Inside this issue:

Columbia Bank Grant 1

Go the Distance for

Autism

1

Center for Food

Action

2

Fundraiser Highlights 3

Donor Recognition 3

On the Web 4

Leadership 4

Summer 2014

Columbia Bank Foundation Awards Grant

THANK YOU to all of the 2014 sponsors, riders, donors, volunteers and friends of EPIC who were so integral in making the 5th Annual Go the Distance for Autism Bike Event such a success! Because of you, EPIC raised more than $170,000 for autism education! These funds are critical for helping children and adults

with autism progress and lead lives of the greatest possible independence. Please visit our website to view

some photos from this year’s event.

Congratulations to Quest Autism Services on receiving the Go the Distance 2014 Grant. A very special THANK YOU to all of the EPIC sponsors for their support and

dedication to autism education.

We hope that you will join us as we “Go the Distance”

again on May 31, 2015 at Bergen Community College!

Cyclists “Go the Distance”

Educational Partnership for Instructing Children 238 N. Farview Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652 www.epicschool.org | epic@epicschool.org | 201-576-0600

L to R: Diana Zitelli, MA-BCBA, Assistant Clinical Director

for Adolescent and Transition Services; Dr. Paul Argott,

PhD, BCBA-D, Clinical Director; Thomas J. Kemly,

Columbia Bank President and CEO; William Schmalz,

Administrative Director/Principal; Michelle McGivney,

Vice President, Regional Branch Administration Officer.

EPIC and AmazonSmile! Now when you shop and designate The EPIC School as

the charitable organization, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price for

all eligible purchases to support EPIC students! Visit www.http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-3486840

today to get started.

EPIC is proud to announce that we are the recipients of a very generous grant from our friends at Columbia Bank. This $25,000 gift will assist with the renovations necessary to modify the newly acquired house adjacent to our existing building. Modifications are needed to transform it into the type of facility that can be used for training our students with vocational, domestic and self-help skills. Columbia Bank has been a consistent supporter and friend of EPIC and we are thrilled to have their support during this next chapter of EPIC’s

development.

Team EPIC at the 5th Annual Go the Distance for Autism

Congratulations to the two 2014 EPIC graduates! During their time at EPIC, these young men have gained the academic, social and life skills necessary to move on to

other opportunities within their communities. The administration, staff, and families at EPIC are incredibly proud of them and wish them all the best in their

future endeavors!

Congratulations Graduates!

Newsletter Title Page 2

Partnering with the Center for Food Action to Combat

Local Hunger

Over the past several months, EPIC students have been participating

in the Center for Food Action's 'Weekend Snack Pack Program'.

“Introducing the Snack Pack Program at EPIC has been a win-win proposition for our students. Not only does it allow them to

generalize and practice the skills they have learned, but it provides them the opportunity to make a contribution to those in need in the community,” said Pat Pane, the parent of an EPIC student who brought this idea to the table. “It is a wonderful way for our students to learn that everyone, regardless of their abilities,

can make a difference in the lives of others.”

Many children in impoverished areas who receive free or reduced-price meals during the school week are left without adequate nutrition on weekends and holiday breaks. EPIC students created Snack Packs those students can take home to fill this gap with healthy, kid friendly and easy to prepare foods. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to work together, giving back to the local

community.

Students completing our first batch of

Weekend Snack Packs

EPIC in the Community...

In conjunction with the McCarton Foundation, Korean Artist Yun-Mo Ahn and the Valerie Goodman Gallery, EPIC students

decorated butterflies to promote autism awareness through the ‘Become a Butterfly’ project. These butterflies were on display throughout New York and New Jersey in places such as MoMA, the Rockefeller Preserve, the New York Port Authority and The Queens Museum. EPIC was extremely grateful to accept the invitation to be a part of this wonderful autism awareness event.

Did you see some of the EPIC student’s artwork in April-June?

