Newmark School for Children with Special Needs to Open in Scotch Plains

 On March 8, leaders and students from Newmark School were joined by Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool and Councilman Mickey Marcus to witness the historic groundbreaking ceremony for a new state-of-the-art school for children with special needs.

The two-story Newmark School facility will open in the spring of 2013 at 1000 Cellar Avenue in Scotch Plains. The brand new Newmark School will accommodate students from both the K-8 facility in Plainfield, and the Newmark High School in Carteret.

“Newmark School and Newmark High School are state-approved private schools for children with learning disabilities and behavioral disorders,” a spokesperson for the school said. “Newmark schools offer a family-like learning environment with small, quiet classrooms. Each student receives an individually tailored academic plan delivered by highly trained staff members.”

The 58,000 square foot facility in Scotch Plains will include a regional special needs community center that will offer children and their families opportunities to socialize, play sports and partake in community service projects.

“In addition to expanding services for our students and further utilizing the expertise of our staff, the Newmark Schools facility will allow us to reach out to the increasing special needs population, the community, and educators throughout the state,” Cynthia Allman, co-founder and co-executive director of both schools said.

The Newmark Schools will also feature a teacher training institute where educators from around New Jersey will learn and observe proven teaching methods for students with learning disabilities and behavioral disorders, Allman added.

Allman went on to explain that the new Scotch Plains facility will offer new after school programs for students who may not attend the Newmark School.

“The idea is to open our doors to other students with special needs who don’t currently attend our schools but who are more than welcome to come and socialize and take advantage of some of the afterschool programming we will be offering,” said Ms. Allman.

The Scotch Plains facility will be equipped with the latest in technology including wireless access in all learning areas. Classrooms will have interactive whiteboards, media stations and laptops.

A learning commons will provide students with a place to use computers and share information.

The new school will also feature a life skills apartment which will simulate a home environment will teach high school students how to live independently.

The facility will also include two art studios, a soundproof music room, therapy rooms, science lab and a health and wellness center.

Newmark Schools specialize in creating a collaborative environment. Mediascapes—a mix of furniture and technology that allows groups of students to share and access information on their laptops—will also be available for use.

“Classroom layout will also serve to foster collaboration,” said Ms. Allman. “Instead of rows of traditional desks, students will be seated in node chairs, which are mobile and flexible. The classroom set up will be designed for quick, easy transitions, going from one teaching mode to the next without interruption.”

 To learn more about the Newmark Schools, visit www.newmarkeducation.com