BCSSSD Pioneer Press
February 2016, Edition #15
Editor: Mrs. Laura Geltch, Coordinator of Program and Community
A Message from your Superintendent
Dear School Community:
This month we present to the Board of Education and school community our mid-year report on progress toward achieving our districts' goals.
School district goals are designed to promote our vision of all students discovering their full potential. The goal setting process begins with evaluating progress on the previous year's goals, and determining program and student needs for the future. Administrative and staff goals are then aligned to support the achievement of district goals. Budgets are designed to support the implementation of programs, professional development, and other resources to support the achievement of the districts’ goals.
We are pleased with the substantial progress our staff and administrators have attained toward achieving the districts’ goals, and look forward to reporting continued progress at the end of the school year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Manno,
Superintendent of Schools
A letter from Dr. Nagy, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education
Tolerance Awareness Month
Dear BCSSSD Community,
As we celebrate Tolerance Awareness Month, I am reminded of the 1985 award winning American drama film, Mask, which captured the real story of the life and early death of Roy L. "Rocky" Dennis, a boy who suffered from craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, an extremely rare disorder due to the disfiguring and enlargement of the cranium. Throughout his early life Rocky encountered many disparaging remarks and overheard comments about how strange he looked. One day when in an amusement park with some of his classmates, he found himself in a room of mirrors that would normally distort how one looked. To the surprise of his classmates, Rocky actually looked normal. The mirrors provided, for the first time to his classmates, the opportunity to actually see Rocky for who he was, inside and outside. It marked a turning point for Rocky and his classmates. They accepted Rocky for the beautiful person he was.
This month affords us the opportunity to look at how we treat one another, and how we look at others who may have a different physical condition, mental challenge, learning challenge, race or religion, to name a few. Yet at the end of the day, our happiness and our wellbeing are contingent upon others. In fact, as noted in one of my blogs this past week, Psychologist, Dr. Christopher Petersen found that we are connected or completed by three words: Other People Matter. Let us take a moment to reflect on how we can do a better job to exercise tolerance and learn about the beauty of another person inside and out, much like the classmates did with Rocky.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Nagy
Assistant Superintendent, Special Education
Attention Parents & Guardians: Parent Portal Letter and Parent Portal Form
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.
2nd Reading
2510.1 Use of Movies and/or Videos for Classroom Instruction
R2510.1 Use of Movies and/or Videos for Classroom Instruction
R8500.1 Serv Safe
Policies/Regulations (Exhibit #2) (These items are available on the website.) 1st Reading
3431.1 Family Leave (Revised) 4431.1 Family Leave (Revised) R5111 Admissions (Revised: Rubric) 9150 School Visitors
7440 School Security
Policies/Regulations (Exhibit #1) (These items are available on the website.)
2nd Reading
3431.1 and 4431.1 Family Leave (Revised) R5111 Admissions (Revised: Rubric)
9150 School Visitors
7440 School Security
R8460 General Administrative Investigative Procedures (Revised) R7450.1 General Inventory (BCIT) (Revised)
1st Reading
8500.1 Offer Versus Serve (OVS)
R6660 Student Activity SOP
Burlington County Alternative Middle School January 2016 Newsletter
Burlington County Alternative School Monthly Accomplishments
I. Student accomplishments, recognition, awards, activities, assemblies, programs, etc.
- Queen Allah from the Rancocas Valley Regional High School District has been selected as the Burlington County Alternative School Scholar of the Month. Queen is a very serious student and is consistently a top credit earner in the school. Congrats to Queen.
- Jacob Cordes from the Rancocas Valley Regional High School District has been selected as the Burlington County Alternative School Citizen of the Month. Jacob can often been seen assisting students and staff in a positive fashion. Congrats to Jake!
- Deja Redfield and Dominic Severino were chosen as the Middle School Student Spotlights.
Congratulations to the following BCAS recent Graduates
- Taylor Fegley of the Lenape Regional High School District
- Alvin Cooke of the Lenape Regional High School District
- Ashley Strong of the Northern Burlington County Regional School District
- Paul Allen of the Rancocas Valley Regional High School District
- Madison Cain of the Burlington City School District
- Samantha Zaleski of the Burlington City School District
II. Employee accomplishments, recognition, awards, professional development, etc.
- 25 students attended the BCAS reward trip for academic excellence and exemplary behavior at the International Sports Center.
- 20 students attended the University of Penn Anthropology and Archaeology Museum to study various cultures.
- Parent-Teacher conferences were well attended. Thank you to all parents and guardians for your continued support of our students!
BCAS March 2016 Information Session
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
6 p.m.
Burlington County Alternative School
1000 Briggs Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ
RSVP: Melissa Manno via email: mmanno@bcsssd.k12.nj.us
BCSSSD musicians are talented! Check out their YouTube video link below:
Dr. Manno visits ESU/Deaf and Hard of Hearing county programs
A note from Nicole Margiotta
Dear BCSSSD Community,
Those of you who are on Facebook, please "like" our pages and visit them regularly; feel free to add comments on items. When referencing our "Sign Me A Story" series, please reference it with hashtag and written exactly like this (#SignMeAStory).
