The Center School Cuts Ribbon At New Facility

Various dignitaries were on hand Sept. 10 for the ribbon cutting at The Center School’s Riverview Drive location.

The Center School, a private school for learning-disabled students, formally opened its new facility Sept. 10 at 2 Riverview Dr.

The school held a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Brian Levine, state Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-17) and representatives from the Somerset County Business partnership and the Tri-County Chamber.

Founded in 1971, the school operated out of temporary quarters in Branchburg after a fire destroyed its Highland Park school.

“We really want to thank everyone involved in making this wonderful new facility possible,” Marcie Fiorentino, the school’s executive director, said at the ceremony. “Everyone has been so welcoming and we are looking forward to becoming part of the community.”

The Center School provides a supportive educational environment in which each student may reach their potential for academic, emotional and physical health and this is accomplished by carefully selected, dedicated staff working in unison with the student, the parents/guardians, and the sending district according to a press release about the event.

The Center School offers complete education from K through 12-PLUS, serving between 55 and 65 school districts each year, according to the release.

Disabilities served by The Center School include:

• Asperger’s Syndrome
• Anxiety Disorders/OCD, PTSD, School Phobia, etc.
• Dyslexia Spectrum disorder: reading, spelling, written language
• Mood Disorders/Bipolar, Depression
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Adjustment Disorders
• Motor/Sensory Integration Deficits

The Center School has clinical staff that includes full time social workers, a psychologist, an art therapist and a visiting psychiatrist that consults weekly to assess students and meet with staff.

Applications are accepted throughout the school year. The application process involves the following:

• referral information about the student from the Child Study Team, parents, and/or private educational consultants
• a review of clinical records and evaluations
• an interview and informal screening of the applicant
• an interview of parents/guardians by a counselor
• interpretation and discussion of screening results with parents and case manager
• prompt placement decision

For more information about the school, call Fiorentino at (908) 253-3870 or email her at marcief@thecenterschool.com

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