Piscataway Regional Day School
 

BACKGROUND

The Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission assumed responsibility for the management of the New Jersey Department of Education’s Piscataway Regional Day School in September 1984. Specialized programs are offered to students ages 13-21 with autism and severe multiple disabilities from more than forty (40) school districts representing seven (7) counties in Central New Jersey. The school is located on MRESC’s Piscataway campus. The building includes a vocational workshop/classroom; a spacious multipurpose room for physical education, cafeteria and assemblies; OT/PT room; ADL room and a Media Center for student use.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Piscataway Regional Day School provides specialized instruction to students with multiple disabilities and/or autism in order to develop functional, independent skills at the student’s potential. It involves parents in a collaborative partnership to develop student skills at school and home.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Piscataway Regional Day School integrates resources of the school, families, and community to maximize student independence and potential for lifelong learning. Curricula are aligned with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, and students participate in the NJASK or Alternate Proficiency Assessment. Related Services and Classroom Staff work collaboratively to integrate and support student needs.  School staff assists resident districts to provide a smooth transition for students to inclusive education opportunities.

STUDENT SELECTION CRITERIA

Classified students, pursuant to 6A:14 ages 13-21 who require placement in the following types of special class programs:

• Multiple Disabilities
• Cognitive Disabilities
• Autism
• Other classifications as appropriate
   

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Instructional Program:

• Readiness Skills
• Academic Skills
• Functional Academics
• Communication Skills
• Activities of Daily Living
• Recreational Skills
• Vocational Training/Career Exploration
• Structured Learning Experiences
• Community Based Instruction
• Work Study Opportunities
• Music Education
• Art Education
• Social Skills Training
• Technology-infused education

Related Services:

• Speech/Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Adaptive Physical Education
• Medical/Nursing Services

Specialized Services:

• Post-secondary Preparation
• Community Field Trips
• Augmentative Communication Evaluation and Instruction
• Transitional Services
• Inclusion Support
• Parent Training and Family Support
• Nutritional Management/Feeding/Dysphagia
• Seizure Management
• Individualized Behavior Management Planning

STAFFING

• Teachers of Students with Disabilities, Highly Qualified according to NJ Regulations
• Speech/Language Specialists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• School Nurses
• Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
• Music Teacher
• Art Teacher
• Trained instructional Aides
• Social Worker
• Vocational Staff
• Community Education Teacher
• Case Manager
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Consultant in Pediatrics
• Consultant in Behavioral Psychology
   

ACADEMIC PROGRAM OFFERINGS/MRESC CURRICULA

• NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards
• Language Arts Literacy
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Visual & Performing Arts
• Social Skills
• Consumer, Family & Life Skills
• Vocational Education
• Adaptive Physical Education
• Speech & Language

APPROVALS

New Jersey Department of Education

CALENDAR

• September to June ten (10) month program
• Extended School Year Program (in July and August)
• The combined 10 month and ESY programs offer over 210 days of instruction

ADMISSION/REFERRAL PROCESS

Inquiries from New Jersey public school districts may be addressed to the Principal or Vice Principal. Written referrals with the student’s child study team records are reviewed prior to a scheduled intake meeting. Resident child study team members, parents/guardians and students are requested to attend the intake interviews.

Public school personnel or parents interested in more information should contact
 

Toba Knobel-Principal

Phyllis DeLucia-Vice Principal

Piscataway Regional Day School
1670 Stelton Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854
(732) 985-8782
Fax: (732) 985-8783

PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES
The Program for Students with Multiple Disabilities provides instruction leading to a successful transition from school to adult life. The curriculum addresses functional academics, the acquisition of life skills and workplace readiness skills. Students learn how to operate as independently as possible in school, home and community settings. Individualized instruction supports different learning styles and is provided according to each student’s IEP. Social skills groups address issues of adolescence and decision-making. Instruction in the community provides a real work opportunity to assist in the generalization of skills learned in the classroom. Transition services provide support to students in order to prepare for life after high school. The Career Exploration staff offer an array of services from in-house vocational training and on-campus work-study opportunities to off-campus job sampling. PRDS Case Managers assist families in completing the process for registration with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and registration with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVR) as appropriate.

PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most commonly used evidence-based approach for teaching students with autism. Student with autism are taught through systematic strategies and consistently reinforced for displaying desired behaviors. An intensive and individualized program is provided for all students in a 2:1 student-to-classroom-staff ratio. A vital part of this program is the collection of daily data to measure the progression of skill development and to equip staff with information they need to make judgments regarding program.  Social skills training is incorporated into all autistic classes and is applied within the school and community settings. Instruction in the community provides a real world opportunity to assist in the generalization of skills learned in the classrooms. Students participate in the Vocational/Career Exploration Program both in-house and in the community at selected job sampling sites.  PRDS Case Managers assist families in completing the process for registration with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and registration with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVR) as appropriate.