A+ Ideas, Programs, and Practices

Students in Hunterdon Central’s Life Skills class learn a variety of skills by hosting a monthly luncheon for senior citizens. The students, who range in age from 18-21, begin planning early for the Saturday luncheon, held at a local church. Students choose dishes to prepare, find recipes and create shopping lists, and call the local … Continued

Students in the Lawrence High School Career Exploration program participate in activities, events and service learning projects that bring the community into the schools–and the schools into the community. With a goal of developing students’ workplace readiness skills, and cultivating a sense of entrepreneurship and service, the Career Exploration class operates a business that does … Continued

Young students with special needs, in preschool through grade 2, gain responsibility, compassion and the chance to help others, through “Kindness from the Heart,” a program combining service learning and fine motor skills development at Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School. “Often teachers struggle in providing creative and meaningful ways to develop fine motor skills in … Continued

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing program at Governor Livingston High School was created in 1977 to provide learning and social opportunities for students in a highly-inclusive setting. One hallmark of the program has been the continued effort to evolve opportunities for students in all aspects of culture and the arts. As part of that … Continued

The WE Connect program offers an alternative for students for whom the regular education program no longer creates an environment that is conducive to learning. The main focus is to improve student attendance, meet high levels of curriculum standards and achievement, and provide individualized programs that help each student succeed. WE Connect provides students with … Continued

The Workshop Training Program gives students with disabilities the chance to become immersed in everyday community-based experiences, and learn both “hard” and “soft” skills as they transition into the workplace and life. Fifth-, sixth- and seventh-year students are interns, placed in one of a variety of employment partnerships at sites such as large retail stores, … Continued

At Whippany Park High School, a vegetable and flower garden is the setting for this award-winning program in which students in grades 9-12 with multiple disabilities learn fine and gross motor skills, and a variety of subjects, by working in a garden. Students use information on seed packets to predict when a seed will germinate, … Continued

Young people with disabilities often struggle to find an appropriate social group, either because their needs are too significant or the group is too advanced to meet these needs. The Teen Advocacy Group (T.A.G.) program provides a social group that is fun, while using innovative teaching techniques to enhance social and community-based skills. T.A.G. meetings … Continued

Students with emotional challenges enrolled in R.A.P. receive support as they begin their school day, to assist with their transition into school. Students work daily with a special education teacher and school psychologist/board-certified behavior analyst. The students are provided therapeutic support and skills instruction during first period before starting their academics for the day. At … Continued

The purpose of Project R.E.A.C.H., (Research, Educate, Act, Create, Help) is to assist students in developing confidence in their own abilities to serve as a positive force in their communities, and to promote pro-social interactions with humans and animals alike. Special needs students learn about responsible pet ownership, ways to help animals in the community, … Continued