Joseph Larena, RN, with preschool student Joshua Rincon
The Matheny School was one of 10 schools in the state of New Jersey to receive an Innovations in Special Education award from the New Jersey School Boards Association. The award was for Matheny’s ‘Peace of Mind’ preschool program, which embeds a registered nurse into the classroom at all times.” The goal, says Sean Murphy, principal and director of The Matheny School, is, “to provide the safest possible environment so that the children can achieve their maximum potential. We decided that parents and families need that extra peace of mind when sending their preschooler into school. This is often the parents’ first time away from their children.”
The preschool registered nurse, Joseph Larena, is focused on the educational as well as the medical needs of the children. Being an in-class nurse, he says, “provides me with the unique opportunity to truly know each child. This allows me to instantly identify and respond to issues that may arise and prevent certain complications from occurring.”
Since 2002, the NJSBA and ASAH, the association serving the private special education community, have sponsored the Innovations in Special Education program to recognize best practices in public school districts and private special education schools. For more information on Matheny’s Peace of Mind preschool program, email mathenyschool@matheny.org or call 908 234-0011, ext. 721.