McCarton Foundation

As students at EPIC enter adolescence, we offer the opportunity to develop workplace readiness skills that can be used in a variety of job settings such as hospitality, clerical and retail. This includes on-site training and instruction, preparing them to work as employable and participating members of the community upon graduation. We work with local businesses to develop community partnerships that are productive and meaningful for the student and the business. Students will be exposed to a variety of work environments, while fostering impendence and interpersonal skills. This program is essential in The benefits for local businesses are many. This provides an opportunity to promote autism awareness, mentor a young person and demonstrate an active commitment to the community, while employing task oriented,

dependable individuals.

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations who have previously and/or currently supported the EPIC SLE Program: Falcon and Singer P. C., Hackensack University Medical Center, Jo-Ann Fabric, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Paramus Public Library, REI, The Iron Horse Restaurant, The Melting Pot, Valley Hospital and many others. Interested in learning more about this program? Please contact EPIC today to become

involved.

Supported Volunteer Internship Program

Page 3 Summer 2014

THANK YOU TO THOSE LISTED BELOW WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED THE EPIC SCHOOL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Platinum Recognizes those families, friends, corporations and foundations who have made a gift

between $10,000 and above.

Dr. and Mrs. David Felig, Five Together Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. Marc Lenner

Gold

Recognizes those families, friends, corporations and foundations who have made a gift between $5,000 - $9,999.

Mr. Randy Reiff, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Talbert, Mr. Lee Perlman & Mrs. Linda Riefberg, Testamentary Trust of I W Folk, Mr. & Mrs. Len Kientz, Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Evans.

Silver

Recognizes those families, friends, corporations and foundations who have made a gift between $2,500 - $4,999.

Ms. Penina Barr, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Estrella, Mr. John Fry, Mr. & Mrs. John Hall, Mr. & Mrs. John Kelly, Mr. & Mrs. Nick Krieger, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Lerner, Mr. & Mrs. Kevin McCann, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Plavin, Mr. & Mrs. Rodger Rohde, Mr.

Rodger R. Rohde, Mr. & Mrs. Salvatore Rondinelli, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Stachel, Mr. & Mrs. Howard Snyder.

EPIC’s 4th Annual Casino Night was held on Friday, November 15th at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in West Orange, NJ. It was a wonderful evening with a record number of attendees. More than 350 of EPIC supporters and friends

helped to raise nearly $200,000!

Brian Thompson, NBC News New Jersey Correspondent, served as emcee for the 4th year in a row. Guests enjoyed wonderful food and drinks, exciting gaming tables such as Roulette and Craps, in addition to a thrilling performance by electric violinist Sarah Charness. Thank you to all of the event attendees, donors

and friends who made the evening such a success by “betting on the kids.”

Friday, November 14, 2014 at

Biagio’s on The Terrace L to R: EPIC student and parent

presenters; Jodi Wiseman, Event Chair

Newsletter Title Page 4

The EPIC School

238 N. Farview Avenue

Paramus, NJ 07652 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

‘Like’ The EPIC School’s Facebook Page

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Have you visited our NEW website?

Check out www.epicschool.org today to

find the latest news, event information,

photo galleries and much more!

Board of Trustees Lisa Krieger, CPA President Jeffrey Wiseman Treasurer Maureen Hall Secretary Scott Brooks Trustee Raymond J. Falcon, Jr., Esq. Trustee David Felig, MD Trustee Barbara Strate Trustee

Staff Paul Argott, PhD, BCBA-D Clinical Director William Schmalz, MA Administrative Director/Principal Diana Zitelli, MA-BCBA Assistant Clinical Director for Adolescent and Transition Services Genna Toye Director of Development

Professional Advisory Board Jaime DeQuinzio, PhD, BCBA-D Private Practice Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D. President and Chair, Scientific Council, Organization for Autism Research Gina Green, PhD, BCBA Private Practice Gregory S. McDuff, PhD, BCBA-D Executive Director, Princeton Child Development Institute Sharon Reeve, PhD, BCBA-D Program Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis and Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis, Caldwell College Bridget Taylor, PsyD, BCBA Executive Director, Alpine Learning Group Dawn Townsend, PhD, BCBA-D Executive Director, Institute for Educational Achievement