Burlington County Times article on January's "Sign Me A Story": http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/photos-stories-signed-for-hearing-impaired-at-burlington-county-library/collection_80a11f08-bbaf-11e5-a646-97fa88dbb421.html
Here are the two Facebook 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
Lumberton Campus "In the Loop" February 2016 Newsletter
BCPDI Workshop Series
Click HERE for the Burlington County Professional Development Institute (BCPDI) online Workshop Series Brochure
Kimberly Scheetz Occupational Therapy Update
We will be holding our 2nd annual Occupational Therapy Literacy Event Thursday, April 21st and Friday, April 22nd. It was such a hit that we added a second day to allow more Elementary students to participate.
April is Occupational Therapy month so we like to showcase our therapy department. Parents will be invited to join their child's classroom when they participate in the OT Literacy activities. This program is our way of exploring books, and presenting information in a multisensory approach for all students to participate. Our theme is underwater adventures! I'll pass on more information as we plan, but it will occur in the Elementary Multipurpose room again this year. Invitations for guest readers will be shared soon, too. As always, I will share photos; all administration is welcome to come observe and participate in our interactive program!
Community guest readers will be visiting the Elementary campus to read the morning of April 22nd as well. It is our version of Read Across America and is a great support program to the OT Literacy Day event. Not sure on the timing--we will also have a luncheon in the Media Center as a thank you for the guest readers. High School students will help escort the readers to the classrooms. The students always look forward to special programs and being helpers!
March 2nd the Cat in the Hat will be visiting the Elementary Campus (3rd period, around 10 am) to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday. An assembly will include a special birthday message and cupcakes :)
BCSSSD Westampton welcomed Dr. Tomasello, County Supervisor of Child Study. Thank you for visiting our campus today! Pictured left to right: Dr. Bonsall, Mrs. Price, Dr. Tomasello, & Dr. Manno.
Book Fair on the BCSSSD Westampton Campus!
Our Graphic Design classroom welcomed a guest speaker
Safety Patrol at BCSSSD Westampton!
NJEA Article on New Jersey's Teacher Assistant of the Year: Mrs. Niehaus
BCSSSD Westampton students enjoyed a video presentation in honor of Black History Month.
Congratulations to BCSSSD Lumberton student, Cheyanne Haines! Cheyanne is being awarded for excellence in Business Office Practices during Marking Period 2.
Our Lumberton campus students were trained in Hands Free CPR, AED use and choking emergencies. BCSSSD Lumberton received two complete "CPR in Schools Training Kits" through a grant from Ross Stores.
New Microscopes at BC Alternative School!
Congratulations to our Special Olympic Bowlers!
Annual Poster Presentation Research Symposium
https://www.smore.com/511pz-bcsssd-annual-research-symposium
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2016, 06:00 PM
BCSSSD Westampton, Main Gym, 20 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton, NJ 08060
A note from Tara Montague, SFA President
Our next SFA meeting is Wednesday, March 2nd at 7 p.m. in the Media Center on the Westampton campus. You can use the C-9 exit in the back next to the greenhouse to enter.
Child care is available but needs to be requested by Monday evening so we can prepare.
Please let us know if you have any questions. We hope you can join us. We will be discussing continuing leadership of the SFA at the meeting.
Best wishes,
Tara Montague, SFA President
Peggy Dugan, SFA Vice-President.
BCSSSD Resource Fair & Open House
Event Details:
Bringing Community Resources Together to Support Families with Special Needs
Are you unsure of what resources can benefit your child with special needs? Join us on Wednesday, April 6 from 6:00-9:00 pm at the 2nd annual Pediatric Special Needs Resource Fair sponsored by BCSSSD School & Family Association, BAYADA Pediatrics and the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities.
- Discover a wide-range of medical, behavioral, recreational, and advocacy-related resources
- Connect with representatives from state agencies, non-profit and social services organizations, local providers, and other valuable contacts
- Leave with a comprehensive Resource Fair Guide of over 50 local resources
Questions or to RSVP: contact Tara at tmontague@bayada.com or 856-722-9900
Wednesday, Apr 6, 2016, 06:00 PM
BCSSSD Westampton Campus, Main Gym, 20 Pioneer Blvd, Westampton, NJ, United States
Ms. Warren and Ms. Fish's classroom creatively supports No Bullying!
BCSSSD Westampton High School Open Mic Talent Show
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
BCSSSD Annual Reunion Dance: Friday, April 15, 2016
BCSSSD Annual Reunion Dance
RSVP:
(609) 261-5600, Ext. 5504
Questions?
Call Janice Strug, Ext. 5501
Friday, Apr 15, 2016, 06:30 PM
BCSSSD Westampton, 20 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton, NJ 08060
2015-2016 BCSSSD Pioneer Press Newsletters
Camp Discovery Spring Break Mini Camp: March 28 - April 1, 2016
Revised BCSSSD 2015-16 District Calendar
Letter from Dr. Christopher M. Manno, Superintendent of Schools
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
New Special Event Form!
Thank you,
Laura Geltch
Program and Community Coordinator
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:
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.