Equal access to dance for children with special needs

At Rock Brook School, every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy, creativity, and thrill of dance. That’s why Rock Brook partners with The Dance Connection of New Jersey to bring dance directly to us. Through this partnership, instructors from The Dance Connection come to Rock Brook School twice a week for on-site dance classes. These are age appropriate, ability appropriate classes designed specifically for children with special needs. This collaboration brings the same high-quality dance education offered in The Dance Connection’s studios directly to Rock Brook School, creating equal access dance classes to dance for children with special needs. This program has many benefits.

• It fosters motor skills
• Improves memory and concentration
• Builds confidence and body awareness
• Enhances communication and social skills
• Encourages creativity and emotional expression
• Provides structured movement and sensory input
• Improves rhythm and coordination

Students at Rock Brook don’t just enjoy dancing—they thrive because of it. They become more comfortable and confident with many families even seeing their children dancing at home. Teachers and staff at Rock Brook actively participate in the dance classes as well, helping reinforce learning, building rapport, and encouraging communication and teamwork.

About The Dance Connection

The Dance Connection is a local dance school with locations in Hillsborough and Lawrence NJ. Looking for dance classes in Central New Jersey, The Dance Connection has dance classes for children ages 2 through high school in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical and Contemporary. For more information visit The Dance Connection.

Principal Tom Connolly recognized the graduates:  

Aarav Roshan is a “numbers wizard” with an “I can do it” spirit. Amy Enriquez was lauded for her singing and positive demeanor. And, Mason Kucharski was recognized for his athletic abilities, especially in basketball.  

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The Montgomery Township Police Department (MTPD) is partnering with Montgomery Special Education PTA and the Rock Brook School, a private non-profit school for multiply-disabled children in Skillman, to make traffic stops safer for Autistic drivers.

The purpose of the Blue Envelope Program is to improve the interaction between drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and police officers on traffic stops. The goal is to create a positive, safe outcomes for everyone involved.

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By Thomas Connolly

Students at Rock Brook School in Skillman, New Jersey were treated to a special visit from the Montgomery Township Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Squad 47. At 10:00 am on March 20, our local first responders visited the students and staff to share what they do each and every day. In front of the school, two ambulances and one EMS SUV were available for the students to see and explore. Throughout the morning, groups of students had the opportunity to meet the team of first responders, see how they care for patients, and see some specific equipment and tools used by these professionals.

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By Thomas Connolly

In February, Rock Brook students were invited to watch The Pingry School’s high school production of Into the Woods, a musical that takes traditional storybook characters like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and many others in an epic fairytale about wishes, family, and the choices we make. Following the 90-minute musical, The Pingry School and Rock Brook School students enjoyed lunch together.

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By Thomas Connolly

Students at Rock Brook School in Skillman, New Jersey had a special visit from the Montgomery Township Fire Department No.2. 

On a cool Monday morning in November, Engine 46-8 arrived at Rock Brook School as students and staff eagerly waited. As the truck parked in front of the school, five firefighters exited the vehicle, including Bob Maslanka, Phil Adams, Dan Labos, John Bolen, and Aiden Dugan.  Throughout the morning, groups of students had the opportunity to meet the firefighters, learn about fire safety, and see some specific equipment and tools used by these professionals. In addition, the students were able to touch the truck and get an up-close look inside the truck. 

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By Thomas Connolly, Principal

Students at Rock Brook School in Skillman had the opportunity to meet and interact with some furry friends last school year and are looking forward to continuing this wonderful program in the 2023-2024 school year.

Spearheaded by Bob Hegedus, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, The Attitudes in Reverse (AIR) Therapy Dog program has proven to support our students, staff, and community regarding social and emotional well-being.  Bob Hegedus stated, “Therapy dogs have been providing assistance to people for well over 100 years. The support that the dogs have provided began with individuals in nursing homes, retirement communities and medical facilities.  In recent years therapy dogs have begun to spend time in schools to help students with learning disabilities. Tricia Baker, who established the Attitudes in Reverse (AIR) Therapy Dog program in 2010 reported in a news article that it wasn’t until about 30 years ago that scientists began to conduct studies about dogs and the effects that they had on humans.  They knew that dogs made people feel better, but they didn’t understand the physiological impact on the body.  They soon realized that contact with a dog releases “feel good brain chemicals” that promote a sense of well-being and improves the overall mental and physical health of an individual.  Tricia Baker added that the AIR Dogs Therapy program makes the most of these scientific facts in helping to create a safe, friendly and secure environment.

Throughout the course of the year, students and staff had opportunities to meet with two dogs for up to an hour.  Some of the special therapy dogs who visited the school included Alice, McKenly, and Nomie. Each month, classes would gather and students and staff had the chance to learn about the dog as shared by the dog handler.  They would discuss the breed of the dog, age, and daily activities the dog would participate in.  The dog handler would then provide numerous opportunities for the students to pet and sit next to the dog, while other students observed the positive interactions. At the conclusion of the session, the students were provided with a picture of the dog including interesting facts about the dog such as birthday and favorite foods.

The primary focus of AIR is to promote messages of understanding, empathy, and kindness towards others. In addition, there are many potential benefits of having therapy dogs in school.  This includes:

• Provides a calming effect on students and reduces stress
• Improves concentration, self-confidence, and self-esteem
• Increases level of motivation to learn 
• Improves academic skills
• Builds trust and a sense of security
• Provision of unconditional acceptance
• Encourages respect and therefore improves relationships amongst students and staff
• Reduces anxiety and elevates mood and temperament
• Promotes character traits, such as cooperation, gratitude, nurturance, patience, and responsibility

Thomas Connolly, Principal of Rock Brook School, shared, “This program has been such a positive experience for our school community.  We are looking forward to continuing this incredible program for our students and staff.”  Additionally, Thomas Connolly stated,  “Seeing our students interact, communicate, and smile while they are with the therapy dogs is absolutely wonderful.”  

Rock Brook School is a private, non-profit school for communication impaired and multiply disabled children, ages 3 through 21. Located in Skillman, Rock Brook School is approved by the New Jersey State Department of Education and is recognized as a School of Excellence by the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET).  The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools (MSCES).  Currently, the school serves over 50 students from 25 school districts in New Jersey.