How Maywood students come together for 'priceless' program to build inclusion

MAYWOOD — Superintendent of Schools Michael Jordan smiled at the passing eighth graders as they walked hand in hand Wednesday with South Bergen Jointure Commission students, ready to cover the pavement with colorful chalk. Jordan does not normally welcome this many students to Maywood Avenue School, but it was field day for the two schools, a final celebration at the end of their yearly "Buddy Program."

South Bergen Jointure Commission and Maywood Avenue School partner throughout the year for a program that sends MAS kids to the neighboring school, right across the street, to eat lunch with SBJ students. South Bergen Jointure does not function like a typical school. It houses kids from all over Bergen County and some neighboring districts for students with special needs and where resources are not available at home.

This program replaced an Ambassador Program that was halted because of COVID-19, but this was the first field day under the new "Buddy" name. Months before this day, Maywood Avenue students were given a presentation by SBJ faculty about common characteristics that students with unique challenges have. From autism to speech impediments, the eighth graders learn about disabilities from behavioral specialists and trained teachers. Interactions between the kids not only creates rapport but also helps SBJ students build social skills.

"Too often those kids aren't together. And that hurts. They're not together enough," Jordan said.

On this field day, faculty took a step back to let students lead the day. Kids from both schools shot hoops, kicked soccer balls and rode scooters as the adults watched from a distance. Jordan said an overwhelming number of MAS students ask to take part in more Buddy Program presentations and lunches because of the many connections they make.

"Kids learn better through seeing, experiencing and feeling. What we do, you can't learn from a textbook. This experience, for both sets of kids: priceless," Jordan said.

South Bergen Jointure President Lauren Rosicki greeted students as she walked through Maywood Avenue's halls while glancing into classrooms busy with crafts, sports and water balloons. She said it is important to have instruction grounded in research-based, scientific approaches while also letting the kids be kids.

In addition to the Buddy Program, South Bergen Jointure partnered with No Barriers USA to give students every opportunity to maximize their potential. Rosicki said she sees students flourish socially and behaviorally in an environment that would not be available in another school setting.

"For many of our students, we have to help facilitate appropriate social interactions, and the eighth-grade students have helped to provide that natural avenue," Rosicki said. "We've seen the kids just simply having a great time, smiling, laughing with one another."

Among the SPJ kids benefiting from the Buddy Program is 11-year-old Madison Findlay. She wants to be an artist when she grows up and is proud to show off the paintings she drew with her buddy, Allison. Madison said she was nervous about attending the field day event but later had fun blowing bubbles, tossing sponges and playing soccer.

"I feel better now that my friends are here and we're all having fun," Madison said.

Maywood Avenue eighth grader Sophia Finan was also having fun helping the younger students and letting them open up. Sophia aspires to be a teacher and sees this program as a chance to learn. Like Madison, she was nervous about relating with other students until she learned to treat them as any other person.

"It's not something other schools might have. It's a very strictly MAS thing," Sophia said. "For me, and I know for my friends, it's a cool experience that you don't get at other places, so I feel very honored."