New Jersey school brings smiles to children with special needs

WEST ORANGE, N.J. – Some might say, ‘We’re all winners’ is a tired phrase, but at this annual event at West Orange High School, it’s not a cliche, it’s an anthem.

“They put a smile on everybody’s face every single day, now it’s time to put a smile on their faces,” said WOHS physical education teacher Chuck Mound.

New legislation could revive NJ town’s Groundhog Day traditions

Move the Spectrum – a free event for kids with special needs in grades 9 to 12. More than 250 kids from around the State participated along with a similar amount of staff.

“This is the type of day these kids will remember for the rest of their lives,” said WOHS principal Oscar Guerrero

“We have art, drama, technology, fitness, sports, everybody’s involved,” said Mound, who created the event three years ago.

Some of the most involved were some members of the Rutgers football team.

“It’s amazing because most of the time it’s people coming out to us, supporting us at our games and our events,” said Rutgers defensive back Michael Robinson. “Today we took time out of our days off on break, came back and gave it back to them… give them that support, give them that feeling of having people there to see them and have that enjoyment to see them, too.”

Nutley School District receives state monitor amid budget shortfall

Offensive lineman Moses Gbagbe-Sowah went to Newark’s West Side High School and is now giving back to kids nearby.

“It’s great to be able to come back to a high school in my home state being a Rutgers football player,” said Gbagbe-Sowah. “It just gives me a sense of pride being able to just come back and show love to the community. I was telling them, ‘there’s no limitation, the sky’s the limit for you.'”

“Being here shows them that they’re not alone and they’re not going to get pushed out or anything and they can come here and be themselves,” said WOHS student Dasha Flores.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.