Spring 2020
Parent Update from the Executive Director

Dear CTC Families,

I hope all continues to be well with you and your loved ones. I am happy to report that as we approach two full months of having our campuses closed, to our knowledge, not a single one of our CTC students has tested positive for the virus. May it continue to be the case!

Here are several items you may find of interest: 

Return to School - As of right now, the date for returning to our campuses is far from clear. When the time comes, the CTC leadership will be making that decision in consideration of the unique vulnerabilities of our students. Of course the date will be no earlier than what is decided by the NJDOE for all schools. Whatever the return date will be, rest assured that the health and safety of your children is our number one priority. 

Remote Learning - Our teachers, therapists, teaching assistants and support staff did a tremendous job of getting everything ready for the initial shift from on-site to remote (i.e. home) learning. We are grateful for the many emails, videos, photos and notes of support. We continue to work on improving how we do our daily work. Based on your feedback we believe that, with the use of Google Classroom, all facets of the program are more easily organized and accessible. In addition, Google Classroom consolidates the volume of emails and other CTC communication. 

Counseling and Support - CTC Academy has the good fortune to have two school social workers who are here to support you. Should you want to speak to one of our social workers about how this challenging time is affecting your child and/or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to them.

Fair Lawn Campus , DelMarie Alvarez @ dalvarez@ctcacademy.org
Oakland Campus , Kim Martiak @ kmartiak@ctcacademy.org

Annual Dinner Dance Gala - Sadly, we had to cancel the event this year and as the Gala is our biggest annual fundraising activity, this is a tremendous loss. However, we are continuing to fundraise to help: (1) support the remote learning programs, (2) the upcoming renovations and (3) the increased costs to operate when we reopen our campuses (such as Personal Protective Equipment that will be required) to keep your children safe when they return to our buildings. In addition, we were proud to raise funds to help CTC families that are in financial need due to the pandemic. Please contact Audra Hoffman @ ahoffman@ctcacademy.org if you have questions about our efforts in these areas.

August Renovations at Both Campuses - We are hoping to install UV lighting and hydrogen peroxide ionization technology in our HVAC systems at both campuses over the August break. This will kill viruses and bacteria both in the air and on surfaces throughout both buildings. We are also planning to move ahead with the second phase of Fair Lawn renovations to improve our heating and cooling systems in the building, among other things. 

Finally, we wanted to let you know that the leadership staff and I are meeting daily to brainstorm everything we can do to make the buildings as safe as possible when your children are able to return. If you have any suggestions or concerns about any of this, please do not hesitate to let us know.

We thank you all for your support and understanding during these times. We're all in this together. 

All the best,
 
Ken Berger
Executive Director
kberger@ctcacademy.org
Checking in with the Principals - Bill Presutti and Cara Rogerino

At the helm of each of our campuses, our principals, Cara Rogerino and Bill Presutti have a unique view of our Remote Learning Program. As the staff creatively navigates this new method of learning, therapies and more, the Principals are seeing incredible successes every day. Video technology has helped us to maintain consistency and to be successful with IEP meetings, new student intakes and virtual campus tours as well as in the virtual “classroom” experience. 

Our staff have been meeting remotely in both live and video-taped sessions with our students and families. Additionally, participating in staff development meetings where they discuss ways to support the students virtually and when they return to our campuses. The live sessions allow our students to see and interact with teachers, teaching assistants and their peers during activities which is so important - and having their friends in a session has been very motivating! Very recently, we were so excited to add Google Classroom to our toolbox.

CTC teaching assistants are helping with daily instruction and at times, therapy support. They are helping to guide parents/caregivers to carry over modifications or communication techniques as they would be implemented in school. Some TA’s have read stories, sang songs and also been there for the human interaction with school staff that our students are missing so much. 

