School Highlights April 2018

In This Issue Bayville Elementary School...... 4 Chatham/ECLC...... 20 Cinnaminson High School...... 14 Clayton High School...... 21 Delaware Valley Regional High School...... 17 Delsea High School...... 3 Edison Early Learning Center...... 19 Ewing High School...... 10 Frank J. Smith Elementary School...... 14 ...... 21 Unified Basketball at Princeton Herbert Hoover Middle School...... 11 The second Unified Cup Basketball School Championship of the H&M Potter Elementary School...... 12 Holmdel (Holmdel High School & William R. Satz year took place this past weekend at . School)...... 7 16 high schools and 12 colleges competed in the Unified Cup Jefferson Township High School...... 9 John Adams Middle School...... 11 Basketball tournament on April 8. This interscholastic tournament Lyndhurst Public School District (Jefferson brings people with and without intellectual disabilities together Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, Memo- to compete on the same team – helping to foster leadership skills, rial Elementary School & Roosevelt Middle School)...... 5 friendship and more inclusive school climates through sport. Over ...... 11 300 athletes and Unified partners faced head to head all day Sun- Montgomery Township High School...... 7 day in the Dillon and Jadwin Gymnasiums in Princeton University. Overbrook High School...... 2 Pond Road Middle School...... 6 High Schools that competed in basketball: Randolph High School...... 12 Burlington City Old Bridge Ridge High School...... 7 Chatham-ECLC Randolph Salem Middle School...... 7 Cinnaminson Ridge Sayreville War Memorial High School...... 7 Delaware Valley Steinert Somerville High School...... 8 Ewing Union City Steinert High School East...... 18 Hamilton West Voorhees Trenton School District...... 16 Hopewell Valley Unified Basketball at Princeton...... 1 Millburn Union City High School...... 15 Monroe Township ...... 13 Montgomery Washington Township High School...... 6 West Morris Mendham High School...... 9 Woodrow Wilson Middle School (Clifton)...... 7 Click here for more photos.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 1 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018 Overbrook High School Overbrook High School did a Week of Respect from 4/9 – 4/13. Their students walked around during lunches, asking students to treat everyone as equals.

They also had a meeting on 4/16 and created posters to hang around the school to promote Team Unified.

On 4/27 they had a baking cham- pionship where the students teamed up to make cakes and the best cake won!

Office of Special Education Programs Page 2 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018 Delsea High School On April 25, Delsea High School held a Unified Track and Field meet. Four schools competed for a total of over 30 athletes. The weather held off and the students had an AMAZING time. There were about 100 spectators comprised of the student body and parents who made signs and cheered on the athletes. Every student received a participation medal and trophies were earned for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. It was such an amazing day and one many will remember!! Following are just a few photos of the 563 that were taken!!!

Office of Special Education Programs Page 3 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Bayville Elementary School Here are some pictures from Unified PE sessions at Bayville School. The students are having a blast!!

Office of Special Education Programs Page 4 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018 Lyndhurst Public School District (Jefferson Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, Memorial Elementary School & Roosevelt Middle School) During the month of April, students fied Club Ultimate Game Day that dents from Lincoln School walked in the Lyndhurst Public School all four schools will be participating to Roosevelt School to compete. District continued having weekly in together. Furthermore, their Students have been learning this Unified Club meetings after school. Spirit Week has spread to the lower game created specifically for the Roosevelt, Jefferson, Lincoln, and elementary schools. They are very Lyndhurst Public School Districts Memorial School played a variety of excited to have grades kindergar- Unified Club. Not only were stu- games including 4 Hoops, kickball, ten through eighth participate in dents playing 4 Hoops, they were Spirit Week sharing the “Choose To four square, spud, rainbow tag, also referees, announcers, and Include” message with all students. steel the bacon and other excit- scorekeepers. It was an excellent The student leaders did an excel- ing games promoting teamwork. lent job planning upcoming events. time for students to interact and Student leaders also began prepar- make new friends with students ing for their Unified Club Week of Additionally, Unified Club had the from the other schools. Students Respect in May, as well as their Uni- first 4 Hoops Tournament. Stu- had a great time.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 5 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Washington Township High School Washington Township High School had a Unified Track clinic with the WTHS Track team. It was an epic day of sharing and learning together!

