Work Readiness Academy

October was a busy month at WRA, filled with opportunities to celebrate kindness, individuality, and the importance of treating others with respect! Through our Week of Respect activities and recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month, students and staff came together to celebrate what makes our school community so special.

Our Week of Respect Spirit Week was a fun way to bring these important messages to life! We kicked things off by wearing blue for World Bullying Prevention Day, followed by our favorite sports team gear as we teamed up against bullying. Bright colors and florals reminded us to brighten each other's day, while leisure wear encouraged everyone to be comfortable being themselves. We wrapped up the week with crazy and mismatched socks to celebrate our differences and remind one another that being unique is something to be proud of!

These activities tied in perfectly with our UCESC theme, “What am I willing to share with others about myself?”, and our October social-emotional learning focus on Respect. At WRA, we're encouraging students to think about what they want others to know about them...their interests, strengths, opinions, goals, and even the things they may need help with. Through active listening circles, student leadership meetings, and weekly work-based learning (WBL) conferences, students are practicing sharing their thoughts, advocating for themselves, listening to different perspectives, and respecting the voices of others. These opportunities remind our students that their opinions matter and that learning to express themselves is an important part of building confidence and independence.

Whether in the classroom, at an internship, or out in the community, we're helping students recognize that respect goes both ways...having the confidence to share who you are while making space for others to do the same!

As we wrap up October, we're reminded that our differences, experiences, and individual voices are what make our WRA community so special!

Rachel & Josh

November 5-6 - NJEA Convention - SCHOOL CLOSED

November 18 - Virtual Parent Workshop - SSI: What Families Need to Know at Age 18

November 25 - Early Dismissal (1:00pm) - Thanksgiving Break

November 26-27 - Thanksgiving Break - SCHOOL CLOSED

Mark your calendars for our next virtual presentation in our Family Transition Series

(Full registration details and the Google Meet link will be emailed out district-wide soon!)

In the event that your child will be absent, arriving late, or picked up early, please send us an email at AttendanceWRA@ucesc.org. You may also call our main number at (908) 633-2704. If it is before 8am, please leave a message.

In recognition of Disability Mentoring Day (October 21st) the Project SEARCH at Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center interns participated in a special program focused on career development for students and job seekers with disabilities. The student cohort was split into two groups and then visited three different departments at the hospital to learn about entry-level positions and potential career paths. This year's program showcased Radiology, Environmental Services, and Clinical Engineering and was a great reminder of the role mentorship can play in helping people build skills, confidence, and experience as they work toward their career goals. The morning wrapped up with a special visit to the Overlook Helipad!

Additionally, in preparation for the day, Project SEARCH instructor Jourdan Spencer taught a lesson focused around the value and importance of mentorship.

Abby at Kean University Athletic Department in Union

Ben working in the Physical Therapy Department at Overlook Medical Center - Union Campus

Brayden at The Classic Cafe at Summit Health in Berkeley Heights

Chioma at Home Power Yoga in Downtown Cranford

Christy in the Food & Beverage Department at the Hilton Garden Inn, Springfield

David in the Food & Beverage Department at the Hilton Hotel in Newark

Larissa

Tige

Erin

Thank you again to all of our friends at the Hilton Garden Inn, Springfield, NJ for hosting our students and being wonderful partners.

I scream, you scream, the magical Mandrake screams for ice cream! Oliver got into the spirit during our annual Scarecrow Stroll in Downtown Cranford 😃🍦💀

The last few weeks of October, the WRA transformed our school's hallway into a friendly haunted hallway for our younger friends from Crossroads School. They spent time designing, building, and decorating the space, practicing planning, teamwork and following a project from idea to finish. The experience is designed with everyone in mind: spooky but never scary, with plenty of silly surprises. The goal was a fun, welcoming Halloween adventure that all students could enjoy, and a chance for the students of WRA to shine as creators and hosts. We can't wait to share the photos with you!

The Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs (OPDSN) is a valuable resource for individuals of all abilities and ages in the local community. The office offers a range of social and recreational opportunities to help individuals with disabilities connect with others and engage in meaningful activities.

From elementary school children to senior adults, the office provides programs and events that cater to the unique needs and interests of each individual. In addition to these activities, the office offers information and referral services to connect individuals and families with community resources such as rental and utility assistance, entitlements, accessibility issues, and transition services. The office is committed to promote accessibility, independence, and community integration for individuals with disabilities, and to help them achieve their full potential in all aspects of life.

OPDSN’s main goal is to advocate for persons with disabilities of all ages, as well as support community engagement for everyone.

Diana Calle, Director

Phone: 908-527-4807 * Email: dcalle@ucnj.org

The #2NDFLOOR app for NJ youth is here! It only takes a second to get free 24/7 mental health support with one-on-one chat, helpline, community conversations, and more.

2NDFLOOR is a confidential and anonymous support network for New Jersey’s youth. We are here to help you find solutions to the problems that you face at home, at school or at play.

Get started at 2NDFLOOR.org/download #mentalhealth #support.

At 18 years old all individuals, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, reach the legal age of majority. This means that parents can no longer make decisions legally on behalf of their children. See the attached fact shet from the Arc of New Jersey for more information about Guardianship and various alternative options.

The Work Readiness Academy serves students ages 18-21 with disabilities and provides a comprehensive employment training experience that incorporates both classroom-based instruction and community-based work-learning experiences. While in the training classroom, students work cooperatively with similar aged peers to learn critical skills related to employment and socialization. Students also work on career exploration and planning, including the development of a person-centered, post-secondary vision and plan with clear goals and action steps. Program staff remain on-site during the internships to provide and fade support and assistance as needed. Students also participate in field trips focused on career discovery, independent living skills, recreation and independent travel training.

For more information or to make a student referral, please email Rachel Richer at rricher@ucesc.org

Email: jbornstein@ucesc.org
Website: https://www.ucesc.org/schools/the_work_readiness_academy
Location: 970 Suburban Road, Union, NJ, USA
Phone: 908-633-2704