Magnolia Public School receives NJCIE Honors 2021
The New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education (NJCIE) has presented the Magnolia Public School District with the 2021 NJCIE Honors award for building and sustaining an inclusive learning community for all students.
The one-school district with about 400 students in pre-k through eighth grade was recognized for its commitment to including students with disabilities in the general education classroom through co-taught classes, special education support, differentiative teaching strategies and accommodations at every grade level.
“The Magnolia Public School embodies a learning environment where all students are welcomed and can succeed alongside their peers,” Fred Buglione, NJCIE president and CEO, said. “It is visible that the faculty and staff are passionate and devoted to the success of every child as no one is left behind and all are able to learn together in the same classroom—the general education classroom.”
Magnolia Public School Superintendent Karen Macpherson said the district’s inclusive practices are important to the Magnolia community. “We truly believe in this small community and including all our students at our school,” Macpherson said. “Inclusion works. It’s the perfect learning environment, and I feel like we’ve put in all the necessary support systems to allow for inclusion to be successful.”
The district continued with its inclusive practices during the COVID-19 pandemic during remote and hybrid learning.
Each grade level at the school has a special education teacher who co-teaches with the general education teachers and provides support to all students in the classroom. This model helps ensure that students with disabilities and individualized education plans (IEPs) are learning in the same environment as their peers in the general education classroom.
NJCIE has honored the efforts of educators and educational teams who promote or sustain effective inclusive practices in schools for the past six years.
Learn more about the district by watching this year’s NJCIE Honors video:
About the New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education
The New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education (NJCIE) is a federally designated 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization serving the parents and educators in the state of New Jersey. Established in 1989 by professionals and parents, the organization supports schools in creating inclusive classroom environments for children with learning disabilities. Since its inception, NJCIE has provided services to nearly 400 school districts in New Jersey; 75 charter, private and parochial schools; and a variety of other educational organizations.
NJCIE is the only nonprofit organization in New Jersey with the sole focus on inclusion and provides needed expertise to schools and educators on how to include students with disabilities into school communities and classrooms with dignity and equality. The organization works to ensure children with disabilities and learning differences are welcomed as classmates, valued as learners and empowered to succeed. For more information, visit www.njcie.org.
NJCIE is dedicated to the development of inclusive schools and educational opportunities for all students through:
● Facilitating positive and supportive relationships
● Enhancing institutional capacity to fully and effectively provide inclusive education
● Providing training and resources for family members and communities
● Providing professional training and technical assistance
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