school highlights...high bridge middle school the high bridge middle school unified club will kick...

School HighlightsOctober 2018

Office of Special Education ProgramsU.S. Department of Education

Arthur L. Johnson High School .........................15

Berkeley Township School District ....................13

Burlington Township High School.....................20

Burnet Middle School .......................................10

Cedar Creek High School ....................................9

Change The Game Conference 2018 .........1, 22, 23

Cinnaminson High School .................................10

Clayton High School .........................................15

Delaware Valley Regional High School ...............7

Delsea Regional High School ............................18

Ewing High School ............................................19

Fountain Woods Elementary School .................20

Frank J. Smith Elementary School ......................6

Grant Elementary School ....................................3

Hamilton High School West ..............................11

High Bridge Middle School .................................7

Holmdel ..............................................................6

Jefferson Township High School .......................15

Lyndhurst ...........................................................5

Mainland Regional High School .......................12

Metuchen High School .....................................17

Millburn High School ........................................15

Monroe Township High School .........................16

Montgomery High School .................................14

Moorestown High School ..................................20

Old Bridge High School ....................................14

Overbrook High School .......................................4

Pond Road Middle School ...................................2

Ridge High School ............................................17

Robbinsville High School ..................................21

Rutherford High School ......................................2

Sayreville War Memorial High School .................8

Somerville High School ......................................2

Union City High School .....................................17

Voorhees High School .........................................8

West Morris Mendham High School ...................5

Woodlynne Public School .................................21

Woodrow Wilson Middle School (Clifton) .........14

In This IssueChange The Game Conference 2018“Building a Socially Inclusive School – It’s a Vision Thing!” was the theme of this year’s Change The Game conference. UCS School Leadership Teams were placed in the driver’s seat and mapped their school/district’s journey to its social inclusion des-tination. We believe our UCS School Leadership teams can play a critical role in establishing where the school community would like to go, what that place looks like, and then navigating the ways to arrive there using UCS tools and strategies, especially the Unified Generation!

Over 140 attendees, representing 48 New Jersey school dis-tricts participated in this conference held at the NJPSA/FEA Center in Monroe Township. More photos on pages 22 and 23.



Somerville High SchoolAt Somerville High School’s second Peer2Peer meeting on October 3rd, they discussed future fundraising and student life activities. The atten-dance since last month’s meeting grew from 40 to 46. During October, they continued to reach out and promote inclusion in school through new fundraising and winter sports athletics.

One of their most important events of Octo-ber was the finalization of the Unified Bowling team. After such great success in the past few years, many more students were interested in participating. With only a few spots open on the team and a large pool of students wanting to participate, a selection process was used to determine the students that were best fit for the team. Eight new members were added to the existing team. Other October club activities included attending celebratory soccer matches for high school seniors, and poster making and festivities at both the girl’s and the boy’s “se-nior nights.”

To promote awareness of inclusion, the club developed a spirit wear fundraiser. With the as-sistance of a local apparel business, they custom-ized “Peer2Peer” t-shirts and sweatshirts. The club logo and the phrase “Choose to Include” was printed on each item. Participation in the fundraiser was made available to all students, staff, alumni and community members. The club raised $400. Another fundraiser was held in as-sociation with the food chain Bubbakoos. The local restaurant raised another $125. These earn-ings enabled the club to go on a trip to a movie theater as an out-of-school bonding and learning experience. The students purchased their own food, snacks and drinks and practiced their social and other life skills. The club members enjoyed spending time with each other outside of the classroom setting.

Somerville High School hopes to continue to see the Unified Bowling team and Peer2Peer club thrive as the school year continues.

Pond Road Middle SchoolThe students at Pond Road Middle School worked together to make Tootsie lollipop ghosts with tis-sue paper. Next, they went into the gym and made one person on the team into a “mummy.” Then they did the mummy activity again, but this time, the student held a fun stance and then was mummied in that stance. Lastly, they played “clean your room.”

