WEST ORANGE, NJ — Redwood Elementary School has installed two new Communications Boards in their playground areas, thanks to an alumni family and the Redwood Fifth Grade PTA.
The boards mirror a PEC (Picture Exchange Communication System) developed in 1985 for the Delaware Autism Program. The developers found that by providing a series of pictures to non-verbal students, the students were able to initiate social interaction. The new board at Kelly looks like the PEC boards used in special education classes and are therefore easily recognizable by special needs students. Students are able to point to pictures that directly relate to an action, emotion, or object. The Kelly board features pictures in English on one side, and Spanish on the other.
The boards were dedicated on Sept. 12 with Superintendent Hayden Moore, Principal Kimya Jackson, members of the West Orange Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (WOSEPAC), staff, Redwood alumni sponsor Hayden Silva, and his parents present.
"Communication boards serve as PECS for students with limited modes of communication," said WOSEPAC chair Ysaura Fernandez.
"It promotes spontaneous communication, independence, and social engagement by providing a functional and systematic way to express needs, wants, and ideas, ultimately aiming to increase students' overall quality of life and reduce frustration," she added.
The goal is to install communication boards at all West Orange elementary schools. Kelly Elementary was the first school to install a board in December 2023.
"We will continue our collaboration with various departments in order to complete the installation of Communication Boards in all West Orange elementary schools. Special Thanks to Principal Kimya Jackson, Superintendent Mr. Hayden Moore, Nick Munoz, Assistant Director of buildings and grounds for the West Orange Board of Education for all their support and participation in making this a reality," Fernandez concluded.
(L-R) Redwood Principal Kimya Jackson, staff Maria Lauricella and Elizabeth Levenberg, Supervisor of Special Services 6-12 Dawn Ribeiro, dad Kevin Silva, Hayden Silva, mom Thania Alba, Superintendent Hayden Moore, former WOSEPAC chair Gina Velasquez, current WOSEPAC chair Ysaura Fernandez, WOSEPAC co-chair Richera Jones, Asst. Director of Buildings and Grounds Nick Munoz.
