We had a terrible experience with the Towards Tomo...
We had a terrible experience with the Towards Tomorrow Program. It is poorly run and offers less than adequate programming to the children, who have very real needs. My son was asked to leave twice because he had behavioral issues that they felt that they could not handle, even though I clearly outlined the nature of his disability prior to them accepting him into their program for children with special needs through CPSE. Their lack of structure and inability to follow behavior plans, even after I hired a private behavior specialist to support them, in addition to poor classroom supervision led to a very stressful experience for my family. The classroom was poorly managed, offered little cognitive stimulation as evidenced by the lack of original artwork and lack of theme based lessons and activities. It was reported to me, from an observer that the staff colored while the students were left to play. The graduation ceremony was another eye-opening experience. The children sat for a slide show - no songs were sung...another indicator that nothing was being done to stimulate their little minds. We made the switch to an integrated class for the summer, even after the Towards Tomorrow Director called and angrily told me, after another behavioral outburst from my child shortly before the start of the summer program, that "this is why he belonged in a self-contained class (an not an integrated setting)". He did beautifully in the other integrated setting over the summer (also at the JCC) and is thriving behaviorally in Kindergarten due to the structure provided from a professional and knowledgeable teacher. We will have no choice but to repeat Kindergarten, however, because of the lack of academic support and attention from the Towards Tomorrow program. I really hope that you consider other placements for your child. I sincerely regret keeping my son there. *I must give credit where due and add, that on a positive note, the occupational therapists and sensory gym were quite good at this location. These individuals were knowledgeable and responsive to my son's needs.*