The Children's Institute Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Party

The Children’s Institute, a pioneer in the field of special education, celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a party celebrating 50 years of excellence with music, carnival games, a magic show and fun at its Verona campus on Sunday, April 6.

More than 350 staff, students and their families spent their Sunday afternoon celebrating TCI and its mission to provide the highest quality educational and therapeutic programs for children with learning, language and social/emotional challenges to achieve their maximum potential as responsible adults in society. TCI serves children and young adults ages 3 to 21 on the autism spectrum and with related disabilities at its schools in Verona and Livingston and adults ages 21 and up on the autistic spectrum at its Center for Independence in Livingston.

Parent Jessica Fekete of Cranford, whose son Peter is a second grade student at the school, said her son just started at the school recently, but that “he just loves it!” “We couldn’t be happier,” Ms. Fekete said. “Fifty years is quite a milestone. The fact that they are here 50 years shows that it is such a great program. My son feels really welcome and a part of the community.”

Verona Mayor Robert Manley presented TCI Executive Director Bruce Ettinger with a proclamation, which he read aloud to everyone at the event, commending TCI for its 50 years of service to individuals on the autism spectrum. The mayor is an educator and said he was thrilled to be at TCI to help celebrate the wonderful event and recalled when TCI students took swimming lessons at the Verona Pool and how much that meant to him and the pool lifeguards.

“What we celebrate today is the magical part of our journey,” former Principal Terry O’Donnell said to cheers from the audience.  Ms. O’Donnell noted that TCI is fortunate for the “support, courage, local and hopefulness of its family. We are invigorated by the generosity and commitment of our board of directors.”

Ettinger also told the crowd that Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo presented TCI with proclamations marking its 50th anniversary. Essex County also proclaimed April 6 as “TCI Day” all over Essex County.

The Middle School Notables, the TCI choir, also performed a few songs at the event including “Celebrate TCI.”

“TCI has always followed the need,” said Michael Reimer, President of the TCI Board of Trustees, noting that there was a need for a preschool program for children on the autistic spectrum, so TCI created one. Then there was a need for a young adult program, so TCI created one and then an adult program, so TCI opened The Center for Independence.

For more information about TCI, visit www.tcischool org. For more information about the Center for Independence, visit www.tciadults.org.