manner or processes information in the same way which can enhance their communicative skills amongst friends. It shows diversity, love for each-and-every child, while adding extra support to the kindergarten classroom.”

Ongoing professional development with Schechter and Keshet teachers is another important aspect of the program.

“We aren’t simply putting kids and teachers in a room and calling it inclusive,” said Suzanne Mishkan, Sager School Principal. “The partnership allows for daily collaboration to thoughtfully plan for students. The Keshet and Schechter teachers are at the same table, having conversations about specific needs, what’s working well, and what needs to be changed.”

The inclusive kindergarten class pilot year is supported in part by a grant from JUF’s Day School Innovation Fund that was awarded to Schechter to launch the program with Keshet. Kushnir and Phillips remain committed to finding additional donors to help fund the initiative and aspire to continue the inclusion program through additional grades.

“Our goal is to have funding through second grade while continuing to bring in new cohorts,” Kushnir said. “It will require additional fundraising for us to make this possible.”