Welcome to C.A.R.E.S. Corner! C.A.R.E.S. stands for Counseling, Advocacy and Resources for Educational Support.
March 2025 - Lifetown in Livingston
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Our CTC Upper Elementary classes just went to Lifetown in Livingston on a full-day Community-Based Instruction day! Lifetown defines itself as "a world of adventure, education, and inclusion—where children and young adults with special needs can practice life skills, gain confidence, and build friendships." It was an amazing day and all of the students had a great time while practicing real-life activities and having hands-on learning experiences.
Lifetown is a great place to go to spend time with your special needs child in a welcoming and inclusive environment. The facilities include a simulated bank, dentist office, library, grocery store, and nail salon. There is also a bike and tricycle riding area, indoor playground, tactile room and a sensory gym complete with a ball pit. Click the link below to learn more or to sign up for Open Play Sundays for families: https://www.lifetown.com/programs/families/ Upcoming Sensory Friendly Shows at MPAC in Morristown.
https://www.ticketsales.com/community-theatre-at-mayo-performing-arts-center-tickets/venue?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADLKMEdZhukc3uE3qh25IQcAAXqbX&gclid=CjwKCAiA5eC9BhAuEiwA3CKwQmVuugPer7gQznD46pcThepNbxQz24KHgkhBk5liZnxkd8yyeoQ3lhoC7lwQAvD_BwE -Kelly Parella, School Social Worker at Celebrate the Children |
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February 2025 - Meditation Class with Glenn
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As a part of our Fall Parent Healing Group Series, Glenn and our parents were joined in our Culinary Arts Kitchen by Chef Rob. During this group, Glenn and Chef Rob shared many ways to connect with our children and others through meditation, nutrition, and wellness. Our parents then were able to take home their
Red Pepper Risotto to share with their kids and families! Glenn’s Parent Healing Groups run twice every month on Thursdays at 1:30 pm from October to May. Our Winter Series, "Inspire", will meet on the following dates: February 6th and 27th, and March 13th and 27th. Our Spring Series, "Grow", will meet on the following dates: April 3rd and 17th, May 1st, 15th and 29th. During the Winter and Spring Series, Glenn will host group parent sessions, as well as groups with Chef Rob, and one parent-child session for each series. Glenn is a teacher of healing and meditation and has been running these groups for over 10 years at CTC. Glenn started these groups while working at our school as a paraprofessional before retiring. |
Please contact Cheri Alexander at [email protected] for more information on CTC Connections Parent Healing Groups and other
educational opportunities through the school year!
-Jennifer Carucci, School Counselor at Celebrate the Children
educational opportunities through the school year!
-Jennifer Carucci, School Counselor at Celebrate the Children
January 2025 - CTC Connections Parent Training Academy
CTC Connections was developed in 2015 to provide education and support to the families of Celebrate the Children. CTC Connections organizes workshops
throughout the year that are held both virtually and in person to help guide families through their child’s time at school. The presentations are aimed to
educate families on the differences between entitlement (school system) and eligibility (post 21) as well as services available to them through the lifespan. Due to the ever changing world we live in, many of these presentations are repeated yearly to provide families with the most up to date information. This provides families the opportunity to educate themselves and prepare to navigate the many systems, benefits and agencies in the pre and post-21 world.
For questions regarding CTC Connections, our yearly presentations, or a copy of the CTC Connections Training Academy timeline please contact:
Jennifer Carucci, MA LPC at [email protected] or Cheri Alexander at [email protected]
Agency Resources and Archived Webinars:
The Arc of NJ: https://www.arcnj.org/information/archived_webinars.html
Hinkle, Prior and Fischer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-oj8ZLxltGRku1JB9hGd3Q
Division of Developmental Disabilities: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/
throughout the year that are held both virtually and in person to help guide families through their child’s time at school. The presentations are aimed to
educate families on the differences between entitlement (school system) and eligibility (post 21) as well as services available to them through the lifespan. Due to the ever changing world we live in, many of these presentations are repeated yearly to provide families with the most up to date information. This provides families the opportunity to educate themselves and prepare to navigate the many systems, benefits and agencies in the pre and post-21 world.
For questions regarding CTC Connections, our yearly presentations, or a copy of the CTC Connections Training Academy timeline please contact:
Jennifer Carucci, MA LPC at [email protected] or Cheri Alexander at [email protected]
Agency Resources and Archived Webinars:
The Arc of NJ: https://www.arcnj.org/information/archived_webinars.html
Hinkle, Prior and Fischer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-oj8ZLxltGRku1JB9hGd3Q
Division of Developmental Disabilities: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/
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December 2024 - Upperclassmen and Alumni Virtual Parent Group
The High School and Y.A.P. C.A.R.E.S. departments are planning the next virtual parent group that will start in January. The purpose of this group will be for high school, young adult and CTC alumni parents to connect and discuss pertinent issues and share experiences that these age groups encounter.
