Welcome to the Norman A. Bleshman Regional Day School, an Apple Distinguished School (2023-2026).  Bleshman educates students, three through twenty-one years of age, with multiple disabilities. Our comprehensive school offers an academic / functional / career-based curriculum with an intensive therapy program that includes Occupational, Speech, and Physical Therapies as prescribed by the students’ Individualized Education Plan (IEP). A key component of our program includes offering an integrated approach in instruction and therapies.

It is the goal of the Bleshman Regional Day School to help our students reach their greatest potential in their communities.  To reach that goal, we work collaboratively with the students' team including, but not limited to, the student, parents/guardians, teacher, school case manager, nurse, speech therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, behaviorist, local district case manager, individual nurse or assistant and principal.  We also utilize specialists in the areas of augmentative communication, assistive technology, and adaptive equipment to meet the unique learning needs of our students.  Academic instruction is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards; lessons and activities are differentiated and individualized to meet the diverse learning styles and strengths of the students.  Our specialized preschool program that provides a strong foundation in language, literacy, science and mathematics via a multi-sensory approach.  By utilizing an integrated therapy model, the concepts are reinforced throughout student therapy sessions. 

Bleshman is honored to have been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School.  Apple recognizes their Distinguished Schools as being “centers of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate their vision to learning with technology” as well as being “some of the most innovative schools in the world”. 

The Bleshman Sensory Room utilizes various pieces of equipment which allows for both heightened and calming sensory experiences (check out the video on this page).  Our Makerspace Room is tailored to our students’ abilities; it includes robotics and coding equipment, a 3D printer, and interactive technology.  Our Smart Apartment replicates the home environment with a kitchen, dining room, bathroom, living room, bedroom, and entry area.  The apartment includes accessible features such as cabinets with pull down shelves, a wheelchair accessible induction stovetop, water faucets controlled by touch, a microwave drawer that opens/closes through touch (and is accessible for all heights), lights that can be turned on through a touch panel and window shades that are controlled through an iPad.  These features provide our students the opportunity to increase their independence in the home environment.

Our backyard offers our students a fully accessible playground that includes a covered swing set, picnic tables and a paved pathway.  Students attend adaptive physical education class, music class, and art class on a weekly basis. Our student run School Store and in-house Career Awareness Center provide opportunities that are closely aligned to real life community experiences. 

The Child Study Team at Bleshman Regional Day School works closely with families regarding support services and resources as well as in navigating the processes involved in planning for the transition from the education setting to adult life.  Bleshman Regional Day School has three full time nurses on staff to address the medical needs of our students during school hours.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Bleshman Regional Day School at 201-343-6000 ext. 6442.

Warmest Regards,

Gail Coe, Principal