Happenings at SJSB

Raising awareness and raising the flag! Yesterday our students proudly participated in the Blindness Awareness Month flag raising ceremony at City Hall. From the heartfelt speeches to a moving rendition of the national anthem, their voices rang out with strength and pride!

Our students and staff participated in the Annual Hudson County Christmas Tree Lighting at the William J Brennan Jr. Courthouse today!

Our annual Halloween celebration at the school was a heartwarming and joyous event! From creative costumes and exciting games to contests for Cutest Costume, Spookiest Costume, and Most Creative Costume, the day was packed with fun for everyone. Students, staff, and families came together to enjoy the games, share their costumes, and celebrate the spirit […]

This year’s annual Red and White Charity Ball, hosted by the King David Lodge #7 and the Morning Star Chapter #4, honored our Assistant Director of Adult Services. Ms. Gerri was recognized for her consistent drive to help and support others both in the St. Joseph’s and Jersey City communities.

This October to honor Blindness Awareness Month, we held our 3rd annual flag raising at Jersey City City Hall. This year, we highlighted our students’ work in the creative arts by displaying their artworkand having some of them read poems they had written about blindness and their canes. Photos courtesy of the Mayor’s Office, City of Jersey City

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of our dear friend, Emmy-nominated actor John Amos. Best known for his roles on Good Times, Roots and Coming to America, Mr. Amos was also a talented writer. During his visits to St. Joseph’s, he took time to read his book, A World Without Color, to our students. His strong […]

This year’s Early Intervention Program (EIP) Holiday Party was a themed event “Babes in Toyland.” EIP Director Maria Malapoe-Streko and volunteer staff members transformed the school’s Sensory Room into a child’s wonderland! The event was a family affair, bringing together the infants and toddlers participating in St. Joseph’s EIP, their parents and siblings. Ms. Malapoe-Streko […]

New Facilities Manager Brandon Horton has a lot of ground to cover! St. Joseph’s is set on a 3-acre campus on a main avenue in a bustling urban center. Most importantly, the new manager is responsible for the security of the grounds, buildings and all who work and participate in our programs. Mr. Horton has […]

Ian Matty & the volunteers of the Mountain Lakes Public Library Makerspace have teamed up again with TVI, Assistive Technology Specialist Lauren Marron and her students to learn and explore STEM concepts such as engineering, universal design, 3d printing and computer programming. The focus of a STEM education is hands-on, problem-based learning. During Technology week, […]

Student Star R. was recently accepted into the Hudson County Community College Adult TransitionAccess Program. She is the program’s first visually impaired student and St. Joseph’s first student to collaborate with a local college. St. Joseph’s Transition Coordinator Diana Lao-Momon has been actively and successfully securing academic and employment opportunities for students since moving into […]

Longtime employee, Grace Hernandez was recently honored by the Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped (ASAH) as the Region 1 Paraprofessional of the Year. Ms. Hernandez proudly received her award at the organization’s annual conference in Atlantic City, NJ. The conference theme, “Creating a Better World,” is one Ms. Hernandez has based her […]

Mayor Fulop, the Municipal Council, the Office of Cultural Affairs and St. Joseph’s School for the Blind were proud to present the Blindness Awareness Month flag raising at City Hall earlier today.

What began as a series of art classes for the school’s Adult Services clients grew to include the students’ works and showings at multiple galleries throughout Jersey City. St. Joseph’s Art Instructor, Athena Toledo, designed an inspiring and challenging series of art sessions for all age groups. Ms. Toledo, an aspiring art therapist, works through […]

St. Joseph’s awarded four students their graduating diplomas this year. The students, pictured from left to right, Joshua, Ishaq, Tony and Pablo worked diligently throughout their years at the school to complete their academic and life skills curriculum. Executive Director David Feinhals, School Principal Katie Hardgrove, and Educational Supervisor Barbara Porter-Reid proudly presented them with […]

Born in 1923, a young Dorothy Hackman lost her vision at eight years old. From her childhood, to the time of her passing, she lived her life with strength, resilience and pride in her many accomplishments. She attended A. Harry Moore School in Jersey City and later graduated from Henry Snyder High School ranking 22nd […]

Over the years, St. Joseph’s has been the grateful recipient of many grants which have provided needed program and capital improvements. Although each has held great importance, none has created the excitement and joy of a recent award! This special funding enabled us to purchase and install a We-Go-Swing; providing students of all abilities the […]

What an exciting day for our students and clients as they walked together to celebrate their 15th Annual Walk-A-Thon!Staff, family members, friends and community partners came out in large numbers to cheer them on and support their independence. Event Co-Chairperson Nidia Cartagena, who initiated the original event and has spearheaded it each year since, was […]

We are so grateful for our generous supporters who gave during #HudsonGives. Each gift made during this campaign will allow us to further our mission. Thank you to all who take part in this day with us! We placed 10th out of 88 non-profits, making a total of $21,774 ($1000 came in too late to […]

This year, in honor of Blindness Awareness Month, officials from the City of Jersey City, together with a St. Joseph’s student ambassador and school staff members, raised a commemorative flag high over City Hall to mark the occasion. The City also presented St. Joseph’s with a proclamation honoring the school for their dedication and service […]

New art teacher Athena Toledo has garnered an impressive resume of positions in the art field, but it is the enthusiasm of the students at St. Joseph’s that inspires her to go beyond her personal experiences. “The students are surprising and joyful! They bring something different to each project,” she said. Ms. Toledo, has also […]

After a tour of St. Joseph’s in September of 2019, Ian Matty, co-founder of the Mountain Lakes Public Library Makerspace, paired his student teams with Teacher and Assistive Technology Specialist Lauren Marron and her students to create and develop innovative, accessible designs to aid individuals who are blind and visually impaired.Early this fall, upon a […]

St. Joseph’s School for the Blind proudly welcomed Katie Hardgrove, M. Ed. as its new principal of the school’s full-time education program. According to Executive Director David Feinhals, “After a thorough search, we were confident Ms. Hardgrove exemplified the qualifications, passion and expertise required to lead our students and staff into the future. Her background […]

St. Joseph’s School for the Blind recently held an official ribbon cutting ceremony to open its newly installed Multi-Sensory Environment (MSE).  Executive Director David Feinhals said charitable grants and private donations helped fund the new room.  Major funders include The UPS Foundation, New Jersey Lions District 16N Charitable Foundation, The Fund for the New Jersey […]

A group of St. Joseph’s students traveled to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, Lyndhurst, NJ where they experienced the chivalry and rivalry of a forgotten age.  Our students were hand selected by Medieval Times to be VIP’s for the day complete with a unique sensory tour especially designed for individuals with visual impairments.  Throughout the […]

Jersey City, NJ – Actor John Amos, best known for his roles on Good Times, Roots and Coming To America, kept his promise to the students of St. Joseph’s School for the Blind and returned for a second reading of his children’s book A World Without Color, now transcribed in braille!  Mr. Amos also received […]

St. Joseph’s recently redesigned more than 1800 square feet of space to create a new, state-of-the-art therapeutic center equipped to meet the complex needs of students with multiple disabilities. According to Executive Director David Feinhals, “The space brings both physical and occupational therapies together, enabling unprecedented collaboration and an ability to better assess students’ needs.”  […]

Actor John Amos, best known for his roles on Good Times, Roots and Coming To America, surprised the students of St. Joseph’s School for the Blind to read from his children’s book A World Without Color.  A New Jersey native, Mr. Amos shared stories of his college years at Colorado State University where he graduated […]