School Highlights March 2019

In This Issue First Official NJSIAA Unified Basketball Burlington Township High School...... 5 Tournament Burnet Middle School...... 11 Student athletes, with and without disabilities, from 17 schools con- Chatham/ECLC...... 15 verged on Hunterdon Central High School on Saturday, March 2, 2019 for the first official NJSIAA Unified Basketball playoff tournament. Clayton High School/Middle School...... 18 These Unified teams are the first in to represent their Delaware Valley Regional High School...... 7 schools on the road to capturing the title of Unified Basketball State First Official NJSIAA Unified Basketball Champion. This is all possible because of the partnership between Spe- Tournament...... 1 cial Olympics New Jersey and the NJSIAA which aims to bring Unified Sports competition into high school athletics. Fountain Woods School...... 4 Frank J. Smith Elementary School...... 6 Following a season of league play, the teams came together at North and South sectional division rounds on February 23rd, where nine teams Grant Elementary School...... 13 were placed in the A division, and eight more in the B division. Gregory Elementary School...... 15 The A bracket featured Trenton, Hunterdon Central, Ewing, Hamilton High Bridge Middle School...... 7 West, Union City, Moorestown, Randolph, Burlington City and Chatham. Holmdel...... 2 The B bracket consisted of Old Bridge, Monroe, Voorhees, Steinert, Hopewell Valley High School...... 6 Mendham, Ridge, Millburn and West Morris. The B bracket was played to completion at Hunterdon Central, and Monroe won by defeating West John F. Kennedy School...... 15 Morris in the final. Kingsway Regional High School...... 15 Moorestown and Ewing emerged as finalists in the A division, and earned Lyndhurst...... 9 the right to play for the championship on March 17 at the Rutgers Ath- ...... 8 letic Center, where Ewing defeated Moorestown in the 2019 NJSIAA Uni- fied Basketball Tournament of Champions. For game details and photos Monroe Township High School...... 16 click here to read the NJ.com article, “Ewing Wins Program’s First-Ever Mount Olive High School...... 18 Unified Basketball State Championship.” North Hunterdon High School...... 10 Overbrook High School...... 8 Parsippany Hills High School...... 8 Pond Road Middle School...... 7 Randolph High School...... 12 ...... 14 Samsel Upper Elementary School...... 18 Sayreville War Memorial High School...... 11 Somerville High School...... 2 Summit High School...... 2 Union City High School...... 12 ...... 17 Washington Township High School...... 3 West Morris Regional High School District...... 14 Participation in NJSIAA Unified Basketball has grown dramatically in just the past year. In 2018, only three teams competed in the state tourna- Woodlynne Public School...... 3 ment. There was also a Unified Bowling championship and Track and Woodrow Wilson Middle School (Clifton)...... 13 Field championships will be coming in the spring.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 1 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Somerville High School Summit High School Somerville High School cel- ebrated the end of a great regular bowling season with a banquet for the bowlers, coaches, and families on March 7th. All families attended free of charge due to a generous donation by their friends at Teamwork Unlimited. Student athletes were presented with certificates and many received their first Varsity letter.

With the busy schedule of the bowling season behind them, they planned for their Week of Respect, as well as activities for April, Autism Awareness month. They will provide educational presentations about autism and other disabilities, and the im- portance of inclusion. Their goal is to strengthen support from administrators and increase Holmdel whole school engagement. The Unified Club members will join students in the Life Skills class on the morning announce- ments, delivering facts and statistics about Autism Spec- trum Disorders. They have been approved to paint a mural-sized Special Olympics Unified Sports logo in the hallway outside their gymnasium. This is a high visibility location, and they have had an incredible number of students volunteer to help.

Somerville also set up a collab- orative meeting with coaches from Franklin HS Unified Sports so that they can share infor- mation on recruiting Unified athletes.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 2 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Washington Township High School Here are pictures from the start of the Washington Township High School week of kindness with the theme: Choose to In- clude! Some of their pictures were also featured on their dis- trict home page.

