The Kearny School district, along with community partners, threw a holiday party for students with disabilities at Lincoln Middle School on Saturday.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Extraordinary Parents of Incredible Children (EPIC) started as a small holiday tradition six years ago and has grown into a beloved community event, attracting more than 300 attendees, along with over 100 volunteers and vendors, this year.
This year, the Kearny School District partnered with Extraordinary Parents of Incredible Children (EPIC) and the Lincoln Middle School (LMS) PTSA to continue—and expand—“A Very Special Holiday Party.”
“It was an amazing day. Our goal was to give these students and their families an unforgettable experience. I couldn’t be happier with the efforts of our LMS students and faculty, or PTSA, as well as the wonderful team at EPIC, for making this event so special,” Lincoln Middle School Principal James Hempel said in a statement.
“The Kearny community really came together to offer support and fun to our neurodiverse students who often struggle to fit in.”
Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers—including LMS student council members, the LMS Peer Leadership group, and the Kearny Prevention Coalition—families were greeted by 7th and 8th graders caroling as they entered a hallway transformed into a winter wonderland. In the gymnasium, decorated in red and green, attendees enjoyed various activities, including stations for Kinetic sand, clay, coloring, face painting, and puzzles. A beautifully decorated balloon wall created the perfect backdrop for photos.
The highlight of the event was the dance floor, where students sang and danced and where special guests—including The Baby Shark Family, The Gingerbread Man, Elsa, Olaf, an eight-foot tall LED Robot, and, of course, Santa—made grand entrances.
Additionally, members of Kean University’s Occupational Therapy clubs, Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) and Coalition of Occupational Therapists Advocating for Diversity (COTAD), led by Dr. Camacho, facilitated two sensory rooms, where students engaged in a variety of activities.
“Kearny is a special place, and this event truly showcased that,” noted Superintendent of Schools Flora Encarnacao.
“Mr. Hempel has been working with EPIC and the Lincoln Middle School PTSA for months to organize this wonderful event. I commend his dedication to creating such a memorable holiday experience for our students and their families.”
EPIC Founder Nell Fraga Santos, whose daughter is a 6th grade special needs student, began this holiday tradition six years ago with just 50 attendees in a small space.
As the event grew, Santos found it difficult to turn away families, so she reached out to Hempel for help.
“I was talking to Mr. Hempel, and he suggested bringing the event to the school,” said Santos.
From there, the event flourished. This year, more than 25 vendors, including Rise Care Counseling, ACE Empowerments, and Prism Family Services, participated.
“The purpose of this event is to show the community that everyone deserves opportunities to feel safe and included. We want to share our love. I love this community, and I’m passionate about supporting these kids,” Santos concluded.
