Message from the Executive Director
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Center School Families and Stakeholders:
As Executive Director of The Center School I am quite proud of our school. Over my past nine years here, from high school history teacher, to supervisor, then Principal, and now Executive Director, I have witnessed first-hand the great academic and social/behavioral services our staff provide our students and the fruitful results. Not only am I proud to be part of this successful organization, but I am also extremely cognizant of the importance that it continues to operate consistently at a highly effective level to meet all the needs of the students we serve.
This year, especially, it is my great privilege to have the responsibility of rising to the challenge of ensuring this continued expectation. September 2021 will mark our 50th Anniversary as a state approved school for students with disabilities. For 50 years we have served the special needs community helping students' individual needs and providing a supportive academic program which will afford every student a fulfilling learning experience.
Although we have 50 years of well-respected experience, times have changed. Special education issues and challenges have evolved as well. To keep step with these changes, we have updated our programs, while implementing additional and new ones to meet the needs of special education students today. We also have a restructured administration invested in an organizational action plan which provides for the continuation of growth and adaptation to the issues of special needs students and their parents.
Students who come to the Center School are looking for a school where they feel they are personally known to their teachers, can express themselves through their strengths, and can feel comfortable being who they are while getting an education. We go above and beyond just an “appropriate education” in a “least restrictive environment”. As you walk the halls of our school you will find an environment more open and inviting for special education students than what is traditionally found for them in district schools.
Our students receive a highly effective special education program delivered by qualified and certified staff in a school setting which is characterized by a very least restrictive environment. Each day students move between classes and teachers, enjoy open learning studios, and transition between their academic classes and their related arts and support services. Students are not limited to self-contained classrooms, as found in district schools, but instead transition to different classrooms and teachers each day such as: the art studio, music room, gymnasium, industrial arts/woodshop, OT, Counselors, and other daily activities.
One of my most important responsibilities to you, and personal beliefs, is communication- that we keep you informed of all that is taking place at The Center School. We need to continue to collaborate closely with all our families to maneuver our way forward with the schooling of our students. I plan on continuing to hold our parent-therapeutic meetings regularly to exchange ideas and problem solve. I am also prioritizing a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program to support our students and their families as we find ways to assist our students in learning how to face life’s challenges. Our weekly Principal’s Newsletter will continue to fill you in on our weekly activities and programs. Our school events are designed to invite families into the school to share in the activities your children are enjoying. We are also regularly updating our school website with up-to-date events, school activities, Covid-19 information, and additional important information, so I encourage you to visit it as often as possible. And of course, as always, our staff will continue their open communications with you so that we can all work together to provide the best support for our students.
As Executive Director of this amazing school, I am looking forward to continuing to provide our students a strong and vibrant education which is a priceless gift that will last them a lifetime. The dedication of our staff, our proven programs which have helped our students become successful, and our continued efforts to constantly improve will strengthen The Center School as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary in September and begin our next 50 years.
Sincerely,
Ronald P. Rinaldi, Ed.D.
Executive Director
As Executive Director of The Center School I am quite proud of our school. Over my past nine years here, from high school history teacher, to supervisor, then Principal, and now Executive Director, I have witnessed first-hand the great academic and social/behavioral services our staff provide our students and the fruitful results. Not only am I proud to be part of this successful organization, but I am also extremely cognizant of the importance that it continues to operate consistently at a highly effective level to meet all the needs of the students we serve.
This year, especially, it is my great privilege to have the responsibility of rising to the challenge of ensuring this continued expectation. September 2021 will mark our 50th Anniversary as a state approved school for students with disabilities. For 50 years we have served the special needs community helping students' individual needs and providing a supportive academic program which will afford every student a fulfilling learning experience.
Although we have 50 years of well-respected experience, times have changed. Special education issues and challenges have evolved as well. To keep step with these changes, we have updated our programs, while implementing additional and new ones to meet the needs of special education students today. We also have a restructured administration invested in an organizational action plan which provides for the continuation of growth and adaptation to the issues of special needs students and their parents.
Students who come to the Center School are looking for a school where they feel they are personally known to their teachers, can express themselves through their strengths, and can feel comfortable being who they are while getting an education. We go above and beyond just an “appropriate education” in a “least restrictive environment”. As you walk the halls of our school you will find an environment more open and inviting for special education students than what is traditionally found for them in district schools.
Our students receive a highly effective special education program delivered by qualified and certified staff in a school setting which is characterized by a very least restrictive environment. Each day students move between classes and teachers, enjoy open learning studios, and transition between their academic classes and their related arts and support services. Students are not limited to self-contained classrooms, as found in district schools, but instead transition to different classrooms and teachers each day such as: the art studio, music room, gymnasium, industrial arts/woodshop, OT, Counselors, and other daily activities.
One of my most important responsibilities to you, and personal beliefs, is communication- that we keep you informed of all that is taking place at The Center School. We need to continue to collaborate closely with all our families to maneuver our way forward with the schooling of our students. I plan on continuing to hold our parent-therapeutic meetings regularly to exchange ideas and problem solve. I am also prioritizing a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program to support our students and their families as we find ways to assist our students in learning how to face life’s challenges. Our weekly Principal’s Newsletter will continue to fill you in on our weekly activities and programs. Our school events are designed to invite families into the school to share in the activities your children are enjoying. We are also regularly updating our school website with up-to-date events, school activities, Covid-19 information, and additional important information, so I encourage you to visit it as often as possible. And of course, as always, our staff will continue their open communications with you so that we can all work together to provide the best support for our students.
As Executive Director of this amazing school, I am looking forward to continuing to provide our students a strong and vibrant education which is a priceless gift that will last them a lifetime. The dedication of our staff, our proven programs which have helped our students become successful, and our continued efforts to constantly improve will strengthen The Center School as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary in September and begin our next 50 years.
Sincerely,
Ronald P. Rinaldi, Ed.D.
Executive Director