- Clinton Public School
- Letter from Director of Special Services
-
Welcome Back!
2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
Dear Parents / Guardians:
We hope you and your family enjoyed the summer and have experienced a successful transition back to school. It has been a very busy and exciting beginning of the year and it has been so wonderful to have our halls filled with our amazing students. As in the past, our Child Study Team is available to assist you in any way they can. In order to effectively monitor your child’s progress, a Child Study Team member has been assigned as a case manager.
Director/LDTC – Dr.Jenine Kastner, jkasnter@cpsnj.org, 908-735-8512 ext. 403
School Psychologist – Toni Cespedes, tcespedes@cpsnj.org, 908-735-8512 ext. 402
Social Worker- Lauren Peachey, Lpeachey@cpsnj.org, 908-735-8512, ext 401
Special Education Parent Advisory Council
Please contact Dr. Jenine Kastner Jkastner@cpsnj.org if you are interested in being a parent representative for CPS SEPAC.
SEPAC is a parent advisory council that collaborates and brainstorms in the best interest of our students with special needs.
School officials meet regularly with SEPAC representatives to discuss issues and work together to find solutions.
For example, SEPAC may talk about things like:
- District policies and procedures
- Parent Trainings
- Access various community resources
- Discuss transitions for our students
- District programs and initiatives
- Fundraising to support additional opportunities for our students
Since it’s focused on policy and communication, activities include things like:
- Helping parents get information about special education rights and policies to build relationships with schools
- Developing periodic or annual reports for the school board about the special education community
- Hosting informational workshops by partnering with the district or outside professionals
Sincerely,
Dr. Jenine Kastner
2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
Dear Parents / Guardians:
We hope you and your family enjoyed the summer and have experienced a successful transition back to school. It has been a very busy and exciting beginning of the year and it has been so wonderful to have our halls filled with our amazing students. As in the past, our Child Study Team is available to assist you in any way they can. In order to effectively monitor your child’s progress, a Child Study Team member has been assigned as a case manager.
Director/LDTC – Dr.Jenine Kastner, jkasnter@cpsnj.org, 908-735-8512 ext. 403
School Psychologist – Toni Cespedes, tcespedes@cpsnj.org, 908-735-8512 ext. 402
Social Worker- Lauren Peachey, Lpeachey@cpsnj.org, 908-735-8512, ext 401
Sincerely,
Dr. Jenine Kastner
SEPAC MEETINGS 2022-2023
September 6, 2022 5:00 p.m Virtual Meeting
December 6, 2022 9:30 a.m. Virtual Meeting
October 18, 2022- 6:30 p.m.- Dyslexia Training
October 19, 2022-6:00 p.m. High School Transition Meeting- NHS
North Hunterdon-Voorhees Middle School Parent Night-When - Wednesday Oct 19, 2022. Time - 6 pm
Location - North Hunterdon High School- Cafe’ A
1445 Rt 31 South Annandale, NJ 08801Please do not miss this opportunity to meet the Assistant Principals of
Special Services for North Hunterdon and Voorhees High Schools,
teachers in the Special Education Department and the Child Study Team
members.
Following a brief presentation in Cafe’ A, parents will have an opportunity to
rotate through the Media Center to meet special education teachers and
case managers to hear about the programs and classes offered in the
District.
If you have any questions please reach out to:
Mrs. Jennifer Komoroski (VHS) JKomoroski@nhvweb.net
Mr. Robert Pellechio (NHHS) RPellechio@nhvweb.netWe hope to see you there.
______________________________________________________________
2020-2021
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The following virtual presentation is open to any parent/guardian who would like to attend.
The Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) is hosting a presentation entitled How to Talk to Your Kids and Survive on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. Presentation will be held virtually beginning at 6:00pm. Below are details on the presentation and the link to attend. No registration is required.How to Talk to Your Kids and Survive: In today’s world, trends move faster than we
realize, and children are often more up to date than parents. This workshop is for parents
and caregivers to learn best practices for how to talk to children about anything and
everything. Parents and caregivers will also learn how their own behaviors impact their
children’s mental wellness, such as using cell phones. Parents will feel energized to go
home and start talking.Presenter: Effective School Solutions
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nhvweb.zoom.us/j/96434748414?pwd=azZvZWlBNi9GOG81dDR4ME5yYVQ0QT09
Meeting ID: 964 3474 8414
Passcode: 808446March 13, 2020
Dear Families of Students with Special Needs;
The continued information received regarding COVID-19 changes daily, as a district we have been in a constant state of planning and preparing. The District has an approved Preparedness Plan that provides for equitable access to instruction for all students in the event of a closure. This letter is to focus on the instructional contingency plan for special education students. During this process, support staff, administration, and teachers have met to discuss the needs of individual learners. Each individual plan is reflective of thoughtful consideration and deep discussions with staff invested in both the education and well being of our students.
Instructional staff that provides services to our students with disabilities will provide students with instruction through different modalities designed in consideration of the student’s needs. The teachers and therapists will provide students and parents with information about each child’s plan. Related service providers (if applicable) will provide you with a plan of action based on individual needs. The plan will include activities that can support their educational program and IEP goals and objectives.