Rutherford High School



Grant Elementary SchoolThe Grant Elementary School group met on 10/23/18 for the first time. Fifteen athletes and 12 partners were present. The students made Halloween masks, cleaned the park area, and competed in relay races. On 10/30/18, 18 athletes and 15 partners created spider webs out of popsicle sticks and yarn. They also elected to play Duck, Duck, Goose.



Overbrook High SchoolOctober was a busy month for Overbrook High School. They had a meeting on 10/11 where they wrote letters to pen pals. Their pen pals are in a 12th grade English class. The stu-dents will write back and forth throughout the year. Overbrook High School also participated in a game of kickball and a game of Q-Tip hockey. On 10/22 they had a fundraiser for their Unified Club at Panera Bread.



LyndhurstThis month, Memorial, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln School collected permission slips and adver-tised for their Unified Club. They are looking forward to their first club meeting on November 13th. Stu-dents are very excited for the kick-off meeting. Also, at the October Board of Education meeting, their UCS school liaison spoke to the community about Unified Club to inform them about upcoming events this school year and to invite them to attend. Lyndhurst’s goal this year is to increase the support from administration and the board of education.

West Morris Mendham High SchoolThis month, West Morris Mendham High School saw its Unified team compete in their first match against another team. Playing both Voorhees and West Morris Central in the same week, their soccer team jumped headlong into competitive play. The effect that participating in meaningful competition had on the group was amazing!

Driving to their first game, the team was under-standably nervous. Many students had never par-ticipated in a competitive match before. As they arrived at Voorhees; however, the power of Uni-fied Sports became evident. Arriving at the field with rows of supporters, the mascot, and a com-petitive atmosphere, the students quickly settled into the game and had a great time. The game

was competitive and students all had a chance to make an impact. It was an incredible learning ex-perience for the students and they could not have been luckier to cut their teeth against a warm and welcoming team like Voorhees.

Although it was the same Unified team that got off the bus when they arrived, it was certainly a different one that got back on. Their spirits were high, new friendships had been forged, and the true essence of the Unified message was evident. Competitive matches like this one serve to show that the Unified Sports model works. The Unified team felt lucky to have begun their season against a team like Voorhees. Mendham cannot thank them enough for their hospitality!



HolmdelHolmdel High School (HHS) par-ticipated in the Club Fair at HHS. They socialized with potential members, showed them pic-tures of activities and described what Team Unify is about.

Jordan Yannello, who par-ticipated in the NJSIAA-SONJ Unified Track and Field the last two years was elected home-coming queen. She was voted on by her peers, she looked beautiful, and her smile was priceless.

Village Elementary School and Indian Hill School worked on drib-bling the soccer ball, passing and taking short shots on goal.

At William R. Satz School they warmed up and ran through drills, student athletes reviewed control-receiving and dribbling skills. They then broke into small groups to review each skill. Afterwards, they split into teams and scrimmaged.

Together they created a Pledge: “I pledge to always include people and make the school a happier place. To cre-ate a more positive learning environment. To act only with kindness. To treat everyone fairly and be a friend to all. To respect all differences and keep everyone smiling!”

After they created the Pledge, they stood up and all recited it.

As an ice breaker, each student gave their name and shared something about themselves. Once they spoke, they threw/passed a beach ball to the next student. This went around until every student had a chance to share.

They also did a Post-It Note ac-tivity: each student wrote sev-eral positive messages/quotes onto Post-It Notes and then went around the school and placed the Post-Its randomly on lockers throughout the school.

Frank J. Smith Elementary SchoolFrom late October and to early November, Frank J. Smith Elementary School worked hard to collect and sort through second grade applications for their Be A Pal Program. This program spreads the message of inclusion and belonging by connecting students with disabilities to a second grade “Pal.” Each student has the opportunity to get to know their Pal by participating in many school activities, such as their Unified Phys Ed Class, Unified Game Day, Birthday Club, Spirit Teams and more. This one-to-one ratio allows them to have a successful BeAPal phys ed class once each week/cycle for their students with special needs.

Frank J. Smith Elementary School is excited to welcome 16 second grade Pals on the team this year! The first activity the Pals participated in was the Spirit Team meeting. Pals were responsible for helping young-er students get to their Spirit Team destinations. The next step will be to assign the Pals to their special buddy. They are so looking forward to starting Unified Phys Ed class.



