On behalf of our family we want to thank Firefighter Torres and Chief Pietre for their help in order for Stephanie to be part of the South Amboy St Patrick’s Day Parade. Thank you also to Chief Ruiz that responded, but Chief Pietre was already confirmed.

We hear a lot being said about the problems of the Dual Language Program, Honors Program; but no one speaks about the Special Needs Program. It’s fair to say that if other programs are messed up, then by common sense, so is this Program. It’s easier to look the other way or not even to think about this Program at all because some people already have their minds fixed to the idea that Special Needs Students aren’t going to be as productive as the general population of students. It’s fine and dandy to get funds and grants for having them in the school district from the State and Federal Agency, but it’s easier not to give these students the necessary tools and resources for them to be prepared for adult life.

The District gave funds to the Charter School. That’s great, but when will the School District buy a handicapped accessible school bus big enough for more than 15 students. That trips outside Perth Amboy which has regular students could include special needs students instead of segregating them more. This School District still isn’t seeing that Special Needs students are entitled to the same tools and resources as any other regular student.

It was nice to see Stephanie to be playing prior to Shrek movie at Xmas time and at the Xmas concert, but for the South Amboy St Patrick’s Parade there was no one available from the School District to wheel her during the parade. We went out to our community in search of help and got what was denied to her from her own School District. She can’t travel back and forth with the Band due to the lack of a handicapped accessible bus to fit everyone into it. This District has to stop this practice of discrimination/segregation.

When will our community stand up for our Special Needs Students and fight for the Rights that the Federal and State laws have given them after so much fighting that started since the Civil Rights Movement. Since it seems that this School District doesn’t see the big picture yet. But President Obama did last year when he reinforced the law of keeping and modifying the work setting for our handicapped/ disabled workforce. If our special needs students aren’t prepared for our workforce by this School District, how do you think they could benefit and be productive taxpayers in the future?

– Rodriguez Rivera Family