Mayor Joins Groundbreaking for New Special Needs School

Leaders and students from two private special needs schools as well as local officials and key supporters were on hand March 8, in Scotch Plains, for the groundbreaking ceremony of a new state-of-the-art school. The two-story facility at 1000 Cellar Ave. will accommodate students from both the Newmark School, a K-8 facility in Plainfield, and Newmark High School in Carteret.

“In addition to expanding services for our students and further utilizing the expertise of our staff, the Newmark Schools facility will allow us to reach out to the increasing special needs population, the community and educators throughout the state,” said Ms. Cynthia Allman, co-founder and co-executive director of both schools. “The Newmark Schools will feature a teacher training institute where educators from throughout the state will come to learn and observe proven teaching methods for students with learning disabilities and behavioral disorders.”

Local officials at the groundbreaking included Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool and Warren Mayor Carolann Garafola. Duncan Niederauer, co-chairman of the capital campaign committee for the new facility and CEO of the NYSE Euronext, was also on hand and spoke about how critical Newmark School and Newmark High School are for the special needs community. He also shared the positive impact Newmark School has had on his child’s life.

The 58,000 square foot facility will include a regional special needs community center that will offer children and their families opportunities to socialize, play sports and partake in community service projects.

“The idea is to open our doors to other students with special needs who don’t currently attend our schools but who are more than welcome to come and socialize and take advantage of some of the afterschool programming we will be offering,” said Ms. Allman.

The new facility will also be equipped with the latest in technology including wireless access in all learning areas. Classrooms will have interactive whiteboards, media stations and laptops. A learning commons will provide students with a place to use computers and share information.

Collaborative learning will feature prominently at Newmark Schools. Mediascapes—a mix of furniture and technology that allows groups of students to share and access information on their laptops—will be available for use.

“Classroom layout will also serve to foster collaboration,” said Ms. Allman. “Instead of rows of traditional desks, students will be seated in node chairs, which are mobile and flexible. The classroom set up will be designed for quick, easy transitions, going from one teaching mode to the next without interruption.”

A life skills apartment that simulates a home environment will teach high school students how to live independently. Additional features of the new facility include two art studios, a soundproof music room, therapy rooms, science lab and a health and wellness center.

The new facility is expected to be completed by spring 2013.

Newmark School and Newmark High School are state-approved private schools for children with learning disabilities and behavioral disorders. Both schools provide students with an intimate, family-like learning environment where the individual needs of students are met. Education at the Newmark School and Newmark High School is based on structure and discipline. Each student receives an individually tailored academic plan with appropriate educational material and learning tools for their level, delivered by highly trained staff members. All learning takes place in a small, calm and quiet classroom environment. For more information, visit www.newmarkeducation.com