Dear CTC Parents,
Hello! This is the first of what I intend to be a monthly update to all of you, on some of the current projects and issues that members of the Board, our management team and staff are working on.
But first, in case you don’t yet know me, let me tell you a couple of things about me. I have spent practically my entire career (and that’s been a while!) dedicated to serving people in need, including children and those with special needs. I have three guiding core values that I try my best to follow in how I make decisions and manage programs: (1) client/student centered model - I try to make sure that whatever decisions we make have the best interests of our students as a first priority, that is our primary mission and what we should be all about. Our mission also includes supporting you as much as we can. (2) a continuous improvement process - although we believe that CTC Academy is one of the best schools of its kind, we can always do better. To do so I believe we need to continually consider ideas for how to improve. Our goal is to go from good to great in everything we do. (3) A team approach - as the old saying goes, “two heads are better than one.” I think we should always be open and welcoming to feedback, suggestions and concerns from everyone; staff, parents, students, Board members and anyone else who is concerned about ensuring that we do our best to serve your precious children. So if you ever wonder how I try to address your concerns, that is where I am coming from!
Now on to the latest news of CTC Academy. One current effort that is underway is a strategic planning process. Our Board and management team is taking the lead, with the help of the Support Center for Nonprofits, in thinking through the best path for our future over the next few years so as to best serve our students and their families. For example-should and could we operate a day program for when our students reach the age of 21? What about after school programming or a camp? These are just some of the things we will be considering in our process. We will be reaching out to some parents to create a focus group, as well as other key stakeholders to help us in the planning process. I will let you know the outcomes when we have our results some time in the Spring of 2018.
At our Fair Lawn campus, we are very excited about our new Building Bridges class taught by Ms. Lynette. This early elementary class has a curriculum and daily schedule that is much more in line with what your child can expect when they move on to our Oakland campus or another upper grade school. It will also include frequent trips to Oakland so the children can become familiar with the staff and facility long before their eventual transition to that campus or a program like it. The other major news is that a group of our senior management team has been working diligently reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates for the role of permanent Principal. In the meanwhile, the campus is in the able hands of our very seasoned Interim Principal - Florence Fischman.
At our Oakland campus, we are equally excited about our new STEP program that is for students who have graduated high school and are between the ages of 18 and 21. These students will be spending two days per week out in the community engaged in vocational activities at local business and nonprofits. The other three days per week they will be at our Oakland campus learning a variety of
functional academics, life skills and reinforcing and practicing vocational activities.
Finally, I want to remind you all that I am always available to speak with you regarding any issues or suggestions you would like to make as well as concerns or questions you may have. Of course, the Principals and their staff are always there for as well. But don’t hesitate to contact me if there is something that you think requires my attention. My number is 201-797-7440 ext 3258 and my email is
kberger@ctcacademy.org
. I also plan to attend HSA meetings (our parent association) whenever I am invited. I will be at their next meeting which is on October 18th starting at 7pm at our Fair Lawn campus. If you can’t make it in person, we will also be trying out Facebook live for the first time. The details will be sent out shortly. I hope to see you then!
If we haven’t met yet, next time you are on one of the campuses, please ask for me and if I am there, I would love to say hello!
Regards,
Ken Berger
Executive Director