E-News, The CTC Connection: Winter 2021

Winter 2021

Our Vision: Fulfilling the potential of all people with special needs.

The CTC Connection

AN E-NEWSLETTER OF CTC ACADEMY

Our Mission: Enhancing the lives of children and young adults with special needs, and their families, by providing an enriched educational, therapeutic and supportive environment.

Update from the Interim Executive Director

Dear CTC Academy Families, Students, and Staff,

We have passed the 100th day of this school year and what a school year it has been! Everyone worked diligently to prepare for the Oakland CTC students to return safely to in-person attendance 4 days a week - for those families who chose the option. It took immense planning to accommodate the mandated social distancing and ensure that students and staff had appropriate classroom and therapy spaces. We were able to order additional laptops, walkie talkies, microwaves, clipboards and more to accommodate the need. An additional storage unit was rented in order to store equipment and make additional space available. Cleaning products were put in every new space that is to be utilized. Although Mother Nature did not initially cooperate, we were so happy to return!

If ever a year has proven the fact that families and staff are true partners in enriching the children's educational and personal growth, it is this school year. Implementing the mission we all share of helping each child to reach his or her highest potential during such trying times has been a true challenge, yet it is remarkable to watch the partnership that has emerged between staff and families. Together we have been able to accomplish so much!

One final thought - please remember that it is so crucial that each one of us, to the best of our ability, take care of ourselves. We are all so vitally important to the children and extremely important to the CTC Academy family. Thank you again for your continued support and collaboration! Looking forward to a warm and happy spring!

Sincerely,

Mary Bosco

Interim Executive Director

CTC Academy

We celebrated our 100th Day of School and what we like about School!

Our Next Reopening Plan Phase

On April 6, 2021, a survey will be emailed to every family to ask what option they would like to choose for the final phase of this school year. That final phase will be implemented from May 17, 2021 through June 25, 2021. Parents/guardians will be asked to select one of the following three options:

Full remote instruction and therapy.
In-person attendance for therapy only sessions (2 sessions per week).
5 days per week, in-person instruction and therapies.

It is important to note that the ability to implement the 5 days per week, in-person option is contingent upon each building’s maximum capacity - based on current social distancing guidelines. We will be closely monitoring any changes in the present guidelines and adjust our plans accordingly. If, after receiving the survey results, the projected number of students exceeds capacity then the following plan will be implemented:

Students will attend in-person 5 days per week on alternating weeks. When not in-person, the students will attend remotely.

By April 19, 2021, all families will receive information on the results of the survey and the next phase’s schedule and process. Thank you again for your continued support and understanding.

WEEKLY COVID SCREENING FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF

We ask parents to be diligent in following all of the recommended guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus. Please be sure to screen your child each day before school.

Click HERE for more information

We ask staff to be diligent in following all of the recommended guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus. Please be sure to screen yourself each day before school.

Click HERE for more information

Celebrating March is Music In Our Schools

March is Music In Our Schools Month^®which is celebrated by schools across the country. The National Association for Music Educators started this recognition 48 years ago. This year at CTC, we are celebrating our love for music with special classes, a virtual student concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra and a school-wide zoom at both campuses. Fair Lawn will have a "play-along" and a musical book reading (by principal, Cara) while Oakland will have a concert and "play-along." We are looking forward to a musical month!

Week of March 1 – Student Virtual Concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra (link provided on the specials google classroom).
o Special music class – Exploring music, our favorite songs, and music composition

Week of March 8 - Special music class – Exploring music through the years (Oakland) and songs about Dr. Seuss (Fair Lawn)

Week of March 15 - Special music class – Exploring music around the world

Week of March 22 – School-wide zoom (Fair Lawn – a musical book read by Ms. Cara and a "play-along;" Oakland – concert and "play-along)."

FAREWELL AND THANK YOU RUSS!

Russ Fay, Oakland Assistant Principal, will be leaving the CTC Family as of April 9, 2021. Russ has accepted the position of Director of Special Services in the Vernon Township Public Schools. Needless to say, Russ will be sorely missed! It's not surprising that Vernon chose to hire Russ - he is not only a fine educator, but a great person that cares deeply about all students. We wish you the best Russ as you begin the next leg of your journey!