A. Harry Moore School Students to Be Relocated to the Regional Day School
Following a report from the Jersey City Board of Education’s civil engineering firm whose interim report concluded that the A. Harry Moore School Building needs comprehensive testing, analysis and repairs, and modifications before students, faculty and staff are allowed return to the building, students at A. Harry Moore School will be relocated to the Gerard J. Dynes Regional Day School (a state school facility located in Jersey City) at 425 Johnston Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07304, just 1.8 miles from the A. Harry Moore School.
Classes for the A. Harry Moore School students are scheduled to resume on Monday, September 23. Drop off is 9 a.m. and pick-up is 3 p.m.
Between now and September 23, New Jersey City University (NJCU) and the Jersey City Board of Education (JCBOE) will be working diligently with oversight by the Department of Education to facilitate the details relative to this move, which include the moving of critical equipment for the students, food services, bus transportation, storage and classroom space, as well as necessary modifications to the Regional Day School. NJCU will reach out to the other sending districts whose students are serviced at the A. Harry Moore program as well to ensure a smooth transition for students from all sending districts which includes the JCBOE.
When asked about this temporary outcome, JCBOE president Sudhan Thomas stated, “Over the last few months NJCU and the JCBOE have been fully engaged to ensure continuity of the AHM program to ensure the best services and support for the most vulnerable of our children. We are excited about the interim move of the program to the Regional Day School campus. The JCBOE will continue to be engaged comprehensively with the parents, community, NJCU, Department of Education (ED) and the Mayor’s office to ensure a permanent, long-term solution which we have a moral imperative to sustain.”
Sue Henderson, President of New Jersey City University articulated, “Being able to move the program to this facility will allow the University and its constituents to satisfy one of their biggest concerns. NJCU will continue its close partnership with the JCBOE in order to increase the level of services provided to the students at AHM by drawing expertise from the School District. I would like to thank Mayor Fulop for his leadership as well as the council and assembly men and women of Jersey City for their tireless work. In addition, my thanks go to Mr. Franklin Walker, Acting Superintendent and the JCBOE for their willingness to continue to work toward a solution to an issue that we all want to see resolved.”
Faculty and staff from the A. Harry Moore School will resume programming operations at the Regional Day School. Parents will have an opportunity for a walkthrough of the Regional Day School on Saturday, September 21.
The A. Harry Moore School calendar will be adjusted to reflect time missed due to the building closure to ensure that the 180 days of school required is maintained.
NJCU and the JCBOE would like to thank the faculty and staff at the Regional Day School for their willingness to accommodate the A. Harry Moore School students during this time of urgent need for an appropriate space for the students to ensure their safety and the continuity of education and care.
About the Regional Day School
The Gerard J. Dynes New Jersey Regional Day School at Jersey City services children with autism and children displaying autistic-like characteristics. Their mission is to provide a comprehensive educational program, which will provide the student with the skills necessary to become and remain a productive member of society. The curriculum standards for children serviced by the Regional Day School are based on the needs expressed in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for each student. The Regional Day program is mandated by a state charter and is a state facility building.