The St. Joseph’s School for the Blind moved into its new digs on Summit Avenue in 2007.
It’s bright and modern and colorful, a beautiful learning environment for any kid but especially for ones who need a little extra help navigating through life.
The walls are filled with pictures of the students and their artwork and inspiring words, such as “Reach for the Stars.”
Our tour takes us through the auditorium, which will be used for an upcoming performance and a sensory area with a swing, trampoline, and other playthings, custom made for kids who use all their senses, including touch and sound.
Attached to the door to the gym is a tennis ball. When kids touch it, they know exactly where they are. Along the walls are rails that help students negotiate the hallways.
The cafeteria caters to students’ individual needs, whether it’s dietary requirements, mashed food, or spoon-feeding. The chairs and tables are arranged so children can find their way to their assigned seats.
A swimming pool on the second floor is not just for fun but for aqua therapy.
All the kid are required to use canes, which are kept on special racks where they can easily find them, and everyone is taught to use the stairs. The facility is also completely wheelchair accessible.
In the occupational therapy room, students learn everything from how to tie their shoes to how to write a resume.
Music is especially compatible for kids who are blind or visually impaired as evidenced by a sign in the music room that reads, “Music is our Vision.”
A legally blind adult teaches art. The students do amazing work with papier mache, puff paint, foil, and objects, such as shells. One piece reads, “Even those who limp, they go not backwards.”
In a small class of three-to-seven-year-olds we watch blind and visually-impaired kids learn how to read and write, using Braille, as well as modern technology.
The instructors clearly care deeply about their students. A dedicated team, many have been at St. Joseph’s for decades.
125 Years and Counting
This venerable institution has been serving the Jersey City community for 125 years. As it celebrates that anniversary, the school looks back on its proud history while adopting the many innovations now available to serve people with disabilities.
In 2009, the school contracted with the Jersey City Board of Education to serve 3-year-olds, and changed its name to the Concordia Learning Center. Eighteen month ago, that changed when new president David Feinhals came on board.
“When I arrived, I started to think about the fact that we were approaching our 125th anniversary,” he says. “I wanted to think about getting back to the roots of our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.”
Their mission was to serve students who are blind. While the school serves a range of other students, Feinhals says that the original name resonates with the community and donors.
“At the end of the day, we’ve survived as a not-for-profit for 125 years on a combination of tuition, sustainable revenue sources, and donations from individuals,” he says. “For long-term, loyal donors, the original name focuses on the blind, which makes us unique and special in the state.”
There are some 60 blind students. Other services include early intervention for infants and toddlers, a preschool for kids who are not disabled, a learning track for kids in the school district who want early intervention to transition to a public school of their parents’ choice, and students over 21 who have a range of disabilities.
Low Tech, High Tech
The original school was at 253 Baldwin. The new LEED-certified, state-of-the-art facility is at 761 Summit. “It has high ceilings, modern lighting, a large computer center, in-ground pool, separate therapy room, large gym, and large, well-lit modern cafeteria,” Feinhals says. “We’re taking advantage of other state-of-the-art features. It has all sorts of bells and whistles. We’ve implemented a new phone system and a really high-tech security feature—like other schools, we have to worry about lockdowns and sheltering in place.”
The school balances its core founding principles with life-enhancing technological advancements. “It’s part of our mission to always be compassionate and respect the integrity of the students,” Feinhals says. “But it wouldn’t be enough to be a throwback to 1891. People used to teach blind people using the methods they had learned.” While standard courses like Braille and learning to walk with a white cane are still taught, new “assistive” technologies are also being used.
“Technology keeps changing to the benefit of people with disabilities,” Feinhals says. He cites a variety of software applications, “screen readers,” and speakers that allow the user to access information. “It’s pretty incredible,” Feinhals says, “that blind people can prepare for jobs, college, anything they set their mind to.”
Like soccer? Not exactly, but there’s one sport that blind people excel in: goal ball. Basically, players try to roll a ball into a goal. Several people stand on the side of the court to help players stay in bounds. But the most important convention is that the ball has a bell in it. “It would be really exciting if St. Joseph’s had a goal ball team,” Feinhals says. Kids with severe disabilities, he says, can be physically active and appreciate the basics of goal ball without competing.
Which is in line with the school’s mission.
Says Feinhals, “We want to combine modern teaching strategies with compassion, respect, and love.”—Kate Rounds