Holiday Express Brings Joy to Special Needs Students
Holiday Express, Eatontown, brought joy to children in the Alpha School, Jackson, through gifts of music, food, presents, and friendship. Besides the presents, students said they love being a part of the performances.
Erika Casablanca, a STEM-lab instructor and a member of the marketing team, said, “The visit from Holiday Express is a chance for students who are in need to be given gifts. Everyone is made to feel special. Besides enjoying music, games, fun activities, and food, students get to socialize with peers. It is important for students to learn how to socialize with one another and be part of a large group.”
The Alpha School is one of three RKS Associates state-approved special education schools that include the Harbor School, Eatontown, and the Gateway School, Carteret. All three schools provide education, therapeutic, and behavioral support for children who have challenges, such as multiple disabilities, cognitively impairments, autistic spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, behavioral disorders, or other health impairments.
Holiday Express will also visit students in the Gateway School, Carteret, on December 14; and the Harbor School, Eatontown, on December 18.
For more information or for questions about school enrollment, contact Erika Casablanca at ErikaC@thegatewayschool.com. or 732-541-4400; or Dana Giblin at 732-544-9394.
RKS Associates Schools: Gateway School: 60 High Street Carteret, NJ 07008 (732.541.4400) https://thegatewayschool.com/; Alpha School: 2210 West County Line Road, Suite #1, Jackson, NJ 08527 (732.370.1150) https://alphaschool.com/ ; Harbor School: 240 Broad Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724 (732.544.9394) https://harborschool.com/
About Holiday Express: Volunteers from Holiday Express visit more than 100 organizations, beginning early November up until Christmas Eve. More than 150 professional singers and musicians visit adults and children in need, including the mentally and physically disabled, the isolated, individuals in addiction and recovery programs, the poor and the homeless, veterans, and children with serious illnesses. They distribute more than 27,000 brand new, well-stocked canvas duffel gift bags, filled with useful and practical items.