The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) has reported that the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Magna Awards program has a long history of recognizing school district innovation and creativity in helping to increase student achievement.
The NJSBA said the 2019 awards program focused on equity in education, recognizing district programs that remove barriers to achievement for vulnerable or underserved children.
According to the NJSBA, the Colts Neck K-8 School District was a first place winner of the NSBA’s Magna Award for best practices.
The district was recognized for its MOVES and SAID programs, which provide early intervention for speech impairments, motor planning/executive functioning, and fine motor weaknesses. The initiative has provided students with therapeutic support, while reducing the district’s IEP rate by half, according to the NJSBA.
The NJSBA quoted Colts Neck Superintendent of Schools MaryJane Garibay saying she was proud to receive the award and adding, “On behalf of the members of the Colts Neck Township Board of Education, (Director of Special Services) Dr. (Richard) Beck and I are truly honored to have our school district recognized by the National School Boards Association.
“We are especially grateful to our very talented staff, especially Dr. Christine Doran, who embrace, value and implement these innovative practices through the lens of equity and opportunity. Understanding that all students are ‘differently able,’ we strive to design the most appropriate, inclusive learning experiences to empower, engage and inspire our students,” Garibay said.