Pond Road Middle School At its April 25, 2018 meeting, Pond Road Middle School discussed what it might feel like to have a physical or learning challenge. They used the instructions and a bag of manipulatives from the SONJ Ability Awareness Kit that included headphones, wrist weights, etc. to create stations for the students to experience. They then discussed how they felt at each station and what challenge the station might indicate. The students re- ally enjoyed this activity and found it educational. Following are some of the challenges. Challenge 1 Challenge 3 Challenge 6 1. Find a floor or ceiling tile with a 1. Sit back to back with your partner. 1. Put on the goggles. shape or color pattern. 2. Using the whiteboard and mark- 2. Read a book out loud to your 2. One partner should count the partner. lines/dots/colors/spots in the pattern. er, one person draw an abstract shape. 3. The other partner should have 3. Try another task with the a conversation with them at the 3. Using another whiteboard and goggles on. same time. marker, the other person will draw that abstract shape by listening to Challenge 7 Challenge 2 the first partner’s instructions for 1. Time one partner taking things 1. Put wrist weights on. drawing it. (NO PEEKING!) out of their backpack one at a 2. Write your name on the paper. time. 3. Stack the books into a pile. Challenge 5 4. Zip your coat. 2. Put everything back in the 1. Put on headphones and have backpack. Challenge 4 your partner read to you. 1. Stand facing your partner. 3. Put on the gloves. 2. Put on headphones and have 2. A third person will stand behind your partner lip-read to you. 4. Time the same partner empty- one of you to try and make the other ing the backpack again. one laugh – will you be distracted? 3. What did you hear/ understand?

Office of Special Education Programs Page 6 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Woodrow Wilson Middle School (Clifton) Salem Middle School On Monday, April 23rd the Woodrow Wilson Play Unified Club or- This month Salem Middle ganized and hosted an Earth Day celebration in their court yard and School focused on their intra- media center. Students with and without disabilities created planters, mural kickball tournament. rain sticks and birdhouses. The groups then watched Dr. Seuss’s, “The It will carry over into May as Lorax” and completed a lesson on conservation. well. There are 6 teams in the tournament (2 from each grade level, 6th, 7th, 8th) at the end Montgomery Township High School of the 5 weeks they will have a championship. The students are really excited about this activity and it gives them something to do afterschool 3 days a week.

They have also started their Respect Week. They have every student in their school involved in this event. The activities included: a poster contest, door decorating competition, posi- tive morning announcements, and prizes for the posters with the best concept.

Ridge High School The Ridge High School Unified program is winding down for April with the Unified Cup and the Union City HS tournament. They had two Unified Club Sayreville War Memorial High School meetings that included proj- April was a slow month for Unified Sports at Sayreville War Memorial ects and a picnic. High School; however, they had another two Student Athletes of the As they move into May, they Month to represent them! They have almost everything set for their upcoming track meet, and they look forward to a great turnout like will start to build for the next they have had for the past two years. soccer season with finding par- ticipants and getting physicals.

Holmdel (Holmdel High School & William R. Satz School) The Holmdel Team worked on dribbling, passing, and shooting. After warm-ups and introductions, the team worked on drills to practice all the above skills. Ultimately they finished with a 5 on 5 full court game. They participated in the Arc Walk of Monmouth and helped raise over $500. Holmdel Team Unified students pre- sented slide shows about their disabilities; all students were engaged and asking questions.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 7 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018 Somerville High School Promoting Inclusion at SHS: Life Skills students and peer mentors wear “Choose To Include” t-shirts to raise awareness.

Life Skills Students and peer mentors read Autism facts on the morning announcements to raise awareness.

