BCSSSD Pioneer Press
November 2015, Edition #12
Editor: Mrs. Laura Geltch, Coordinator of Program and Community
A Message from your Superintendent
November 2015
Dear BCSSSD Community,
On behalf of our Board of Education and the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders, please accept sincere wishes for a Thanksgiving filled with special time with family and friends.
This month, BCSSSD staff recognized local servicemen and women in honor of National Military Appreciation Month. Students participated in various activities with visiting soldiers. We thank the military personnel who visited our campus, and thank all active and former military personnel for their service to our great country.
BCSSSD students participated in various Thanksgiving celebrations this month, enjoying delicious feasts and fellowship. Our campus organized a food drive to benefit our own district families in need. Students worked to assemble food baskets, with nearly 60 turkeys donated and distributed. Thank you to our generous staff and local community for a demonstration of kindness and caring.
BCSSSD is now fortunate to have an active School and Family Association. The group has been meeting in the evenings; however, this month is trying out a daytime meeting in order to attract those for whom this time will be more convenient. The meeting will be held on Thursday, December 3, at 10 a.m. in the BCSSSD Media Center, Westampton Campus. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend. Come on out and participate.
BCSSSD annually hosts a magnificent Holiday Craft Fair and Show. Please join us on Thursday, December 10 at 6 p.m., on our Westampton campus for this most special event. You will have the opportunity to purchase beautiful crafts prepared by our students and various craft vendors. These make outstanding Holiday gifts. Performances by our students will follow the Craft Fair. The program is certain to inspire you with the holiday spirit!
Thank you for the honor to serve your children.
Sincerely,
Superintendent of Schools
A letter from Dr. Nagy, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education
Dear BCSSSD Community,
Gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving. These are the words of the month for November. We pause to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives, for family, friends, colleagues, students and military personnel around the world. It is a time where we also remember the indelible mark of lost loved ones this year and the influence they may have had on our lives. This is true for the troops lost who fought for the very freedoms that we many times take for granted. All we have to do is watch the news and see what is happening around the world.
Throughout the month, I have been fortunate to visit all of the campuses and to celebrate with students and staff the gift of education, family, and opportunities to do something special for someone else. This is what makes our district so special. To highlight this point, I want to acknowledge Kimberly Sheetz for her extraordinary efforts along with her colleagues in the Occupational Therapy and Speech Departments and the students entrusted to them, who hosted on three occasions this month, members of our local military as part of our salute to the Military. In addition to presentations and discussions, our students engaged in a writing campaign to more than 120 troops. This interdisciplinary and cross-curricular project made this month truly special.
As we anticipate the month of December, we look forward to the grand opening celebration on Friday, December 4, 2015 of the Bancroft at Burlington County Special Services School District facility and the Holiday Show and Craft Fair on Thursday, December 10, 2015, commencing at 6 p.m. Plan to attend and celebrate the season and see our students at their best.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Nagy
Assistant Superintendent, Special Education
Attention Parents & Guardians: Parent Portal Letter and Parent Portal Form
Holiday Show and Craft Fair
BCIT/BCSSSD Board of Education Policies & Regulations
The following policies and regulations have been approved by the Board of Education. Please review and reference pertinent policies as applicable.
Policies/RegulationsExhibit #3 (These items are available on the website.)
2nd Reading
5756 Transgender Students
R8505.01 Nutrition and Feeding Safety Protocols (BCSSSD Only)
R8505.02 Nutrition and Feeding Questionnaire (BCSSSD Only)
5339 Screening for Dyslexia
R2431.5 Athletic Practice Competition Adm Walk Through Process
R3125.2 Substitute Coverage SOP (BCSSSD Only)
1st Reading
8550 Outstanding Food Service Charges
R3224.1 Evaluation Rubric of Principals, Vice Principals and Assistant Principals Revised
3322/4322 Staff Member’s Use of Cellular Telephones
Congratulations to our BCSSSD Student Government!
High School Presidents: Jessica Dugan & Henry Santiago
Vice Presidents: Danny Keefus & Chaniece Senior
Secretary: Joe Wescott
Bancroft at Burlington is NOW OPEN!
