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Calais Week at Microsoft offers free Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Programs for Children with Special Needs

Free workshops in coding, app design, and Office applications offered from May 30-June 5 for children with special needs and their families

COMMUNITY | EDUCATION | TECHNOLOGY - The Calais Foundation, Microsoft at Bridgewater Commons (Bridgewater, N.J.) and Microsoft at Westfield Garden State Plaza (Paramus, N.J.) have teamed up to offer children with special needs and their families a series of free STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workshops at both Microsoft stores from Saturday, May 30th through Friday, June 5th 2015. Calais Week at Microsoft offers an array of exciting events open to the community at large including family members and siblings who do not have special education needs. Event attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to code, create video games, make movies, and excel at homework and school presentations. They can also complete scavenger hunts, play Xbox with Kinect, test Microsoft products, get free swag and more!

“Calais Week at Microsoft is the first program of its kind in New Jersey and we are proud to offer it to the special needs community. We invite New Jersey and New York to take advantage of this unique opportunity to provide exposure and prepare their children for the technology, education and careers of the future.” Damian Gregory, President of The Calais Foundation

Saturday May 30th, 12-3pm: Calais Week at Microsoft Launch Party

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Sunday May 31st, 10-1pm: Kinect & Xbox Fun Day (Bridgewater location only)

Monday Jun 1st, 4-6pm: Homework Hero Day

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Tuesday June 2nd, 4-6pm: Microsoft Coding and Development

Thursday June 4th, 4-6pm: Surface Pro Creative Lab

Friday June 5th, 6-8pm: Calais Week at Microsoft Wrap Party

The week will also include a series of private events including the 4th Annual Calais Foundation Touchdown for Success Student Field Day which will team up former NFL players and Microsoft store employees with about 100 special needs students to complete fitness drills and learn about health and wellness; five STEM field trips from area schools that specialize in special education; and a VIP Reception for board members, donors and individuals considering membership with the organization.

All events will be hosted at both Microsoft stores at Westfield Garden State Plaza (1 Garden State Plaza #2303, Paramus, NJ 07652) and Microsoft at Bridgewater Commons (400 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807) unless otherwise noted.

Contact

Register here and choose events at the location of your choice or email Ashley Sturchio, asturch@microsoft.com.

For sponsorship inquiries contact Jennifer Tedeschi at (973) 884-2030 ext. 222 or jennifer.tedeschi@thecalaisschool.org

About The Calais Foundation

The Calais Foundation’s mission is to empower children with learning and behavioral problems overcome their disabilities so they can be responsible, productive and reach their fullest potential in life. A special interest is also placed on helping parents overcome and cope with unique challenges of raising a child with special needs. Our mission is accomplished through innovative programming, information, education, grants, awareness and volunteer support for families and other organizations that serve the special needs community. The Calais Foundation also supports the prestigious Calais School, a state provider of special education for children with special needs located in Whippany, New Jersey. The school serves students in grades Pre-K through 12 Plus with multiple learning disabilities.

About Microsoft Stores

In 2009, Microsoft Corp. opened its first Microsoft store in Scottsdale, Ariz. Since then, Microsoft has opened more than 110 retail locations across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and welcomed more than 800 million customers to its full line, specialty and online Microsoft store properties in 189 markets globally. Microsoft stores are committed to delivering outstanding choice, value and service for each customer, featuring an assortment of best-in-class products, including computers, software and games to music, tablets, phones and wearables. For a list of Microsoft stores, visit microsoftstore.com.

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