An introduction to Oasis Engage - Enable - Enrich Connections is the new monthly blog brought to you from the Oasis teams at JESS Jumeirah and JESS Primary. We have two key intentions;
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to invite you to find out more about the enrichment and support work that our departments provide. •
to share our knowledge, experience and support strategy suggestions.
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Over our life time we will all experience 'additional needs'; challenges that will require support and assistance in order for us to be successful. We may move to a new country where we don't understand the language, or we may start a new job where we will need support to understand a seemingly impossible computer system! It is unsurprising, therefore, that our children may be faced with similar barriers at school. Their challenge may be short term (requiring a quick boost to 'close the gap'), or more long term in nature, where careful planning and provision is needed so as to remove or reduce those barriers and ensure the child's success. These barriers should not be viewed as limiting, but rather as an obstacle that can be navigated with the right level of support, at the right time! With that in mind, we welcome you to our first Connections; come on in and let us make some introductions!
Meet the Oasis Teams
Jumeirah
Jumeirah Oasis Team (JJ) •
Head of Oasis & Link teacher for KS2 - Emma Dibden
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Oasis Link teacher for FS & KS1 - Carolyne Palmer
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Learning Support Assistant - Bethan Crosby
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Learning Support Assistant - Jacki Garner
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Learning Support Assistant - Nadine Sylvester
Arabian Ranches
Arabian Ranches Primary Oasis Team (ARP) •
Head of Oasis - Liz Morris
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Oasis Link teacher for F1, F2 and Yrs 3 and 4 - Lynne Moody
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Oasis Link teacher for Yrs 1,2,5 and 6 - Orla Rogers
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Learning Support Assistant - Reem Al Ghussein
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Learning Support Assistant - Heidi Underwood
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Learning Support Assistant - Colette Breslin
Support for success
We work with the children, parents, teachers, and any outside specialists, to ensure that every child at JESS has the opportunity to succeed. This means you might find us at planning meetings, or offering advice for appropriate curriculum and environment adaptations to teaching staff. You might find us working in class, with a small group, delivering one on one specialist interventions or providing enrichment opportunities! Flexibility is our middle name! We have listed just some of the interventions that we offer...
Foundation Stage Early literacy skills Early numeracy skills Social skills groups Reading & maths extension Gross and fine motor skills The Listening Program Key Stage One 1stClass@Number BRP - Better Reading Partnership Maths and English support Sounds Write Spelling support Maths and English Enrichment Fine motor and handwriting The Listening Program
Key Stage Two BRP - Better Reading Partnership Spelling & grammar support Sounds Write Reading comprehension support In class support for English and Maths The Listening Program World Scholar's Cup Writing enrichment
Parent's perspective
It is always valuable to learn from the experience of others. We are very grateful to the families that share their personal stories in order to help us to better understand some of the challenges that our children might face. Should you be willing to share your story (anonymously if you prefer) please don't hesitate to contact us oasisjj@jess.sch.ae (JESS Jumeirah) or primaryadmin@jess.sch.ae (Arabian Ranches)
I love this quote from inspirational speaker Dr Steve Maraboil. For me it sums up all that we have learnt from the amazing Oasis team - we all know that children learn differently, but accepting that this doesn't mean failure, is key. Liam has benefited hugely from the work he has done with the Oasis team and we as parents are extremely grateful that this wonderful facility exits within JESS ! Thanks to all the Oasis team and here's to a fabulous new academic year !! Mrs P McIntyre (parent at JESS Jumeirah)
Learning aids Another similarity between children and adults are our varying ability to maintain focus for extended periods and to work comfortable with the equipment provided. Some of us need total silence to work where others prefer to listen to music. Some of us need the lights to be bright and others prefer a darker room. Children may need a few additional tools or strategies to help them to be effective learners; a fidget aid, a wobble cushion, a pencil grip or a seat close to the teacher. We may recommend that your child try using some of these resources to support their focus and attention. Introductions of such aids must always be done in consultation with parents and class teacher. The child will be shown how to use the aids to ensure effective learning and concentration.
Tech support
Like it or not our children are 21st century learners; more adept at using technology than we might ever be! All the more reason then to utilise some excellent interactive software programmes and apps to engage and extend their understanding. Look out for future 'Connections' where we will share some of the best 'App-ortunities' for you to explore at home!
A good book
Every month we will make a recommendation for a book (or two!) that offer helpful information and advice, we hope over time to cover a range of topics that will be of interest to everyone in our primary school communities.
Veronica Bidwell is an Educational Psychologist with expert knowledge of specific learning difficulties. This book provides advice and practical strategies for supporting children with SpLDs. She offers an explantation of a range of learning difficulties and includes tips and tools to help you to support your child both academically and emotionally.
We hope that our first Connections edition has given a flavour of things to come. We hope over time to bring you more of the same and perhaps an article or two from expert specialists that will make this blog a useful go to resource. Should you have any book or app recommendations or a topic that you wish for us to cover please let us know. You can always pop in to the department or email us at oasisjj@jess.sch.ae (JESS Jumeirah) or primaryadmin@jess.sch.ae (Arabian Ranches)
In the news... We work hard to help all the learners at JESS to be happy and successful, but our work doesn't end there. In order to ensure we maintain effective ways of supporting and challenging our students, we take time to teach and learn from others within the same professional field. JESS was a strategic partner for the second MENA SEN Conference on the 16th & 17th October. This event was coordinated by The Dubai SEN Network in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation. Learning Support teams from across the region came together to share best practice, knowledge and experience.