Unified Bowling April 2018

Office of Special Education Programs Page 8 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Jefferson Township High School West Morris Mendham Jefferson Township High School has formatted their practices to al- High School low all their students to try the events in which they will be hosting at April at Mendham High their Second Annual Unified Track and Field Meet on May 24th. They School saw Unified Basketball divided the coaches into events; running, long jump, javelin, and shot beginning to come to an end. put. Then the students rotate through event stations to be exposed It also saw; however, perfect to that event. The students enjoy being paired up with their buddy examples of the power that who they will be competing with on May 24th. At their April 25th Unified Sports has in creating meeting they were unfortunately rained out and kept the practice an environment of friendship inside. They used half that time to go over their Morristown friendly and understanding within the meet that is happening on May 7th at Morristown High School. The school community. As Unified students were allowed to choose three or four out of the five events. Sports has grown in popular- They discussed what to expect at a track meet. During the second half ity and visibility within the of practice they did relay races with batons. The students first had school, so to have the friend- to run then jump around the school as they passed off the batons to ships forged through the their peers. season.

Upcoming Meets: Morristown High School on May 7th at 4PM and As juniors and seniors begin May 24th at Jefferson Township High School at 4PM. to prepare for their prom, the lunch period has become laden with prom-posals all around. This year, the mes- sage of Unified was encapsu- lated as one of the partners asked one of the athletes to accompany him to prom as true friends. It was an excit- ing moment not just for the Unified coach, but also for the school as a whole. The message of Unified could be seen as this came from a place of organic friendship, rather than anything else.

As they prepare for their next season of athletics next year, the Unified coach is excited to see the positive effect that Unified Sports has already had upon their community.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 9 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Ewing High School Monday: Trivia Monday- home- Students and staff in the build- rooms had to work together to ing also wore black for spirit During the month of April, Ewing answer five questions revolving points. High School was extremely busy. around disabilities, movies and Wednesday: Unified Gym Activ- They participated in the Unified Unified Sports. Winner of the Cup Basketball tournament at ity after school. Collaborated challenge had to answer the with two teachers from other Princeton University and hosted most questions correctly and a pick-up game at their school schools to come in and run team received a breakfast. They had building activities. against Hopewell Valley. They over 30 homerooms participate. had Respect Week, which they Thursday: Unified Cooking after called “Choose to Include Week.” Tuesday: Stall Day/Black Out school All students and staff had the Day - They collaborated with the Friday: Unified Field Day ½ day opportunity to participate in a advisor of student council and pm - high school and middle series of activities and events. the advisor of student activi- Their athletes worked with the ties to orchestrate a Stall Day. school students came together public speaking class to deliver Students had to bring change to participate in a series of team the morning announcements in. Class couldn’t start until all activities run by the Unified PE that included facts about disabil- change was collected and ac- teachers. Teachers in the high ities and activities throughout counted for. They had a huge school also participated wheth- the week. Following is a sched- response for this activity. Ewing er they were a ref, checking ule the activities. High School raised $1,110.50 students in or coached. for POAC Walk for a Difference.

Choose to Include Unified Gym Activity

Hopewell vs. Ewing, 4/2 at Ewing High School

Office of Special Education Programs Page 10 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Herbert Hoover Middle School Manalapan High School This month the Manalapan High School Unified Club met to discuss: bulletin board designs, t-shirt distribution, roles for the 5/17 track and field event (who will be face painting, doing tattoos, dis- tributing water and snacks etc.) Their club has approxi- mately 15 dedicated mem- bers. For them, it’s a great number to help begin grow- ing this club at Manalapan!

John Adams Middle School Here are a few photos from John Adams Middle School’s April Play Unified events – a pep rally and a kickball tournament. The students had a blast at practices and events!! They have a solid group of 18 play- ers who really enjoy each other. They look forward to their remain- ing two practices, a track meet and a field trip to Rutgers!

Office of Special Education Programs Page 11 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

H&M Potter Elementary School

Randolph High School

Office of Special Education Programs Page 12 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Voorhees High School The Voorhees High School (VHS) Unified Club hosted an Autism Awareness booth outside the cafeteria over two days. There were information cards, awareness stickers, bracelets, a photo booth, and tattoos. The club also had a Rita’s Ice sale after school and sold blue ice for “Light It Up Blue.” The club also attend- ed the spring musical, “Footloose” on Friday, April 13th.

