Programs

  • PLACEMENT OPTIONS

    Programs are assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure that students individual needs are met. River Edge Schools provide a continuum of inclusive instructional models for students with disabilities. A range of placement options are available in accordance with Individual Education Programs (IEPs). Emphasis is placed on the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in the general education setting. Placement options include the following:

  • IN CLASS SUPPORT

    In-Class Support (ICS) is an instructional co-teaching model in which the general education teacher and special education teacher collaborates and provides the instruction in the general education setting to all students. Accommodations and modifications are also implemented in this setting.

  • RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAM

    These classes replace instruction in the mainstream while providing access to the same curriculum. Students are instructed in a small group setting with specialized techniques and strategies, as well as modifications, when necessary.

  • SELF-CONTAINED CLASSES

    Building Bridges and Building Connections

    Building Bridges:

    Children with autism can exhibit a spectrum of abilities and disabilities. The Building Bridges Program in the River Edge School District recognizes the unique needs of children with autism and other disabilities, grades preschool through 6th. Our children are serviced utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA includes but is not limited to;

    1. Incidental Teaching, Discrete Trials, Reinforcement Contingencies, Shaping, Task Analysis, Error less Teaching, Peer Modeling, Small Group Instruction Building Bridges employs 1:1 instruction in preschool 2:1 in primary and above, as well as group instruction. We offer speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and behavior supports. Services are delivered based on the individual needs of each student and IEP recommendations.

    Building Connections

    The students are taught in a small group environment. Speech/language therapy, Occupational therapy, and physical therapy are provided as deemed appropriate by a student's IEP. The students are services utilizing the strategies listed below. It includes but is not limited to:

    1. Incidental teaching, reinforcement contingencies, shaping, task analysis, Peer modeling, Small group instruction, Video modeling

    The students' individual academic needs are met by the same curriculum used either in the resource or general education setting. The students are involved in a reverse inclusion program to increase peer modeling. Students are offered inclusion in the least restrictive environment as deemed appropriate. Children in the program may participate in lunch and recess with their grade-level peers.

    Direct instruction is paired with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to enable students to develop coping strategies when feeling stressed or disappointed or dealing with change and unexpected events. CBT is used to increase positive thoughts which in turn will increase positive behaviors for future events

    The Building Connections class services students with a variety of disabilities in grades K-6. It includes a clinical component provided from an outside agency that utilizes therapeutic interventions in the form of individual therapy, group counseling, teacher/staff training and parent counseling.