BCSSSD Pioneer Press
February 2015, Edition #4
Editor: Mrs. Laura Geltch, Coordinator of Program and Community
Please continue emailing me your news, photos, and events. The Pioneer Press celebrates our school community!
Letter from the Superintendent, re: BCSSSD Restructure
February 2, 2015
Dear BCSSSD Community:
We are honored to serve your children; and continue to work hard to refine and improve our programs and services.
To that end, BCSSSD Westampton is undergoing a restructuring for 2015-16, expanding services to provide a full continuum of special and alternative educational programs. The restructuring includes the organization of campuses by age, rather than disability.
Therefore, for the upcoming year, the main BCSS Westampton building will house:
· The Elementary Campus (ages 3 through grade 5)
· The Middle School Campus (grades 6 through 8)
· The High School Campus (grade 9 through age 21)
Placement on a campus shall be per each student’s IEP. The Pioneer Autism and Sensory Center shall continue to serve our students with Autism. Autism classrooms will be clustered on each campus, so children are grouped with like-age peers. Therefore, there will be a cluster of Autism classrooms on the elementary, middle, and high school campuses.
The BCSS Westampton main building shall operate under the direction of one principal. A Supervisor will be stationed on each campus; and a Director of Autism shall oversee and administer the PASC program on all campuses. The Assistant Superintendent for Special Education (shared with BCIT), Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction (shared with BCIT), and an additional Program Supervisor will support all BCSS programs.
BCSSSD will continue to operate elementary and middle school Autism programs hosted by the Edgewater Park School District. Operations on the Lumberton Campus have not been altered. BCSSSD shall also administer the Burlington County Alternative School for middle and high school students on Briggs Road, Mt. Laurel. BCSSSD/ESU shall administer the Burlington County Deaf and Hard of Hearing Bridge Program at Eastampton Community School. BCSSSD is also aggressively pursuing the development of a Day Habilitation program for disabled adults. This is a direct result of my many conversations with parents about the need for such a program. More information on this program shall be forthcoming. Below is a map of the restructured BCSSSD Westampton Campus.
As local district Child Study Teams are preparing IEP’s for the coming year, placements will designate the campus (Elementary Campus, Middle School Campus, High School Campus, Lumberton Campus, Burlington County Alternative School, B.C. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Bridge Program, Eastampton) and the program (MD, BD, Autism-PASC, Sensory, Pre-School Disabled, and Auditory Impaired).
If you have any questions, you may contact Mrs. Ellen McHenry, Director of Special Education, emchenry@bcsssd.k12.nj.us, or, of course, you may reach out to me directly.
Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher Manno,
Superintendent of Schools
BCAS Open House, February 11, 2015
BCAS Update from Principal, Joan Barbagiovanni
The Burlington County Alternative School's new nurse, Cheryle Cardone, is running a group called Women's Health and Wellness. Ms. Cardone is meeting with our female students twice a week to discuss healthy lifestyles and choices in a small group setting. It is a chance for our young ladies to learn about health and wellness.
PASC gets a visit from Morgan Heussaff, International School of Brussels
A letter from the desk of Adell M. Valasek, Supervisor of Education, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
What I learned: This experience has first and foremost solidified my desire to work with this population. Prior to this week, I had never experienced a school or classroom of only learners with autism and it was really interesting to see how the classrooms are organized and how instruction is delivered. I have also gained a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a BCBA, which has increased my motivation to pursue this certification.
Most beneficial thing to see or do: The opportunity to go to different classrooms and observe different age groups has given me a broader perspective of what teaching learners on the autism spectrum looks like across the board. I found it helpful to observe several ITT sessions, which allowed me to reflect on the methods we are currently using in Brussels and has given me some good ideas to bring back. It was very beneficial to shadow Erin, because I am in the process of completing the BCBA coursework so it gave me insight on what a typical day might look like, and I was able to put some of the skills I've been learning about in my classes into practice, which was great!
Thoughts on the PASC program: This program is incredible. The first thing that stood out was how welcoming the staff were and how willingly I was accepted into the classrooms. I felt at ease almost immediately, and that speaks volumes about the people who work here. Everyone was more than happy to answer my questions and explain how their classrooms are managed and the different procedures they use. My experience was truly amazing, and that is largely due to the staff! The program seems to run like a well oiled machine. The classrooms I observed were extremely organized and the students seemed genuinely happy to be there. It was a great 3 days--I have learned so much and I look forward to sharing that with my colleagues when I get home!
