Look Who's Here
Alyssa, Tom, Nico, Dean, Danny, Mrs. Redzinak, Ms. Wallace
Welcome to the Website
Start of a New School Year!
We hope that the summer months have been crammed with relaxing, fun filled days for you and your family!
The MARSD opens with a full day of classes on Tuesday, September 2 nd and we have a few things we'd like to share to help you get your special needs and typical children ready to go back to school.
The MARSD will be sending out the Back to School Packets soon, (in your hands around 8/20) with all the forms & info you will need to start out the school year. Read them over, fill them out and return them on the first day of school! How great is that?
Back to School Tips
- One way to start preparing your children for school is by slowly re-establishing their “School Night” bedtime and “School Morning “wake up times. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night and reestablishing morning routines (Where are your shoes/lunches/backpacks) help everyone to be refreshed and rested for a full day of active learning!
- Look over your child's IEP or 504 plan again. Review the accommodations and modifications that you and your CST made. There may be some changes that need to be made before the school year. Contact your case manager by email, letter or phone if you have questions or concerns. Remember to always keep a log of phone calls. If you're not sure who your case manager is, especially if your child is transitioning to another building, please call the MARSD Department of Special Services at 732-705-4023 and find out before the school year begins.
- Reacquaint your child with their school. This is especially important if your child is changing schools. Find out when the building is holding the summer orientation. It is always a good idea to bring returning students back into their school to help reacquaint them with their building. Some quick tips:
• Call ahead and ask for their class and related service(s) schedule, if it is not in your MARSD Back to School Packet, so they know where their classes are.
• Ask for their locker assignment, with the combination or key, so your child can practice.
• Know where their bus or car drop off location, waiting area or homeroom location and the bus or car pick up area is; again, so they can practice without the sensory nightmare of the noise, hustle & bustle of other anxious students around.
• Review dress codes, especially for gym. Some classes require sneakers that tie, changing clothes, lockers (again with the combinations/ key issue!) etc. Add any accommodations your child may need to your IEP or 504 plan.
• Do not hesitate to contact your case manager at any time to help you help your child achieve another successful school year.
Student Orientations Schedule for the MARSD
Each school will have a Summer Student Orientation, for both General and Special Education students. If you cannot make your child's Student Orientation date, please contact your Building Principal to set up a day and time.
- Wednesday, August 26:
Lloyd Road School – Pat O'Keefe – 732-290-2760
10:30 AM for Special Education; 1:00 PM for New Transfers
MAMS - Kathy Olsen – 732-290-2850 @ 9:00 – 10:00 AM
MRHS – Michele Ruscavage – 732-290-2800 @ 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Thursday, August 27:
MRHS @ 9:30 - 12:30 PM
Tuesday, September 1:
Cambridge Park – Wayne Spells – 732-290-2713 @ 1:00 PM
Cliffwood – Brian Farrell – 732-290-2770 @ 2:00 PM
Ravine Drive – Pat Janover – 732-290-2780 @ 2:00 PM
Strathmore – Kelly Bera – 732-290-2790 @ 2:00PM
Please note:
The K- 3 Schools' Student Orientations are geared for incoming Kindergarteners. If you'd like your Special Education student to see their new classroom, where they will get off & on the bus, waiting areas for their teachers to pick them up from the bus, where they wait for their bus at the end of the day, etc., please contact the Building Principal to ask what day and time would be best to bring your child into school.
PoSP Meetings for September 2009:
Our next PoSP Meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 3 rd at 7:30 PM & Friday, September 4 th at 1:00 PM in the Conference Room of the Aberdeen Municipal Building . Please join us!
Meet & Greet for Mr. Robert Schweitzer, Director of Special Services
We are very excited to co-host with the MARSD a casual “Meet and Greet” at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 8 th for the district's new Director of Special Services, Mr. Robert Schweitzer. Mr. Schweitzer will discuss his background in Special Education and his vision for the MARSD. Please bring your friends and family to the Board of Education Meeting Room, One Crest Way , Aberdeen at 7:00 PM on Tuesday September 8th to find out about the exciting ideas and innovations for the MARSD Special Education students! Invitations should be going out in the mail around August 18 th ; please look for it! Light refreshments will be served. Please note: If you have specific concerns regarding your child's placement or program, please contact Mr. Schweitzer directly at 732-705-4023 or email him at rschweitzer@marsd.k12.nj.us
MARSD Back to School Nights
The MARSD Back to School Nights that are held in each building in September are always very informative and a good night to catch up with friends you didn't get to see all summer! In addition to learning more about your child's school and teachers, there are many tables set up for you to look over recreational programs, socialization opportunities and general information to help you and your family.
The MARSD Back to School Nights all start at 7:00 PM :
- Tues., 9/15 - Lloyd Road School
- Wed., 9/16 – Cliffwood
- Thurs., 9/17 – Ravine Drive
- Tues., 9/22 - Strathmore
- Wed., 9/23 – Cambridge Park
- Thurs., 9/24 - MRHS
- Tues., 9/29 - MAMS 6th Grade
- Wed., 9/30 MAMS 7th & 8th Grade
Matawan Day and Aberdeen Days in September
Matawan Day is Saturday, September 12 from 12:00 – 5:00 PM in Terhune Park . Aberdeen Day is Saturday September 26 from 12:00 – 5:00 PM at MRHS.
Both days will be filled with food, crafters, vendors, information tables, Girl Scout and Boy Scout registration tables, and a whole lot of fun, so please try to get out and experience them!
PoSP continues to work with the MARSD and the Township and Borough as well as other volunteer organizations to help provide you with information regarding recreational opportunities. We hope to post a monthly parent and/or educator training schedule soon! Please contact us at anytime with any questions, training requests or concerns you may have regarding your child's journey through the special education process.
See you in September!
Parents of Special People, Inc.
A parent run nonprofit organization for the special needs communities of Matawan and Aberdeen and the Special Education Parent Advisory Group for the Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District .