RIDGEWOOD UNIFIED PROGRAM
-
Sponsored by the Special Olympics, the Ridgewood Unified Program is a club for ALL High School and Middle School students to come together for sports, games, community service, school events, and most of all, to have fun!
-
Offers School Clubs, Leadership opportunities, Sports and Clinics, Lunch Bunch, as well as School Wide Awareness Activities.
-
Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/113nXKSqFHuXtF87zx6NdaE1OE4ihRLIIt2XuRKwUeX0/viewform?edit_requested=true#settings
-
Contacts: Llauro@ridgewood.k12.nj.us or Jbeyer@ridgewood.k12.nj.us.
THE SQUAD
-
Extracurricular club for students in High School and the 18-21 program who have reached a degree of independence and would like to improve their social life
-
Events take place twice a month on Fridays and are planned by the District’s Transition Coordinator and club members
-
An email is sent out to parents ahead of time providing a descriptions of each activity so everyone can prepare and RSVP
-
Some activities include: sampling Ridgewood restaurants, attending RHS games and plays, cooking classes, game nights with other clubs, bowling and arcades
-
If interested, contact Michael Kilcullen, the district's Transition Coordinator, at mkilcullen@ridgewood.k12.nj.us or 201-670-2800 X20570
2022 RIDGEWOOD SOCCER ASSOCIATION (RSA)
-
Special needs program is open to boys and girls ages 6-14
-
Season runs on Saturday afternoons from the first Saturday after Labor Day until November
-
Athletes from RHS women's soccer team act as coach-mentors for participants
-
Website: http://ridgewoodsoccer.org/programs/in-town-teams/in-town-special-needs/
-
Contact: registrar.ridgewoodsoccer@gmail.com
2023 SPECIAL NEEDS ALL-STAR BASKETBALL
-
Ages 3+ eligible
-
Clinics held Sunday mornings in January and February 2023 (most likely 9-10am at Ben Franklin MS)
-
Players receive basketball, official tee shirt and participation trophy
-
Clinics led by certified teachers and assisted by HS and MS volunteer “coaches”, including the RHS Boys Basketball Teams!
-
Register: https://register.communitypass.net/ridgewood/
-
Select “Register for an activity” and select “Ridgewood Rec (Biddy) Grades 3-8” from the drop down
-
After selecting the name of the participant (your child), select your child’s grade and select “K-8 Special Needs League - 2023”
-
Verify your email and any special requests for your child - complete payment process and you’re registered
-
-
Contact: Cara Murray at murrayc@hlcmail.com
2023 RIDGEWOOD BASEBALL & SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION (RBSA) ALL-STARS PROGRAM
-
Four 90-minute clinics that takes place at Vets field over four weeks in Spring
-
2023 Tentative Dates and Time: Sundays - 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14; 10-11:30am; participants also invited to march in RBSA Opening Day Parade, accompanied by high school players.
-
Program designed for children with special needs. Players age 5 and up are matched with one or more peer volunteers (ages 12 and up) to assist them through baseball/softball stations
-
Players receive t-shirt, baseball hat and a trophy
-
Registration: www.register.communitypass.net (select "Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association" as your organization; then select the "All-Stars Program-Participant" and click "Register Now!")
-
Contacts: Kathleen Tavani at kdenicholas@yahoo.com or Mike Kelly at kellymjk@gmail.com
RIDGEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION (THE STABLE)
-
The Village of Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation seeks to make every program all-inclusive while offering accommodations as needed.
-
This includes a myriad of offerings for preschool through middle school in art, science, nature, STEAM, etc.
-
More information: https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/departments/recreation; 201-670-5560, 259 N. Maple Ave, Ridgewood
-
Register: www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass (under Village Parks and Recreation)
RIDGEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION - LEARNING AND EXPLORING THROUGH ADAPTED PROGRAMMING (LEAP)
-
Adapted programming for ages 12-24 offered with the help of the State's Recreation Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities (ROID) grant.
-
Class topics change monthly and feature 4 different lesson topics (October - Gardening; November - Cooking; December - Holiday Celebrations; January - Music & Motion; February - STEM; March - Art)
-
Tuesdays at 5pm at the Stable (unless noted)
-
Register for any/all of the monthly programs: www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass
-
Contact: For more information or specific accommodations call 201-670-5560
RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
-
There are numerous programs offered by the library all year for varying age groups - programs are intended to be inclusive.
-
The library website contains information on the programs and parents are encouraged to contact the Children’s Department of the library to discuss any specific needs.
-
Website: https://www.ridgewoodlibrary.org/
-
Contact: 201-670-5600 (Children’s Department)
SHARING THE ARTS
-
A non-profit performing arts program for individuals (ages 8 years through young adult) with special needs
-
Classes are led by teachers with support staff to provide redirection and assistance. Pre-teen through college-age volunteers serve as assistants, demonstrators, mentors as well as friends in the class.
-
More information/Registration: www.sharingthearts.com
-
Contact: info@sharingthearts.com
ACCESS RIDGEWOOD
-
The goal of Access Ridgewood is to increase awareness of those with disabilities and create a more inclusive community.
-
2022 Access Ridgewood Events: October 7-9
-
Includes Family Concert, Fashion Show, Community Fair and More!
-
More Information / Registration: www.ridgewoodlibrary.org/accessridgewood
RIDGEWOOD SPECIAL MOMS AND DADS
Ridgewood Special Moms and Dads is a private Facebook group where members share information about programs, medical professionals, after-school activities and anything that relates to being a parent of a child with special needs.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1571410723074380/
SAFETY & SECURITY: DID YOU KNOW?
You can register with the NJOEM’s special needs registry, so that emergency responders are aware of your child/family’s needs in case of disaster or emergency:
http://ready.nj.gov/plan-prepare/access-functional-needs.shtml
You can register your child with Bergen County Sheriff’s office Project Lifesaver:
https://www.bcsd.us/images/pdf/ProjectLifesaverApplication.pdf
Making a trip to the ER? Alert the reception desk that your child is special needs upon check in . They will take extra care to help them through the emergency room process