JACKSON – Regional Day School just celebrated a big birthday that featured former staff, students and several special guests.
The Jackson Township based school is a division of the Manchester Township School District and state, county, and township representatives came out to celebrate 40 years as a place for learning and offering a unique program.
According to local administrators, the school provides the least restrictive environment for those pupils from across the state whose disabilities are low-incidence or of a severity that prevents programming in any other setting.
The celebration showcased Regional Day School through the decades. Guests were welcomed by Student Ambassadors who provided attendees with tours of their designated school pods.
Each pod showcased the history of the school broken down by decade. Guests had the opportunity to experience the different programs that students have at Regional Day, such as woodshop, graphic and culinary arts.
Mayor Robert Arace presented the official proclamation during the event and later, students buried a time capsule on the property before the celebratory cake and coffee was enjoyed.
“On a daily basis, teachers and support staff provide Regional Day School’s students with the academic, social and vocational experiences they will require in order to reach their full potential,” Principal Lisa Michallis said.
She added, “the genuine care that goes into educating our students, and providing a school program and environment that supports the whole family, can be felt the moment you enter our campus.”
Superintendent John Berenato said, “At Regional Day School everyone knows that they belong. The world truly slows down at Regional Day School. Our programs are personalized for students and their success is always at the forefront of everything we do.”
“We believe that every child has the desire to learn and we strive to match their learning to where students are in their lives. Our professional, caring staff wear their hearts on their sleeves and they work tirelessly day in and day out to celebrate our students’ growth and success,” the superintendent added.
In 1973, the voters of the State of New Jersey approved the Facilities for the Handicapped Bond Issue which authorized the enactment of Chapter 149, Law of 1973. This law mandated the construction of regional facilities which would provide appropriate programs and services to low-incidence, handicapped children.
The Regional Day School at Jackson began servicing students in September of 1982. On July 1, 1984, the Manchester Township Board of Education assumed responsibility for the operation of the school.
Pupils from one or all of the special education designations are included at the Regional Day School. Students range in age from 3 to 21. Class profiles encompass instruction for students who are preschool disabled, multiply disabled, emotionally disturbed, intellectually disabled, communication impaired, and autistic.
The staff at Regional Day School includes administrative, business, and service personnel as well as an adaptive physical education instructor, art education instructor, behavior analyst, classroom teachers, classroom and personal para-professionals, industrial arts instructor, learning disability teacher consultant, nurse, occupational therapist, school psychologist, speech therapists, and transition services/job coach.
Families are at the heart of Regional Day School and when asked, “what Regional Day School meant to them” the answers moved attendees to tears.
Regional Day School parents Heather Cramer and Margaret Randolph both shared testimonials about their experiences as part of the Regional Day School family. Afterwards, 7-year-old student Marques Reeves proudly stood in front of the crowd to proclaim that “to me, Regional Day School means happiness, love, and friendship.”
“Knowing Manchester’s Regional Day School is impossible unless you have visited and felt the dedicated and joyful spirit found at every turn thanks to our dedicated staff, students, and family members,” Michallis said.
