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Ocean Township highlights special services inclusion, new preschool podcast and viral student moment
Summary
The Township of Ocean School District’s special services director presented districtwide inclusion efforts — from administrator PD and Spartan Buddies to a preschool podcast — and showed a viral video of a nonverbal student that board members and parents praised as an example of inclusion in action.
Kelly McHale, the district’s director of special services, told the Township of Ocean School District board on Tuesday that the department is deepening its focus on inclusion across preschool, elementary, intermediate and high-school programs.
McHale outlined professional development for administrators and staff that emphasized de‑escalation strategies and student‑centered communication, and she credited BCBAs and classroom leaders for translating that work into practices meant to reduce behavioral escalations and support placements in the least‑restrictive environment. "Inclusion is not a buzzword — it's a practice, a mindset, and a shared priority," McHale said.
The presentation highlighted several district programs: an expanding Spartan Buddies peer‑mentoring program at Wayside Elementary, Unified Clubs at Ocean Township Intermediate School (TOIS) and Ocean Township High School (OTHS) aligned with the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools model, and preschool enhancements that include thematic units and a new preschool podcast offering family resources on routines and social‑emotional learning.
McHale also played a widely shared video from Ocean Township Intermediate School showing Ethan, a nonverbal student with Down syndrome, participating in a school performance. Board members and parents at the meeting described the moment as a powerful example of student belonging. "It was just really beautiful," McHale said when introducing the clip; public commenter Alex Hayes later called the video "absolutely insane" and said it had brought positive attention to the district.
The presentation included event notices and program details: a district band and choir concert on Dec. 18, an OTHS lunch‑and‑learn on Dec. 18 focused on pre‑employment transition services for 9–12 MD students and the 18–21 program, and plans to pilot podcast episodes for preschool families. When asked who the OTHS lunch‑and‑learn was for, McHale clarified it targets the 9–12 MD population and the 18–21 program and that the district plans to expand the events in the future.
Board members praised the initiative for improving school climate and giving general‑education students opportunities to learn alongside peers with different needs. McHale asked staff and parent groups to continue co‑planning events: she said the district has been meeting with CPAG (a parent advisory group) and plans a January meet‑and‑greet to strengthen family engagement.
The presentation closed with recognition of special‑education staff winners across the district. McHale said the department will follow up with the public on questions that require additional information.
