Cinnaminson Child Study Team
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Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! As we open up this school year, it is our goal to continue to find as many opportunities to fill your child’s year with an abundance of positive experiences, meaningful learning, and life-impacting relationships. The Child Study Team looks forward to our continued partnership as we collaborate to foster your child’s continuous growth. |
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District Child Study Team
Ms. Darlene Llewellyn -Director of Special Services
Ms. Bethany Sanders - Director of Instruction for Special Education
Ms. Kellie White - Administrative Assistant
Ms. Natasha Ferroni - Administrative Assistant
Ms. Susan Hannings - Administrative Assistant
Elementary Team
Ms. Gabriela Roach-LDTC
Ms. Courtney Nutt-School Social Worker
Ms. Kristy DeSanto-School Psychologist
Ms. Alyssa Mebs-LDTC
Secondary Team
Ms. Michele Montrose-LDTC
Ms. Leah Valley-School Social Worker
Ms. Jen Alexander-School Psychologist
Mr. Joseph Sigmund-School Psychologist
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Behavior Analysts
Ms. Julia Zimecki
Ms. Katie Neely
Ms. Lauren Device
Speech Therapists
Ms. Chelsea Derry-Memorial
Ms. Bailey Bond-Memorial
Ms. Cathy Jenkins-New Albany
Ms. Lauren Campanella- NA/Rush/CMS
Ms. Brooke Kaffenberg-Rush
Ms. Erin Foley-Middle/High School
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October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Dyslexia is a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters and other symbols but that do not affect general intelligence. The Cinnaminson School District will participate in various activities throughout the month of October raising awareness.
- Dyslexia is the most common learning disability. Individuals with this medical condition have difficulty in the areas of language processing.
- 1 in 5 people suffer from dyslexia.
- About 70 to 85% of children who are placed in special education for learning disabilities are dyslexic.
- Dyslexia does not reflect an overall defect in language, but a localized weakness within the phonologic module of the brain (where sounds of language are put together to form words or break words down into sounds).
- People with dyslexia are usually more creative and have a higher level of intelligence.
- Those with dyslexia use only the right side of the brain to process language, while non-dyslexics use three areas on the left side of the brain to process language.
- Children have a 50% chance of having dyslexia if one parent has it. And a 100% chance if both parents have it.
- Dyslexia ranges from mild to severe. Around 40% of people with dyslexia also have ADHD. And those with dyslexia use about 5 times more energy to complete mental tasks.
- Dyslexia is not a disease so there is no cure. It’s a learning disability that includes difficulty in the use/processing of linguistic and symbolic codes, alphabetic letters representing speech sounds or numbers and quantities.
- Dyslexics do not “see” words backwards. The “b-d” letter reversal for example is mainly caused by deficits in interpreting left and right.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 15% of the population has dyslexia.
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Please see the attached letter regarding the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) program. If you have already signed and returned the attached form, please disregard. There is no need to re-sign. If you have not signed in the past, please sign and return using any of the methods explained in the letter. Thank you! |
Calling all High School students! We are excited to announce that our Play Unified Soccer season is kicking off with practices beginning on September 17th and our first game on Thursday, October 1st at home against Moorestown at 3:15PM. If your child is interested in participating, please contact Ms. Finor in room E271 at finorc@cinnaminson.com.
The Play Unified campaign is a way to excite and engage young people to come out and play Unified Sports. Play Unified expresses the movement’s ambition to be recognized as an inclusive community where people with and without intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate each other’s gifts, both on and off the playing field. All are invited to come out and support our program!
Here are the upcoming home games:
Thursday, October 1 vs. Moorestown 3:15 pm
Tuesday, October 6 vs. Delran 3:15 pm
Thursday, October 29 vs. Pennsauken 3:15 pm **Senior Day
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Below are several local programs that may be of interest to you and your family. These programs are for your reference and are not affiliated or sponsored by Cinnaminson School District. |
The Children’s System of Care (CSOC) is reopening the Assistive Technology program for youth with intellectual/developmental disabilities up to age 21. CSOC has resumed accepting new Family Support Services (FSS) applications for Assistive Technology requests. Interested families may call Perform Care (1-877-652-7624) to request Assistive Technology services and complete the FSS application over the phone. For more information about CSOC’s Family Support Services programs including Assistive Technology, please visit: https://www.performcarenj.org/pdf/families/family-support-services-facts.pdf
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Equal Opportunity Support Services supports your loved ones who have an intellectual / developmental disability providing assistance in meeting their emotional, cognitive, social, and physical needs. Their services are rooted in the belief that individuals must be provided with the support that they deserve to grow, be independent, and have the chance to live their best life. They provide the following services: Support Coordination, Support Brokerage, Training and Transition to Adulthood. Please see the link for more information: Equal Opportunity Support Services
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Mom2Mom, funded by The New Jersey Department of Children and Families and Rutgers Health University Behavioral Health Care, is a peer support service to address the behavioral health challenges of caring for a special needs child. Moms with children with developmental disabilities, autism, mental health conditions, medical problems, and more can find comfort in connections. Mom2Mom offers peer support counseling, assessments, a specialized provider network, and resilience and support groups. Over 30 special-needs Mom Peer counselors are available. Call today (877) 914-6662 or see the flyers below for more information and additional resources.
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SPAN’s (SPAN Parent Advocacy Network) offers a variety of learning opportunities for families and the professionals who work with them.
