Point Boro's High School Program 'PALS' Program Will Be Featured On Public Television

POINT PLEASANT - Point Pleasant Borough High School's PALS program for special education education students will be featured on public television later month, a district spokeswoman said.

PALS (Panther Assisted Learning Software) pairs students in teacher Nick Gattuso's software engineering classes with students in the high school's multiple disabled/transition class to develop learning applications tailored to disabled students' needs, spokeswoman Jacquelyn Goss said.

The program began in 2013 and was recently honored by the New Jersey School Boards Association with the 2016 Innovations in Special Education Award. PALS was one of just 10 schools in New Jersey to receive the award.

PALS has also attracted the attention of “Classroom Close-up,” a broadcast magazine program that focuses on innovative education in New Jersey's public schools. The 14-time Emmy-winning show is a co-production of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and NJTV.

Now taping its 23rd season, "Classroom Close-up, NJ" features innovative programs going on in public school classrooms. The show will begin filming "Panther Assisted Learning Software" featuring Gattuso and his students discussing the PALS program on Oct. 18.

Each half-hour program shows how caring school professionals inspire and motivate students, Goss said.

On Oct. 18 the show will begin filming a segment entitled "Panther Assisted Learning Software," featuring Mr. Gattuso and his students as they discuss the PALS program.

“We are thrilled that PALS has captured the attention of the “Classroom Close-up” crew and look forward to sharing this incredible program with their audience," said district Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services Rita Miller.

"Classroom Close-up, NJ" airs on NJTV every Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Comcast channel 23. This segment is scheduled to air on Feb. 19 and Mar. 26, 2017.

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