Teachers throughout the Verona School District are kicking off “April is Autism Awareness” month with a fundraiser.
Today, Tuesday April 2, is World Autism Day and Superintendent Steven A. Forte has given teachers permission to dress casually for a cause. In exchange for a small contribution to Parents Of Autistic Children (POAC), the faculty and staff can dress casually today.
POAC, a Brick, N.J.-based nonprofit, is the education leader for the autism community. Throughout N.J. it provides free training workshops to families, caregivers and teachers. Several Verona teachers and aides have taken POAC workshops. The group also provides free entertainment events for kids with autism and their siblings, including surfing days at the Shore and play times at Jumpnasium. POAC also offers a monthly information tea for those newly diagnosed.
Other Verona school activities on autism this month include two assemblies at H.B. Whitehorne by POAC, fact of the day announcements at some elementary schools, hidden puzzle pieces throughout the schools (a puzzle piece is often used to symbolize autism) and a dance marathon at Verona High School this Saturday to benefit Autism Speaks that has been organized by VHS students.
Photo by hepingting via Flickr.