BCAS hosts Parent/Community Network Events
Burlington County Alternative School November Successes!
Student accomplishments, recognition, awards, activities, assemblies, programs, etc.
- High School students Calvin Garcia and Brittney Roberson were selected by the Prevention Plus of Burlington County/Burlington County Coalition for Healthy Communities for their outstanding posters for Red Ribbon Week. Each student won a $25 Visa gift card
- Kyle Potter has been selected as the BCAS Citizen of the Month. Kyle can be found positively supporting the school community. He is quick to help others, volunteers in the cafeteria, and is always smiling. Thanks for being here Kyle
- Iyonna Damon has been selected at the BCAS Scholar of the Month. Since her transition from Cinnaminson High School, Iyonna has been one of our top credit earners each week. Iyonna is quick to sign-up for classes and always participates. Great job Iyonna
- Congratulations to Rebecca Bennie, LRHSD student on her graduation
- Congratulations to Rachel Urban, LRHSD student on her graduation
- Congratulations to Emily Murray, Moorestown student, on her graduation
- Ian Moore was selected as the Student Spotlight for middle school
- BCAS hosted its Annual Liaison Breakfast for sending schools and students
- BCAS hosted its first Veterans Day panel. The panel consisted of six veterans from various branches of the military and from WWII to present day. Students had the opportunity to ask questions
- BCAS hosted its first annual Career Day. Presenters representing nine different careers spoke to the students. BCIT Adult Program also hosted a table. It was a great day for the students and presenters
- Middle school parents attended Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 18th and 19th. Students received their report cards on November 17th
- Students attended a field trip at the Collingswood Scottish Rite. They watched the show, Latin Rhythms, an interactive experience that focuses on Hispanic dancing traditions
- Middle and high school students went to Drew University for a campus tour. While on campus, they watched, The Diary of Anne Frank, at the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey. This is a culminating activity for a unit on the Holocaust done in middle school
- HS students were introduced to Rowan College at Burlington County’s Spring Ahead, which is an informational workshop on the admission process
- The following HS students have been selected as middle school tutors and leaders: Angelina Cloonan, Gerard Caughman, Martez Waddell, Kyle Furth, Zach Adams, and Anthony Murphy
- These students are leaders who support BCAS students, staff, and administration. The student leadership group, The Titans, has been re-established. The students serving on this team are: Calvin Garcia, Brittney Roberson, Trevon Blackmon, Kyle Furth, Ayanna Jones-Briggs, Terence Braham, Amanda Szymczak, Daniella Leffew, & Liam Loftus
Employee accomplishments, recognition, awards, professional development, etc.
- Jim Codianni attended the Mock Trial Training program
- Curtis Wright attended the BCPDI workshop on classroom management strategies
- Cathy Maista attended a science workshop facilitated by NSTA
- Mark Gromen attended a math workshop facilitated by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
- Susan Speas attended a workshop on Career Ready Practices
- Pam Gessert attended a workshop on Suicide Prevention and Awareness
- Bobbie Downs attended the Burlington County Principals and Supervisors Association Fall Professional Development Dinner
BCAS Liaison Breakfast
BCAS hosted a Liaison Breakfast for sending districts and students to reunite and learn more about the Alternative Middle and High School program, located on the R.C.B.C. campus in Mt. Laurel.
Students embrace the "do the right thing" mantra each day in how they respect one another, their teachers, and families.
Congratulations to BCAS students, Calvin Garcia and Brittney Roberson, who submitted a winning poster in the Red Ribbon Poster contest.
A note from Nicole Margiotta
Dear BCSSSD Community,
Those of you who are on Facebook, please "like" our pages and visit them regularly; add comments on items. When referencing our "Sign Me A Story" series, please reference it with hashtag and written exactly like this (#SignMeAStory). Here is the link for the latest November and December series: https://www.facebook.com/events/1555222441366858/
Here are the two links...
Thank you all for supporting our pages! Please pass the links along to anyone who might be interested!