Delaware Valley Regional High SchoolOctober events at Delaware Valley Regional High School were corn maze, homecoming dance (pre-ar-ranged to dance with Buddies Unified at the dance), magician for the Buddies Unified lunch bunch, Unified dance class and Buddies Unified dancing to “Thriller” and then trick-or-treating in the hallway.

High Bridge Middle SchoolThe High Bridge Middle School Unified Club will kick off this January 2019. They have selected meeting dates, posted for positions and developed a plan for activities and facilitating activities. They will intro-duce the program to students during P.E. classes, and at the next staff meeting, they will show a video and describe the program. In addition, a letter will be sent home to parents describing the program (planned to send home prior to winter break).



Sayreville War Memorial High SchoolThe Unified soccer season is now well underway at Sayreville War Memorial High School. Three of the six practices have been completed and the students are really enjoying themselves. During the month of October, the Unified Soccer team was selected and was fortunate to participate in the fall pep rally with all the other fall sports teams. It was obvious to see the student’s enjoy-ment during the pep rally. Most have never been a part of something so big that involved the whole school body! Their culminating event will be on November 16 with the Bomber World Cup.

Also, this is the first year that Unified P.E. is brought into their curriculum at the High School. There are two class periods. One period, which holds 9th and 10th graders, consists of ten stu-

dents with special needs and twelve neurotypi-cal students and the other consists of 11th and 12th graders, and has eight students with spe-cial needs and ten neurotypical students. This month, they focused on activities that promoted socialization, motor planning, and fitness related activities. Students were able to meet new peers and develop positive peer relationships that carried over into the lunchroom and the Unified Club. Students also engaged in soccer skill activ-ity games to build upon skills for Unified Soccer.

Lastly, coming very soon, the Unified after school club will start. They are very excited to be working towards full inclusion in their school, and are eager to get the club started!

Voorhees High SchoolVoorhees High School has received a National Banner of Recognition as a Unified Champion School. The Cham-pion School Banner Ceremony was held on October 16, 2018. Click here to read the NJ.com article.

Also in October, their Unified Club students had the opportunity to hang out with students in their program in social settings that included: the homecoming football game, homecoming dance, and decorating competition between classes for SpiritFest.

The Unified Soccer team ended their season on October 29th. On October 31st, they had a preseason Unified Basketball meeting where they went over expectations, registration, and schedule.

https://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2018/10/voorhees_high_earns_unified_champion_school_status.html



Cedar Creek High SchoolCedar Creek High School vs. Mainland Regional High School



Cinnaminson High SchoolPregame Party and Unified Game

Burnet Middle SchoolBurnet Middle School’s Play Unified Club meets the first Friday of every month. They started planning their Respect Week and talked about a Pep Rally to receive their National Banner. Stu-dents come every day during homeroom. They are creating partnerships with the Anti Bullying Club and student council.

Burnet also started Buddy Lunch. They rotate lunches every Wednesday throughout the month. Students eat together, play games and socialize. For Halloween, they cooked as a club and had a celebration. They are working hard on creating a new Unified Club with their new

special education students and general educa-tion students. A lot of parent communication has been necessary to keep the club up and running.

Burnet Middle School has started their Unified Sports after school on Mondays. They practice the skills necessary for bowling, basketball and dodge ball. It’s been great for students to meet and build new relationships. Their focus has been to really start building new relationships with their Unified Partners.

A google classroom was started in which informa-tion and ideas can be shared throughout the week.



Hamilton High School WestHamilton West shares TIPS for running a Unified Club.

Remind 101 - is a MUST!

Use morning announcements when you have a unified sports game, upcoming event or meeting.

Focus on your honor society, student government and peer leadership students. They will help you spread the word and are usually really good kids.

Host a Field day run by your Unified Club. Have an inter-est table for the Unified Club/Sports.

Get staff, coaches and adminis-tration on board!

Host FUN FRIDAY in classroom all day. The partners/club mem-bers come during their gym & lunch periods.

Include Unified Club in any events that are happening at your school.

