
"Play is the highest form of research."
Albert Einstein
MISSION
Our mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for
pediatric oncology and hematology patients to grow socially, cognitively and physically through theraplay
and to raise awareness of
childhood cancer and immune deficiency disorders.
ABOUT
Children Exceeding Expectations (CEE) is a program of the Junior League of Kingsport, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It is a free school exclusively for kids with cancer and immune deficiency disorders. Classroom space and onsite support are generously provided by Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Classes are currently held on Wednesdays and Fridays with two sessions each year. Students are eligible to apply for our program by direct referral from a medical doctor.
A school FULL of play, laughter, random acts of kindness, a bit of education and a spoonful of sugar
to make all that SICKNESS FORGOTTEN . . .
AT A GLANCE
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Free Education for Children Ages 3-12 – exclusively for children fighting cancer or immune deficiency disorders – can serve up to 20 children
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Students Accepted Through Physician Referrals Only – Students come to the program by direct referral from the medical oncology community – Niswonger Children’s Hospital, other area hospitals, area pediatric oncology practices, the American Cancer Society.
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Service Area Includes Any Eligible Child Within the Region
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Warm and Inviting Classroom – Sanitized Environment in a safe and nurturing setting for pediatric oncology and hematology patients.
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To Provide a Sense of Normalcy in a Child’s World When Nothing is Normal – For kids who cannot go to school, play dates, or birthday parties because the risk of infection from other kids is too great, even the mildest cold can be life-threatening. In a safe and secure environment, we provide a sense of normalcy in the lives of these kids at a time when they spend most of their time in a hospital battling cancer or other serious illness. That way, when the treatments are over and they’re in remission, they’ll be ready to transition back to “regular school” without missing a beat.
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Developmentally Appropriate Instruction and Activities
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Done in a Day Projects – We plan some Done in a Day projects each class period for those children who, because of treatment schedules and sickness, cannot be there for each class.
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Sense of Accomplishment for all Students – We ensure that all of our students experience a sense of accomplishment in learning through play.
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Random Acts of Kindness – We provide a variety of large and small “random acts of kindness” for our students and their families. Love and support are critical to the healing process. Last year, we took children and their families (42 people) on an all-expense paid trip to Disney – a trip most of them could never afford on their own and one which they will remember for the rest of their lives!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Children Exceeding Expectations (CEE) is under the direct supervision of a Board of Directors made up of community leaders interested in supporting and promoting the mission of CEE.
OUR STAFF
Children Exceeding Expectations is led by
Co-Directors who also serve as the two primary teachers in the classroom program. Both hold Bachelor's degrees in Education and have served as preschool directors. In addition, CEE is served at times by assistant teachers who are, themselves, cancer survivors.