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Elevate Health is hosting a monthly social group for children who use AAC. The AAC Communication Club meets monthly on Saturday mornings, 9:30-10:15AM at 1015 Briggs Road, Suite 150 in Mount Laurel. Please click on the link for details and registration information
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Encouraging Kids Family Resource Center has open spots for their Special Needs Afterschool Program. There is a low adult-child ratio, snack, art and crafts, and indoor and outdoor fun! Transportation is also available on a limited basis. Please see their website for more information and registration information: http://www.encouragingkids.org/
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Chuck E. Cheese offering Sensory Sensitive Sundays
Chuck E Cheese will now open 2 hours early on the first Sunday of every month, specifically for children with Autism and other special needs with reduced lighting and noise, food and games offered, and trained and caring staff.
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Community Inclusion of the Katz JCC offers a variety of fun and engaging social and recreational programs and events throughout the year for individuals with special needs, of all ages, to build social skills, enhance self-esteem and cultivate friendships. Whether you are looking to build creativity through art or music, a healthier mind and body through fitness and cooking, or a way to stay connected to the community – the JCC offers something for everyone! Click the link for more information on the variety of programs and registration: About Community Inclusion at the Katz JCC
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Heart of Surfing is a non-profit organization that offers free surfing and skateboarding lessons for families with Autism or other developmental disabilities. Please see the below link for several events, such as: Bounce Party, Easter Bunny Express, Sensory friendly Roller Skating, Skateboarding Day, etc.
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The JFCS Disability Services Department is committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities in Southern New Jersey. We also provide support, education, and networking opportunities for family members. JFCS develops programs and services to help clients achieve their highest potential and lead more independent and fulfilled lives. JFCS is an approved vendor of supported employment services through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), and a qualified provider of the Supports Program through the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).
The JFCS Disability Services Department offers various programs, such as: J-Time After-School Respite; Supported Employment; Community-Based Supports; High School Transition Services; TOPS Habilitation Program; Social, Recreational & Athletic Programs; Soups & Sweets Culinary Training Program; Project Search; Self-Hired Respite Care; STAR Program. Please see the below link for more information: https://jfcssnj.org/disability-services/
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ZZ Jams offers a unique class for children with special needs and varying abilities. This class will explore the world of dance, while encouraging each specific child’s needs. Compassion, respect and love is what you’ll find in this class. The class will focus on all types of movement with a concentration on hip hop. All of our ZZ Jams students will be encouraged to perform in our showcases, but it is not required to take the class. Registration is open and first class begins on September 15th. See link for more information.
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Interested in enrolling your Young Athlete and/or Unified Partner (sibling/family member to athlete without a disability) in community programming in your local area or nearby? This is an inclusive sports play program for children ages 2-7 with and without ID (Intellectual Disabilities), to develop and improve their social and gross motor skills with an introduction to sport skills.
- Attend Weekly guided sport and play sessions
- 45-minute to 1-hour sessions that meet once per week for 6-8 weeks per season or on-going throughout the season
- Group games and individual activity stations to help develop social skills, improve gross motor skills, and learn foundational sport skills
- All programs are led by trained coaches and volunteers
- Play Unified (sibling without an intellectual disability)
*To participate in Young Athletes Community programs, you must be registered as a Young Athlete with Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ).
Questions can be directed to Brianna Santoro, Young Athletes Manager at bss@sonj.org
Please click on the link to sign up and learn more:
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Spectrum Sports is an inclusive sports and fitness program for individuals of all abilities. They provide exercise through various sports, games, and group fitness with three locations in southern New Jersey, including Willingboro, Moorestown and Cherry Hill. Check out the website for more information:
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Become a member of the RWJ Barnabas Health Toms River Field of Dreams at the Ocean Orthopedic Associates Complex. Membership is FREE and is for special needs individuals and their families ONLY. The Toms River Field of Dreams is a one-of-a-kind 3.5-acre complex specifically designed with special needs children and adults in mind. Since its Grand Opening on April 20, 2022, the Field of Dreams has built a community of over 2,000 special needs families of all ages and abilities from all over the tri-state area, and the number keeps on growing. Please see the link for more information and how to become a member. https://rwjbhfieldofdreams.com/about-us/
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Attached is a link to find information regarding the Marlton Recreation Council (MRC) Sports Unity Program. The program is designed to provide opportunities for athletes with special needs to participate in organized sports. Click the link for more information and registration: https://www.marltonreccouncil.org/sportsunity
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Attached is a link to possible Special Needs Programs offered by Moorestown Township such as Challenger Baseball, Social Skills club (SMASH) for middle and high school students, soccer and family game night open for all. Programs are open to non-residents. Registration is open as programs begin soon! Click the link for more information and registration.
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Our View, formerly Build Jake's Place® founded Jake's Place - an all-inclusive playground which allows children and adults of all abilities to play and interact together. Jake's Place is a nationally ranked, award-winning all-inclusive playground located at Challenge Grove Park in Cherry Hill, NJ AND an all-new redesigned Jake’s Place in Delran, NJ. Funded by donations and built by community volunteers, the mission of Jake’s Place is to provide all-inclusive play opportunities for children and adults with special needs through advocacy, awareness building, programming, building playgrounds, and sharing our expertise with like-minded individuals and organizations. Jake's Place also offers programs, such as: Camden County NJ Miracle League and Community Service Day. To learn more about Build Jake’s Place, please visit their website: https://our-view.com/build-jakes-place
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Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE)
School-Based Family Resources
Policy and Procedure Resources
Community-Based Family Resources
Support Resources
Hotlines and Helplines
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