Dear WRA Families & Supporters,
Happy Spring! As we step into April, the Work Readiness Academy is buzzing with energy and growth, just like the season itself. With longer days and warmer weather, our students are not only working hard indoors on key skills but also taking advantage of the outdoors to boost their mental health and physical well-being. This month, we’re excited to share how our program continues to foster communication, teamwork, and real-world experiences through our Work-Based Learning opportunities and Community Based Instruction activities.
“Spring is a time of plans and projects.” – Leo Tolstoy
Much like nature, our students are growing, adapting, and preparing for exciting new possibilities. With the return of sunny days, we are taking learning outside whenever possible! Outdoor walks, gardening projects, and movement breaks are not only fun but also help students stay active, reduce stress, and practice mindfulness. This month, we’ve introduced a new elective course that teaches simple strategies like deep breathing outdoors, nature observation activities, and yoga stretches to support our students' mental health and emotional regulation. Physical activity is a vital part of our program, and spring offers the perfect opportunity to connect movement with well-being. Thank you for your continued support. We are so proud of the hard work our students are putting in and the progress they are making—together, we are building a bright future!
We have two special events coming up in May.
First, the week of May 5 - May 9 is Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week ! We are fortunate to be blessed with an amazingly dedicated and caring team of professionals that work hard all year to support your children. This is the perfect time for our families to show their gratitude. We have several options for families to participate:
1. Send in a snack or treat of your choice next week that we can put out in the faculty lounge!
2. Have your child write a short note or card of appreciation to our staff!
3. If you'd prefer to make a small monetary donation that will be used towards our teacher/staff appreciation gifts, you are welcome to do so as well. Donations can be sent in with your child (cash or check made out to "Rachel Richer"); please label the envelope "staff appreciation week" or we can accept Venmo donations at @Rachel-Richer. Upon receipt of any donation, we will email you a confirmation that it has been received. The suggested donation is $10.
We are also pleased to announce that the WRA's Got Talent Show will be returning at the end of May. This annual event showcases the unique talents and strengths of our students and staff. Homeroom teachers will be assisting students to come up with ideas for participation - on or off the stage. More details to come!
Finally, as has become our tradition, we are pleased to feature another one of our graduating students in this month's Message from the Administration picture. We're excited to continue to support Hernan and his family with his upcoming transition from the Work Readiness Academy.
Please enjoy the rest of this month's newsletter and as always, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at jbornstein@ucesc.org or rricher@ucesc.org if you have any questions or want to discuss your child's program. We can also be reached at (908) 633-2704.
Josh Bornstein, Director
Rachel Richer, Supervisor of Instruction
UCESC Work Readiness Academy
May 5 - May 9, 2025 - Staff Appreciation Week!
May 9, 2025 - Field Trip to Seton Hall University Athletic Department
May 30, 2025 - WRA's Got Talent Show
June 16, 2025 - Project SEARCH Graduation Ceremony at 3:00pm
June 18, 2025 - WRA Graduation Ceremony at 6:00pm & Last Day of School for Project SEARCH
June 19, 2025 - Last Day of School for the Work Readiness Academy
Attendance Reporting
In the event that your child will be absent, arriving late, or picked up early, please send us an email at AttendanceWRA@ucesc.org. You may also call our main number at (908) 633-2704. If it is before 8am, please leave a message.
Spring Has Sprung: Growing Knowledge and Kindness
This month, students fully embraced the spirit of spring with hands-on learning experiences that connected financial literacy, science, and social-emotional growth. From saving money to sprouting beans and cultivating kindness, we explored the many ways growth happens all around us!
In Financial Literacy, students learned about the importance of savings accounts and how money grows over time, much like a flower. Just as a small seed needs care, patience, and the right environment to flourish, a savings account grows with consistent contributions and smart financial decisions. This real-world connection helped students see the value of a savings account for saving for bigger needs and wants in the future.
With the request of a student in class asking to learn about Science, the learning continued with a lesson that brought growth to life in a very real way! Students planted beans in clear bags, providing the perfect window into how plants develop when given air, water, and care. They observed and logged changes each day, gaining a deeper understanding of plant life cycles and the impact of a nurturing environment.
