On Monday, July 6, after months of preparation and legal review, the Lakewood public school district commenced their ESY program for students with special needs.
More than 500 students registered – ranging from preschool through 12th grade.
The program, which operates Monday through Thursday at 5 public locations – and offers busing, breakfast, lunch and more (provided by Sodexo and Gelbsteins) – focuses on the children’s individualized needs as driven by their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Board Attorney Inzelbuch stayed, “This is yet another example of how Lakewood public schools are leading the pack. There is no other district in New Jersey who is provided anything near what Lakewood is providing, with many districts still resorting to zoom – in my experience more aptly described as gloom.”
Inzelbuch added, “The ESY program has been reviewed by the State, County Board of Health, and Lakewood Police. Kudos to the staff, parents, Board of Education members, the Superintendent and kids for making it work – despite efforts by some to thwart progress.”
Once again, please point out to all LS readers that the Lakewood School District is not the only ESY program of this magnitude in NJ.
Again, please note that SCHI’s (a NJ DoE licensed and approved school) in-person ESY program is in full swing with teachers and therapists and administrators providing the much needed educational and therapies for over 100 children and yound adults.
TCFE (The Center for Education) has also opened their doors for an ESY program for over 30 children from preK through 4th grades.
Both these schools are also still providing remote learning to a few whose families were not comfortable sending their child in person as of yet.
Thank you! This was very much needed and I can not believe it was pulled off. My son goes to LECC and virtual did not work for him at all. He has developmental delays and needs to be in school- in person-to learn and receive proper therapy. I know to many kids who regressed do the schools being closed for so long. Thank you LECC for everything you do for our children!
It is very good to see more people going back to work again
To LS
I commented about 3 hours ago regarding the fact that there are two other schools in Lakewood– two NJ DoE licensed and approved private schools for students with disabilities — that have also opened their doors for in-person ESY programs.
Lakewood School District should be commended, but the families and residents of Lakewood, along with the rest of NJ, need to recognize that the School for Children with Hidden Intelligence (SCHI) has worked tirelessly and has overcome many obstacles to provide in-person educational and therapeutic services to hundreds of children and young adults from preschool to high school, in a Covid compliant, safe school building with all procedures and guidelines in place and being followed by all.
The same can be said of The Center for Education, the other private school that is open here in Lakewood servicing approximately 40 children from preK to 4th grades. ( Once again, do not confuse this school with Special Children’s Center, which in not under the auspices of the NJ DoE, but rather is licensed by the Nj Dept of Health Family Services. When Mr. Inzelbuch mentions Special Children’s Center in his talks about the special needs schools here in Lakewood,he is confusing the two entirely different organizations, as well as everyone listening to him.)
SCHI and The Center for Education need to be recognized by all for their thoughtfulness, compassion, and understanding of the needs of their students and families. Each of these schools are performing miracles through the dedication and hard work all their staff..teachers, assistants, therapists, administrators, custodial and office workers…put forth daily.
These schools need everyone’s support and good will in addition to being recognized.
Yes. SCHI and their staff are absolutely awesome!!!!!Thank you for always caring about each and individual child and family.