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Future Ready: Cisco Certification

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Two Chapel Hill Academy male students working with a server rack and giving thumbs up hand signalsAs the global economy shifts to focus on technology, students need technical skills that bring opportunities for high-value jobs. Chapel Hill Academy is preparing students through its partnership with Cisco Networking Academy.

Michael Padula, an educator at CHA, introduced Cisco Networking Academy four years ago. The program fosters the technical and entrepreneurial skills needed for careers in networking and communications.

“The classes and certifications make sure students have the capability to support Cisco-made products and have the skills to troubleshoot different kinds of technology problems,” said Mr. Padula. “Once a student earns certification, they can put it on their resumes, and that helps them in getting and working in IT-related jobs,” he concluded.

Students who take and pass IT Essentials are ready for an entry-level IT position. They have working knowledge of how computers and mobile devices operate; can identify common security threats and vulnerabilities like malware, phishing, spoofing, and social engineering; and can apply skills and procedures to install, configure, and, troubleshoot computers, mobile devices, and software. More advanced courses prepare students with skills they need to manage networks and data.

“The program helps them develop critical thinking and problem-solving,” added Mr. Padula.

The internationally-recognized training program is now taught in more than 10,400 schools in 180 countries. Chapel Hill Academy is one of only three state-approved private special education schools in New Jersey to offer this program. “We want our students to have options for high-value jobs, as well as college, so our transition services reflect coursework to get them ready for whatever they choose,” said Diane Somers, Director.

Where Are They Now?

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We are proud of every one of our graduates!

  • Brian Kanefsky (2018) is a freshman at Seton Hall University where he is starring as Antonio in the University’s Fall production of Shakespeare’s comedy, Twelfth Night.
  • Aiden Pidgeon (2016) is a junior at Dickinson College where he is currently ranked #1 in his class of 545. A science writer, he is studying Astronomy and Physics and is the president of the Astronomy Club. Aiden attended an internship at Vassar College’s Undergrad Research Summer Institute in Astronomy and Physics. This past summer, he was employed as a guide at the campus planetarium.
  • Matt Mullins (2015) is attending William Paterson State University, where he is president of the Pioneer Amateur Radio Club, an organization interested in amateur radio. Matt was among 9 students selected to travel to Puerto Rico last winter to help restore the island’s hurricane-ravaged community radio station. Matt also serves as a student ambassador for WPU.

Other graduates have gone on to jobs, volunteer work and have continued their education at Rowan University, Iona College, Highpoint University, Bergen Community College, Lincoln Tech, County College of Morris, and Bergen County Vocational School.

If you are a graduate of CHA and want to let us know what is happening in your life, please write to us at info@chapelhillacademy.net.

Month of Kindness – October 2017

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Every year, schools across New Jersey use the month of October to focus on kindness, respect, anti-bullying, and diversity. Chapel Hill Academy is excited to be celebrating these themes in a variety of different ways. Social skills, art, P.E., health and other classes will provide age-appropriate activities and instruction based on character building and bullying prevention. We will have themed t-shirt days and several fantastic assemblies and talks aimed at various age groups. In addition, we encourage you to discuss the meaning of respect with your child, and ways to show kindness, tolerance, and compassion for others.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our planned activities or otherwise, please feel free to contact your child’s counselor. Thank you in advance for your participation and continued support!

Sincerely,

The counseling staff at Chapel Hill Academy

OCTOBER 2017 – MONTH OF KINDNESS

Every Monday of the month we will wear blue in order to show solidarity against bullying and a promise to show kindness and respect for others.

WEEK 1 – October 2-6th – Week of Respect

  • “How do I show respect?” Bulletin boards on each floor. Take a peek online for all kinds of nice ideas.
  • Monday, October 2nd- Wear Blue!
  • Wednesday, October 4th – Dialed BMX Stunt Show 8:30am
  • Friday, October 6th – Be a H.E.R.O. – Wear a superhero T-shirt as you, ‘Help Everyone Respect Others!’ by being the superhero that you are.

WEEK 2 – October 9-13th Anti-Bullying Campaign

  • Monday, October 9th – NO SCHOOL – Columbus Day
    • Upstander Pledge – done in Social Skills classes
    • When I witness bullying in school, home, work, online or in my community I will not be a bystander. Instead I will intervene or report the abuse and I will reach out to the bullied person and offer support.
    • I will work to make others feel safe and included by showing respect and compassion. I will not use demeaning language, gestures or jokes about anyone’s sexuality, size, religion, income, politics or other differences
even if they behave that way towards me. I will stand up for kindness and respect, and will speak out against intolerance and disrespect.
  • Tuesday, October 10th – “Good Character” Stress Balls handed out to all students
  • Friday, October 13th – “Respect Yourself”- Wear your favorite gym clothes/sports t-shirts to show the importance of exercising and taking care of yourself. When you respect yourself, you are more likely to respect others!

