MONROE
TOWNSHIP - The New Jersey Juvenile Justice
Commission today held its annual high
school commencement ceremony at the New
Jersey Training School (NJTS) in Monroe
Township. Attorney General Peter C. Harvey,
the keynote speaker and Howard L. Beyer,
Executive Director, Juvenile Justice Commission,
presented 61 graduates with their high
school diplomas or General Equivalency
Degrees (GED).
The graduates have met the requirements
of the New Jersey Department of Education.
The Juvenile Justice Commission coordinates
each student’s curricula with his
or her home school to allow the student
to receive a diploma from his or her local
education authority. Students receiving
their diplomas come from NJTS, Juvenile
Medium Security Facility (JMSF), Life
Skills and Leadership Academy, the Female
Secure and Intake Facility, and several
of the JJC’s 22 residential community
homes and day programs located throughout
the State.
“The
New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission
has a challenging job - to turn around
the lives of troubled youth and give them
the tools they need to succeed. A diploma
demonstrates that these young men and
women have applied themselves to their
studies and reached a level of success.
It also provides them with a sense of
accomplishment and self-worth that will
help them succeed throughout their lives,”
said Attorney General Harvey.
"Education
is the foundation of the Juvenile Justice
Commission - it is our highest priority,"
said Executive Director Beyer. "We
know that a high school diploma will open
more doors for these youth than almost
anything else that we can give them. By
realizing each youth’s individual
potential, we can change his or her future."
Juveniles
are placed with the Juvenile Justice Commission
by the courts. Students are evaluated
upon entry to the JJC and are placed in
academic classes according to their abilities
in each area. The JJC also coordinates
with sending school districts to ensure
that students are keeping up with the
curriculum being taught in their sending
districts. This makes the transition back
to school easier and ensures that students
return to their home schools at the same
place as their classmates.
In addition to the core curriculum, JJC
students are instructed in gang awareness,
respect and dignity, various vocational
programs and physical education.
The JJC employs more than 400 teachers,
school psychologists, nutritionists, vocational
teachers and support staff. These professionals
provide state-of-the-art instruction to
students in JJC programs, juvenile county
detention centers, and community-based
programs throughout the state.
For more information on the JJC, please
visit www.njjjc.com.