Through the month of March, Stepping Stones School welcomed guests who brought fictional worlds and magical illusions to the students.

Beginning with a celebration of Read Across America Week from March 2 to 6, classrooms buzzed with excitement as mystery readers joined in the fun. A wide range of guest readers helped bring stories to life throughout the week, including family members, main office staff, Arc Day Program participants, and officers from the Fairfield Police Department. Each guest reader took time to visit classrooms make meaningful connections with the students. Some of the Student Champions in The Arc of Essex County’s Building Tomorrows event also submitted virtual book reading videos for the students to enjoy.

The week doubled as Spirit Week, with each day bringing a new theme that had students and staff dressing the part, from Animal Print Day’s “Wild About Reading” kickoff to Sports Jersey Day, Wacky Wednesday, Everyday Heroes, and a cozy Pajama Day finale.

Later in the month, the school came together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with a special event held on Friday, March 20. Families filled the space for an afternoon magic show featuring magician Joe Fischer, who delighted the audience with a variety of tricks and invited student volunteers to take part in the fun. The children watched in awe and with a lot of laughter, many dressed in blue and yellow and sporting colorful, wacky socks in recognition of Down syndrome awareness.

Beyond these highlights, the school continued to embrace a range of seasonal lessons and celebrations throughout March, from St.  Patrick’s Day to the change in seasons.

The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones School is a Department of Education approved private school for students with disabilities. Located in Fairfield, NJ, the school is designed to meet the developmental and educational needs of children with cognitive impairments such as Down syndrome and other students with similar educational and developmental needs. For more information, or to request a virtual tour and assistance with an out-of-district placement, contact Robin Moses, Director of Early Childhood and Education at (862) 210-8781 or rmoses@arcessex.org.