Curriculum

At Russell Bede, the primary focus is academics: reading, comprehension, writing, math and organizational skills. Content is coordinated according to state standards so that when students return to other schools, they have been exposed to the same subjects as their peers. Faculty uses state-approved textbooks wherever possible, adapting as needed to the skill level of the child.

Students move through skill development at their own pace and are not held back when ready to advance.

Daily homework assignments reinforce academics and promote study skills that are helpful when students move on to middle school.

Speech, language and social pragmatics activities are incorporated into the curriculum whenever appropriate to meet individual or group student needs.

A typical day may include:

• Morning homework review, language arts, reading, comprehension, spelling and writing
• Mid-morning snack break
• Mathematics with flash cards, number sentences and word problems
• PE on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, drama on Mondays and music or art on Fridays
• Lunch
• Afternoon social studies and science
• Keyboarding and reinforcement of academic skills in the Computer Lab

Although the primary curricular emphasis at Russell Bede School is academic skills, there are many supporting activities:

Music

A certified music therapist provides a music program to impart a love of melody, song and performance. The music teacher collaborates with the drama teacher to carry out two or three performances per year, teaching leadership, teamwork and performance skills, as well as musicianship itself.

Drama

The drama program is designed to instill confidence, poise and communication skills through the practice of performing arts. Students rehearse and present two or three shows per year. Past endeavors include a musical called “The Fairy Tale,” which featured a song that the students wrote as a collaborative project, and a performance of James Stevenson’s “The Worst Person’s Christmas.”

Art

Although our classroom teachers include art projects in their classroom programs, a specially trained art teacher also provides art instruction to students on Friday afternoons.

Physical Education

At Russell Bede School, physical education isn’t just playtime. Our PE teacher focuses on conditioning and organized games such as dodge ball, street hockey, flag football and soccer with the intention of teaching sportsmanship, fair play, respect and teamwork.

Field Trips

Students attend a variety of enriching field trips to support the academic program, including nature sites, musical programs, plays and museums. Some past field trips have included Coyote Point Museum, the Marine Mammal Center, the BFI garbage facility, visits to a pumpkin patch, children’s theater productions, service projects with the aged, science museums and more. Check out some of our recent activities.

Gardening

A school garden provides students with hands-on experience in planting and growing organic vegetables, drip irrigation, composting, and using these experiences to study academics related to the plants, themselves.

Computers

Daily work with computers strengthens independent work skills and reinforces classroom curriculum. A well-equipped and up-to-date computer lab ensures every student has full access when needed and ample opportunity to gain the advantage of comfort with computer technology.

Enrichment Programs

During and after school, Russell Bede offers a wide variety of optional enrichment and support programs: Yoga, speech and language therapy, social skills training and more. Yoga is an after-school group class. Speech and language services are offered on an individual basis. Social skills are taught in small groups of two to four students.

Summer School

Russell Bede offers a four-week summer school that focuses on academics in a more relaxed setting than during the school year.

Enrollment is open, so summer school presents an ideal way to get to know the school and consider its potential for your child. Students planning to attend Russell Bede for the first time in September will find summer school to be an introduction that relieves the stress of attending a new school. It also provides an excellent supplement to a mainstream education for any child who needs or desires a little more individual attention.

Summer school classes typically begin the last week of June and continue through the third week of July with a 3 day weekend for the July 4 holiday. The day begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon with an optional computer class in the afternoon. There is no homework.

Auxiliary Services

Russell Bede School offers several additional programs on site for students, including:

Speech and Language Therapy, including assessment, individual and/or group therapy and consultation to staff members and parents.

Occupational Therapy, including assessment, sensory integration therapy and consultation to staff members and parents.

After-School Computer Technology Class, covering a wide variety of motivating topics, including elementary engineering, moviemaking, Photoshop, Website design, and science and technology, as well as more traditional computer skills.

After-School Yoga Class, including energetic sequences and playful poses inspired by nature and life. Children experience the joy of yoga while learning how to breathe correctly and deeply relax.