SEASON TO BELIEVE
Belief system sparks education initiatives at Mercer County Special Services School District
As Santa Claus made his annual visit to Mercer County Elementary School his entourage, which included Sunshine Foundation Mercer County Executive Director Cathy DiCostanzo, neared Room 240.
Inside, students anticipated the arrival of this special guest who connected with their belief system.
Outside the door of this classroom, teacher Lucy Reside has posted a sign that captured the essence of Mercer County Special Services School District educational and life-learning endeavors — In this classroom we believe in each other.
Santa Claus takes a backseat to MCSSSD faculty, administrators and other employees on this sprawling West Windsor campus which includes a high school, elementary school, Joseph F. Cappello (pre-K) school and New Jersey Regional Day School.
Whether it’s Room 242 in Mercer Elementary School, manned by teacher Jorge Merino, Angelina Buzgo in Room 332 or Room 214, where my daughter, Leah Housel teaches, believing in mission, self and students daily places Santa, Christmas and life in perspective.
Gifts, provided by Sunshine Foundation Mercer County and distributed by Santa Claus and elves Sofiya Gischlar, Cassandra Scott, Maddie Klein, Crysten Wood, all from Steinert High, junior elves Mia and Ella Bartholomew, are tangible items.
No disrespect for the big man in the red suit who handed a gift to every student but MCSSSD teachers deliver intangibles that parallel a fantastic message delivered by singer Josh Groban.
Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that’s playing
There’s no time to waste There’s so much to celebrate Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just believe. Students here face a wide variety of learning and/or developmental challenges and yet amazing accomplishments occur as teachers believe they can make a difference. A synopsis of the Mercer County Elementary School mission.
Experiences in learning encompass academic and social components as students learn how to make appropriate decisions, accepting consequences and developing independence and responsibility.
Reinforcement of these skills occur daily along with learning. And while individualized educational plans (IEPs) serve as foundation for development and function, one key component offered by faculty members and administrators throughout the Mercer County Special Services School District plays an integral role in successful outcomes — believe.
“The toy gifts are a collaborative between the school, Sunshine Foundation Mercer County and other contributors. It’s a partnership,” DiCostanzo said.
“This is always a special visit, just to see the kids’ eyes light up. Sure, it’s toys but it’s love, too. Coming here gives us a chance to remember what Christmas is all about. We’re just honored that we could share a little Christmas blessing with kids.”
Of course, nothing seems more magical than the Sunshine Foundation Mercer County annual Dreamlift which transports approximately 100 local youth and chaperones for a same-day, down-and-back trip to Disney World in Orlando. FL. Lawrence Twp. Det. Dave Burns heads a security detail and helps to coordinate that trip scheduled for May 5, 2020.
Burns joined other Sunshine Foundation members Rob Santello, Michele Boedeker and Kathy Knauer as they offered spiritual support for Santas played by Freeholder Pat Colavita and Lawrence Twp. police Ofc. Scott Caloiaro. Costanzo thanked Jamie Simpson, a Sunnybrae teacher’s aide and Sunshine Foundation member who collected coloring books, crayons and other donated gifts.
The holiday celebration included a Mercer County High school Christmas bazaar where students sold items they had created in workshops. “This gives us an opportunity to showcase what they’re making. They had this (event) in mind as a culmination of year-end activities for the calendar year. The students really made things with a purpose,” explained Brian Kozakowski, Mercer County High School principal.
“We have a shop which we run throughout the year where a lot of these items are sold. This is a way to bring everything out front and showcase their efforts. The students have worked really hard on this project. A lot of what we do here serves as preparation for future employment. What’s been produced is a culmination of ideas sometimes initiated by students with guidance from faculty. It’s a collaborative effort.”
Jennifer Kochie, a special education teacher with 21 years experience, references her job as a labor of love. The bazaar included items such as bath bombs, women’s fragrances, ornaments and other holiday decorations.
“I work collaboratively with teachers and we focus on social skills, sensory integration, academics and functioning daily skills, including cooking and things like vacuuming. Our main goal is to gain them as much independence as possible,” Kochie explained.
“Been doing this for 21 years and working with some fantastic teachers. Honestly, it gets better each year. New challenges but facing anything makes you work that much harder. Family members, teachers, administrators? We believe in what we do.”