The Principals report that they are so proud of the work of the team and that each day, there is a new reason to be motivated by the creativity and dedication of our students, families and staff!
Click Cara and Bill's Photos to Watch them Read One of Their Favorite Books!
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Tele-Therapy...Coming To A Living Room Near You!
Dr. Laura Bejot

A key to making remote learning successful is by consistently incorporating our CTC therapist’s ability to meet the therapeutic needs of the students and their parents. In addition to phone calls and written instructions, CTC therapists are now approved to provide tele-therapy services and have been using a variety of ways to facilitate this. Through live interactions using Zoom and Google Meets, as well as providing pre-recorded video sessions so that parents can work with their children when convenient, we are connecting with students and families and working towards each child’s individual goals. Remote Learning has encouraged the therapists to be more creative and to “think outside the box.” One therapist ordered herself a doll to teach the children how to put on and remove clothing in live sessions. 

Remote Learning has strengthened the connection between the therapists and parents. CTC parents are seeing their children do things in a way they may not have experienced before and vice versa. We’ve seen a great deal of successes during Remote Learning and Tele-Therapy: P is remaining in her stander longer than she has in the past, strengthening her standing skills; M has improved his self-help skills including feeding and dressing himself; T’s mother was amazed at how well her son now knows sign language. While tele-therapy has pushed us to innovate, we are so grateful for the support of our CTC families as we work together to help their children learn and grow!
Click the Photo to Watch Laura Read: The Mixed-Up Chameleon
CTC Health Services

The CTC Health Services Department has been keeping the finger on the pulse of the current public health crisis as it pertains to our students and staff. Keeping up to date on our students and their individual health needs remains an important aspect to the continuity of care. We regularly check in with families for medical updates, injuries, illnesses or updates on necessary paperwork. The school nurses from both campuses attend classroom team meetings to collaborate with each student’s academic and therapeutic team as well as making guest appearances on Google Classroom. Parents and caregivers can view and fill out the Annual Health Packet which can be found below. Both parents and physicians can fill out their sections electronically (the packet will also be available via hard copy if needed).

In conjunction with the full CTC Senior Management team, Carol Anne Chupak, Head of Health Services, is actively involved in the planning for school re-entry. She has helped form a group of nursing colleagues from other special needs private schools and they meet virtually twice a week. The group focuses on how best to meet the students’ needs while following State and Federal guidelines as well as working to procure the necessary personal protective equipment. Even remotely, the CTC Health Services Department continues to strive to create the safest environment for our students, families and staff!
2020-21 HEALTH PACKET FORMS

Please follow the directions listed in the Parent Portal Instructions below. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Anne Chupak at CChupak@ctcacademy.org
Click the Photo to Watch Carol Anne Read "I Wish You More"
The CTC Social Work Department - Stronger Together!

The CTC Social Work Department has been working to assist our families and staff with keeping a sense of normalcy during this time of Remote Learning. They continue to attend IEP meetings and student intakes, facilitate parent support groups and assist with transition planning while supporting staff and families individually and in groups. Our first Zoom Meditation session for parents, led by Tania Gold of Sacred Space Living , was a calming success and Tania hosted a second event for our staff. Look for our weekly emails containing helpful tips, coping strategies and resources to assist families in dealing with the challenges we are all facing. If you would like to meet one on one, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your campus social worker:

Fair Lawn Campus, DelMarie Alvarez at dalvarez@ctcacademy.org Oakland Campus, Kim Martiak at kmartiak@ctcacademy.org .
Mark Your Calendars

May 22nd & May 25th: School Closed in Observance of Memorial Day!
" Pampered " Proud Grandma Supporting CTC!

One of our Dinner Dance Committee members is currently raising funds via Facebook in support of CTC Academy through a fundraiser with Pampered Chef. Click HERE for more information!
Remote Learning from CTC Academy!
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Our Students Working Hard and Continuing to Learn from Home!
Share Your Photos!
CTC families, please send us photos and video of your CTC student using the Remote Learning tools at home!
Photos/Video can be emailed to:  info@ctcacademy.org