The VHS Unified Basketball season ended on April 8th at the Unified Cup School Basketball Championship. Unified Track and Field started practice on April 9th. The team continues to practice and get ready for the upcoming track meets.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 13 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Cinnaminson High Frank J. Smith Elementary School School The #BeAPal team met regularly this month for its Unified PE class. Again – rotating the older pals each class to allow more students to of- April was again a busy fer their help and develop unique bonds. A favorite activity this month month for Cinnaminson was Parachute Day! (See pictures) The pals loved participating in the structured games. Using the always-appealing parachute. Pals buddied High School. They com- up and worked in pairs, as well as a whole team, to keep the fun going. peted at Princeton in the Every student had a turn and was supported by their team. At the end, Basketball Unified Cup. students said farewell using their signature “hands in” team cheer.

At Track practice, they were introduced to track and field events by watch- ing videos on shot put and long jump. Then partners taught correct form. Other practices included stretch- ing, running warm ups, 100M dash, 200M dash, relays (staying in lane, baton hand-off/leading the runner).

Cinnaminson also com- peted in the 100M, 200M, 4x100, shot put and long jump at the Delsea Unified Track Meet.

The Unified Club created Autism Awareness month posters for “Light it Up Blue Day” and made sugar cookies.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 14 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018 Union City High School

Autism Awareness was the theme On Saturday, April 21, they track season. Once again they during the month of April for brought 50+ club members to sent a Unified Relay to represent Union City High School! They Red Bull Arena for Autism Aware- SONJ at Penn Relays. Team UC worked on their bulletin board ness Night. Their Unified Soccer finished third overall with a time after school and it came out per- team took a picture on the field of 54.02! fect. The Unified Basketball team at halftime and the rest of the competed in the High School divi- club members were able to take To finish off a great month, sion of the Unified Cup at Princ- part in the halftime tunnel expe- they hosted Ridge for a Unified eton University. This was the first rience. Basketball exhibition. They had basketball tournament for most a group practice, skills competi- of the athletes, so they were Union City High School continue tion and Unified game. Over 75 very excited. As usual, they were their Unified Soccer and Basket- people watched these two teams joined by club members who ball practices every Saturday. This have some fun on the court. wanted to support their friends. made for a smooth transition to

Office of Special Education Programs Page 15 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Trenton School District

Office of Special Education Programs Page 16 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Delaware Valley Regional High School Unified Basketball ended their season with attending the Unified Cup at Princeton University winning one game and losing one game, and a great time was had by all!

Respect Week included a Unified Basketball game against DelVal staff members during the unit lunch pe- riod – two years in a row the kids have won and the rest of the school cheered them on from the stands.

Two fundraisers occurred during Respect Week – Pie in the Face and Rock the Socks. Four teachers and one student with special needs volunteered to get a pie in the face at the start of the basketball game. Donation jars on disability information tables outside of the cafeteria for a week and the jar (person) with the most money got a pie in the face – they had a tie between two teachers and the student so all three earned a pie in the face!!

The second fundraiser involved education and a donation to decorate a sock for a little girl with EB (Epidermolysis bullosa). A Unified Club/Buddies Leadership member’s niece has this condition. The group raised $500 to donate to her foundation.

Unified/Buddies Trip to the Adventure Aquarium proved to be a fun filled day for everyone! April 30th Unified Track and Field began!

Office of Special Education Programs Page 17 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Steinert High School East The month of April was very busy for Steinert High School East. They started off practicing for Unified Cup. They had an amaz- ing experience working together. The team had a blast working together in playing basketball. They also had an Autism Aware- ness breakfast where their Unified club got together and set everything up.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 18 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Edison Early Learning Center (excerpt from Edison Township School District Around Our Schools District E-Newsletter “Celebrations and Special Olympics at the EELC”)

VOL. 7 ISSUE 6 Edison Township School District 312 Pierson Ave. | Edison | NJ 08837 | 732-452-4900 | www.edison.k12.nj.us Nothing Less Than Excellence

