Happenings at SJSB

Happenings at SJSB


We love Halloween at St. Joe’s

We love Halloween at St. Joe’s

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 […]

3rd Annual Flag Raising at City Hall

3rd Annual Flag Raising at City Hall

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

John Amos

St. Joseph’s Remembers Beloved Actor and Friend, John Amos

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 […]

Ana Centeno on Good Morning America

Good Morning America: Student who is blind pursues her dreams with the help of her teachers

At St. Joseph’s School for the Blind in Jersey City, New Jersey, Ana Centeno, 19, stands out not just for her notable achievements but also for her ability to navigate her challenges and cultivate distinct capabilities to enrich her life and inspire others. Ana Centeno was born with anophthalmia, a rare birth defect where a […]

Santa stops by St. Joseph's

Holiday Highlights

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 […]

Students Work to Improve Computer Programming Accessibility

Students Work to Improve Computer Programming Accessibility

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, […]

St. Joseph’s Transition Program Provides College and Employment Opportunities

St. Joseph’s Transition Program Provides College and Employment Opportunities

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 […]

Grace Hernandez receives the ASAH Region 1 Paraprofessional of the Year Award.

Teacher Grace Hernandez Awarded for Service Excellence

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 […]

Art Showcased in Multiple Jersey City Exhibits

Art Showcased in Multiple Jersey City Exhibits

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 […]

Graduation 2023

Graduation 2023

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 […]

Donor Leaves Legacy of Love

Donor Leaves Legacy of Love

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 […]

Our 15th Annual Walkathon Raised Over $17,000! Thank you, sponsors!

Our 15th Annual Walkathon Raised Over $17,000! Thank you, sponsors!

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 […]

Celebrating the Season

Celebrating the Season

Long-time donors, the Hudson County Homing Pigeon Club, marked the holiday season with a generous gift to our mission to help support our specialized programs for children with special needs. (L to R) Supervisor of Education Barbara Porter, Principal Katie Hardgrove, & HC Homing Pigeon Club members Stanley Krawiec, President Vincent Torre, Lynne Earing & […]

Ms. Athena Toledo

Art Teacher Inspired by Students

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 […]

Ian Matty

Inspired by the Heart

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 […]

Katie Hardgrove, Principal

Welcome New Principal Katie Hardgrove

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 Unveils New Multi-sensory Room

St. Joseph’s Unveils New Multi-sensory Room

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 […]

Students Travel Back To Medieval Times

Students Travel Back To Medieval Times

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 […]

New Therapy Center Opens

New Therapy Center Opens

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.”  […]

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