Counselor Connection
February/March Newsletter
Dear Parents and Guardians of Timberlane Students,
There is a lot to think about as we dive into the third marking period. During the month of March, our students will begin meeting with their counselors to talk about elective course choices for next year. Communication about these elective course selections will be sent by the school so stay on the look out for more information in the coming weeks! We encourage you to review the Elective Course Options in the Program of Studies with your child.
As always, please reach out to your child's counselor with any questions or concerns.
Sending our best,
Mrs. Stimmler, Ms. Fertig, Mr. Stuhlmuller, and Ms. Nissenblatt
Students Helping Students
What programs are we talking about?
- Kidsbridge- This leadership club originated 7 years ago and supports the efforts of the NJ Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act. Students in this club discuss ways to make our school community a safe place for all students. It is made up of 8th graders that apply and are picked to brainstorm and implement things in the building that are positive. This year, students participated in an assembly titled "Bystander: A Portrait in Apathy" that focused on the importance of being an upstander in bullying situations. They also ran a Compliment Day where they handed out positive affirmations to students in all grades. During February, the students in this club will be running trivia during lunches to celebrate Black History Month.
- Peer Leaders- The Peer Leaders have been very busy! They facilitated alcohol and drug abuse prevention activities in the 6th grade classes. Students learned about the risks of alcohol and other drugs and how these substances could ruin their hopes and plans for the future. Kick Butts Day is March 16 and the Peer Leaders will be providing information on the risks of tobacco and nicotine products. Sixth grade Night Out is March 18, and the Peer Leaders will be there building relationships with the 6th graders and encouraging healthy decision making.
- High School Mentoring Program- The P.A.N.D.A. (Preventing Alcohol 'n Drug Abuse) club from the high school runs a mentoring program for Timberlane students. High School students are trained to mentor younger students and present a clear "healthy choices" message to the youth. They come over to Timberlane once a month to have breakfast with their assigned student and build a connection that can continue into the middle school student's high school years.
Leadership groups such as these help our students to be independent, decision makers who contribute positively to the school and community. Peer Leader and Kidsbridge applications will be available in the Spring. If you are interested in getting your child involved in the mentoring program, please contact your child's counselor.
Got Assets?
Asset #3- Adult Relationships: The young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults.
How can you apply this when trying to bond with a teen that is not your child?
- Bake brownies, cookies, or other treats with a young person as a fun way to spend time together.
- Send a card or e mail greeting to a young person to mark a holiday, a birthday, or any other important milestone in their lives.
- It is never too late to introduce your child to a caring adult who can help take the pressure off of you during the teenage years. Think about someone who you could introduce your child to who shares your child's passions and interests.
For more information visit
http://www.search-institute.org/content/40-developmental-assets-adolescents-ages-12-18#
The Breakfast Club!
Our next meeting is Wednesday, March 9th from 9am-10am in the 8th grade house center.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Parent Resources
Building Healthy Family Relationships: http://www.parentfurther.com/content/about-parentfurther
Raising Healthy Teens: http://www.cdc.gov/parents/teens/index.html
Positive Parenting: https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/files/Famliycheckupall.pdf
Parent Resources on Media and Technology: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent-concerns
Principal's Corner
Timberlane Embraces Diversity
During this school year we have dedicated ourselves to creating an environment for our students that recognizes diversity and encourages tolerance. Our efforts are in alignment with the district's Diversity Goals and Mission. Our Diversity Statement is as follows:
The HVRSD Diversity Statement
We believe that the Hopewell Valley Regional School District must prepare all students to live, study and work in a diverse world. To that end, the school district will provide students with opportunities that promote respect for self and others and a curriculum which values the many varieties of human expression. The district recognizes and values the interconnectedness of humanity and looks to the staff to lead this initiative. It is our vision that all people will be treated with equality, dignity, and respect; that all students will be educated to understand, accept and value all members of the world community; and that the community at large will join with us in support of this mission.
In order to fulfill our district mission, Timberlane will and has engaged in the following activities this year:
- Day of Empowerment for Grade 8
- Cultural Literacy Training for Faculty
- LGBTQ Literacy Training for Faculty
- Civil Rights Talk/ History of 1st African American in Hopewell for Grade 8
- Spectrum Outreach
- Montclair University Study on mentoring LGBTQ students in middle school
- Black History Month events sponsored by Kidsbridge
- Character education lessons on tolerance in Administrative team meetings & advisory
- Visits to classrooms by parents to teach religion during 6th grade World Religion Unit
- Participation in Community Conversations on Race and Diversity
- Inclusion of students with disabilities
- Community services projects that have exposed and educated our students about the importance to giving to those in need ie: Trenton Area Soup Kitchen; Christine's Hope
We hope to continue this work in the future and to begin to have conversations about acceptance of all individuals regardless of Race, Class, Gender identification, Ability, Ethnicity, or Religious beliefs.