Scarpelli Foundation Helps Special Needs Students

For the second straight year, special-needs and autistic students in the Nutley School District are the beneficiaries of school-related equipment donated by the Joseph P. Scarpelli Civic Association.

Nutley Commissioner Joseph Scarpelli presented more than $11,000 worth of equipment to Nutley School Board President James Kuchta at the Nov. 19 school board meeting.

"We are very proud to have successfully raised the funds through the association to help special needs students," Scarpelli said. "We made a similar contribution in 2011 and are happy to have raised even more in 2012."

Kuchta said the entire school board wanted to thank Scarpelli for his association's work to help special-needs students.

"We are happy to accept this contribution on behalf of our special-needs students," Kuchta said at the November school board meeting.

Superintendent of Schools Russell Lazovick said the Scarpelli Foundation’s contributions are an example of Nutley’s “great volunteer spirit” and will help the district better serve special-needs students.

Scarpelli said on the association's future goals involve sports and special-needs students.

"We are looking to help have varsity sports for special-education students," Scarpelli said at the meeting.

The items donated to the district include: 

• Eight iPads, valued at $3,400
• Eight iPods, valued at $1,800
• Smart Tech CorFocus Software, valued at $1,600
• Edmark Reading Program Level 1 and Level 2 Software, valued at $1,200
• Eight iPod Touch tablets applications, valued at $1,000.

In addition, the association also awarded: 

• Two $500 academic scholarships
• Nystrom World Atlas Student Activity Binders, with copy masters and guides, valued at $150
• A compact disc player, valued at $75
• A keyboard and docking port, valued at $200
• Various types of science materials, valued at $475
• The "Sensational Suds" Car Wash, valued at $215
•  A wall air conditioner, valued at $600
•  Several kitchen appliances, valued at $125