Audubon special‑education team reports growth in WAVE and Unified Champion Club

Noelle Bissinger, supervisor of special education, and Bridget Bantle, a high‑school special education teacher, presented a year‑in‑review of WAVE (Work and Vocational Experiences) and the district’s Unified Champion Club, describing expanded real‑world learning and inclusion activities across the district.

Bissinger said WAVE’s goals include workforce and vocational experiences and post‑secondary preparation. Bridget Bantle described multiple work‑based learning sites — Green Bean (a student‑run cafe), cafeteria and custodial supports — and community service projects that involve students preparing meals for local partners.

Bantle said Unified Champion Club membership grew from about 40 members last year to 148 this year, and noted the program’s statewide participation: Audubon teams competed in Unified Cup events and at the NJSIAA Unified Bowling tournament, returning with two bronze medals. The presentation included examples of student work — a Garden of Acceptance that supplied produce for a pop‑up market and classroom projects such as gingerbread houses and independent living lessons.

Board members asked whether WAVE could be opened to additional students who may benefit from workforce preparation. Bissinger said the program typically enrolls students programmatically through special education referrals but that counseling referrals and collaboration could allow broader participation.

The board thanked the presenters and congratulated students and staff for expanded inclusion activities and community engagement.