Woodlynne Public School

Office of Special Education Programs Page 3 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Fountain Woods School Starting in March, each week optimism and gifts of many tunity for social interactions on the Fountain Woods School people in the community. There between all students and also a morning video newscast, their was an opportunity to speak great way to practice. students shared facts about with an artist in Burlington City disabilities and how to treat who has autism. He communi- Their Unify/Awareness Club met people with disabilities. This will cated how he continues to suc- on March 19th to practice a skit continue throughout April to ceed and reach his goals despite for the morning newscast on tie in Respect week, disABILITY his disability. The students were inclusion, and to discuss videos month and Autism Awareness amazed at his artwork. All of the that talked about inclusion and Month. third graders came and were acceptance. very receptive and enjoyed On March 28, they had a whole On March 12th, for the third learning from the stations. High school event for fifth grad- year, third grade classes held a school students, therapists, ers. Jimmy Curran who wrote Disability Fair, which, again, was teachers, and volunteers from the book titled “Will, the One a huge success. The objective their community were on hand Winged Eagle” visited and of the fair was to help students to help out. gain a deeper understanding of presented about the book and what disabilities are by allowing On March 15th one of the its message. He used his experi- them to visit various stations general ed classes joined their ence as a person with a disabil- (visual, communication, physical self-contained class for review ity, to teach universal lessons, and hearing ) and experience of ABCs in Sign Language. They such as perseverance and inclu- some of the challenges their played five sign language games sion. Jimmy left the students peers may face. This fair high- that the students rotated inspired and believing anything lighted the strength, courage, through. It was a great oppor- is possible.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 4 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Burlington Township High School At the Burlington Township led workshops for third graders they practiced balancing on High School Unified Club meet- at the Fountain Woods School bikes and safety skills. The ing in March, students planned disABILITIES Fair. Their purpose high school students visited for their Inclusion Week/Spread was to show them what it is like the self-contained classroom the word to End the Word to have a disability, teach com- where they painted rocks, Campaign. They also played passion, and how to INCLUDE a played games and socialized. games such as Uno, bowling person with their ABILITIES. In the gym, they played human and Twister. bowling and basketball. They Other activities for the Uni- also did warm up and stretch- On March 13, their Club went fied Club in March were: Young ing activities. to the elementary school and School Bike Night, where

Office of Special Education Programs Page 5 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Hopewell Valley High School First Unified team marching in a Pep Rally at Hopewell Valley High School

Frank J. Smith Elementary School Frank J. Smith Elementary School continued their Be A Pal Unified Physical Education class on its regular rota- tion this month. All of their pals are becoming familiar and accustomed to making their class a part of their routine. Students are more comfortable with one another and are more willing to try new things and give it their all – even if it might look silly! Their confidence has increased and the students are learning that sports are not just about win- ning and losing.

A highlight this month was finding another way to allow their PAL pairs to get together during the school day. They held several “Lunch Bunches” for some of the students who have really made a connection, but do not get to attend lunch and recess together normally. The students enjoyed this time to eat and socialize, and their older peers got the chance to be with their pals in a smaller setting.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 6 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Delaware Valley Regional High School Pond Road Middle Delaware Valley Regional High School focused on basketball for School the month of March. They continued with their Unified Basketball The Pond Road Middle program, and although they did not win any games this season, School Play Unified Club they had a great time meeting new friends at AL Johnson HS and met on March 12. First, Hunterdon Central HS!! they reviewed their bully- ing play that the students Their Unified Club made Leprechaun Traps to celebrate St. Pat- have been working on. They rick’s Day. will perform it at the ele- mentary school for the first graders at the end of May. Then they played Medical Wars where one person was the doctor, who saved all the students that got hit with the ball. They had a lot of fun with that. Then they ended with the song “Wipe Out” and moved their arms like they were swimming forward, backward, breast stroke, and riding a surf board. They all laughed thru it. It was a great activ- ity for the students.

High Bridge Middle School On March 7th, students at High Bridge Middle School picked board games and played different games together; including a whole group version of catego- ries. They also voted on outside activities. Then, on March 14th, the students played outside and enjoyed a game of freeze tag. After- wards, they had a choice of kickball or free time.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 7 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Overbrook High School March was a slower month for Overbrook High School. They had their Unified Club meeting on 3/7/2019 where they made a Metuchen High School poster to hang in the cafeteria that said The Metuchen High School Unified PE class “Lucky to have great friends.” has been working hard on their dance moves. The class enjoyed researching “boy bands,” learning dance moves and choreographing a routine to their favorite song. One of the groups performed NSYNC’s “Bye, Bye, Bye” at their Unified Game Day. All of the students enjoyed participating in this activity that pro- moted social emotional learning.

