Recognized Programs
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Chester School District (Morris), Camp Achieve Counselor-in-Training Program An extended school year program serving preschool to grade eight, Camp Achieve allows students to participate in active, hands-on classes. The students use computers to practice their writing skills and to surf the Internet to visit far-away places. The middle school children volunteer to assist the younger “campers” as counselors-in-training. To become a counselor-in-training, students must apply by writing a letter of application and must be interviewed by the director. The judges felt that this program gave students the opportunity to participate in an employment process, providing them with lessons that will be useful for a lifetime. Contact: Jeanette Krone, director of student services, (908) 879-6004; Jeanette.krone@chester.nj.org Florham Park School District (Morris), It’s Time to Shine A two-day program includes both student and parental participation specifically designed to assist special needs students’ transition from the fifth grade to the middle school. Fifth-graders have the opportunity to practice being middle school students – complete with lockers, schedules, mock classes and other activities that helps them become acclimated to the middle-school environment. Anxious parents are given the opportunity to discuss their fears and apprehensions with the middle school staff and to learn what will be expected of their children. Contact: Steven Caponegro, director of special services, (973) 822-3888, ext. 4006; Steve.Caponegro@fpks.org Franklin Lakes School District (Bergen), Beads ‘n’ Me This program creates an original, integrated, real-world learning experience for middle school students ages 11-15 who have learning and multiple disabilities. Beads ‘n’ Me is a self-sustaining “business” where students are given hands-on learning opportunities in sorting, patterning, money exchange, spreadsheets, databases, measurement, teamwork and self-esteem. Students manufacture and sell 30 different styles of custom-made lanyards, necklaces and eyeglass chains. The judges felt that Beads ‘n’ Me presents an excellent way to teach curriculum standards using real world applications. Contact: Marcy Pryor, Ed.D., teacher, (201) 891-0202 ext. 51; mpryor@franklinlakes.k12.nj.us Midland Park School District (Bergen), Coffee House Poetry The Coffee House Poetry program, recognized by the National Schools Project, introduces students to poetry by having them read a variety of poems. Students are then asked to write their own poetry “from the heart.” Students select three of their best poems for submission to the National Schools Project and are given an opportunity to recite their poetry in a coffee house atmosphere reminiscent of the 1960s beatnik era. Although students are not required to recite at the “coffee house,” many students who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally find this to be an opportunity to express themselves without judgment or criticism. Contact: William G. Shlala, interim director of special services, (201) 444-7400, ext. 228; wshlala@midlandparkschools.k12.nj.us Plumsted Township School District (Ocean), Learning Tools Kindergarten students are endlessly inquisitive. When they are students in an inclusionary class where special needs children use special tools for learning, the questions can be numerous. The Plumsted teachers decided that even the everyday items used in a classroom could be teaching tools, including reading glasses, calculators, a step stool and a highlighter. Each tool is shown and its use explained to the entire class. This very simple concept puts all students on the same playing field. Contact: Jennifer Miller, special education teacher, (732) 232-0028; MillerJ@newegypt.us |
South Bergen Jointure Commission, Care and Share Program The South Bergen Jointure Commission’s 91 students – ages 13-21, with autism and behavioral and multiple disabilities – are given the opportunity to engage in community service activities with the non-disabled population. Students participate in a valuable school-to-work transition and develop vocational skills which will lead to independence. Contact: Jamie E. Ciofalo, principal, (201) 531-1420, jciofalo@njsbjc.org The Children’s Institute (Essex), Serving the School Community through Digital Storytelling Digital storytelling pairs the art of oral storytelling with modern technology. Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the high-school level are paired with preschoolers to bring to life picture books. Using digital cameras, the students take pictures of the pages of the book which are then uploaded onto MacBooks, where the secondary students utilize their language arts skills to produce a script of the story for the pre-school audience. The pairing of the preschoolers and the secondary school students provides the ASD students with an appreciation for altruism. Contact: Carolyn Gretchen, staff development coordinator, (973) 509-3050, ext. 262; cgretchen@tcischool.org The Rugby School at Woodfield (Monmouth), Arts in the Workplace Students in the Arts in the Workplace program at The Rugby School experience the teaching of an art lesson by preparing an appropriate activity for a specific group and then carrying out all aspects of the lesson. The majority of the interactions are with senior citizens. The students learn the limitations of their “students” and use their organization, presentation and artistic skills to teach the class. The program is designed to ready the students who are artistically gifted to further their education or to enter the workforce. Contact: Dessi Statelova, art teacher, (732) 681-6900; ddesanto@therugbyschool.org Washington Township Public Schools (Morris), Project Egg: Everything Grows through Growing Project Egg promotes social connections by pairing disabled preschool students with first-graders, effectively combining strategies to promote language development through expressions of needs and desires. Students, teachers and parents are involved in raising animals, which are usually housed at a local farm. Most recently, the children have been “parents” to a baby wallaby, which resides in a playpen in the classroom. The children are involved in the care of the wallaby, including feeding and tracking its physical growth Contact: Denise Scairpon, special education teacher, (908) 876-4172; dscairpon@wtschools.com Waterford Township Schools (Camden), The Ultimate Bridge Challenge Students in the Ultimate Bridge Challenge take on the project of building a toothpick bridge in a project that incorporates independent research, timeline development, using computers and interacting with classmates. Students construct their bridge after consulting with accountants, architects and general contractors. Each student is required to review building codes and requirements, and can be “fined” for a messy work site. The program culminates with each toothpick bridge being tested to see how much weight it can hold. Awards are presented to students in several areas related to design, cost and use. Contact: Kenneth I. Hall, supervisor of special services, (856) 767-5365 ext. 3021; khall@wtsd.org |
