The Bridge Program Develops Students with Dyslexia into Confident Readers The Christ School (TCS), an independent, Christ-centered Transitional Kindergarten–8th grade school located in downtown Orlando, opened the 2020-2021 school year with a new program, The Bridge, to serve students with dyslexia. Students from across Central Florida have joined The Christ School community to take part in this unique program. “We discovered there were few options in Orlando for students with dyslexia to have the daily reading support and multisensory instruction they need to thrive as confident readers,” says Dr. Aaron Farrant, Head of School. “To help these children, we created The Bridge.” Students in The Christ School’s Bridge program enjoy the same project-based learning curriculum as traditional learners as well as daily chapel, special area classes, sports, grade-level field trips, after school academies and daily recess. The difference is The Bridge classrooms are built for the dyslexic mind to grow and thrive. Bridge teachers are highly trained in the Orton Gillingham (OG) approach to teaching reading and provide a unique, specialized program of instruction that meets the individual learner’s needs. Through this proven, systematic approach to reading, what can appear to be an arbitrary and confusing system to a child with dyslexia becomes predictable and clear. Through multisensory practice and specialized instruction, dyslexic learners at The Christ School unlock the power of print. Teachers design lesson plans based on careful observation and error analysis. Instruction addresses specific challenges unique to each student as opposed to delivering a scripted “one size fits all” program. Bridge classrooms
offer a 1:10 teacher/student ratio with small breakout groups hosting a 1:5 teacher/student ratio for OG reading and math instruction. These small groups allow for individualized, diagnostic and prescriptive instruction. “Students with dyslexia have many God-given strengths and talents,” says Alissa Plaisance, Director of The Bridge. “Through The Bridge, we foster confidence and self-esteem by helping students recognize their strengths and thrive as readers and learners.” Heather Webb, second grade Bridge parent, says, “The Bridge at The Christ School has brought hope and confidence to my bright young son William. He is excited to go to school each day. His confidence has soared as he has learned about his superpower dyslexia. As a parent, witnessing the positive changes and transformation from being in an environment that values and supports your child’s abilities has been an absolute blessing. I will be forever grateful to The Christ School and their faculty and staff.” The Christ School is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year in both our traditional and Bridge programs. The Bridge currently serves students in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades. 5th grade will be added with the 2021-2022 year. Contact Joanne Fleming, Director of Admission, at 407-849-1665 or by email at jfleming@ thechristschool.org to schedule a personalized tour. For more information on The Bridge at The Christ School, please access our brochure. For more information about The Christ School, visit thechristschool.org.
18 PLAYGROUND Dec 2020 / Jan 2021
