Math-A-Thon for Matheny

Standing, from left, Matheny principal Sean Murphy, Matheny student Ryan O’Connor, teaching assistant Carlos Nieves, BHS student Isabella St. Onge, BHS student Tatiana Prendella, teaching assistant Chris Filchak, BHS student Pelin Ozel, Matheny teacher Karen Dakak, BHS student Fiona Dunn and BHS teacher LuAnn Faletta. Matheny students in front row, from left, Scott Gordon, Yasin Reddick, Kaila Jones and Patrick Conmy.

Every year students who belong to The Math League at Bernards High School in Bernardsville, NJ, hold a Math-A-Thon to raise money to benefit other students in the Somerset Hills area. This year they raised $695 and decided to donate the money to The Matheny School to support and enhance our mathematics program.

Some of the Math League students and their teacher, LuAnn Faletta, came to Matheny recently to deliver the gift, visit with Matheny students and take a tour of the school. Afterwards, Faletta,  expressing her appreciation for the tour, added: “I have talked to so many of my colleagues about how wonderful your school is and how impressed we were with everyone. The students and teachers are very special.”

WANTED: volunteers

Since most Matheny students and patients are full-time residents, we need volunteers to serve as recreation assistants, classroom aides, tutors and friendly visitors. Our volunteer office tries to place people in positions that meet both their interests and availability. In addition, we invite volunteer groups to host parties for residents or participate in other special projects, including fundraising activities.

Matheny students and patients have medically complex developmental disabilities. Practically everyone is in a wheelchair and many are non-verbal. Yet, underneath their physical difficulties, they like the same music, games, sports and movies as everyone else. For those willing to discover each person’s personality, the rewards are great.

If you’re interested in more information, contact the volunteer services office at (908) 234-0011, ext. 282, or email volunteers@matheny.org

Above: Centenary College students share a laugh with a Matheny student.

Below: Junior Friends of Matheny help Matheny patients enjoy Valentines Day.  The JFOM volunteers are students at Bernards High School in Bernardsville and Ridge High School in Basking Ridge.

 

Math adds up for Matheny

Bernards High School in Bernardsville sponsors a Math League made up of students who share a passion for numbers. Last spring, the team’s members decided they wanted to spread that love by raising money to benefit other students in the area, and they chose The Matheny School as one of their beneficiaries.

They held a “Math-A-Thon,” raised $700 and donated the money to the school to support its mathematics program. When the students and their teacher visited Matheny to deliver the gift, we had to snap a photo.

Pictured above, standing, from left:  Kathryn Levin of Bedminster; Nery Aragon of Bernardsville; Matheny principal Sheryl Gavaras; Bernards High math teacher and Math League advisor LuAnn Faletta of Mendham; Isha and Shuchi Zinzuwadia of Bedminster; and David Howes of Bernardsville. Matheny students in front, from left: Yasin Reddick, Zachary Ludlow and Natalie Tomastyk.