Jennifer Vecchiarelli

Assistant Superintendent of Special Services

jvecchiarelli@bboed.org 

(201) 858-5870

Kim T. DeMedici

Supervisor of Special Services

kdemedici@bboed.org 

(201) 858-5834

Mark A. Steinman

Assistant Supervisor of Special Services

msteinman@bboed.org 

(201) 858-5870

Joseph A. Hayes

Assistant Supervisor of Special Services

jhayes@bboed.org 

(201) 858-5870

Noelia Lago

Assistant Supervisor of Special Services

nlago@bboed.org

(201) 858-5865

James C. Turner

Acting Assistant Supervisor of Special Services

jturner@bboed.org

(201) 858-5865

Stefanie A. Tych

Assistant Supervisor of Special Services

stych@bboed.org

(201) 339-8539

Fran Alessi 
falessi@bboed.org
201-858-5877

Carol Bonner
cbonner@bboed.org
201-858-5834

Laura Drago
lmillerdrago@bboed.org
201-858-5870

Annie Wzorek
awzorek@bboed.org
201-858-5575

Fax
201-243-4289

The purpose of the Child Study Team (CST) is to evaluate if deemed appropriate, and determine eligibility for special education and related services. Child Study Teams consist of a school psychologist, school social worker, and a learning disabilities teacher-consultant. A speech/language specialist is also a member of the preschool team. If a student is classified, the Child Study Team develops an appropriate Individualized Education Plan which encompasses both academics and related services based on the results of the evaluations.

Location: Henry E. Harris Community School #1
Assigned Schools: #1, #9

FAX: 201-339-1691

Location: William Shemin-Midtown Community School #8
Assigned Schools: #8, #14

FAX: 201-339-2319

Location: Bayonne High School

FAX: 201-437-6162

Location: Philip G. Vroom Community School
Assigned Schools: #2, #5, #10

FAX: 201-437-1917

Location: Lincoln Community School
Assigned Schools: Pre-K, Autistic Program, OOD

FAX: 201-858-0649

Location: William Shemin-Midtown Community School
Assigned Schools: #3, #12

FAX:

Location: William Shemin-Midtown Community School
Assigned Schools: #4, #6

FAX:

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a related service provided to students who are deemed eligible. Eligibility is based on a referral and the results of formal assessments. Once eligibility is determined, school-based OT services will become part of their educational program. School-based OT is designed to assist students in their ability to successfully access their educational environment. School-based OT is not intended to meet all of the therapeutic needs of a student; rather it is intended to ensure that a student has access to his or her educational environment. Specific goals and objectives will be developed and implemented to meet the individual needs of each student receiving services. 

Physical Therapy (PT) is a related service provided to students who are deemed eligible. Eligibility is based on a referral and the results of formal assessments. Once eligibility is determined, school-based PT services will become part of their educational program. School-based PT is designed to assist students in their ability to successfully navigate their school environment. School-based PT is not intended to meet all of the therapeutic needs of a student; rather it is intended to ensure that a student has access and the ability to navigate his or her school environment safely. Specific goals and objectives will be developed and implemented to meet the individual needs of each student receiving services.

School-based Speech and Language therapy may be provided as a related service to a student who is classified as "Eligible for Special Education and Related Services". Assessment by a Speech-Language Specialist is required. A student can otherwise be deemed "Eligible for
Speech-Language Services" without being classified if he/she meets the criteria as outlined in the New Jersey Administrative Code.

Our Multi-Sensory Reading Specialists are all Orton Gillingham or Wilson Reading certified practitioners. They all work with identified students on a 1:1 basis on specific skills that are critical to improving reading. A multisensory learning approach is a term reading practitioners use to describe teaching methods that involve engaging more than one sense at a time. These methods typically involve the use of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile pathways to teaching reading. Through multisensory instruction, students engage in activities that intentionally use more than one sense at a time, to help them connect language to words and master concepts.

Grades 9 to 12+ at Bayonne High School

Project Independence is made up of passionate faculty and staff members who are dedicated to meeting the unique needs of all students. We provide evidence-based programming that is structured, consistent, and supportive.

We are committed to:
Exposing students to real-life experiences that will enable them to achieve their full potential
Maximizing the strengths and supporting the needs of every student
Planning, developing and implementing classroom environments that are designed to meet the individual learning and social needs of students. 

Click the link below for more information on the programs we offer and the resources available.

Project Independence Brochure