MANCHESTER – The school is based in Jackson, administrated by Manchester Township’s School District but for the first time, students and school staff enjoyed their annual prom off site in Toms River.
The prom was held at the Clarion Hotel in Toms River and everyone was decked out in style. It was the first of two special occasions involving students and staff at the school.
Principal Lisa Michallis who was also enjoying the event, remarked, “I would like to extend another heartfelt thank you to the Manchester community for their continued support of our students. The funds raised through our annual Penguin Plunge assisted in planning and providing an exceptional and memorable experience for our students.”
“Prom Day is one of my favorite days at RDS. It was truly a magical day for our students. They truly shined inside and out,” Michallis added.
Prom coordinators Jeanette Mojica and Amanda Gesualdo provided The Manchester Times with a joint comment. “It was our pleasure to host the Regional Day School Prom for 2024. In the past, we have had the Prom in the building. This year we decided to allow the students to go out into the community in a hotel setting and experience what other schools experience. Seeing them in the community and how they enjoyed themselves was extremely rewarding,”
“I think having the prom out at a venue is a great experience for the kids. It gives them the true prom feel and makes it extra special for them. The students were so excited to put on their outfits the day of prom that they bought them themselves. They each got a pair of pants, a shirt, socks, shoes, and a bowtie! They all looked and felt their best for such a special event,” teacher Ellie Hyland said.
School staff member Maureen Romanowski said, “the prom was wonderful. Having it at a venue made is special for staff and students. The room was beautiful with the decorations and flowers, and having an official dance floor made it even more enjoyable. Having the extra space for our wheelchair students was nice as well. The venue made it feel like a true prom experience for our students.”
“The prom was fantastic! This year was different from past years and it had a different feel. It is always so great having everyone together,” paraprofessional Joann Slovak said.
The second special event for Regional Day School students and staff took place a few days after the prom when, thanks to generous monetary donations by the Palmer family and the Manchester Township Education Foundation (MTEF), three Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) were installed at the Regional Day School’s playground.
Members of the Palmer family and MTEF members were invited to help reveal the communication tools to the students and staff of Regional Day School.
Michallis explained to those present that the PECS provides students with accessible communication on their playground. Nonverbal students, or students who are friends with nonverbal students, can now communicate through photos and icons.
A nonverbal child can be invited to play by a friend in this way or communicate with their teacher if they want to play on the swings, slide, or enjoy the gazebo and take in the fresh air.
Unique to the system is the placement of the two larger boards and the addition of a mobile PECS board. This allows students to take their communication on the go around the playground.
Michallis added that due to the donations by the Palmer family, the MTEF, and those MTSD staff members “who wrote the grant, helped plan and order the boards, and installed them for our students this is a great addition to the school that will be enjoyed by students for years to come.”
