STEP UPdateHighlights from the PTHS Student Transition Employment Program

May Student of the Month: Keenan SuttonKeenan Sutton is our May student of the month. He has been a part of the STEP program for 2 years, successfully participating in many structured learning experiences. Last year, Keenan’s placement was in-house as our recycler. This year he is in the field at the Samuel T. Busansky Elementary School and works with Mr. Angel in the cafeteria. Keenan works well with others and is very conscientious about his job duties. We have seen Keenan grow and mature and are so proud of his accomplishments. Great job Keenan!

June Student of the Month: Derek ImlerOur student of the month for June is

Derek Imler. Derek has been part of the SLE program for the last 2 years. He worked at the Pemberton Wawa in the cooler stocking merchandise, and is currently in the school store. Mrs. Arney said, “When Derek puts his best foot forward he is a hard worker and a reliable employee. He is always friendly and helpful with customers and has shown great improvement this semester.” We are proud of you Derek!

SLE Students of the Month

Summer 2017

Special Education Advisory Team (SEAT)

Upcoming Meetings 2017-18:

Thursday, Oct. 12th, 4:30 pmThursday, Dec. 14th, 4:30 pmThursday, Feb. 8th, 4:30 pmThursday, May 3rd, 4:30 pm

All meetings take place in the Brotherhood Administration

Building; if location changes, notifications will be posted online.

Every year Ms. Hennessy and Ms. Wester host an amazing pasta meal, prepared by the students for the principals. This year Mr. Joseph, Mr. Bamber, Ms. Strothers, and Ms. Hale attended. The students did an amazing job and always enjoy the conversation around the pasta table.

Students Host Pasta With the Principals!

Jorge Vasquez Gregory was a part of the Student Transition Employment Program from 2009 to 2012. He recycled and was a receiving assistant in-house. He also worked at True Value in Browns Mills, stocked the cooler at the Pemberton Wawa and bussed tables at the Runway Café in Medford. Jorge was a busy student while here at PTHS!Jorge is currently working at the Burger King in Browns Mills. Keep up the great work Jorge—we are very proud of you!

Student Success Story

Pemberton Township High School had the great opportunity to have a visit from the safety squad, “Sambulance.”This awesome squad travels to schools and organizations to offer complimentary, hands-on programming designed to educate individuals about first responders, 9-1-1 emergencies and basic first aid.

As June’s graduation activities are upon us, we pause to reflect. We are so proud of our students, especially our seniors, for all of their hard work and dedication. They have worked hard, grown in leaps and bounds and are off and running into the future. Congratulations! We will miss you all.

An Amazing Year!

In May, PTHS hosted a Transitional Information Session.

In an effort to assist with this

transition from high school to adult life, we organized an informational

session with resources and agencies essential to the

transition from high school to adult life. The following agencies and representatives

were in attendance: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), Toni Scott; Resources for Independent Living (RIL), Corey Kimble; and Work Incentive Network Support (NJWINS), Andrea Infante. Each representative presented information about their agency and the services that are available to students. These services include job placement, job coaching, tuition assistance, and self-advocacy.

Transitional Information Session

“Sambulance” Visits Students

As a student keynote speaker at the recent “Dare to Dream” Conference, PTHS senior Megan Leap encouraged other students to get involved in school, and explained that once she did, everything changed. “A middle school teacher asked me to be the manager of the wrestling team, and from then on, I felt more a part of things,” she said. As she continued on about overcoming the challenges of having cerebral palsy, students in the audience were transfixed, and gave a great round of applause when she finished.The state’s “Dare to Dream” Student Leadership

Conference was held in May at Rowan College at Burlington County. Megan was selected to share her story of determination and leadership to inspire and motivate other students to overcome their own challenges. The conference is sponsored by the NJ State Office of Special Education and highlights the importance of student self-advocacy and leadership. In addition to providing a keynote speaker, a team

of Pemberton students and teachers led a workshop to help conference attendees gain insight into the transition and self-advocacy process.

Above, PTHS students participating in the “Dare to Dream” conference: Monica McCanay-Saxon, Divante Dickenson, Shade Ceruti, Bryan Pancoast, Megan Leap, Jared Williams, Kesean Harris, Destiny Story, Katie Semonik and Jason McCarron.

Pemberton Students Featured at State Conference