Jowonio School

For more than 50 years, generations of families, educators, staff, volunteers, and supporters have helped shape the Jowonio community. Whether your connection was last week or thirty years ago, you are part of the story of this special place. Today, we're looking toward the future.

Our Board of Directors has begun the search for Jowonio's next Executive Director: a thoughtful, collaborative leader who will build on our strong foundation and help guide the next chapter of our mission.

We're sharing this opportunity not only because someone in our community may be the right fit, but because you may know someone whose leadership, values, and commitment to inclusion make them an ideal candidate.

If someone comes to mind, we hope you'll share with them. Thank you for continuing to be part of the Jowonio community and for helping us find the next leader to carry our mission forward.

Learn more about the position and all current opportunities at jowonio.org/careers.

Team Spotlight: Friends of Jowonio (FOJ)🛠️
Team: Craig, Sam, Josh, Tammy, & Mike

Behind every classroom, muddy adventure, snowy morning, and community event at Jowonio is an incredible FOJ team keeping everything running. From installing new security cameras, to redoing the floors, to changing fencing to improve supervision in our outdoor spaces, to clearing the drains, to removing snow and ice, to setting up for meetings and events, to cleaning up countless messes, they still somehow always made sure we had enough toilet paper and tissues.

They help keep Jowonio safe, welcoming, functional, and beautiful every single day, often in ways most people never even see. We are so grateful for all they do for our community.

Classroom Spotlight: Kangaroo Room🦘
Team: Jess, Kate, Sam, & Sara

The Kangaroo Room kids had a wonderful year of learning and exploring new ideas and building friendships! We embraced our long winter and spent lots of time playing in the snow. We welcomed Spring and were very excited to ride bikes, find snails, and play with bubbles. And not a day went by without listening and dancing to a class favorite Baby Shark!!!

Classroom Spotlight: Ocean Room🌊
Team: Dezzi, Kia, Miranda, & Destany

The Ocean Room team would like to thank all the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family members that participated in making this an amazing school year.

Along with our amazing group of kids, we have had some wonderful support from some amazing families. Thank you all for the classroom donations throughout the year. We have enjoyed all the yummy treats, gifts, and participation in field trips. Thank you for the teacher - parent collaboration. Have a fun summer!

Team Spotlight: Family Services 💜
Team: Niki, Jamie, Caitlin, & Melissa

The Family Services Team is here for children and families through every step of the Jowonio journey. From helping families navigate services and community resources to supporting new students, coordinating family events, responding to bumps and bruises, and helping children work through big feelings, this team makes sure every child is supported both inside and outside the classroom.

Much of their work happens behind the scenes, but it helps make Jowonio the caring, inclusive community that it is. We are so grateful for all they do for our children and families.

Classroom Spotlight: Star Room⭐️
Team: Anita, Ashley, Chris, Lucinda, & Hope

The Star Room spent this year exploring, imagining, and getting very good at putting winter gear on and off! We embraced outdoor time in every season, spending lots of time on Sarah’s Path, in the garden, and at our wonderful mud kitchen built by a parent this year. Inside the classroom, the sand pit became a favorite spot for digging, building, and imaginative play.

This group also loved field trips; we took one almost every other week! From exploring a private plane at a local airport to visiting the Erie Canal, Labrador Pond, Beak & Skiff, Plumpton Farms, the duck pond, and the Will & Baumer candle factory, the Star Room was always ready for an adventure.

Classroom Spotlight: Rainforest Room🌿
Team: Kimmy, Jenn, Carrie, Riley, Katie & Ashley

The Rainforest Room was all about getting our hands (and sometimes our feet!) involved in learning this year. We made pizzas, marinara sauce, brownies, and celebrated with a pasta party. We painted with our feet, followed a "pizza walk" recipe, and discovered that learning can happen through movement, cooking, and sensory play.

This group loved building with Magna-Tiles and Legos, creating art with Katie each week, and searching high and low for bugs. Foxes, snails, and slugs were some of our favorite creatures to learn about along the way.

The Rainforest Room was a curious, creative, and wonderfully hands-on group. There was always something to build, make, or investigate!

Classroom Spotlight: Earth Room🌍
Team: Bob, Celita, Momo, and Zoe

This year in the Earth Room, we asked questions about EVERYTHING. What helps seeds sprout? Why do different plants grow in different habitats? Can flowers be taken apart and studied piece by piece? The Earth Room was full of scientists, investigators, artists, builders, and explorers who approached the world with curiosity and excitement every single day.

We made magic potions, experimented with sensory materials, tackled obstacle courses, and spent lots of time outside. We also had many adventurous “Try Me” tastes and discovered that learning can happen through all five senses.

Alongside all of the experimentation and discovery, some really beautiful friendships grew this year too. It was such a fun, messy, active, and thoughtful year together.

Classroom Spotlight: Bunny Room🐰
Team: Lori, Morgan, Abby, Shafak, and Katie

The Bunnies had a "hopping" good year! They learned how to be part of a group, playing and learning together. They grew taller and more independent. They learned new songs, new signs, and new words.

And most importantly, they learned to care for each other. Whether it be a "where is _____?", a pat on a shoulder, a look of concern, or even an "you can have this toy", Bunnies have the foundation, and will continue learning the lifelong skill of empathy.

Team Spotlight: Pooh Corner
Team: Laurie, Simran, Mikaella, Shannon, Chloe, & Christianne

As we wrap up another wonderful year in Pooh Corner, we are celebrating the many ways our students have grown.

This year, our team continued to support children through collaboration, learning, and advocacy. We expanded access to communication by helping over 14 students receive dedicated AAC devices.

We also redesigned our “100 Acre Room” to provide a more supportive, flexible space where children can move, explore, and engage in therapy in ways that work best for them.

We are so proud of our students’ accomplishments this year and grateful to be part of their journeys. Every moment of connection was something worth celebrating! We will miss our graduating students so much, and look forward to seeing our returning students in the Fall!