Have a kickball event since there’s no limit on how many kids can play.

Week Of Respect: spread awareness, powerpoints dur-ing lunch periods, morning announcements, sign a pledge, wall display, unified sporting event

Fundraisers: spirit wear, Shop-rite bagging, run a cafe.

Invitations at the beginning of the school year sent to all kids via English teachers/homeroom about the first Unified Club meeting.

Back to school night, club recruitment day & 8th grade orientation- have a table

Word of mouth is crucial! Pro-vide an opportunity for your kids to wear their club t-shirts at least once a month- gets kids talking.

Yearbook: have a Unified Club/Sports page & take a club pic-ture

Get on social media: facebook, twitter, instagram - provide pictures and dates of upcoming events.

Physicals - push this in the beginning of the year! Push the SONJ packet.

Have your students shadow their peers for an entire day. Both kids would wear their club t-shirt!

Media - have your telecom-munications students come to events and photograph.

Create a folder in google drive and store all of your documents such as permission slips and flyers. Also create a folder for your pictures, you can add kids to the list so they can see/post pictures as well!

Pre-plan ahead of time, sched-ule games and events ASAP.

All of this takes time, choose a few tips to start with and take it from there.

Hamilton High School West has been doing Unified Sports for seven years, and just brought the Unified Club to life last year. They have learned that the Unified Sports component is nothing without the Unified Club aspect. This club takes a village run and you need people on your side.



Mainland Regional High School

Unified club student have

been busy at Mainland Re-

gional High School. Here

are some pictures of their

club members at a com-

munity event for kids trick

or treating!



Berkeley Township School DistrictUnified Club has been a success so far at Berkeley Township Elementary School. They incorporated Strider bikes, team philosophies, and working together as a group. November will bring more opportunities to practice their unified approach in and out of the classroom.

Each of the three lower elementary schools (Clara B. Worth, Bayville and H&M Potter) is using Project TEAM to promote anti-bullying practices, praise kindness in and out of the classroom, and engage stu-dents in lessons on empathy and forgiveness.



Old Bridge High School

Woodrow Wilson Middle School (Clifton)On Wednesday October 31 the Play Unify Club hosted their 6th Annual Unified Halloween Party. The events took place in the Woodrow Wilson Media Center. Club members played a number of fun Halloween themed games, completed a haunted house craft, had a movie lunch and then trick or treated together. Fun was had by all.

Montgomery High School



Jefferson Township High SchoolJefferson Township Unified Track and Field had a Mummy Wrapping Contest. Teams of four ran through the hallway to get the wrapping, returned and choose a person in their group to wrap like a mummy. They then took a picture of each group.

Arthur L. Johnson High SchoolSince Arthur L. Johnson High School played most of their games to-ward the beginning of the Unified Soccer season, they finished Oc-tober 2018 with practices. This was still a great opportunity to get the students together and work on their strengths and weaknesses and have fun along the way. They practiced passing, communicating, playing different positions on the field, corner kicks and being part of a team. For their first year playing Unified soccer, it was a great success. Although winning wasn’t necessarily the goal, they won two out of four games and each special needs player scored a goal.

Clayton High SchoolThe Unified PE classes will finish the first marking period at Clayton MS/HS in early November. The classes are learning to work together and creating a welcoming environ-ment for everyone. School liaisons attended the “Change the Game” workshop and came away with ideas to in-corporate into the PE classes. They are also looking forward to forming the Unified Club at Clayton HS/MS in the coming months. The HS Unified PE class is making a commercial to advertise the Unified club. They are also planning a Uni-fied Night in January.

Millburn High SchoolThe students at Millburn High School participated in a variety of ac-tivities during the month of October. The sports team practiced and had a scrimmage. The Unified Club continued to meet weekly and participate in planning for their weekly activities. The students par-ticipated in a school week of respect activity. Posters were displayed around the school. Overall, it was a very good month.



Monroe Township High SchoolDuring October, Monroe Township High School enjoyed Unified Soccer, Haunted High School, Hay Ride,

Pumpkin Picking and Up Fitness.