For students in specialized programs, you will receive information about the programs that your child is working on at school. They have been adapted to include ideas that will assist you in working with your child from home. Please complete the attached document to track activities completed until school reopens. While we are closed, the assigned teacher will be available daily via email and will be in contact with the parent to check in about progress. This will help any revisions needed to the plan to continue to meet your child’s needs. The teachers will check emails three times a day and will also email you. If you would like to schedule a conference call at anytime, please email your child’s case manager who will coordinate that ‘meeting’.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jenine Kastner
SOME RESOURCES
Fundation Reading Resources
https://www.wilsonlanguage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Fundations-At-Home-.pdf
Fun Resources for HOME:
https://www.wilsonlanguage.com/pages/fun-resources/
Wilson Reading Resources:
Scholastic Resources:
Newsela
https://newsela.com/instant-
license/ Clinton Public School Paying it Forward
and
Autism Awareness: Bridge to the Community
Because of the Hunterdon Central High School student, Mateo Hollain, April 28th is now known as Pay it Forward Day in New Jersey.
What do these words “pay it forward” mean to Clinton Public School? Members of the Clinton Public School community are excited to begin a new tradition of events and activities which help pay it forward. For this PreK-8 school, pay it forward means doing something nice for someone else, with no expectations of them returning the favor to you and no strings attached. Instead, the only expectation is that others pay it forward to someone else. These acts of kindness involve doing something kind for someone else rather than simply accepting or repaying the original good deed.
There are many, many ways to pay it forward and Clinton Public School is focused on helping the communities and business meet the needs and develop greater understanding and awareness about students with special needs. Specifically, helping students with Autism, their families, and the community come together to create a safe and enriching environment. These initiatives are to increase the opportunities for all people with special needs to be a part of a community, which is an integral component of their learning and future. There are many different aspects of being part of a community that pose challenges for individuals with diverse needs and their families. Through this initiative, it is the hope of the Clinton Public School that the students’ experiences and opportunities will be enhanced and the community will have an increased understanding of any barriers that may exist. These initiatives will help lay a path and build bridges to make this connection for our students with the community.
According to Director Dr. Jenine Kastner, Clinton Public School, although small in size, is robust in programs and offerings for students with diverse needs. The school houses 3 specialized programs based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, a scientific approach to learning and behaviors. The students are provided with many different experiences within the school and community. Clinton Public School provides two monthly community learning opportunities for the students. Through the fundraising initiatives, the goal is to increase these experiences within the community. According to Kastner, many of the daily activities or experiences within the community are challenging for families with students who have special needs. These are things we may take for granted. CPS wants to open all doors for our learners and enhance these experiences for their families and the community.
During the month of April, the school district will partner with the Rotary Club of Clinton to create a 3 tiered system of support focusing on bringing businesses a better understanding about patrons with Autism. The goals of these tiers will help increase understanding and awareness about how people with different needs react to different stimuli in the community. Then, businesses will receive information about how to create a more inclusive setting, whether through daily adjustments or through different events designed to welcome people with all different needs.
These tiers will be supported by our students and staff as we connect with the community. Students from our specialized programs will take walking trips to the town to distribute information to the business as well as tie blue ribbons to help spread acceptance and awareness about Autism. Tier One business will display a sign in the window/store front stating how they support CPS PAY IT FORWARD: AUTISM AWARENESS: BRIDGE TO COMMUNITY. These businesses will be given Autism awareness brochures, pins, and bookmarks which will be created by the students. Tier Two businesses will support this initiative by adding to Tier One by allowing students from CPS to decorate their window or storefront for the month of April. Tier Three business will open and advertise different events for the public which are Sensory Friendly by creating an inclusive environment for students of different abilities. These initiatives are being supported by Mayor Kovach in Clinton by lighting up the community blue to spread awareness and acceptance.
CPS will also host a sensory friendly spring egg hunt and pancake breakfast for students with special needs and their families. Sponsors for this event include Holiday Inn of Clinton, Walmart of Clinton, TSS Photography of Hunterdon, and Shoprite of Clinton. As a culminating event, families are invited to attend the Somerset Patriots game on May 3, 2020 which is Autism Awareness Day at the ballpark. Community members may also purchase tickets or tee shirts to help support fundraising initiatives.
Become a Teacher Assistant at Clinton Public School!
The Hunterdon County ESC Paraprofessional program is growing and expanding! We currently have openings for Teaching Assistants/ Paraprofessionals at Clinton Public School in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties. The successful candidate should possess knowledge of appropriate classroom practice and ability to assist with instructional activities. Criminal history background check, proof of US citizenship or legal resident alien status and substitute certificate, NJ teaching certificate, or successful completion of the ParaPro Assessment required. Potential options include half day or school hours.
Email letter of interest & resume to Dr. Jenine Kastner at Jkastner@cpsnj.org
Tuesday, OCTOBER 29, 2019-UNIFIED SOCCER GAME
CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOL VS. LEBANON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
We are so excited for our first unified soccer game! Playing our friends from Lebanon Township School District.
Come cheer this amazing group of athletes on.
Tuesday 10/29 at 4:15 pm at Hunts Mill Park
#unified #inclusionmatters #supportive #soccerrules #cpspride
September 23, 2019
NOTIFICATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL- REVISED DATE!
REVISED DATE for 8th Grade Special Services Parent Information Night
Please note new date for our Special Services Parent Information Night - Thursday, October 24, 2019
Dear Parents of Eighth Grade Students,
On Thursday, October 24, 2019, the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District Department of Special Services will be hosting an evening for parents of students eligible for special education who will be entering ninth grade in August 2020. The evening will focus on providing you with information about special education programs and services available at our high schools and will assist you in becoming familiar with the secondary school model of instruction. Staff and assistant principals will be available to answer questions and share some of the exciting opportunities that will be available to your child. We hope you will be able to join us.
Location: North Hunterdon High School Cafeteria B
1445 Route 31 South, Annandale, NJ 08801
Time: 6:00- 7:00 p.m.
If you have any questions about this evening, please contact Zulejka Baharev at 908-735-2846 x 5120 or zbaharev@nhvweb.net.