Unified PE was also involved in the entire com- munity with their project for Developmental Disabilities Month and Autism Awareness Month. The Unified PE students decorated lo- cal downtown stores with posters, butterflies and puzzle pieces to show they care and are aware. The butterflies and puzzle pieces used were created by members of the school staff, faculty and students. Parsippany Hills High School Their Unified Club spent time creating posters to show awareness, and decorated the school This month, the Parsippany Hills High School hallways to promote the club and bring aware- Unified Club had the opportunity to partici- ness to their main causes. Club members col- pate in a school-wide event to fight against laborated on activities that the school will be heart disease. The task was to design a pair involved in during “Choose to Include” Week, April 1-5. of shoes that symbolizes their club. The win- ning pair would be worn for the day by the school principal. The students worked to- gether to pitch ideas about what should go on the pair of shoes and together decorated them. Each idea was somehow incorporated into the design of the shoes. The students, and club advisors are very proud of how they turned out and how inclusion was truly evident in the creation and also the message sent through the design of the shoes.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 8 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Lyndhurst March was a very exciting hurst who participated in this compete in a friendly kickball month for Lyndhurst Unified bowling tournament, practiced game. Students enjoyed play- Club. They not only had their at the bowling alley and in the ing kickball and meeting new two monthly Unified Club school gym prior to the event. friends. meetings after school at Jef- Students were extremely ex- ferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and cited and happy to participate. Lyndhurst also sent their Memorial, but they also partic- In fact, one of the teams won March report and photos to ipated in the 2019 SONJ Uni- a bronze medal. Additionally, the entire faculty to show fied Cup Bowling tournament. Rutherford High School Uni- everyone the impact Unified The four teams from Lynd- fied Club came to Lyndhurst to Club is having on the Lynd- hurst Public School District.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 9 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

North Hunterdon High School In anticipation of the North Hunter- don High School Choose to Include week, on 3/14 at the Unified Bas- ketball game at Home, they pro- moted Choose to Include Week and advertised to get more Fans in the Stands. Students, staff, and parents attended.

Students and staff participated in the North Hunterdon High School Choose to Include week:

3/18 - Monday - Autism Awareness: wear blue, Autism facts on the an- nouncements.

3/19 - Tuesday - Lupus Awareness: wear purple, Lupus facts on an- nouncements.

3/20 - Wednesday - Respect Differ- ences: wear sweats to sweat out differences, brief explanation of Unified on announcements, away basketball game.

3/21 - Thursday - World Down Syn- drome Day: “Rock your Socks” (wear crazy socks), Down Syndrome facts on announcements, Choose to In- clude Week and Basketball Celebra- tion, and Unified Club Meeting.

3/22 - Friday - Unified North Day: wear your North stuff to show they are one Unified family.

Also in March, the North Hunterdon Unified Basketball team had their first win against Delaware Valley, 32 to 37, and they participated in “Spike for a Cure,” a volleyball tournament fundraiser that raises money for their Relay for Life event in the Spring.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 10 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Sayreville War Memorial High School Thursday the 28th was the culminating event for Sayreville War Memorial High School Unified Basketball. It was another tremen- dous success. One point of emphasis this season, was to make their basketball games more competitive. Over the past few seasons, the competitions turned into the gen ed students not really play- ing, rather they were facilitating the other students. This season, the coaches were instructed that it should be a real game and there should only be slight modification for certain students. The students did a great job and everyone had a really good time!

The game was amazing, both teams scored over 30 points, the stu- dents moved the ball, made shots, and had a lot of fun!

As with almost all Sayreville War Memorial High School’s Unified events, the cheerleaders came out and did an amazing job cheering on all the athletes!

Burnet Middle School In March, Burnet Middle School be held in May. They filmed a classroom to play games and was very busy. They competed video that they will present socialize. Every Monday, they in Bowling at Bowlero and and created flyers. In addi- practice after school. The students are now practicing tion, they’re planning for their students have been great; they for Track. They hope to run on Union Track & Field Event. have high interest in the Uni- April 24. fied Club and work hard to cre- Every Wednesday, Burnet ate Unified partners. Their club The Unified Club prepared for Middle School has a buddy members are starting to take their respect week that will lunch, kids come down to the on leadership roles.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 11 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Union City High School It was truly March Madness at Union City High School. Their Unified Basketball team compet- ed several times during the month. They trav- eled to the Ridge tournament for the third year in a row and played against New Milford. The students really enjoy playing against clubs that they have known for a while.

