𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐍𝐨. 𝟐 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐲

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ — As Special Education Week in New Jersey comes to a close (May 10-16), Linden Public Schools is celebrating statewide recognition for one of its most impactful and inclusive programs, as School No. 2’s Sensory Night has been named a winner of the 2026 Innovations in Special Education Award.

The honor, presented by the New Jersey School Boards Association in partnership with the New Jersey Association of Special Education Partner Schools, places Linden among a select group of districts recognized for advancing innovative, student-centered practices that support students with disabilities. Sensory Night was one of just three programs selected from 17 submissions statewide and was cited as a “successful, creative effort that enables special needs students to achieve their potential.” The winning programs will also be recognized during the June 2026 meeting of the New Jersey State Special Education Advisory Council.

What Sensory Night Is—and Why It Matters

Sensory Night is a specialized, sensory-friendly school event designed to give students with disabilities, particularly those with autism and sensory sensitivities, a comfortable, engaging space to participate in activities that might otherwise feel overwhelming in traditional settings. Through hands-on stations and movement-based experiences, students are able to explore, self-regulate, and interact at their own pace in a supportive environment, while families share in a positive, inclusive experience tailored to their children’s needs.

A District Commitment to Inclusion

Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins said the recognition reflects the district’s long-standing commitment to inclusive programming and ensuring all students feel seen, supported, and empowered.

“Sensory Night has been a cornerstone program in our district for many years, serving our preschool students with disabilities and their families,” Perkins said. “It is deeply gratifying to see this work recognized at the state level.”

Perkins noted that the award represents the collective efforts of educators and staff members who continue to create meaningful opportunities for students and families throughout the district.

Leadership Driving the Work Forward

The program is led by Jamie Pierson, Special Education Teacher – Autism (Grades 2 and 3) at School No. 2, who has spent the past seven years building Sensory Night into a signature experience for students and families.

“Many of our students find it difficult to attend traditional events because of noise, crowds, or expectations to sit still,” Pierson said. “This night gives them the opportunity to move, interact, and just be themselves in a space designed for them.”

Pierson, who has been in the district for nine years after beginning her career in general education, describes her work in special education as her calling.

“I will never go back. This is where I’m meant to be,” she said. “You can’t teach passion. This comes from the heart.”

A Night Built for Engagement and Connection

Held April 22, this year’s event welcomed 45 registered students and approximately 130 attendees, including family members. The school was transformed into a sensory-friendly environment featuring kinetic sand, magnetic tiles, and Play-Doh, along with high-energy outlets such as trampolines and ball pits designed to support sensory regulation and engagement.

The event also expanded its community reach, incorporating therapy dogs, a private Build-A-Bear “heart ceremony,” and local vendor PAGS Mini Pancakes, enhancing both engagement and family connection.

For Pierson, the impact of the night is best captured in the voices of the students.

“One student said, ‘This feels like home… like a neurodivergent universe,’” she recalled. “That’s exactly what we hoped to create.”

A Model for Inclusive Practice

Christopher Kolibas, Director of Special Education, said the program represents a model for inclusive, student-centered experiences across the district.

“Congratulations to Ms. Pierson and the entire team at School No. 2 for this outstanding achievement,” Kolibas said. “It truly reflects the hard work and dedication your staff puts in every day for the benefit of the students.”

He emphasized that the program’s success is rooted in thoughtful design, collaboration, and a deep understanding of students’ needs.

“Your commitment to creating inclusive, engaging, and supportive experiences for all students does not go unnoticed,” Kolibas said. “Sensory Night is a powerful example of how thoughtful planning and collaboration can have a meaningful impact on students and families.”

Kolibas added that the recognition reflects the broader impact the School No. 2 team continues to make across the district.

“This achievement reflects your team’s passion, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to student success,” he said. “You continue to set a high standard for excellence across the district.”

State Recognition and What’s Next

As the award recognizes a district program, Superintendent Perkins will accept the honor on behalf of Linden Public Schools during a video presentation held in conjunction with Special Education Week in New Jersey, observed May 10–16.

Winning programs will also be featured in School Board Notes and School Leader Magazine, and School No. 2 will receive a commemorative plaque and a 2026 Innovations in Special Education digital badge.

ROAR in Action

Sensory Night reflects the district’s Strategic Plan by advancing Student Learning and Academic Excellence and Personalized Pathways for Student Success. The program embodies Linden’s ROAR values—Resilience, Opportunities, Achievement, and Relationships—by creating a space where students build confidence, families strengthen connections, and every learner feels welcomed, supported, and celebrated.