Union City High School

October was a month filled with Unified Soccer at Union City High School. Their team trained for months leading up to the Unified Cup. They currently have about 25 people who participate in their soccer practices. The team was made up of the 12 most dedicated members.

The school printed out the national banner recognition as a poster and displayed it near the main entrance. A lot of people congratulated the club on the award and the school is very proud.

Once again, the Unified Soccer team participated in the fall sports pep rally. The Unified Soccer team came out with the other varsity soccer teams. They were met with loud cheers from the crowd and looked great in their “Choose to Include” shirts.

Ridge High SchoolRidge High School had a great soccer season. They had six practices between September and October. They practiced with the JV soccer team on three occasions after school. They participated in four games and one tournament on 11/4 to close their season.

Their Club attended a pumpkin picking out-ing and had meetings three times weekly after school to cook, karaoke and play games.

The students are currently preparing for bas-ketball season.

Metuchen High SchoolUnified PE has been an exciting at Metuchen High School. They worked on balance, fitness, soccer, and teamwork. Their teamwork unit in-cluded scavenger hunts which created a learn-ing tool for problem solving, sequencing, and working together.

For Unified Club they participated in a pump-kin painting activity. Eleven students attended. The students did an awesome job demonstrat-ing their artistic ability.



Delsea Regional High SchoolOctober was very busy for Unified programs at Delsea Regional High School. They have spe-cialized programs of 15 students with multiple disabilities who work with their “Unified Friends” group to promote social inclusion.

The first activity of the month was “lunch buddy” where students with and without disabilities ate lunch together. This has been a wonderful addi-tion to the school as other students saw this hap-pening and also participated.

Their school-wide Homecoming Dance was held on October 23. Years prior, students with disabili-ties would not attend; however with the addition of the Unified Friends club, all of the students

with disabilities attended! One students from their program was voted Homecoming King.

Other activities included pumpkin painting, pass-ing out candy at Jeepers Creepers (a town-wide event where over 2,000 kids from the commu-nity trick or treat through the halls of the high school) and visiting another school to take part in their Unified Club activities.

While Delsea has spotlighted a few events, these types of inclusion activities are happening daily in their classrooms and hallways. The Uni-fied Club has grown so much and it crosses over into their regular lives and that is very reward-ing for everyone!



Ewing High SchoolEwing High School’s Unified Soccer team played two games against Monroe (at Monroe on October 10 and at Ewing Octo-ber 15) and their Unified Club participated in the Ewing Com-munity Fest.



Fountain Woods Elementary SchoolDuring morning announcements at Fountain Woods Elementary School, one of the students from the self contained rooms was on each week reading about the theme for the week. They also had a student with special needs make up a commercial about the char-acter theme of the month. She ended the month with talking about respect and how they should all keep this trait going even though the month is over.

On Tuesday October 11th, there was an assembly at Fountain Woods School for the fourth grade students with special visitors: Christopher Hannah, his wife Nicole and their dog, Cole. Christopher and Nicole are elementary teachers in Vineland, NJ. They adopted Cole from a shelter with the hope that Cole would be an inspiration to their 10-year old nephew who is deaf. Cole is deaf, as well. Christopher, Nicole and Cole educated the students about special needs animals and promoted the importance of empathy and acceptance for others. Chris also talked about building confidence in children and not giving up. The students were very recep-tive to this visit and important message.

Lessons with other classes included: kindness rocks, reading “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” and learning how to sign letters (abc’s).

Burlington Township High School

Burlington Township

High School had two

Unified Club meetings

in October that in-

cluded 15 students with

disabilities and nine

without. They shared

activities from last year,

chose leadership team

positions and brain-

stormed ideas. They

also played Uno and

Sleeping Queens.

Moorestown High School

Moorestown High School

is once again cited for

its Play Unified program.

This time in the NJEA

Review November 2018

issue. Click here to down-

load the publication.

See page 17 to read the

“Moorestown Quakers

Special Olympics Team

Takes National Champi-

onship” article.

https://www.njea.org/njea-review/



Robbinsville High School

Woodlynne Public School



Change The Game Conference 2018 – Photos



Change The Game Conference 2018 – More Photos

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