For the second year in a row, their Unified Basket- ball Team hosted Ridge inside their gymnasium. Union City High School likes hosting events, so they can showcase their program. They received their National Banner after the game, which was a perfect way to end the basketball season.

Their Unified Soccer and Basketball teams have continued to practice indoors through the winter and spring. They are now transitioning to outdoor track practice, but soccer will continue to train weekly.

Union City High School recently received very exciting news. Their Unified relay team has been accepted into the Penn Relays competition. They will be practicing all month long to prepare for the race. The team is very excited and will do their best to represent New Jersey.

Randolph High School Randolph High School had a great month with competitive basketball and their big dance. They hosted the dance during their week of awareness. It was awesome to see so many students participating in creating awareness and acceptance of their students. Meaningful relationships continue to be fostered through Project Unify.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 12 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Grant Elementary School

Woodrow Wilson Middle School (Clifton) On Friday March 8, Woodrow Wilson Middle School (Clifton) celebrated the revealing of their National Unified Champion School Banner. Several classes were invited to participate, along with the Woodrow Wilson Boys and Girls Basketball Teams, the Unified Basketball Team, all their Special Olympic athletes, Unified partners, parents, friends, administration, and guests from Special Olympics New Jersey.

Special Olympics global messenger, Bobby Fredericks, delivered a speech about being a Special Olympic athlete and spokesperson for Special Olympics International. Woodrow Wilson alum and other Special Olympic athletes spoke about how Special Olympics changed the direction of their lives. One stated that the Unified Champion School program gave him courage, strength and confidence, as well as where he found respect, acceptance and motivation to pursue his dreams. A Unified partner and seventh grader at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, spoke about being a Unified partner and getting to be on the same team as his sister with autism.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 13 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

West Morris Regional High School District Ridge High School One of the most exciting events in March for the West Morris Re- March was a busy month gional High School District was the North Youth Leadership Summit. for Unified Basketball at This event inspired the students to take the reins in various different Ridge High School (RHS). projects, and provided them with tools that they could use to take an They entered into the active role in increasing Unified’s visibility within their school com- NJSIAA tournament, but munity. In addition, it allowed the students to network with other unfortunately, it was a schools and discuss potential new ideas. weekend for spring sports At the Summit, students created amazing plans to address specific is- and many of their basket- sues within their school communities. In addition, they were inspired ball partners try-out for to want to put their plans into action. After they returned from the baseball and lacrosse. They Summit, they held a small debrief meeting and talked about things also lost a few participants that they learned and created a series of “next steps” for various due to the weather. None- projects. From this meeting, the group planned and executed three theless, they participated separate projects to help display inclusion and the spirit of Unified and plan to build off of this within Mendham High School. year for a better showing For many of the students, attending the Leadership Summit was one next year. of the first opportunities that they had to develop their skills. Before they even departed for the trip, both athletes and partners were The RHS tournament was excited to have the opportunity to take part in an event that would amazing! They had Union help them to further grow as leaders within their school. Every indi- City, Chatham/ECLC, Mend- vidual at the event was naturally included. They worked together in ham, Millburn and RHS new and creative ways which was a true indication of inclusion. The entered two teams, Green Leadership Summit had a profound effect on the students and will and White. RHS practiced be one of their highlights for the year. and finished March with two games at Union City HS, who always plan a great day for everyone.

For most of March, RHS was also getting ready to participate in Track for the first time. Their plan is to practice with their HS track team one day per week for the Field events (shot put and long jump). They will dedicate Sundays to the running events. RHS is in the process of collect- ing physicals and recruiting more participants.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 14 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

John F. Kennedy School Chatham/ECLC This month Chatham/ECLC finished their Unified Basketball season by competing in the NJSIAA basketball championship and a tournament that took place at Ridge High School. They also had another great time at their monthly “Learn Unified” event at Chatham High School. For the first ever, they had their first “Unified Tennis” pro- gram run on Saturdays at Centercourt Athletic Club of Chatham. They enjoy having another sport for all of them to be involved in together. Additionally, they excitedly began bowling season!

