School open house

A speech-language pathologist helps a non-verbal student communicate by using a SMART Board.

The Matheny School will be holding an Open House on Tuesday, May 21, from 10 a.m.-noon, to showcase its wide range of programs for students with multiple disabilities.

Students served by the school attend either preschool, kindergarten-eighth grade or high school (grades 9-12+). Emergent technologies and communications systems, a “centers approach” incorporating hands-on activities and traditional academics such as biology and U.S. history are all part of Matheny’s comprehensive program. Occupational, physical and speech therapy are provided for all students along with adapted physical education, “21st Century” life skills, social services and psychology.

The Matheny School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. And, for assistive technology, it is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

School districts or families can obtain more information about the Open House and register by calling (908) 234-0011, ext. 774, or emailing mathenyschool@matheny.org.

Untitled, by Chet Cheesman.

Paintings and digital art by artists in Matheny’s Arts Access Program will again be part of a special exhibit, “New Jersey Medical School – ARTS,” to be held from May through August in the Medical Science Building of UMDNJ in Newark. An opening reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 19.

This marks the third year that Arts Access will be part of the ARTS exhibit and the second year that three Arts Access satellite programs – the WAE Center of JSDD (Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled of Metrowest, Inc.) in West Orange, NJ; the Arc of Mercer County in Ewing, NJ; and Hattie Larlham in Twinsburg, Ohio – will be exhibiting as well.

Arts Access enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators. All artwork is for sale, and proceeds are split 50/50, with half the funds going directly to the artist and half going back to Matheny to cover cost of art materials, stretching and framing of the work. Twelve Arts Access artists will have work on display at the UMDNJ exhibit.

"Baby," by Annie Paloff.

Matheny student utilizes a walker, assisted by a physical therapist.

Related therapy services are vital to the core of the Matheny School program. Occupational, physical and speech therapies are integrated into the school program through authentic tasks and settings.

In physical therapy, students utilize adaptive tricycle riding, standing and alternate positioning programs developed by physical therapists. In speech, students are not limited to speech patterns and topics chosen by the curriculum teams. They enjoy phrases selected by either themselves or their parents. Occupational therapy looks to enhance all areas of functional life with a focus towards real world expectations.

For more information about the Matheny School, call (908) 234-0011, ext. 237.

Stretching a student’s hip flexors and quadriceps in a physical therapy sesson.

Matheny has dozens of highly skilled professionals with unparalleled depth and breadth of experience who are available to work with special needs students in public schools and provide services that the schools are often not able to provide on their own. These include:

• Specialized evaluations.
• Therapy services.
• Home-based services.
• Adaptive equipment and technologies.

School district administrators who would like more information, should contact Linda Newsome at 908 229-7342 or email mathenysolutions@matheny.org

Darlene Tammara receives her award from Kim Mulligan, left, co-host of WDHA’s morning show; at right is the other co-host, Jim Monahan.

Matheny teacher Darlene Tammara was one of 23 teachers honored by Greater Media radio stations WDHA 105.5FM and WMTR 1250AM of Cedar Knolls, NJ, at a special dinner held April 23 at Ravello Elegant Weddings & Banquets in  East Hanover, NJ.

The honorees were welcomed by Dan Finn, Greater Media New Jersey senior vice president and regional general manager, and Nancy McKinley, manager of both stations. Then, on-air personalities hosted the remainder of the evening and made a special presentation to each teacher individually.

Four years ago, Tammara started Matheny’s Tea Time Café, a snack bar managed by Matheny students for Matheny employees. Now, in her transition class, she has her students count money from Tea Time sales, enter the results on a special math worksheet and make bank deposits. The students also work on clerical jobs for Matheny and fill packages for Operation Shoebox, an organization that sends care packages to U.S. troops deployed overseas.

Darlene Tammara with her son, A.J., left; husband Tony and daughter Alyssa.

Jean Lavelle, RN, Matheny’s transition nurse, center, confers with Lisa McKenna, RN, left, and Dr. Surbparkash Singh, staff physician.

Matheny’s transition nurse program is designed to assist our patients requiring services in other medical settings, both inpatient and outpatient. They understand the needs of our medically fragile patients and make daily visits to acute care settings to provide vital patient-specific information. The result: a smooth transition into and out of these settings, including all ambulatory care visits, too.

The goals of transition nursing are:

• Reduced hospital readmissions within 30 days.

• Increased patient, family and caregiver satisfaction.

• Accurate medication reconciliation.

• Improved communication across healthcare settings.

Karen Dakak helps student Nicholas Barros draw a shape on the iPad.

When the Mendham, NJ, Rotary Club donated two iPads to Matheny, the primary purpose was to enhance the communications ability of students who were restricted to their homes or hospital rooms due to illness. Videoconferencing technology permits children to attend class remotely, even when they are sick or avoiding contagion.

The iPads are especially valuable to Matheny students because they are less cumbersome to hold than laptop computers, can be used with inexpensive apps designed specifically for people with disabilities and offer touch screens that provide greater accessibility for those with little or no fine motor control.

When the iPads are not needed for ill students, however, they don’t sit dormant. They are used in the classroom for a variety of enriched learning experiences. One recent example was during a lesson on “perimeters.” The classroom teacher, Karen Dakak, was able to use rubber bands to help the students make different shapes on the iPad screen. “We could make as many shapes as we wanted,” she says, “and then find the perimeter of the shapes.”

