The First School In the United States Built Solely to Educate and Provide Therapeutic Services to Children with Multiple Disabilities

Greetings A. Harry Moore School Family,

 

Welcome back to another exciting school year! We are prepared to achieve even greater success during the 2024-2025 academic year.

 

Though we are a 100-year-old program, we have made remarkable progress in recent years. And we're not done evolving just yet!

 

This year, we will be introducing our school's newest program, the High School Transition Program, which will be located on the NJCU campus. Our hard work over the past few years has borne fruit, and we will now occupy the first floor of the Grossnickle building (2039 Kennedy Blvd/ across the street) for our High School students. There, we will implement an enriched Career and Technical Education Program, Community-Based Instruction program, Culinary Arts, Adaptive Daily Living Apartment, Gymnasium, and a community Grocery Store (affectionately named the Bulldog Bodega). There will be an updated area for our Related Service Providers and our students will have direct access to the University's “Campus Life”. Our partnerships with NJCU's departments will allow our students to thrive in numerous high-interest areas of learning and career exploration. Those students attending the High School Transition Program will generally be 16 years of age or older and will receive a specific notice of their new classroom placement at the Grossnickle building at NJCU’s Campus 2039 Kennedy Blvd.  These are exciting times for our school!

 

At our main building (2078 Kennedy Blvd), we will now have more space to expand our Pre-K, Elementary, and Middle School programs. All of these programs will focus on prerequisite and requisite skills to enhance our students' Goals and Objectives, preparing them for their specific areas of skill development and independence. The main building's school store, as well as the Career and Technical Education Laboratory, will now be operated by our Middle Schoolers through Project-Based Learning Activities.

 

All Related Services will be provided and centered around these engaging activities and offered at both of our school's sites. We will continue to provide the exemplary services that center around the students' Goals and Objectives. A new Zen Den and Sensory Room will enhance the implementation of these Related Services. Our Music Therapist, Ms. Casazza will now have a full-sized classroom at the Main Building to maximize the benefits of Music Therapy.

 

As if that isn't enough good news, I would like to introduce our newest School Administrator, Marissa Cossolini. You might know her as an Occupational Therapist at our school, but she successfully applied for the Supervisor Position after a competitive interview process and has been promoted to join us as a School Administrator. I won't steal her thunder, as she will send out her introduction letter shortly. We are thrilled to "promote from within," recognizing the excellent educators who have specialized knowledge tailored to our school's unique requirements.

 

Our PTO is stronger than ever! We have established a dedicated Parent-Teacher Resource Room designed to bridge the gap between home and school. This space offers a range of services, materials, and necessities (such as a clothing rack and food pantry) aimed at empowering parents to become active and informed partners at our school. The room is inviting and comfortable, providing a space for families to unwind and connect with each other. It features a coffee, tea, and juice bar, light refreshments, and educational materials, including books, pamphlets, and resources on child development, parenting strategies, and academic support. Additionally, there are computers and internet access for parents to research and connect with educational resources online.

 

Please contact the PTO President Nicole Brown and her team at ptoaharrymoore@gmail.com for support, advocacy, and so much more.  

 

There is always more to share with our families, so please stay tuned to our communication channels. Keep an eye on the Remind App, SeeSaw, and emails for school announcements and updates, and actively participate in our PTO.

 

In the meantime, be well, be safe, and most importantly, Be Excellent to Each Other.

 

Warmest Regards,

 

Jason Jusino

Principal, A. Harry Moore Laboratory School