Gregory Elementary School

Kingsway Regional High School Kingsway Regional High School UNIFY Cel- ebrates World Down Syndrome Day.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 15 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Monroe Township High School On March 7, the Monroe Township Unified Commu- The MTHS team was selected to play in the MLS nity-based Fitness Class (18-21) joined the Metuchen Red Bulls Unified exchange program and the PAWS Unified Physical Education students for a fun- Soccer team was invited to the Red Bull Arena in filled day of bowling at the Knob Hill Country Lanes. Harrison, NJ, where they signed onto the Red Bulls They had a blast meeting new friends! Unified Exchange team! They had an amazing day touring the arena, doing an official photo shoot, The Monroe Township High School (MTHS) Uni- signing onto the team with their agent and receiv- fied Basketball team started their day early on ing their official uniforms and Red Bulls gear! Saturday March 10th. They went to Hunterdon Central at 9:00 am where they were seeded #8 MTHS will play a four game schedule. The first in the B bracket and played #1 seed, Old Bridge. match will be on Sunday April 14, where they will They pulled off an upset and went on to play and play alongside of the Red Bulls in Kansas City defeat Hamilton and then won the Championship against the KC Sporting Unified Club. Los Angeles game vs. West Morris. A Huge accomplishment Unified will be flying in on May 4 to enjoy some for their squad! Their town honored them at the NYC sites and play them at the Red Bulls Arena. Town Council meeting, where all of their players Then they will play against NYC Unified on July and coaches received certificates and sweatshirts. 14 and finally, the Philadelphia Unified team on Their BOE will be honoring them on April 30th with September 22. State Championship Rings!!!

Office of Special Education Programs Page 16 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Voorhees High School Voorhees High School (VHS) VHS Unified Club advertised to with information about Epi- Unified was very busy in March. “Rock your Socks.” This was a lepsy awareness. Everyone in whole school event and many the school was encouraged to During the Unified Club Spread students rocked their socks wear purple to school that day. the Word Campaign, they had on 3/21. In addition, they also an awareness booth on March hosted an awareness booth VHS Unified held their first 5 to spread the word inclusion. where people visited to learn Annual Unified 5K and 1 Mile Students and staff in the club more about World Down Fun Run fundraiser. The 2019 wore their new purple club Syndrome day. They could also race was a success. Prior to the shirts and had people sign the sign a paper sock to hang on start of the race, over 175 par- Spread the Word poster. a poster and have a picture ticipants recited the Pledge of taken of their crazy socks. Inclusion. The money that was The VHS Unified Club held a raised will be used to broaden “Treat Yo Self Hot Chocolate” On March 26, the VHS Unified the VHS platform of Unity, and day. They advertised for stu- Club hosted an awareness consistently provide Unified dents, faculty, and staff to sign booth for Epilepsy Awareness. opportunities to all students up to receive a hot chocolate. The booth was decorated at Voorhees High School. Then, on the 7th, the Unified purple and students visited Club used a rolling cart and the booth to guess how many Also in March, the Unified went around the school to jolly ranchers were in the jar to theatre crew worked hard deliver the hot chocolate to win the candy. There were also practicing their songs, lines everyone who ordered one. purple stamps and purple nail and choreography, and the Unified Track and Field team In anticipation of World Down polish that the students could use, as well take away cards practiced to get ready for their Syndrome Day on the 21st, the first meet.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 17 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights March 2019

Clayton High School/Middle School Samsel Upper The Clayton Unified PE class continued to be successful. In Elementary School March, they had the Kingsway school district visit their Unified This basketball season, Samsel PE classes to observe how the classes are run. Kingsway sent an Upper Elementary School has email that expressed how impressed they were with the Clayton seen more peer interactions class. It stated, “I can’t begin to thank you enough for allow- and less student-staff interac- ing me to come in and witness the impact that your Unified PE tions. This is the fifth season program is having on your entire student population. At multiple with general education stu- times throughout my conversations, I literally got chills and was dents as buddies with most in complete awe. I truly believe that this is something that is a of the disabled students. The necessity at Kingsway and I can’t wait to implement it and make general education students the same kinds of impacts.” The Clayton program is excited to have taken on roles as men- share the Unified message with other schools and feel that every tors/buddies and assist with- school should have a Unified PE class. out instructions. One of the disabled students, in particular, The Month of April is going to be a busy month for the Clayton has also joined many PTO and Unified PE classes and Unified Club. They are planning a Choose recreation programs with non- to Include week for the first week of June. They started talking disabled peers. She has made to the HS Student Council, The Alliance and the SURE Mentors many friendships and spends to spread the word of Inclusion throughout the whole Clayton time with her new friends at School District. assemblies and in the halls.

Mount Olive High School

Office of Special Education Programs Page 18 U.S. Department of Education