Uncategorized – Chapel Hill Academy

A Hop, Skip, and a Jump

June 23, 2019/in Uncategorized/by CHd3V-010416123430

Chapel Hill Academy students in the sensory hallway -special needs private school A new sensory hallway at Chapel Hill Academy is giving students the chance to burn off energy and learn to self-regulate so they can be ready for academic learning in the classroom. The hallway features a series of colorful, sequenced decals that guide students as they lizard walk, bunny hop, or skip through a game of hopscotch.

“The sensory path provides an opportunity for the student’s body and brain to refocus, while reducing sensory seeking behaviors and not over-stimulating the child. As children change between classes of their school day, the sensory path can be a built-in opportunity for movement and maintaining attention for any child,” said Stephanie DeVoe, an Occupational Therapist at Chapel Hill Academy.

Researchers have found that physically active students pay more attention, have faster cognitive processing speeds, and do better on standardized tests than children who are less active. Sensory exercises are particularly helpful for kids who have processing issues, stress, anxiety, and ADHD.

“When a student fidgets in class, we view that as communication. They are letting us know that they need to get up and move in order to learn,” said Stephanie. “The sensory hall helps students self regulate; it is a preventative measure to help students with energy and behavior.”

Leaders at Chapel Hill Academy thank Kirsten Hansen, and everyone at Hansen & Ryan Inc., a Totowa-based insurance company, for their generous contribution during Autism Week that made the sensory hall possible.

Month of Kindness – October 2017

September 30, 2017/in Uncategorized/by CHd3V-010416123430

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

April 20, 2017/in Uncategorized/by CHd3V-010416123430

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!

Where Are They Now? – Josh Yogo

April 10, 2017/in Uncategorized/by CHd3V-010416123430

Josh Yogo - Chapel Hill Academy student At 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.