As I walk into S.E.A.D., a special education school in Eatontown, New Jersey, I can’t help but wonder what kind of students they have and what is truly so “special” about them. Like any individual with preconceived notions, I put them to the test by walking through the halls to get the truth. Why is this program so important to the community and how will it serve our children, the future generation?
The first thing I noticed when I walked in was a wall of children’s faces—children I know, families I know, these are the students of S.E.A.D. Children we all see in the grocery store, on Shabbat and holidays and on vacations. Children whose parents I went to school with.
For a smaller school of smaller classes consisting of 5-8 students per class compared to our community’s yeshivot of at least 20-35 children per class, there is a lot happening. Each class is created to cater to a small group of students to ensure a more individualized program based on what each child needs. The teacher’s all have Masters Degrees and are specially trained to teach all abilities.
One look at the packed schedule and you soon realize that their goal of a well rounded education, catering to each child’s needs, is of utmost importance. In addition to their packed learning schedule there are gym classes, music classes, Keriah and art classes, where they learn drawing techniques and paint true masterpieces. “A very important element that contributes to the school’s success is the therapy they receive in addition to their small class setting. The therapists each have many years of experience in their field and most are working with the school since its inception,” says Mrs. Gutterman, Educational Director. The therapists include physical, speech and occupational. They work with the child and teacher to ensure carry over in the classroom.
S.E.A.D. works with both Hillel and Deal Yeshivah to ensure optimal mainstreaming for each child. The classes join in many Hillel activities including music, holiday programs, a joined siddur play for the first grade and many other special activities. They have some students joining Deal Yeshivah classes for science, gym and lunch. For students making the transition to a mainstream school, S.E.A.D. is able to send individual students for portions of their curriculum into their mainstream class to ensure a smooth and productive transition into a big class.
As the school works with the students, the underlying feeling and message they want to portray to the community is the desire to give their students the skills they need and then be able to join a larger school environment. To date, S.E.A.D. has mainstreamed students to both Hillel Yeshivah and Deal Yeshivah successfully.
Each classroom is full of colorful bulletin boards with the students work, educational games and up-to- date educational programs working on building reading, math, writing and language skills. In addition, each class contains a specialized computer which is set up with individualized programs for every student which they use across the curriculum for skill building and review.
At the end of the day, I can really appreciate that S.E.A.D. is a community school that takes in students that might get overwhelmed or frustrated by a large class or generalized curriculum and puts them in an environment where they can truly strive. As I discussed my findings with other adults, I hear more often than not, “If there was a program like S.E.A.D. when I was growing up, maybe certain things wouldn’t have been so frustrating for me going through school.”
We need to give our children the opportunities we didn’t have growing up. Down the road, this stepping stone will help our children and that is the most important thing we can do for them.
