Diocesan Administration
Special Education Programs

Introduction:

The mission of the Special Education Programs is to offer a Christ-centered, quality education within a Catholic School environment for students with intellectual/developmental or learning disabilities. In the three Special Learning Centers for children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities academics, functional learning, life skills and social development are enhanced through liturgical celebrations and prayer services. The Aquinas Program for children with learning disabilities at the elementary and secondary levels is unique in its emphasis on learning strategies and study skills to foster independence.

What's New:

Plans are underway for the opening of a high school Aquinas Program for students with learning disabilities at Central Catholic High School, Reading, for the 2008-2009 school year.

Links and Resources:

John Paul II Center for Special Learning:
www.johnpauliicenter.org/
Email: altbjp2@ptd.net

Mercy Special Learning Center:
www.mercyspeciallearning.org
Email: altlmslc@ptd.net

St. Joseph Center for Special Learning:
www.pottsville.com/stjosephctr/
Email: altssjc@ptd.net

Programs in this Department:

The following is a list of programs within the Special Education Programs department.

Special Learning Centers

John Paul II Center for Special Learning

Description:
This Center located in Berks County serves students from 3 to 21 years of age.Overall focus is the student's growth through individual attention.

Location:
1092 Welsh Road, Shillington, PA 19607
Phone: 610-777-0605 Fax: 610-777-0682
Email: altbjp2@ptd.net
Mary Adams, Principal

Programs Offered:

• Curriculum offerings include reading, fine/perceptual motor development, basic math, religion, gross motor skills training, social studies, self-help skills and language arts. Computers are available in the classroom to encourage learning. Music, adaptive physical education and art complement core studies. Personal development is enhanced by speech and language therapy and psychological services.
• Social Development
• Spiritual Development
• Pre-vocational and vocational program
• Work for independence program
• Summer Program
• Occupational therapy
• Life Skills development
• A licensed Adult Habilitation Program is offered at this site

Mercy Special Learning Center

Description:
This Center located in Lehigh County serves students from birth to 21 years of age. Mercy's center of activity involves every student
in the pursuit of their goals, as established by their Instructional Plan.

Location:
830 S. Woodward St., Allentown, PA 18103-3473
Phone: 610-797-8242 Fax: 610-797-9092
Email: altlmslc@ptd.net
Bridget Muehlenkamp, Principal

Programs Offered:

• Home visits providing infant stimulation
• Integrated Toddler/Pre-school classes and Extended Care
• Educational areas of instruction including academics, gross and fine motor
  skill development, advancement of self-help skills, social interaction and
  vocational and work experiences
• Speech, occupational and physical therapies
• Religious instruction and liturgical celebrations
• Summer Program
• A licensed Adult Habilitation Program is offered at this site

St. Joseph Center for Special Learning

Description:
This Center located in Schuylkill County serves student from 3 to 21 years of age. St. Joseph Center is a unique environment committed to guiding students to their full potential academically, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The wonders of the world are opened up to every student through a diverse and stimulating curriculum.

Location:
2075 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville, PA 17901-1907
Phone: 570-622-4638 Fax: 570-622-3420
Email: altssjc@ptd.net
Julia Leibensperger, Principal

Programs Offered:

• Social Development
• Academic subjects including religion, mathematics, reading
  as well as enrichment in the areas of art, music and computer
• Prevocational instruction highlighted by School Lunch Program
• Occupational/speech therapy
• Self-help and functional living skills including grooming, time and money management
• Gross/fine motor development
• A licensed Adult Habilitation Program is offered at this site.

Aquinas Program

Description:
The program assists students from elementary to secondary grades who have learning disabilities. An Instructional Plan forms the program's core. Elementary students receive specialized instruction for half the day to address their learning disability. In the afternoon, they join their peers in their own grade levels for religion,
social studies, science, physical education, computer and art, thereby assuring integration. Secondary students are rostered into the general education classes including a Learning Strategies Class one period per day. For more information contact Sr. Janice Marie Johnson, R.S.M. at 610-866-0581 x25 or jjohnson@allentowndiocese.org.

Location: 

Elementary:

Seton Academy
623 Sixth Avenue Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone:610-867-9530 Fax: 610-0868-6784
Email: altlset@ptd.net
Lori Rutkiewicz, Principal

St. Margaret School
233 Spring Street, Reading, PA 19601-2121
Phone:610-375-1882 Fax:610-376-2291
Email:altbsmg@ptd.net
Sr. Marian Michele Smith, I.H.M., Principal 

Secondary:

Central Catholic High School
1400 Hill Road, Reading, PA 19602
Phone: 610-373-4178 Fax: 610-375-4898
Email: admins@cchscardinals.org

Notre Dame High School
3417 Church Street, Easton, PA 18045-2999
Phone: 610-868-1431 Fax: 610-868-6710
Email: altndhs@ptd.net
Joseph R. Kramer, Jr., Principal

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