Thank you,
Nicole Margiotta
Supervisor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Assistive Technology
Burlington County child study team members & guidance counselors toured BCSSSD, visiting each classroom and learning centers.
November BCPDI Training: Drive Your Classroom with Google EDU
Congratulations NJEA nominated Teacher Assistant of the Year, Mrs. Niehaus!
Congratulations, Ms. Niehaus! Well deserved!
Military Appreciation Month at BCSSSD!
Ms. Higgs, BCSSSD H.S. Campus Social Worker, was joined by Capt. Carmen Colon-Alemany, SMSgt Lavar Jordan and Lt. McGee to share their experiences with our students as part of our Military Appreciation program. Students from the high school & elementary campuses were invited to participate in demonstrations, try on uniforms & interact with the soldiers throughout the presentations.
CE2 Fred Downs shared his experiences in the Navy with students from the Westampton campus as part of our month long Military Appreciation program on Thursday, November 12th. This was Fred's third year to present at our school! The students were very inquisitive with their questions throughout the presentations to gain a better understanding of Fred's role as a soldier.
Thank you to all who shared this month! We greatly appreciate your time and your service to our country!
In honor of Military Appreciation Week, BCAS welcomed local Veterans. Thank you for your service. We appreciate you!
BCSSSD Shop Spotlight: Graphic Design with Ms. Hogan
Ms. Hogan's Graphic Design art class offers students the ability to express their creativity through computer design. Students learn how to use the computer as a design tool for creating their art work instead of other common traditional ways. Each student learns marketable design skills such as poster design, CD covers, business cards, flyers, logos, t-shirts, and invitations.
This month, students were invited to create a Graffiti of Gratitude wall for things that we are thankful for in the month of this Thanksgiving.
Congratulations to the Graphic Design Students of the Month:
Nicholas Zacharko, Desiree Lopez, Amani LancasterStudents receive hands-on training.
Botany at BCSSSD
A letter from Jane Corley, CBI Coordinator
This Fall, we also started training our students at the Burlington County Library in the Youth Services Room. Our contact person at the library has been Christina Estlow, Librarian in Youth Services. We assist with shelf reading, cleaning DVDs, CDs and book covers. We help prepare crafts for the children who come for story hours. We also make copies for the office when needed.
We have lengthened four of our work-site's hours this year in order to teach our students how to have a lunch break and return to work in a timely manner. Our students are learning to use the clock or a cell phone to keep track of the time. This skill is very difficult for our students when they are hired in competitive employment.
Jayne Corley
Transition Teacher, Community Based Instruction Coordinator
Thankful for Thanksgiving at BCSSSD
Thank you to the BCSSSD community for their donation of turkeys this season for our families in need. Thank you to everyone on staff and our generous families for donating a total of 53 turkeys! Turkeys were donated from multiple families and local companies:
- Wegmans
- PASC PTO President, Brandi Fishman
- ShopRite
- Lori Salmons
- The Food Pantry
- Richard Ebert
- Belle Shields
- Multiple BCSSSD staff members
Thanksgiving baskets were assembled for 53 families. A very special thank you to BCSSSD staff:
- Diana Stewart
- Cindy Moore
- Belle Shields
- Joyce Rosenberg
- Maureen Graven-Eells
- April Jamison
- Lori Salmons
- Student Council
- Celeste Saint Claire
- Jennifer Higgs
- Richard Ebert
- Kelly Fletcher
- Michelle Stewart
- Michelle Flood
- Patti Wilkins
- BCSSSD Custodians who donated $100 to each campus
Thank you for your generosity,
Joyce Devito, Director of Autism
Student government representatives, middle schoolers, and staff assembled holiday food baskets!
Our BCSSSD staff and student family enjoy a Thanksgiving feast together.
Happy Thanksgiving from Lumberton Campus
Lumberton Campus Anti-Bullying Poster Contest
Jody Mangus’s Health Class at Lumberton Campus recently held their Anti-Bullying Poster Contest. The contest is the conclusion of a unit encompassing HIB (Harassment, Intimidating and Bullying) Awareness and Prevention. The Anti-Bullying Post contest was an extra-credit assignment, and 20 students elected to participate.
