The Calais School and The Calais Foundation will always remember founder Charlotte Leitner and her efforts to assist New Jersey’s special needs children.

In his remarks at the Calais School 2021 graduation ceremony, Calais Executive Director David Leitner acknowledged and thanked his mother and Calais School founder Charlotte Leitner. Mrs. Leitner, who recently passed away, made such a difference in the lives of so many special needs students in New Jersey, he said.

Fifty-five years ago, “special education was frequently little more than a room in the basement of the back of a school for kids who were ‘different,’” Mr. Leitner said. “These students did not frequently receive accurate diagnosis or services and many if not most fell between the cracks.”

Mrs. Charlotte Leitner was a school psychologist who recognized the need for better services and education for New Jersey’s special needs students and, along with Lionel Leitner, opened the doors to the Calais School, Mr. Leitner said. “Private schools such as Calais have the distinct honor of being the pioneers, leaders and innovators in this educational and therapeutic space,” he said.

In April 2019, The Calais Foundation honored Mrs. Leitner with The Making a Difference Award at its gala. Mrs. Leitner “was inspired by her experience in the public school system to start a school dedicated to meeting the individual challenges of children with special needs.”

Mr. Leitner noted that his mother passed away “after 95 full and productive years, but her legacy and work will continue to benefit our community.”

Charlotte Leitner’s legacy will continue to live on at The Calais School as the school continues its mission to “nurture and empower at risk students and young adults with multiple learning disabilities to become gainfully employed and socially engaged and its vision to be the premier institution for higher functioning students and young adults with multiple learning disabilities that prepares them for productive and independent lives,” he said. This is accomplished by delivering exceptional academic, transition and clinical services.

Mrs. Leitner’s legacy will also continue as Calais expands its offerings with a new Calais Adult Transition Program. This new program will give high school students ages 18-30 who have: an IEP, 504, or documented disability of “hidden disabilities” which are defined as mood disorders, anxiety, depression and autistic spectrum, the support they need to succeed. The program is currently accepting enrollment for the fall.

It will offer a highly personalized and holistic approach in a range of areas including academic and career support as well as therapeutic counseling in a planned environment. For more information, please contact Calais Admissions Director Cheryl Porter-Avino at Cheryl.porter-avino@thecalaisschool.org or by visiting our website.

This post was originally published on the Calais Foundation website.

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