WEEK 3 – October 16-20th School Violence Awareness Week

  • Monday, October 16th – Wear Blue!
  • Thursday, October 19th or 20th – LP Police for Cyberbullying Talk
  • Thursday, October 19th – Wellness Fair Parent Meeting 6:30pm

WEEK 4 – October 23-27th Red Ribbon Week Your Future is Key So Stay Drug Free!

http://redribbon.org

Art and Social Skills classes will feature this theme throughout the week

  • Monday, October 23rd – Wear Blue!
    • 8:30 am AA/NA speaker for High School students
  • Tuesday, October 24th – United Nations Day
    • K-8 wear clothes, bring in food or a flag, share pictures, etc. that show your heritage
    • 8:30-2:30pm High School trip to the United Nations
  • Wednesday, October 25th is Unity Day
Wear Green!
  • Thursday, October 26th – Vision Goggles Presentation by Lincoln Park Police Department grades 7-12
  • Friday, October 27th – NO SCHOOL

WEEK 5 – October 30-31st

  • Monday, October 30th – Wear Blue!
    • Bully Proof Your School Assembly K-6 at 1:30pm
  • Tuesday, October 31st – Halloween!

Voices in Harmony Concert

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Voices in Harmony was a musical celebration featuring students from all over the New Jersey area. Held at the Bergen Performing Art Center in March, the organization’s Performing Arts School collaborated with 14 New Jersey schools for exceptional students who starred in the celebration.

Students rehearsed since early September and were eager to show their talents for the first time on the bergenPAC stage.

The program featured students from ECLC of New Jersey-Chatham Campus, The Center School, Deron School of NJ-Montclair Campus, Deron School of NJ-Union Campus, The Learning Center for Exceptional Children, Westbridge Academy, Banyan School, St. Joseph School for the Blind, Academy 360 Lower and Upper Schools, Honor Ridge Academy, Newmark School, Chapel Hill Academy, Felician School, ECLC of New Jersey- Ho-Ho-Kus Campus.

Check out the video now on Youtube, and ENJOY!

Voices in Harmony Concert - Student Performing

Where Are They Now? – Josh Yogo

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Josh Yogo - Chapel Hill Academy studentAt Chapel Hill, Josh Yogo ’15 learned to help others by helping himself.

As a teenager, he learned quickly that the best way to help others address attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was to discuss his own experience with the condition and how he learned to manage this common neurobehavioral disorder.

Having recently completed NJPAC’s Summer Youth Performance Workshop — a five-week intensive arts training program in musical theater, vocal performance, acting or modern dance for students ages 13 to 18 — Josh not only sees a future in music theory, but also as a key component to creating bonds with children with disabilities.

And Yogo pointed to his student upbringing at Chapel Hill Academy as central to helping others as well as teaching him to help himself along the way.

Chapel Hill helped me really become the person I was inside. They helped me understand what I wanted to do. The value of that is immeasurable.

-Josh Yogo ’15

“One of my mentees was so gifted when it comes to music and getting things done. I’ve known him for seven years now to be part of his development has been wonderful beyond words,” Yogo said. “I wouldn’t have been able to be part of his life had it not been for the support I received here.”

A member of Chapel Hill’s Class of 2015, Josh will head to Essex County College this fall to study Early Childhood Education and Music Theory. He defines helping others both as a “calling and a blessing” and plans on taking his Associate degree from Essex County College to Montclair State University, where he will continue his studies.

“When it comes to kids with disabilities, I can relate to them and I can help as only I can, having faced the same challenges growing up,” he said.

“Every child I’ve mentored requires establishing a bond — you can’t force that relationship,” he said. “You have to find out their likes and dislikes and see you can relate.”

Music, he adds, provides a “very big connection.”

“The arts provide a real way to connect with people,” he said. “Whether it’s about being stressed, or academics, or even their home life, the arts allow you to create a bond—it’s a universal connection.”

Among Yogo’s recent accomplishments includes receiving the 2015 VSA Arts Achievement Award, the Governor’s Award in Arts Education for Vocal Performance, an ASAH – Connections for Success Scholarship, the AME Church Scholarship for Community Involvement, and the Chapel Hill Academy Annual Scholarship Award.

His experience at Chapel Hill Academy will help him throughout his collegiate and professional careers, Josh said, adding that he will continue to give back to his alma mater whenever possible.