New Model Classroom Offers Life Skills For Brick Special Education Students

BRICK, NJ — The Brick Township School District has unveiled a new classroom that aims to help students of all abilities prepare for life beyond graduation.

The new model classroom at Brick Township High School, called the Dragon Depot, was opened recently with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by district administration, Brick Township High School staff and Mayor John Ducey and representatives from the OceanFirst Foundation.

The Dragon Depot is a fully functioning structured learning environment where special needs students will learn vocational tasks such as running a business, organizational skills, and interactive, hands-on activities that are critical in preparation for life after graduation.

They will be opening a fully self-sustaining gift shop stocked with products made by the students, including jewelry, soap, candles, balloons, chocolates, where both staff and general education students will interact with the special education students, providing an additional opportunity for students to experience real-world situations, the district said.

The Dragon Depot was made possible by a $10,000 grant from the OceanFirst Foundation through its Model Classroom program. The grant was used to transform a self-contained special education classroom. Stations are set up around the room affording students the opportunity to sample vocational tasks that represent each of the state Department of Education's 16 career clusters.

"In 2012 Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill making New Jersey a “Work First State”, meaning all citizens should be working, despite aptitude or ability. Therefore, it is our job as educators to prepare our students for post-graduation vocationally, as well as academically," the district said in a news release.

The proposal was written by educators, Darla Novick, Sherri Ryan, and Tiffany Aguayo, along with Principal William Kleissler.

"We are honored and proud to have such dedicated, innovated supportive educators throughout our district," Acting Superintendent Dennis Filippone said.

“As the old saying goes, 'It takes a village,' and that is exactly what was exemplified by everyone who helped to make this dream come to fruition,” Novick said.

Photo provided by Brick Township School District