Clinton Township Newsletter

11 J u l y 2 0 1 4 w a l t e r J o p p Y a n d J & J i t S e r v i C e S S u p p o r t C h i l d r e n i n n e e d We read about them in the paper every day – children whose lives have been devastated by abuse, neglect and trauma. In New Jersey alone, more than 8000 of these children annually are removed from their homes and placed in the foster care system because the risk for them to remain at home is too great. Often voiceless and powerless, these children are dependent upon the adults in their lives to identify and meet their needs, help them to find a safe, loving and permanent home and to effectively advocate for their needs. That is where Court Appointed Special Advocates – CASA volunteers – come in. These community volunteers speak up on behalf of these child victims of abuse and neglect, helping to thrive and not just survive. The tri-counties' local CASA program, CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren (CASA SHaW) re- cently held its 6th Annual CASAblanca Casino Night at the Basking Ridge Country Club. CASA SHaW was fortunate to have many sponsors for this event, including Hero Sponsors Johnson and Johnson IT Services and John Gannon, CPA, Silver sponsors Elberon, Fallone Homes, the PeopleCare Center for Non-Profits, Martinsville Family Practice, the Doran/Wesselmann Family, and the Auger Family, and Bronze sponsors Abel Leasing, Dameo Trucking, and Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf. Walter Joppy of Johnson and Johnson IT Services was this year's CASAblanca Honoree. Mr. Joppy and his colleagues at J&J IT have done a great deal to raise awareness about the needs of children in foster care, have raised funds in support of CASA SHaW's child advocacy mission and have provided volunteer support for CASA SHaW initiatives. Mr. Joppy and his team have been outstand- ing community partners whose dedication, generosity and support have helped CASA volunteers to provide advocacy services to more than 150 children this year. CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties is part of a statewide network of community-based, non-profit programs that recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteers to "Speak Up for a Child" removed from home due to abuse or neglect. CASA is the only program in NJ that uses trained volunteers to work one-on-one with children, ensuring that each one gets the services needed and achieves permanency in a safe, nurturing home. To find out more about the CASA program, please visit www.casashaw.org. S p r i n g r u n S C h o o l n a m e d a S C h o o l o f e x C e l l e n C e b Y n a t i o n a l t e a C h e r S o r g a n i z a t i o n Spring Run School has been selected as 2014-2015 School of Excellence by the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET). This distinction has been bestowed upon only a few select qualified licensed private special education schools in the State of New Jersey. This honor is presented to private special education schools that meet rigorous professional criteria and have demonstrated truly exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in the field of special education. To become a NASET School of Excellence, Spring Run was evaluated against 13 criteria including: having a very small staff to student ratio, ensuring that students receive a well rounded curriculum to meet the specific needs of each individual student with a disability, having been open for 10 or more years and providing a multicultural environment. Another requirement to be a School of Excellence is to be open 10 or more months per year. In addition to the regular school year, Spring Run School will offer a longer Extended School Year program for the summer of 2014 with classes from July 1 through August 29, making it a full year program. Students with special needs from non-sending districts are welcome to apply for placement for the Extended School Year. "We know we have a very special program at Spring Run School but we really appreciate the national recognition," said Paul Semegran, Spring Run School Prin- cipal. "Our transition program is top-notch and led by a Licensed School Social Worker. Students receive training from professionals, not peer mentors. We have an Activities of Daily Living program which encompasses a strong social skills development component. We are committed to preparing our students for a full and rewarding life after graduation." Spring Run School is CEA's NJ-certified private secondary school serving students with autism and multiple disabilities. Spring Run School provides additional resources and services to students on the autism spectrum and has enhanced their academic and transitional services for all special needs students who face greater social and techno- logical challenges as they become adults. For more information about Spring Run School and the Extended School Year, please call Paul Semegran at 908.782.1480, ext 226 or email: psemegran@springrunschool.org. Find more information about NASET Schools of Excellence at www.naset.org. Round Valley Recreation Area's NATURE PROGRAMS IN JULY • Sunday, July 6: Hunterdon County Tri- centennial "Looking for Traces" We won't find evidence of human life going back 300 years but we should find signs of earlier habitation and we'll learn about Round Valley in 1776. 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Park admission plus $2.00 fee for ages six and above: pre-registration recommended. Round Val- ley Recreation Area, South Parking Lot. 908.236.6355. NOTE: Early part of the program is ADA accessible. Optional hike to find evidence of habitation will follow. • Saturday, July 12: "Raspberry Ramble" The raspberries (or wine berries) are delicious and organic! They are also invasive; so you'll not only be gathering great food but also reducing competition with native plants. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Park admission plus $2.00 fee for ages six and above: pre-registration recommended. Round Valley Recreation Area, South Parking Lot. 908.236.6355. Note: Wear long pants and bring a sturdy container. • Sunday, July 27: Kids Day: "Bugs and Butterflies – Camouflage & Mimicry" Find the most interesting "bug" and win a prize. 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Park admission plus $2.00 fee for ages six and above; pre-registration recommended. Round Valley Recreation Area South Parking Lot. 908.236.6355. Note: for kids of all ages.

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