Finally, in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), we explored the “Marigold Effect.” Just as marigolds support the growth of nearby plants, people who act as marigolds help those around them thrive. To bring this lesson to life, the class planted marigolds around another flowering plant, reinforcing the idea that kindness, encouragement, and positive relationships help us all grow. Students then brainstormed ways they could be marigolds in their own lives—supporting friends, classmates, and co-workers—while also recognizing and seeking out marigolds who uplift them.
From finances to flowers, this month was all about growth—in knowledge, nature, and kindness. As the season of renewal continues, we look forward to watching both our plants and students flourish!
Jodi Klimko
Work Readiness Academy Teacher & WBL Supervising Teacher
Tracie Wiebush
Current position at UCESC?
Teaching Assistant!
How long have you worked at UCESC?
This is the end of my 19th year!
What do you love most about your job?
The students and the staff - they’re the BEST!
What do you like to do in your free time?
Reading, going to the beach, spending time with family and cuddling with my naughty dog, Riley :)
What is one thing that would surprise people about you?
I have 2 tattoos. One honoring my nephew who passed away and one honoring my home church.
The Project SEARCH interns are now onto their third rotations. The staff report that the last internship is often the favorite! At this point in the school year, the students have a better sense for their SPINs (strengths, preferences, interests and needs) are are matched with departments that are a strong fit.
Also this month, the students enjoyed a fun and informational visit to Atlantic Healthy System's Corporate Headquarters where they had the chance to eat lunch with members of the AHS leadership team and ask questions about their career paths including why they chose to work in the Healthcare sector. The students also had the chance to participate in a scavenger hunt throughout the corporate office and visit AHS's television and broadcasting studio!
The Project SEARCH Program at Overlook Medical Center is now in its 9th year. The one-year immersive program provides intensive, hands-on training for students ages 18-21 with disabilities who are motivated to work and eventually seek paid employment in the community.
For more information about Project SEARCH, or to access the application for the Class of 2026, please visit our newly update website at:
https://www.atlantichealth.org/professionals/residencies-fellowships/project-search
This month we are pleased to spotlight Overlook Medical Center's Union Campus. Located at 1000 Galloping Hill Road in Union, New Jersey, OMC-Union has been a work-based learning partner for the past two years. The site hosts students for internships in two different areas of the hospital: the Rehab Department (assisting the Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists), the Emergency Department (working with the Equipment Technicians to stock critical supplies). OMC-Union is also home to WRA's "Can Do" Food Cart, located inside the lobby near the heavily trafficked “Red Awning” entrance. Students from UCESC’s Work Readiness Academy and Westlake School operate the food cart four mornings per week. The cart provides staff and visitors at OMC-Union with a variety of quick snack options, but also give our students the opportunity to practice employment readiness skills such as greeting and communicating with customers, handling basic point of sale transactions, taking inventory, and reconciling the cash bank at the end of each shift.
OMC-Union houses a full-service emergency department and a variety of outpatient services and physician practices. The emergency department received a "Lantern Award" for exceptional and innovative performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research by the Emergency Nurses Association.
To learn more about Overlook-Union, please visit:
https://www.atlantichealth.org/locations/overlook-medical-center-union-campus
Empowered Movement: Mind, Body & Beyond
In our recent SEL class, we learned that mindful movement increases beneficial endorphins and decreases cortisol levels, which can lead to a happier and healthier mindset. It’s truly a win-win for our students!
About the Work Readiness Academy
The Work Readiness Academy serves students ages 18-21 with disabilities and provides a comprehensive employment training experience that incorporates both classroom-based instruction and community-based work-learning experiences. While in the training classroom, students work cooperatively with similar aged peers to learn critical skills related to employment and socialization. Students also work on career exploration and planning, including the development of a person-centered, post-secondary vision and plan with clear goals and action steps. Program staff remain on-site during the internships to provide and fade support and assistance as needed. Students also participate in field trips focused on career discovery, independent living skills, recreation and independent travel training.
For more information or to make a student referral, please email Rachel Richer at rricher@ucesc.org
Email: jbornstein@ucesc.org
Website: https://www.ucesc.org/schools/the_work_readiness_academy
Location: 970 Suburban Road, Union, NJ, USA
Phone: 908-633-2704