“HIB Awareness and Prevention is taken very seriously at Lumberton,” Ms. Mangus said, “We work hard to promote positive social behaviors at our campus.”
The winners of this year’s contest included:
First Place: Rahvion James
Second Place: Omyra Saldana and Armando Miranda
Third Place: Haley Hughes
All participants received extra credit in their Health classes, in addition to bonus points for the Lumberton Campus ABC Program. Winners also received certificates and ribbons for their hard work.
High School Science Class
Students are participating in a collaborative Biology Cell Unit with Ms. Lori Salmons, Mrs. Jackie Willey, and Ms. Simone Schouten.
Halloween at BCSSSD
Staff and students took part in the day's celebrations!
Middle School Mummy Wrap Contest
Red Ribbon Week Door Contest: Middle School classes worked together to create a door display promoting drug awareness for red ribbon week. Congratulations to our winners!
1st place winner: Kelly Fletcher's classroom
2nd place winner: Deb Cheeseman's classroom
3rd place winner: James Dennion's classroom
A note from Tara Montague, SFA President
Our next SFA meeting is Thursday, December 3, 10 a.m. in the Westampton Media Center.
Please visit our website for upcoming meeting dates and monthly meeting minutes:
http://www.bcsssd.k12.nj.us/domain/304
Best wishes,
Tara Montague, SFA President
Peggy Dugan, SFA Vice-President.
Jump Start Store
Dear parents and staff,
Students will be provided with the opportunity to shop at the Jump Start Store two times per month this year. Sign-up will be done on a first come/first served basis, so please stop in to schedule your preferred shopping times.
We are in need of the following items:
- Household items
- Knick Knacks
- Clothing: blouses, shirts, coats, & belts
- Dishes
- Glasses
- Wallets
- Purses
- Silk flowers
- Candles
- Holiday Decorations
Thank you for your support!
-Mr. McHugh & Mr. Zielinski
Burlington County Alternative School hosts Parent/Community Network Events
Financial Aid Information Session
http://bcsssd.k12.nj.us/cms/lib07/NJ01000535/Centricity/Domain/281/BCAS.FinancialAid.SUSAN.pdf
Minding Your Mind: Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health Issues
Parent Focus Group with Superintendent, Dr. Christopher Manno
April 2016 - date will be announced soon.
New Special Event Form!
Thank you,
Laura Geltch
Program and Community Coordinator
BCSSSD Parent Corner
Please share your story as a parent or guardian. What does the Burlington County Special Services School District mean to you and your family? How has your child benefited from attending BCSSSD?
Thank you for your time and consideration. --Laura Geltch
Do you have a story to share?
Our students and staff are unique and truly outstanding Burlington County community members. It would be my pleasure to share student, family, and parent stories with our school's community.
Please contact me if you would like to share your story.
Thank you,
Program & Community Coordinator
BCSSSD
Like us on Facebook!
BCSSSD School and Family Association (SFA)
https://www.facebook.com/BCSS.SFA?fref=ts
NEW PAGES:
Burlington County Deaf & Hard of Hearing-D/HH Education Initiative
ESU Augmentative Alternative Communication & Assistive Technology
Box Tops for Education
Thank you! - BCSSSD Staff
Burlington County Health Department Information: 2015-16 School-Aged Children Immunization Clinics
Letter from Burlington County Health Department:
Referral Form from Burlington County Health Department:
BCSSSD 2015-2016 School Calendar
Emergency Closing/Delayed Opening Procedures:
In the event of a campus emergency or inclement weather, staff members will be contacted via email, phone message, and text message. In addition, we will post a Special Alert Message on our website.
Staff Members, Help us Contact You.
Have you moved? Have you changed your phone number or email address? Please make sure to update your information with BCSSSD Personnel.
Students will be contacted using information stored in Genesis, our electronic student database. Parents should be reminded to ensure their contact information is up-to-date. Any changes should be reported to the main office of the student's school.