Last night in the gymnasium of Anna C. Scott our town came out to wholeheartedly support some of the most vulnerable children in our town, those on the autistic spectrum, by putting on their sweats and sweating for a great cause. This amazing event was the brainchild of our preschool special education teacher, Melissa Howlett, and one of Leonia's most vibrant moms, Jackie Metzdorf, who got the audience moving and dancing for an hour and a half non-stop.
As a mother of a child on the autistic spectrum, I have been blessed by the talent and intellegience of our teachers who work with Leonia's children on the spectrum. Led by Karen Poretzky, the district's Director of Special Services, these teachers give their heart and soul to the children they work with. Not only do they spend every school day and every summer day with our children, but they often spend a great deal of time talking to families at night, on the weekends, and on holidays guiding them through the most difficult moments when just the sound of their voice is enough to bring us comfort.
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Special Education Teachers who work with our children on the autistic spectrum Jessical Pahlck and Melissa Howlett.
For most of us with children with special needs, our children are often unable to participate in other town events hosted for our children--whether it's sports parades, recreation programs, library programs, and the list goes on. Which is why last night was so incredibly heartwarming--to see so many people come out for my child, your child, our children, because as members of this community they are all our children. |
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| Jackie got everybody moving. |
I personally would like to thank Melissa Howlett and Jackie Metzdorf, who put in so much time and effort to make last night's event so successful and Karen Poretzky, our Principal Maria Martinez,and our Vice Principal Bridget Hozumi who encouraged and supported their effort. And to all of the teachers and aides, friends and family who came out last night. And also to our Mayor, Mary Heveran, who not only came out in support of this event, but was out there with everyone else sweating for a great cause.
From the bottom of my heart--thank you to everyone else who came out.
