After providing virtual instruction for the first week of January, we are happy to report that our students and teachers are back in the building! As the pandemic continues to impact our area, our focus is on the safety of our students and staff while maintaining important educational and therapy services for our children. While our days are still filled with uncertainty, our kids continue to shine.
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The P.G. Chambers School community celebrated a Week of STARs from December 6-10. The week kicked off the school’s social emotional learning initiative and complemented the introduction of the new mascot, the STAR, earlier this year. Each day of the week a new pillar of character was highlighted, detailed, and celebrated. To show enthusiasm for this initiative, students and staff were encouraged to wear the color designated for the day.
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Changing the world one crayon at a time |
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Giovanni, a P.G. Chambers School middle schooler shared a meaningful lesson with his classmates during his current event presentation. Giovanni was inspired by an article in TIME for Kids about a girl who is making a big difference. Giovanni told the class about Bellen Woodward who became a “crayon activist” as a third grader when she realized that the only skin colored crayon in the box was peach. Woodward has recently written a book titled More than Peach that will be published in July 2022. Giovanni brought each of his classmates a box of Colors of the World crayons, so every student can find a color to match their skin. The middle school students are looking forward to having a copy of More than Peach for their classroom when it is published this summer. Thank you to Giovanni for sharing this important story!
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Students successfully complete Powered Mobility Training |
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At P.G. Chambers School, we know children's learning and quality of life benefit from movement, yet many of our students have significant motor challenges that impact independent movement. Our Powered Mobility Program, made possible through philanthropy, provides the opportunity for movement as therapy, trials of different powered mobility options for students, and development of skills in learning to use these various options. In December, five students received their Powered Mobility certificates signifying completion of a six week course of training. We are thrilled with the joy on our students’ smiling faces as they move independently!
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Christine Cayero named new Director of Communication, as longtime leader retires |
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P.G. Chambers School recently bid farewell to Director of Communication, Mindy Porcelan who retired in December, after 38 years in the speech department. Mindy’s legacy as a dedicated, empathetic, and passionate leader can be seen in the staff she has mentored and the lives of the students she touched over the course of her career.
The Communication Department will be in good hands, as the search committee has selected Christine Cayero, M.S. CCC-SLP as its new director. Christine has an impressive resume of academic achievement and practical experience. She joined P.G. Chambers School in 2004 and has provided speech and language therapy and evaluation services in all of our programs. Christine serves as a senior therapist and as student intern coordinator. She has served on multiple task forces including the student intern task force and the hearing and vision task force. She is a graduate of our LEAD program. She recently completed coursework at Rutgers, earning her supervisory certification through the graduate school of education. Her master of science in speech and language pathology was earned at William Patterson University and her undergraduate degree, from Villanova, was completed with a concentration in elementary and special education. This expertise allowed her to start her career as a bilingual teacher of 2nd through 4th graders.
Mindy shared some parting, and always inspirational, wisdom with the P.G. Chambers community on her last day: Remember that leadership is for everyone. You all have something special inside and that makes a difference to ourselves, our teams, our students and families, and to all those around us. May you continue to be proud of the work you do, the person you are, and the difference you make.
Mindy, thank you for your time, dedication, and friendship. You will be truly missed but never forgotten. All the best for a healthy, happy, and restful retirement.
(Pictured above L-R Mindy and Christine)
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P.G. Chambers School OT receives distinction |
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Congratulations to occupational therapist Linda Hogoboom on passing the AOTA Board Certification in Pediatrics. This exceptional achievement reflects Linda’s experience, expertise, skills and knowledge, which is evident in all aspects of her everyday work. Linda joins an exclusive group of occupational therapists that can boast this designation, as at the time of examination there were only 4 other pediatric board certified occupational therapists in NJ. For Linda, the preparation for this exam was a “labor of love” that affirmed the foundational practices she had learned nearly 20 years earlier, while expanding her knowledge with the newest evidence-based practice strategies. She shared, “The certificate is just the paper, but the studying process made me a better therapist.”
Linda is highly regarded by her colleagues and the families with whom she works. She has been a valued member of the P.G. Chambers School team for nearly 10 years, working primarily in the Early Intervention Program.
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P.G. Chambers School Gives Back |
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Delivering cheer to our troops |
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For many, the holiday season is filled with the annual traditions of baking, decorating, shopping, and seeing friends and family. For P.G. Chambers School occupational therapist Samantha Mangravito, this time of year means remembering members of the military who are stationed around the world, unable to see their loved ones.