Learning and sharing with parents who have dealt with these issues first hand, we hope, will be a valuable experience for all.
C.A.R.E.S. department members Ellen Fleischmann, Stephanie Sawicki and Jessica Gosses to facilitate.
More information to come - please reach out to Jessica with any questions at [email protected].
For some local, sensory-friendly holiday events that your family may enjoy, please scroll down and view our November Newsletter article!
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
Learning and sharing with parents who have dealt with these issues first hand, we hope, will be a valuable experience for all.
C.A.R.E.S. department members Ellen Fleischmann, Stephanie Sawicki and Jessica Gosses to facilitate.
More information to come - please reach out to Jessica with any questions at [email protected].
For some local, sensory-friendly holiday events that your family may enjoy, please scroll down and view our November Newsletter article!
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
November 2024 - Sensory-Friendly Holiday Fun
Happy November! We are now officially in the holiday season. The CTC Cares Team is hopeful that you and your family can enjoy all that the season has to offer. Attached you will find an article that provides some great advice on how to set your special needs child and your family up for success on Thanksgiving Day. https://buzz.avazapp.com/blog/5-ways-to-make-thanksgiving-a-fun-experience-for-children-with-special-needs/
Here are some local sensory friendly events that your family may enjoy as well -
Happy November! We are now officially in the holiday season. The CTC Cares Team is hopeful that you and your family can enjoy all that the season has to offer. Attached you will find an article that provides some great advice on how to set your special needs child and your family up for success on Thanksgiving Day. https://buzz.avazapp.com/blog/5-ways-to-make-thanksgiving-a-fun-experience-for-children-with-special-needs/
Here are some local sensory friendly events that your family may enjoy as well -
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Play, The Growing Stage
- There is a quiet room for you to relax and enjoy the show. All shows are accommodating to special needs children. https://growingstage.com
- The Polar Express Train Ride, Whippany Train Museum
- Sensory Friendly Day Friday, December 13th at 11:10am and 1:10pm. https://whippanythepolarexpressride.com
- The Nutcracker, Roxey Ballet
- Sensory-friendly show on December 14th at 4pm in New Hope, PA. roxeyballet.org
- Sensory Friendly Day with Santa, No Labels Boxing Gym
- December date TBD, Boonton, NJ. This is a free event, please call to RSVP. nolabelsboxing.com
- Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights
- Free admission, with a good will offering of a food item for food pantry, a new toy or a gently used coat. Walk through the zoo covered in holiday lights. Friday December 6th -Tuesday December 31st 5-9pm. https://turtlebackzoo.com/discover/holiday-lights-spectacular/
- Free admission, with a good will offering of a food item for food pantry, a new toy or a gently used coat. Walk through the zoo covered in holiday lights. Friday December 6th -Tuesday December 31st 5-9pm. https://turtlebackzoo.com/discover/holiday-lights-spectacular/
October 2024 - Getting to Know C.A.R.E.S.
The C.A.R.E.S. team supports our students all year round, but especially in September! C.A.R.E.S. stands for - Counseling, Advocacy and Resources for Educational Support. While September brings so many positive and exciting things to the lives of our students, it can also bring anxiety and nervousness as they become accustomed to it all. The C.A.R.E.S. team communicates with staff about new students in their classroom, provides coping skills and support to both staff and students, and supports parents during this transitional time. The C.A.R.E.S. team is here to support you and your child as they grow and move through their educational program here at CTC.
Please look for email updates from CTC Connections for monthly educational webinars and support group opportunities. Please contact Jen Carucci at [email protected] or Cheri Alexander at [email protected] with any questions regarding these presentations.
In early October, parents will be provided more information on our monthly Haircut Day program as well as registration information. The first Haircut Day for the 2024-25 school year will be on 10/21/24. Going forward, it will be the 2nd Monday of the month through May, 2025. Please contact Joanne Keilty at [email protected] if you have any questions.
We look forward to a meaningful year together.
- The C.A.R.E.S. Team
Please look for email updates from CTC Connections for monthly educational webinars and support group opportunities. Please contact Jen Carucci at [email protected] or Cheri Alexander at [email protected] with any questions regarding these presentations.
In early October, parents will be provided more information on our monthly Haircut Day program as well as registration information. The first Haircut Day for the 2024-25 school year will be on 10/21/24. Going forward, it will be the 2nd Monday of the month through May, 2025. Please contact Joanne Keilty at [email protected] if you have any questions.
We look forward to a meaningful year together.
- The C.A.R.E.S. Team
