Transitions Program

The Newgrange School Transition Program:

The Transition Program at Newgrange is a school-wide program aligned with New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards for 21st Century Life and Careers. The goals and objectives of the program are presented across all grades and content areas. Every teacher and related services staff are mindful of our collective goal of post-secondary success for our students: a fulfilling future conceived by the student for the student with support and guidance from teachers, parents, administration, and community members.

 The goal of the transition program is to develop the knowledge and awareness all high school students need to be successful and fulfilled adults, with a particular focus on self-awareness, self-determination, responsibility, and becoming an effective self-advocate.

The Transition Program has five primary components:

Transition classes
Assessment
Person-Centered Planning
Community-based instruction (CBI)
Coordinated student support
Development of Agency Linkages

 Transition Classes: Engage students on the following topics at an age-appropriate level:

*Academic Skills needed to meet post-secondary goals
*Career Awareness, Experience, and Preparation
*Community Involvement
*Post-secondary Education Planning
*Financial Literacy
*IEP awareness
*Independent Living
*National/ Global Awareness
*Personal Management
*Job seeking skills – including applications, resumes, cover letter, and interviews
*Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination
*Technology and the Media
*Developing a Student-Centered Transition Plan
*Community Linkages and Agencies and Services

Assessment:  Transition Assessment is on-going and an Assessment Plan may be developed at a student’s IEP meeting or on an as-needed basis to address questions or concerns pertaining to transition planning.

Person-Centered Planning:  The planning process puts the student and the family at the center of the planning process. We identify a student’s strengths, preferences, and interests early and build the goals and all activities around those crucial factors.

Community-Based Instruction:  Our CBI experiences include various on- and off-site opportunities that aim to enhance students’ transition preparedness through service learning projects, real-world life skills, job shadowing, volunteering, un-paid work experiences, and college visits.

In the last year, our students have either worked or volunteered on a weekly basis at the following establishments: Pennington Quality Market, Old Glory Auto Detailing, Seward Johnson, Grounds for Sculpture, Goodwill, Shady Brook Farm, SAVE Animal Shelter, Versailles Apartment Maintenance, We Make. Other community sites students have explored as part of the transition program are Charles Laurita Mischeif Studios, Princeton Record Exchange, Mercer County Community College (including Office of Special Services), Hamilton Train Station, multiple area restaurants, Trenton Museum, AMC Movie Theater, Ewing Library,  and Ewing Post Office. Students have also attended Dream Program (Mercer Community College) and Armed Forces presentations.

Coordinated Student Support:  A unique feature of Newgrange’s Transition Program is our ability to coordinate with all members of the teaching staff and related service providers.

Development of Community Services and Agency Linkages:  As part of a child’s transition plan, connections with the community must be made. There are agencies that offer support and consultation in the areas of employment, life skills and community living, recreation and leisure, community participation, advocacy and support services, and medical and other health-related needs, as well as post-secondary education and training and financial support and services and Newgrange may facilitate and initiate contact as appropriate.

INDEPENDENT LIVING STUDIO

Newgrange now has a fully functioning kitchen and laundry room that all staff utilizes for a wide range of activities. Students prepare hot and cold food, learn general kitchen and electrical safety, practice food safety and hygiene, and do laundry. During meal preparation students apply knowledge of healthy, balance eating and incorporate mathematics during recipe conversions.

TRANSITION INTENSIVE PROGRAM (TIP)

TIP is for 16-21 year olds and builds upon Newgrange’s academic, social skills, and transition programs providing enhanced community-based instruction, structured learning experiences, and life skills, social skills, and vocational skills training. Community-Based Instruction (CBI) is at the heart of the program and students are transported to community sites several times a week. The program also includes individualized Structured Learning Experiences (SLE) with job coaching provided according to student need. The key to TIP is the individualized nature of the program, and we develop goals and objectives for all areas of the program that reflect the individual needs of the student.  Program staff includes the transition coordinator, job coaches, school counselor, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist and transition nurse who work collaboratively to guide students to post-secondary success!

Tier 1 TIP

– Half-day academic instruction in reading, consumer math, and other academic subjects as appropriate based on a student’s post-secondary goals.

– Half-day Community Based Instruction (CBI) including Structured Learning Experiences (SLE) in the community and/or the school building 4 days per week for a total of 10 hours.

– Two sessions per week of Social Strides.

-Two sessions of intensive life skills instruction in the classroom, and/or the Newgrange Independent Living Studio.

– Two sessions per week targeting other areas of transition (vocational skills, post-secondary education preparation, transition planning, and agency linkages).

– Participation in Tutorial 

Tier 2 TIP

– Two AM periods of instruction in reading/consumer math and/or other academic subjects as appropriate based on student’s post-secondary goals.

– Four days of Community Based Instruction (CBI) including structured Learning Experiences (SLE) in the community and/or the school building for a total of  20 hours per week.

–  Intensive and “hands-on” life skills instruction and recreational, educational, and/or other transition activities in the Independent Living Studio and/or the community (community-based instruction).

– Two sessions per week targeting other areas of transition (vocational skills, post-secondary education preparation, transition planning, and agency linkages).

– Two sessions per week of Social Strides.

– Participation in Technology.