This year, with the help of our students, staff, friends, and families Samantha was able to mail 3,185 holiday and thank you cards overseas! Thank you to Samantha and her helpers for brightening the holiday season of thousands of men and women who give so much so that we all can be free.
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PG RISE teacher leads Unified Sports Program |
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Four years ago, P.G. Chambers School collaborated with Randolph Public Schools to form the collaborative high school program PG RISE at Randolph. Currently, we have 11 students participating in this wonderful high school program including 10 P.G. Chambers School graduates. Most recently, Margey Dwyre-Daily, PG RISE teacher and Will Neehan, Randolph High School football coach have collaborated to lead the Unified Sports Program. Meeting afterschool every other Thursday until 4 pm, Unified provides a variety of sports activities for both PG RISE and general education students regardless of their skill level. Gen ed students connect with special education students while learning team building and good sportsmanship. For those students who may have not found their niche through other sports or clubs, the Unified Program provides other unique engagement opportunities. Randolph High School students, with and without disabilities came together on equal ground and shared what their preferences were for an after school social and sports club. Students engage in outside games of can-jam, corn hole, frisbee, and their own version of wiffle ball. They also connect through board games, baking, dance, and karaoke. Currently the group is honing their basketball skills with the Unified Basketball Team consisting of special education students and their Unified general education partners. The team plays the local high schools, including Mount Olive, Sparta, and West Morris Central. Currently their record is 1-1.
Margey was eager to support the program, “I am thrilled to be advising this program and be part of the larger RHS community with our PG RISE students, this is why we are here!”
Jacky R. is one of the PG RISE students whose life has been enriched by Unified. Margey noticed that once Jacky joined the program, she developed a new found confidence that transferred to her eagerly participating in her school day and class discussions. “Jacky’s experience in Unified seemed to literally open her mind to more experiences and increase her energy throughout her day.” Margey is excited to see how Jacky will continue to grow and develop as she continues with Unified.
We are thankful to Margey and our partners at Randolph High School for creating new opportunities to help our students increase their confidence, engage in the community, and expand their capacity to lead full productive lives.
Pictured above: Michael up at bat with his Unified partner and peers cheering him on! “I’m ready to fly around the bases!”
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Community Partners Making a Difference |
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An anonymous donor brings joy to P.G. Chambers School families with tickets to see Disney on Ice at the Prudential Center. Families were chosen by lottery to participate in this magical evening.
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Knights of Columbus make generous gift |
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Dennis Fashano and Joe Hagen of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Council #6904 of the Knights of Columbus present a generous donation from their recent fund raising drive to Executive Director, Patty Sly in support of programs at P.G. Chambers School. We are incredibly grateful for their support. |
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Jack Torrey, Class of 2013 |
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Jack graduated from P.G. Chambers School's Class of 2013 and went on to attend Universal Institute in Livingston. We caught up with Jack and Jesse (Jack’s mother), recently by phone to see how they are doing.
While attending P.G. Chambers School, Jack learned that he is not defined by his limitations. Jesse shared that Jack continues to be the happiest person on the planet and sends his love to everyone at P.G. Chambers.
Since graduating, Jack has stayed in touch with his classmates Molly Huth, Jessica Cunningham, Ryan Cornine, and Jane Millare. Not only did they attend Horizon High School together but they are also in the same programs at Universal Institute. The Torreys look forward to celebrating Jack’s 24th birthday and the 15th anniversary of his successful bone transplant and hope to visit their family in Chile at the end of the year.
It was so great to catch up with Jack and his mom and to learn that P.G. Chambers School holds a special place in the heart of the Torrey family. Jack has certainly continued to shine and we are so proud of him!
(Pictured above: The Torrey Family in Block Island L-R dad Dan, Jack, mom Jesse, and sister Anna)
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Resolutions... we all have them |
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With the new year upon us, there is no better time to make that New Year’s resolution. For some it may be joining a gym or reaching out to family and friends more often or maybe even learning a new hobby. This is also a great time to think about putting your affairs in order in planning your estate and future charitable contributions.
Did you know if you are 70 ½ or older, you may want to consider making a tax free donation through your IRA? Stock gifts or making gifts through your donor advised funds, are also great ways to support your favorite charity. You could also consider joining the many people who have already included P.G. Chambers School in their will, trust, or beneficiary designations. For more information on any of the above, click here or contact Kathleen DeSantis directly at desantisk@chambersschool.org or 973-829-8484.
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This month we welcomed Rose Bolash as our new Human Resource Manager. Are you interested in helping our students reach their unique potential? Join us! Employment opportunities are posted here.
If you are interested in joining our team, please contact info@chambersschool.org
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Be sure to visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram
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