South Recognized by NYSED During National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The New York State Education Department, through its Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services — Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), is celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) all October. This year, 33 businesses that demonstrate the theme of “Access to Good Jobs for All” by hiring an exceptional number of individuals with disabilities were identified. We are proud to announce that among these recipients is Clarkstown High School South, along with Food Services Director Robert Preiss and Supervisor Barbara Desimone — the only school/district recognized in the Hudson Valley!

CCSD is not only committed to promoting an inclusive environment to work in, but equipping learners of all abilities with the tools and resources necessary to be successful in the future. One of the ways we achieve this at South is through time spent in the school’s G.O. Store. “This program gives students the opportunity early on to develop job training and financial literacy skills,” said Superintendent Dr. Marc Baiocco. “The work that they do is so impressive.”

Our Vikings have the opportunity during the school day to develop and practice these skills by working in the G.O. Store and businesses within the community. “We have been really fortunate to have places like Keller Williams, New City Pizza and Nicky’s Pizza host us for on-site job training, so that students can get a job after high school,” said special education teacher Alyssa DeVizio. “Kids are out of the building for about two hours and do different things at each location, all of which are close by to each other to maximize the time we have. What is great about this program is that it helps students to hone in on job skills, making sure that they are eventually employable and able to be a part of the rest of the world just like anybody else.”