Classrooms are beginning to take shape at the Innovation Center for Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES’ Bloom Program at Rogers.

A new special education program designed by Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES will find its home at Jamestown Public Schools’ Innovation Center at R.R. Rogers School, at 41 Hebner Street.

E2CCB’s “Bloom” Program at Rogers will begin to take shape this fall after the Jamestown Board of Education approved a lease agreement with BOCES during its regular meeting on Aug. 29.

Under the agreement, the Innovation Center will host E2CCB’s new Bloom Program at Rogers for the next five years beginning this fall. The Bloom Program at Rogers is designed to serve students who have more significant mental health needs requiring specialized instruction and behavioral support in a nurturing classroom environment.

“Jamestown Public Schools and BOCES worked together to secure the site for the Erie 2 BOCES’ Bloom Program at the Rogers school building,” said Dr. David O’Rourke, District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.

“The Bloom Program will provide strong academic and social skills development, psychiatric care, and specialized therapies in a safe, supportive, and responsive classroom,” O’Rourke continued. “I’m deeply proud of the efforts of our expert staff, who have worked to launch this program option.”

“We are very excited to partner with BOCES in this, the second phase of the reopening of Rogers Elementary School,” said Dr. Kevin Whitaker, JPS Superintendent. “The programming and support for students that districts in the south county have had to send kids on long bus rides to get to are now right here in our neighborhood. I look forward to an expanding relationship with BOCES and their services for students and families in our region.”

“Bloom is a powerful classroom option that is specifically designed for students with multiple diagnoses that haven’t thrived in traditional special education settings.” said Dr. Jennifer Clark-Saboda, E2CCB Director of Alternative & Special Education. “The Bloom program at Rogers is led and staffed by a team of experts that are ready to engage your child in a classroom experience that excites their learning and meets them right where they are at.”

All children have a right to attend school and have equal access to a quality education. The Bloom program is different from other E2CCB Special Education programs as it provides robust programming for students that have been excluded from a healthy school experience.