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NEW JERSEY STATE REPORT CARD
2009-10 Newsletters
October 2009 Newsletter
September 2009 Newsletter
Special Services School District and Salem Community College Join to Help Students Stay in College
The Salem County Special Services School District and Salem Community College are joining forces to assist special-needs students’ transition from high school to college.
A full-time professional school psychologist or Learning Disabilities Teacher/Consultant will be employed to focus on students working through issues that may prevent them from succeeding in college and earning a degree. The staff member will also provide support and professional development opportunities for College employees. The position, based in the College’s Center for Student Success, will be funded by the Special Services School District.
“While there may be several factors that lead someone to drop out of school, we want to address and assist those students who are academically and emotionally under-prepared for college life,” said Loren Thomas, Superintendent of the Special Services and Vocational Technical School Districts. “Many students completing high school and entering college lack the skills, discipline and support needed to succeed as first-time college students.”
“We are especially pleased to collaborate with the Salem County Special Services School District, under the leadership of Loren Thomas, to provide the very best assistance possible for students transitioning to the College,” said SCC President Dr. Peter B. Contini. “This professional will offer ongoing support for students to help ensure their academic success at the collegiate-level and, at the same time, work closely with faculty and staff.”
Thomas said that the position was initiated in part by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which includes a component to aid students transitioning from high school to college or a career. In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act specify that no one with a disability can be excluded from participating in federally funded programs or activities, including elementary, secondary or postsecondary schooling.
Students enrolled at Salem Community College who need assistance should contact Salem Community College’s Dean of Student Affairs at (856) 351-2610.
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SCVTS Students Win National Awards and Recognition
Ten students from the Salem County Career and Technical High School recently had the opportunity to attend the National Leadership Conference in Nashville for the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) program.
Jessica Johnston, a shared time junior from Pennsville, won a gold medal in Personal Care; Linwood Donelson, a full-time senior from Lower Alloway Creek, placed fifth in Extemporaneous Speaking and was awarded the Outstanding State Leader Award; Domenic Merendino, a full-time senior from Carneys Point, was awarded a certificate for the Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Issues Exam; and Nicole Bea, a shared time senior from Pilesgrove, was awarded the Barbara James Service Award and the Presidential Service Award for completing 250 hours of community service. Merendino along with Ashley Phrampus, a full-time student were also selected as state voting delegates at the conference.
The National Conference was held at the Gaylord Resort in Nashville, TN on June 24-27 where over 6,300 participants from all 50 states and Puerto Rico competed in 53 different healthcare related events.
“Our students did a remarkable job in their competitions,” said Jason Helder, assistant principal. “These results are a measure of the quality of training that the students receive from their dedicated instructor, Mrs. Johanna Herman at the Career and Technical High School. We commend them all.”
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Extended School Year School program helps students with disabilities
By Shabria Davis
sdavis@sjnewsco.com
MANNINGTON TWP. - Among the first ventures since combining boards of education, the Salem County Special Services and Salem County Vocational Technical School districts are offering Extended School Year programs for disabled students at three area schools, the Regional Day School at Mannington, Daretown School, and the Cumberland Campus.
The programs have 22, 12, and 71 students respectively.
Each program lasts six weeks, ending in mid-August, and is geared toward helping students avoid academic regression during the summer months.
"I definitely see a difference between the children that attend the summer program and those who do not," said Regional Day School Principal Frank Maurer. "The program really seems to help the students."
All three programs are for students five through 21 years old who have a disability.
The Regional Day School program has a summer camp vibe with days like Fiesta Friday and Swimming Thursday. The program also offers students occupational, physical, and speech therapy. In Daretown, the focus is on behavioral support with instructors teaching students socialization skills. At the Cumberland Campus, autistic children and those with multiple disabilities learn the basics of surviving in society. Throughout the six weeks, the children will do things like visit Gloucester County Dream Park and learn the proper way to order a meal.
Although this is not the first year the schools (with the exception of the Cumberland Campus) have run the programs, Superintendent Loren Thomas credits the sharing of ideas by the newly-created board of education for this year's success.
"The success of these programs show that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," said Thomas. "(These programs) highlight the two districts cooperating and are hopefully the beginning of good things to come."
He added that the extended school year programs are just the beginning for the newly-combined board.
Thomas said that the two school systems will continue to share ideas, and beginning in the fall the Salem County Vocational and Technical School District will have its first child study team, something the Special Services District has been using for years. The Regional Day School will also be adding guidance services to the school staff.
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