ESC School at West Amwell Special
Education
programs currently at our West Amwell campus provide
an individualized educational experience for classified
students ages preschool through 12th grade with emotional,
cognitive and/or multiple handicaps. Whenever appropriate,
the goal is to prepare students to return to their
sending school district.
The
Alternative
Program at ESC School at West Amwell provides
an out of district option for non-classified students
in grades 7-12. The smaller setting and alternate
location offers a fresh start to students motivated
to turn their educational experience around.
The curriculum covers all core content curriculum
standards. The innovative, thematic approach engages
students who previously found school less than stimulating.
Lessons are delivered in a manner that encourages
all students to become active learners.
The goal is to develop self-sufficient individuals
who are better able to function in both the local
and global community. The classroom extends beyond
the building to include the local YMCA, hiking trails,
museums, libraries and any other community resources
relevant to the lesson being studied.
ESC Schools
The school year launch has been a flurry of activities
with staff changes and students settling into new
routines, new classrooms and new policies. Both campuses
have introduced the new Code of Conduct and have been
using it to collaboratively work on the behavioral
issues within the school communities. The schools
behavior committee led by Principal Lou Johnson did
an excellent job at organizing the Code of Conduct
and sharing it with staff and students. A presentation
of the Code of Conduct will be done at Back to School
Night by principals.
All staff received training in the mandated trainings
at the opening of school. Suicide Prevention, Substance
Abuse, Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying policies
and procedures were all reviewed. School nurse Mariellen
DeForte provided training on Blood Born Pathogens,
Asthma and Diabetes with a much-needed update about
the H1N1 Virus. Staff also listened to presentations
on “what’s new in education” presented by Director
of Schools Andrea Romano. This prepared staff for
changes to curriculum updates to New Jersey Core Content
Standards, State-testing changes with regard to SRA
and End of Course (EOC) Biology and Algebra testing.
New lesson plan formats inclusive of field trip and
movie watching, were presented and to be implemented
for this school year. The Curriculum Committee worked
to make effective change in preparation of the 21st
Century Learners. Finally behavioral trainings in
Crisis Prevention (CPI) by Supervisor Dennis Schiller
and Beyond Fat City (what it feels like to be a student
with special needs) were presented to staff.
Within the schools, the students at the ESC Academy
at Tewksbury have been involved in a Problem Based
Learning project based on a true Alaskan adventure.
The students are reading the novel, “Into the Wild”
and identifying areas the main character could have
done differently which may have allowed a different
outcome. In addressing the problems, students have
been developing skills in reading, research, mapping,
mathematics, geography, and science and group dynamics.
Work in the garden at Tewksbury has included harvesting
the last of the tomatoes, peppers, melons and cucumbers.
Much of the garden has been weeded and composted and
students have begun to mix and mulch for the cold
weather. Broccoli and cabbage have been planted for
Fall Harvests.
The students at West Amwell have been getting used
to the changes in staffing. The new dynamic provides
for 2 teachers in each classroom and minimal teacher
assistants. Students are feeling the value of two
content area or special education teachers working
through the academic areas with them.
At West Amwell, the students are being reminded daily
of the ESC Pledge: I am respectful, responsible, safe
and prepared! Counselor Tom Bill integrates this and
sound words of inspiration over the morning announcements.
Counselor David Lutzky has attended multiple community
meetings regarding School Violence Prevention, Character
education Grant Writing, and Hunterdon County JOA.
Teacher Mary Gaspari is planning to run a school store
with students as part of the transition program. Ms.
Gaspari has identified work sites for the fall semester
and has identified students to participate in both
off campus and in-house work placements. Teacher Gina
Hand will be leading the yearbook staff with students
as part of the REAP Grant. The Dreams Come True Therapeutic
Riding Program Grant will allow for students to participate
in horseback riding.
State testing has begun. Students are preparing for
the HSPA October Administration. Staff has attended
the trainings on HSPA and APA.
Contact Information ESC SCHOOL AT WEST AMWELL
1422 Route 179
Lambertville, NJ 08530
Phone (609) 397-2575
Fax (609) 397-8237 Andrea
Romano, Program Dir.
Lou Johnson, Assistant Director
Donna Knechel, Secretary Mariellen DeForte, School Nurse