This is but one example of how the Matheny School uses technology to help its students reach their highest level of academic achievement while also obtaining maximum independence.

Three different shapes on the iPad screen.

A painting by Chris Saglimbene, one of the artists profiled in Into the Light.

Into the Light, a documentary about Matheny’s Arts Access Program, has been accepted into the Montclair Film Festival and will be screened at  2 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, at the Clairidge Cinema in Montclair, NJ. In the short film, director Paul Pawlowski profiles the lives and work of three artists as they prepare for Arts Access’ 15th anniversary five years ago. The film presents a brief history of Matheny and the creation and development of Arts Access, which enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators.

The three artists featured are Chris Saglimbene, a painter; Natalia Manning, a choreographer; and Jenny Durr, a writer. They are profiled and followed in and out of the studio. The film culminates with Full Circle, the annual celebration of Arts Access. This year, Arts Access will celebrate its 20th anniversary on November 2 and has received a Challenge America Fast-Track grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support the 20th anniversary Full Circle celebration.

Tickets to the May 5th screening can be purchased by logging onto www.montclairfilmfest.org.

From left, social worker Kelly Haldaman, Matheny student Katherine Gaudio and volunteer Uma Patla.

After last year’s rainy weather, the sunny skies were a welcome sight as participants, volunteers and spectators congregated in downtown Peapack for the 16th annual Miles for Matheny, our annual fundraiser and community event, held Sunday, April 21. Occurring less than a week after the tragic events of the Boston Marathon, there were also concerns about safety, but added police presence and other security measures put everyone at ease.

WCBS-TV traffic reporter Alex Denis kicked off both the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk and the 5K Road Race, but, in between, she spent time visiting with Matheny students, patients and their families. “I heard about the support that families receive from Matheny,” she said, “and their surprise that their sons and daughters are able to do things such as go to a prom or go bowling or attend a sporting event.  At Matheny, there appear to be no limitations.”

In addition to the Wheelchair Walk and 5K, there were five different Cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny’s “Breakfast of Champions,” followed by luncheon refreshments in the park. All funds raised at Miles for Matheny will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny’s inpatients and people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey. Major sponsors were: the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Company; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.; Affinity Federal Credit Union; and WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

WCBS-TV's Alex Denis.

Four members of Manhattan Brass with adult medical day patient Michael Martin. From left, trumpeter Wayne du Maine, trumpeter Terry Szor, trombonist Mike Seltzer and Baroque horn player R.J. Kelley.

The award-winning Manhattan Brass quintet recently visited Matheny to entertain adult students in a special assembly. Designated as a “Critic’s Pick” by Time Out New York magazine, the quintet presented an energetic performance that had the adult dining room swinging to the sounds of jazz.

The concert was coordinated by Matheny’s music therapy program, which also makes it possible for students and patients to attend outside concerts and theatre presentations whenever possible.

From left, Doris Engel of Chester; Linda Horton; and Chris Johnson of Bedminster.

Every year, Peapack, NJ, resident Linda Horton hosts an informal event to thank all the volunteers who donate their time to help out at the Second Chance Shop, The Friends of Matheny’s thrift shop in Gladstone, NJ, that raises money to support the students and patients at Matheny. This year’s “thank you” was an afternoon tea held on Sunday, April 7, in Matheny’s Robert Schonhorn Arts Center.

Each of the volunteers was asked to wear at least one item purchased at the shop, then modeling for all of their colleagues. Steve Proctor, president of Matheny, was also at the event, wearing a tie he had bought at the Second Chance Shop. He took the opportunity to thank the volunteers for the funds they raise, which “improve the lives of our children and adults,” adding that, “I can’t think of two finer individuals than Linda Horton and her husband, Bill.” Linda Horton is a member of Matheny’s Board Trustees; Bill Horton is mayor of Peapack-Gladstone.

Teresa Radebaugh of Chester.

Andy Lash with his father Fred and sister Morgan at Miles for Matheny 2009.

Two of the top fundraisers for Miles for Matheny will be interviewed on local CBS stations this week. Justin and Morgan Lash, brother and sister of Matheny adult patient Andy Lash, will be guests on  the CBS 2 morning news this Saturday, April 20, between 9 and 10 a.m.  Andy “Flash” Lash, the fundraising team created by the Lash family, as of April 17, had raised $3,695.

Jack Levinston, a 12-year-old from Bridgewater, NJ, who is running the 5K and raising money for Miles as his bar mitzvah project, has been interviewed by WCBS Newsradio 880 anchor Wayne Cabot. That interview will probably air on 880AM on Thursday, April 18, although it could also air on April 19 or 20.  Jack’s latest fundraising tally is $2,240.  Miles for Matheny is being held this Sunday, April 21, at Liberty Park in Peapack, NJ.

Activities at Miles, in addition to the 5K, include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, five different cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny’s “Breakfast of Champions”, plus luncheon refreshments in the park. All funds raised help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey.

WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880 are media sponsors of the event. Other major sponsors include: the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman P.C.; and Affinity Federal Credit Union.

On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m., Sunday in Liberty Park.  For more information, call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

Jack Levinston.