Beginning in April 2019 – July 2019, Ms. Robin from Kaye-Lynn Dance Studio in East Brunswick visited our Special Education Preschool Students 4 times to provide dance and gross motor movement instruction to our students. Ms. Robin is certified in the Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Program, which certifies dance educators to provide dance instruction to students with Special Needs.
This was a wonderful opportunity to not only expose our students to dance and movement classes, but also provide them with an opportunity to enjoy new leisure skills while building appropriate social skills.
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to enhance our Preschool Special Education Program through your generous support.
During the 2017-18 school year, I applied for an SRFEE mini-grant in the hopes of getting an escape room kit that would enable me to create dynamic lessons for students to practice a multitude of skills in a variety of content areas. The kit included the materials necessary (assorted locking mechanisms, decoders, etc.) as well as access to an online platform that offered the lessons and hints for the escape room. The lessons were, indeed, dynamic, and were very much enjoyed by all who participated. I have attached a short video of my former students “escaping” at the end of a lesson.
Patricia Crowdell, ELA Teacher, South River Middle School
I would like to thank SRFEE for their continued efforts to foster excellence in our community and schools.
While students and staff presently have access to laptops, it wasn’t that way in 2016. However, at that time I had the opportunity to apply for a mini-grant to purchase a laptop to utilize in my classroom. After being awarded the grant, having the laptop in the classroom was extremely beneficial. My students were able to learn basic computer skills. They were able to search for jobs and explore different types of job applications. Having this laptop early on was a great asset to have in the classroom and I am extremely grateful to have been awarded the mini-grant from SRFEE.
Jenai Damatta, High School Life Skills Class
I along with Cassie Juba and Christine Kilduff received a mini grant to take our special education students on a field trip. Our students are in a self contained classroom setting and benefit from hands-on experiences. We decided to take them to the Turtle Back Zoo. The students were able to experience the zoo, for many the first time to see and touch the animals. Some of the students are now in high school and still talk about the experience. Thank you SRFEE for making this experience possible for us. You are very much appreciated.
Diane Rondesko, South River Special Education Teacher
The group met regarding the review of the By-Laws (draft), incorporation, Tax-Exempt status, the IRS and the State of NJ.
Upon review of the previous organization, the new group decided to start the organization anew. Professionals were consulted to ensure accurate formation of the new organization.
Through the office of the South River Public Schools Superintendent Mr. Michael Pfister, a meeting of all interested parties was coordinated via email.
Mr. Pfister opened the meeting by thanking all those persons in attendance for showing an interest in the organization. Mr. Pfister went on to provide an overview of the previous organization, the background, purpose and vision of the organization.
Congratulations to our 2020 Senior Award Recipients:
Congratulations to our 2020 SRFEE Mini-Grant recipients. They are left to right…Ruby Mangione and Fran Baker of the Pre-School. Corey Procacinni and Dawn Sutphin of the Middle School.
Nancy Roque-Soares
Nancy Roque-Soares is a Teacher for South River Middle School. She has been an Educator since 1999 teaching the subject of Spanish. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish. Mrs. Roque-Soares has been a lifetime resident of South River, born to Portuguese parents, with her first language being Portuguese. She always saw the difficulties others had when faced with language barriers. She identified with those who struggled and this was why she decided to become a teacher.
As a daughter, sister, wife and mother, Nancy has always had a passion to help others. Beginning with her dedication to her students as a full-time teacher, Mrs. Roque-Soares extends her unending support to her students’ parents as well. Her outreach to her students’ families displays her commitment to the community, as she also leads the Women’s Ministry at the CDA Church in South River. In addition, her volunteer efforts include being a translator for the church’s services.
Amongst all of her endeavors, Nancy is a devoted mother to her 15-year-old son, Eric. While she enjoys all of her many other roles, being a Soccer Mom is one that she enjoys the most! As a teacher, a volunteer and a strong advocate for her community, Mrs. Roques-Soares dedicates her life to helping others. All throughout, she is there for her family, as she lovingly cares for her parents, in the same ways they love and support her.
Within family, church, and community, Nancy Roque-Soares is an Educator of Excellence. She is a teacher that knows that education is not limited to the classroom and she teaches from the heart. When it comes to Mrs. Roque-Soares, there are no language barriers with her smile.
To quote Flora Lewis, “Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things but learning another way to think about things”. For those who have ever experienced the challenge to understand and not be understood, Nancy Roque-Soares will be there for you, while inspiring the bravery to overcome.