Celebrations and Special Olympics at the EELC Lunar New Year Athletes can be used in To celebrate Lunar the preschool or physical New Year, EELC teach- education classroom. ers put on the dragon Ms. Judy’s class cele- costume and danced in brated the Olympics the hallway – to the de- with preliminary trials light of all the children. and finals. All the The children celebrated children received gold The Year of the Dog, medals because we are meanwhile, by marching all winners. with their puppets. Read Across America Read Across America is an annual reading motivation program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of Lily the Comfort Dog beloved children’s author Lily’s role as a therapy Dr. Seuss. At the EELC, dog is to bring joy and we had many celebrity comfort to the children. readers participate in this Lily is always excited Special Olympics event. The children were to greet the students’ It is a great honor to announce that very excited to listen to smiling faces when she EELC is taking part in the Unified Young various stories through- is at the EELC. Athletes/Special Olympics , out the day. The school an inclusive sport and play program for was well decorated with children two to seven with and without “The Cat in the Hat” intellectual disabilities and developmental theme and refreshments delays. The program provides children were served. with activities that meet their individual skill and ability levels, while allowing them to play together in a fun and inclusive environment. The program shows that all children should be valued for their talents and abilities. Young

“It is a great honor to an- nounce that EELC is taking part in the Unified Young Athletes/Special Olympics New Jersey, an inclusive sport and play program for children two to seven with and without intellectual disabilities and de- velopmental delays. The pro- gram provides children with activities that meet their indi- vidual skill and ability levels, while allowing them to play together in a fun and inclusive environment. The program shows that all children should be valued for their talents and abilities. Young Athletes can be used in the preschool or physical education classroom. Ms. Judy’s class celebrated the Olympics with preliminary tri- als and finals. All the children received gold medals because we are all winners.”

Office of Special Education Programs Page 19 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Chatham/ECLC This month Chatham High School had their spring “Teens Connecting with Teens” social nights every Tuesday from 7:00-8:30 pm. These nights are filled with dancing, singing, art, and above all, just so- cializing! Over 100 club members participated in the fun nights. They also had a great time participat- ing in the Unified Cup Basketball Tournament at Princeton University.

Additionally, this month they had their 5th “Learn Unified” event. “Learn Unified” is an event that started in January and is hosted at Chatham High School on the second Friday of every month. On this day the students of ECLC come to CHS to shadow a student and attend their classes and have a Unified lunch with all the club members. The day is truly incredible! It has also really involved the whole school, both faculty and staff, in their mission. Chatham looks forward to their Field Day com- ing up in May, as well as “Senior Graduation!”

Office of Special Education Programs Page 20 U.S. Department of Education School Highlights April 2018

Clayton High School ment flyer. They hung up copies Clayton attended with four ath- of the flyer around the school letes and four HS students. The For Clayton High School, April to raise awareness. They also Clayton students competed in included their “Spring into the placed the flyer in the teachers’ the shot put, 100m, 200, 400, and Unified Movement” event and mailboxes, inviting them and the 4 X 100 relay against Delsea, participation in the Unified track their families. As a final touch, Cinnaminson and Kingsway. The meet at Delsea High School. Unified Night was announced on meet was a great opportunity The class decided that the night the school broadcasting system, to showcase the talents of all would include video games, but- News On Deck. The night was a the athletes involved. Clayton ton making and crafts, bowling huge success with 80 people in athletes came home with a first and team handball. They created attendance. place finish in the 400, second in invitations for friends, family, Delsea High School hosted a the 100 and 200 and third in the and teachers and an announce- Unified track meet on April 25th. 4 X 100 relay.

Freehold High School Students in the Freehold High School Unified Sports program have been working together to coordinate fun activities and practice sessions for club meet- ings and practices. They have practiced techniques and strength training to get ready for the big meet. They’ve had three returning partners and athletes this year who took the lead to carry on the newcom- ers. Their best experience was participating in the pep rally where they were cheered on by the entire school and recognized with all of the athletes as one. It was a very special time and everyone was so proud to run out to the football field and sport their Free- hold Boro Team Unified pride.

Office of Special Education Programs Page 21 U.S. Department of Education