The Office of Special Education utilized the District’s Staff Development Day to lead the Building Bridges: Connected to Student Success Conference on March 15, 2023. The conference was held at Newark Vocational High School and well attended by Special Education Teachers and Child Study Team members. Greetings were presented by Superintendent Leòn, Assistant Superintendent Granato, and Director of Special Education, Mrs. Mitchell. Nicole Eredics, the Keynote speaker and author of “Inclusion in Action,” shared with teachers the importance of inclusion for students with disabilities.

Over 750 special education staff attended the full day conference with 43 presenters and 96 sessions with topics that include, but not limited to, Assistive Technology, Strategies for Behavior Supports, IEP Development, Transition Needs, the content areas (ELA, Math and Science), Supporting English Language Learners, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, and Student Self-Determination and Motivation.

The conference was made possible through collaboration with Principal DeSantis and the Newark Vocational team. The school’s culinary arts and hospitality program provided meals for the day. A special thank you to Student Ambassadors from NJ Regional Day and John F. Kennedy Specialized Schools who assisted conference attendees throughout the day. Additionally, kudos to the District’s paraprofessionals who were an essential part of the coordination for the conference activities.