Numbers to Know
Interesting statistics about Chapel Hill Academy’s program and student outcomes.
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CHA Students Present at Statewide Leadership Conference
Each year in the spring, the New Jersey Department of Special Education sponsors several leadership conferences that are held at different colleges and universities in the state. The main purpose is to promote peers helping peers, as well as believing in yourself – āDare to Dreamā.
Students from Chapel Hill Academy have had the privilege and honor of participating in different capacities for the last seven years. This past spring our eleventh-grade students had the added honor of presenting a breakout session to other students from around the state.
The topic we presented at William Paterson University was āSelf-discovery.ā Self-discovery helps students develop confidence and lays the foundation for life. In our breakout session we focused on what makes each of us unique and how extra-curricular activities help us in this process. Our students utilized the Naviance Guidance ProgramĀ® and Roadtrip NationĀ® to help facilitate activities and discussions.
āIt was a wonderful experience for our students because their involvement helped them discover the confidence and abilities within themselves to create an activity where they got to help others and speak publicly in front of a large group,ā said Karen Staats-Bald, MA, LRC, Transition Counselor.
Great Outdoors
This fall, middle school students took a hike at the Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Montvale.
Art Happenings Take Students on A Trip to South America
This fall, art classes at Chapel Hill Academy took a South America tour as they explored the theme of the āNo Drama Llama.ā
Elementary School World Language Opens Doors to Cultural Understanding
In our elementary Spanish classes, the students learned about the Mexican holiday āDia de los Muertosā or the Day of the Dead. Dia de los Muertos is a holiday that celebrates friends and relatives that have died and aims to make sure their memories live on in their community.
Voices in Harmony Concert
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
At Chapel Hill, Josh Yogo ā15 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 ā a five-week intensive arts training program in musical theater, vocal performance, acting or modern dance for students ages 13 to 18 ā 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.
āOne of my mentees was so gifted when it comes to music and getting things done. Iāve known him for seven years now to be part of his development has been wonderful beyond words,ā Yogo said. āI wouldnāt have been able to be part of his life had it not been for the support I received here.ā
A member of Chapel Hillās 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 ācalling and a blessingā and plans on taking his Associate degree from Essex County College to Montclair State University, where he will continue his studies.
āWhen 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,ā he said.
āEvery child Iāve mentored requires establishing a bond ā you canāt force that relationship,ā he said. āYou have to find out their likes and dislikes and see you can relate.ā
Music, he adds, provides a āvery big connection.ā
āThe arts provide a real way to connect with people,ā he said. āWhether itās about being stressed, or academics, or even their home life, the arts allow you to create a bondāitās a universal connection.ā
Among Yogoās recent accomplishments includes receiving the 2015 VSA Arts Achievement Award, the Governorās Award in Arts Education for Vocal Performance, an ASAH ā 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.
31 Chapel Hill Road
Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
Telephone: (973) 686-0004
Fax: (973) 686-0711
Email: cha@chapelhillacademy.net