Photo: (from left to right) Michelle Flood, Teacher, Morgan Heussaff, student, Erin Bertoli-Autism Consultant
BCSS Pioneers won the silver medal (2nd Place) in the Division 1 tournament for Special Olympics Floor Hockey! Congrats team!
Congratulations to Mrs. Carol McLarney’s classroom for winning the Phillies Phanatical Reading Program! This is their 3rd time winning for our District!
ESU collaborates with Eastampton School District for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program
What's Splashing Newsletter - January 2015
BCIT and BCSSS: Working Together!
Students sporting their new aprons for our CBI (Community Base Instruction Job Coaches). They are beautiful! The embroidery was done by Mr. Finn's Printing and Graphic Design class, at BCIT.
Structured Learning Experience Community Based Instruction Program (CBI)
Burlington County Special Services School District
(Un-paid Structured Learning Experience)
This program is designed to provide our Transition students (18 yrs. and older) with an unpaid work training experience in the community. The program provides a practical and realistic community experience. The proximity of our businesses to our school makes it very convenient for transporting, scheduling and supervising our special needs students within the limits of our regular school day.
This program is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education. All of the staff and students are fully insured by our school district.
Presently, our students are transported to their work sites between 9:00 and 2:00 pm each day. Our student to staff ratio is no more than 3 to 1 and in most cases 1 to 1 supervision is provided, depending on the student’s individual needs. The students are engaged in entry-level job training at the sites according to their student training plan. This plan is developed by school staff as directed by the store manager. Although all of the training and supervision is provided by our staff, we encourage any guidance and mentoring from the employees and store manager.
We have been working in several businesses for the past 6 years and can provide references if necessary. Working together with the community has allowed our students a unique opportunity.
Jayne Corley-SLE/CBI Coordinator
Burlington County Special Services
Phone 609-261-5600 Ext.2136
Cell 609-471-0990
Sharon Lutgen-SLE/CBI Coordinator
Burlington County Special Services
Phone 609-261-5600 Ext. 7430
Cell 609-864-1066
Mrs. Salmons' 9th Grade Science class discussed air pressure & air density. They researched & created a homemade hot air balloon.
Teacher Mike Patrica, Teacher Assistant Pete Zielinski, and Junior/Senior student, Quinten Hickson on the drum! Singing songs in celebration of Disney week
BCSS Lumberton welcomed a Graphic Design guest speaker, Emily Griffith. Emily Griffith started her own business and needed a logo; the students rose to the occasion and came up with some great designs.
Congratulations to our Junior/Senior students who received certificates from The Basement Bistro for a job well done!
BCSSSD Souper Bowl Contest Results!
Congratulations Winners!
2nd Place: Ceto Garcia, Custodial-Chorizo Kale Pinto Bean
3rd Place: Margaret Russ, PASC-Butternut Squash
Honorary Mention: Maureen Karaska, Elementary-Chicken Corn Chowder
BCSSSD PTA has their own Facebook page! Click here and "Like" the page to receive updates and learn how you can become a member.
Upcoming BCSSSD Events:
Next PTA Meeting: Wednesday, March 4, 2015, 7 p.m.
BCSSSD 2015 Reunion Dance
Friday, Apr 17, 2015, 06:30 PM
Burlington County Special Services, Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ, United States
PASC Annual Poster Presentation Event, May 7, 2015
NEW! BCSSSD 2015-2016 District Calendar
New Emergency Closing/Delayed Opening Procedures:
In the event of a campus emergency or inclement weather, staff members will be contacted via email, phone message, and text message. In addition, we will post a Special Alert Message on our website.
Staff Members, Help us Contact You.
Have you moved? Have you changed your phone number or email address? Please make sure to update your information with BCSSSD Personnel. A TEST Emergency Notification Message was sent on November 19, to ensure everyone's information is up-to-date and you will receive our future notifications.
Students will be contacted using information stored in Genesis, our electronic student database. Parents should be reminded to ensure their contact information is up-to-date. Any changes should be reported to the main office of the student's school.