E-News, The CTC Connection: Fall 2021

Fall 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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear CTC Academy Families, Students and Staff,

Welcome Back to School! We are all looking forward to a great school year of learning and fun and we have had a great start. It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to work with our staff, students and families and it has been my privilege to observe our team at work during educational and therapeutic sessions. I am so grateful to see, first-hand, the encouragement, communication, patience and resourcefulness that is demonstrated here daily.

Although the pandemic has challenged all of us, we are very proud of our ability to safely and successfully continue in-person learning and therapies. The latest remote preparedness plan - The CTC Academy Protocol for Prevention of Spread of Pandemic Illnesses In Person, Virtual, and Remote Instructional - for the Fair Lawn and Oakland Campuses can be found here or on our website at ctcacademy.org.

Please keep in mind that this plan is an ever-evolving document and will be updated and amended as directed by the health department and/or other pertinent government agencies/officials. We will do everything possible to keep the students attending in person this year, but there may be times when pivoting to remote learning and therapies is required. Additionally, there may be COVID restrictions that could limit some in-person meetings, visits and community programs. We kindly ask for your patience as we adapt to and adopt new health and safety guidelines and requirements as they evolve. As always, we will keep you updated and advised of calendar, policy and/or protocol changes in a timely manner.

I’m proud of the fact that at CTC Academy we strive to excel in the process of welcoming family members as partners in the educational and therapeutic process. It is vital for parents, teachers and therapists to communicate effectively and share ideas, thoughts and concerns. Each member of the team holds a piece of the picture that is the child's development. Each of us can be far more effective when information is freely shared. We are looking forward to continuing a productive partnership with you, the CTC parents, to ensure that our students, your children, can achieve their highest individual potential. The entire CTC Academy staff and I feel privileged to be a part of this school family and we thank you for your support and partnership.

Speaking of our CTC Academy family, a big thank you to Mary Ellen Rohon, retiring member of the CTC Board of Directors and parent of a CTC graduate. Her son attended when he was 7 years old back when the CTC was but a small physical therapy center in Ridgewood. He is now 52 years old and Mary Ellen has been a dedicated member of the CTC board of directors for over 30 years.

I wanted to share some of the words that Mary Ellen shared regarding her feelings about the CTC and what she enjoyed most about being such an important part of the organization,

“I really enjoy the CTC’s unique culture and warm comradery and the emphasis on the importance of friendships with people that have common goals. At the CTC there are so many opportunities to be involved with other families - sharing experiences, advice and encouragement which is so important to the growth and development of the students.”

Mary Ellen’s advice to her fellow board members,

“Continue to serve with the dedication and support as you have done for so many years. It has been a pleasure to work alongside you.”

Mary Ellen retires from the CTC Board of Directors at 94 years young and on behalf of all at The CTC Academy, we thank her for her good work and support of the CTC mission, the students, the families and the CTC community.

With Great Respect,

Anne Ogden,

Executive Director

Pictured: Mary Ellen Rohon and Mary Bosco - Previous Interim Executive Director

WELCOME JESSE GREEN, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

It is a pleasure to welcome Jesse Green, our new assistant principal to the CTC Academy - Oakland campus family. Jesse began his work at CTC on August 23, 2021. He is spending his first few weeks getting to know our students and staff. Jesse has been a teacher and administrator for 17 years.

Prior to coming to CTC, he was the assistant head of the lower/ middle school at a special education school in New York City. Jesse has worked with a variety of ages and programs for students with developmental disabilities across all age spans and brings a strong background in curriculum and instruction to this position. Jesse completed his undergraduate work at Vassar College, received his Master’s in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a second Master’s in Educational Leadership from Fordham University.

Welcome Jesse to this special place we call CTC Academy!

NOTICE FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Travel Policy Update 9/24/21

This notice is to inform you of an update in the CTC Academy travel policy for students who are NOT FULLY VACCINATED in alignment with the most recent CDC guidelines for travel. The CDC guidance states for individuals not fully vaccinated: “Regardless of whether or not you have chosen to get a COVID test, you must avoid being around people who are at an increased risk for severe illness for 14 days.”

In consideration of the health and safety of our medically fragile students, many of whom are unable to wear masks, CTC Academy will implement the CDC guidelines. Thus, effective immediately, CTC Academy will enforce a 14 day quarantine for all students who are travelling who are NOT FULLY VACCINATED.

Fully Vaccinated Individuals:

Students who ARE FULLY VACCINATED are not required to quarantine per CDC guidelines (identified above). Guidance for fully vaccinated students that CTC Academy has implemented includes:

Domestic travel = no quarantine or test required.

International travel = no quarantine but the individual must obtain a negative result, PCR COVID test 3-5 days upon returning home.

CTC students who are in quarantine due to the CTC Travel Policy are eligible for remote school services.

Also please be advised that CTC Academy only accepts PCR testing. Rapid tests are not acceptable to return to school. This applies to all circumstances for testing including but not limited to testing due to illness, exposure, and travel. All test results need to be sent to Carol Anne Chupak, Head of Health Services before returning to school.

If you plan to travel, please contact Carol Anne Chupak, Head of Health Services, (cchupak@ctcacademy.org) to confirm your quarantine requirements and to request remote learning during your post-travel quarantine time.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe and healthy.

THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT

SIBSHOPS® PROGRAM

Sibshops® provide young brothers and sisters 6-13 years old, of kids with special needs, with peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting.

Click HERE for more information!

Click HERE for COVID Protocols!

PARENT NIGHT DINNER POSTPONED

With Covid unfortunately still a concern, we needed to make some adjustments to our Social Work Calendar of Events. We will be postponing our Parent Night Dinner as this event would require the removal of masks, but are so happy to announce that we will be holding our first in person, Mom’s Time Out on October 26^th! We invite all our CTC moms to join us at Board and Brush in Ramsey for a fun night of creativity and good company - see the attached flyer HERE for complete details. Please also note that we are asking all who choose to attend to wear a mask at the event regardless of vaccination status.

Steve Madden Rethinks Shoes For Kids With Special Needs

Click HERE for more information!

JC Penney Unveils Clothing Aimed At Kids With Disabilities

Click HERE for more information!