Potential Newsletter
Spring/Summer 2021
Update from Executive Director, Patty Sly
We’re winding down the school year and what a year it’s been! We reopened all programs to some level of in-person services last July. Throughout the year we’ve adapted to ever-changing government guidance, juggled and expanded on-site schedules, and managed quarantines. With vaccination availability and lower community spread, the challenges of teaching and providing therapy during the pandemic have eased somewhat. We’re pleased to report that more and more of our kids are able to receive services in-person; during our Extended School Year (ESY) program, 90% of our school students will be on site!

More change is anticipated this fall. I will provide a fuller update of key developments in the next newsletter. Meanwhile, enjoy the summer months!
Partners Making a Difference
Playground Renovation Project


We are excited to report that we have raised $20,000 from our Menus for the Mind event guests to support the Playground Renovation Project. To learn more about this important project for our students and to find out how
you can help, please contact Kathleen DeSantis, Director of Development at desantisk@chambersschool.org
Preston and Aminita taking a spin on the playground.
Notable Grants Support our Students
Benji using essential technology to learn fractions in a virtual environment.
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Thank you to The C. Northrop Pond and Alethea Marder Pond Foundation for recently awarding P.G. Chambers School a $10,000 grant in support of our Early Intervention Program.

The Hyde and Watson Foundation renewed their support with an $8,000 grant to purchase much needed laptops and iPads for our students, teachers, and staff. This generous grant ensures that students, teachers, and staff have the equipment necessary for remote instruction, and therapy sessions until it is safe for all students to return to daily in-person instruction.

Both The C. Northrop Pond and Alethea Marder Pond Foundation and The Hyde and Watson Foundation have been loyal supporters of P.G. Chambers School, and for this we are truly grateful. We are stronger together because of you! 
School News
Gratitude Garden
Top: Jayden and physical therapist Julie Haggerty planting in the garden.
Bottom: Efrain spreading mulch around his flowers.
The past year has been challenging in many ways, yet our gratitude continues. A testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of our therapists and teachers, occupational therapists Lisa Brown and Caitlin Rienzi have spearheaded the effort to transform our outdoor space into a Gratitude Garden containing beautiful flowers and herbs for all to enjoy.

Students are working with their teachers and therapists to prepare the garden by painting gardening containers and inspirational rocks to be placed throughout the space. Students who are learning virtually are able to decorate their rocks at home, and place them in a collection bin outside the school. All of the activities in the garden are curriculum based, and are led by therapists. Each student will have the opportunity to plant and care for the garden. When the time is right, flowers and herbs will be cut by students and given to someone special!
Earth Day
Erin Natoli’s class of middle school students composed this special poem to celebrate Earth Day!
Graduation 2021
We are so proud of all of our 2021 graduates! We are excited to have in-person graduation ceremonies this year. As our students celebrate another important milestone, we thank the entire P.G. Chambers School community for making these special moments possible for our children and their families.   
Preschool



Congratulations to our 2021 Preschool graduates:
Brighton, Carolyn, Elena, Finn, Jake, Kailynn, Madelyn, Marcel, Raanan, and Serenity
 
Middle School
We are inspired by the determination and perseverance of our 2021 Middle School graduates. You make us proud and we will miss you! Welcome to the prestigious community of P.G. Chambers School Alumni! Please keep in touch. 
Special Events
The P.G. Chambers School community came together this spring, raising $175,000, to support our students and to enjoy our virtual and in-person events.  
Menus of the Mind: Open a World of Possibilities
Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stroker was the special guest at our 26th Annual Menus event.
P.G. Chambers School students Lia, Ava, Leah and performing the “Rainbow Connection.”
On April 22, 2021, P.G. Chambers School held the 26th Annual Menus for the Mind event. Guests joined from the comfort of their homes to pay tribute to students and celebrate P.G. Chambers School. The evening featured a live performance and conversation by Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stroker. There was not a dry eye in the house after a heartwarming performance of the “Rainbow Connection” by P.G. Chambers School students and inspirational remarks from P.G. Chambers School parent Linda Garry. This year’s event gave guests the opportunity to support the playground renovation project and to bid on wonderful silent auction items. We are grateful to the entire Menus Committee and for the untiring leadership of co-chairs Joanne Balady and Jerry Rose who helped to make the evening a great success for our kids. We cannot wait to see everyone in person next year!
2021 Golf Classic
Words can’t express how wonderful it was to be together again in-person! The P.G. Chambers School’s Golf Classic took place at Roxiticus Golf Club in Mendham, NJ on May 24, 2021. We had a record-breaking 112 golfers join us for a fun-filled day on the links in support of our children. Evening festivities included heartfelt remarks from P.G. Chambers School parent Mark Anderson. Our guests were truly moved as Mark shared some of Tyler’s wonderful accomplishments thanks to the P.G. Chambers School family who have embraced them and Tyler’s limitless potential. Event co-chairs and P.G. Chambers School trustees Bob Rigby and Gabe Sasso kept guests entertained throughout the evening with their funny antics and commentary as they thanked and appealed to guests for support. We are deeply grateful to the Golf Classic Planning Committee and the fabulous leadership of Gabe and Bob.  
Co-Chairs Bob Rigby and Gabe Sasso were excited about the great turn out for P.G. Chambers School.
Eric Monsen poses with Executive Director Patty Sly, after receiving an unexpected tribute.
A Special Surprise 
Executive Director Patty Sly paid tribute to long-time P.G. Chambers School golf supporter, volunteer leader, and friend Eric Monsen announcing that P.G. Chambers School will be the recipient of a $50,000 gift from the Monsen Family Foundation in honor of Eric Monsen. This generous gift will support future school building expansion and/or replacement projects. 
We are so thankful to Dick Monsen and the entire Monsen Family for their inspiring dedication to our students and families.  
Golfers enjoyed a fabulous day for a great cause!
P.G. Chambers School trustee Lesley Draper joins the fun with friends and business colleagues. From l to r: Bruce Pittman, Mark Wipperman, Lesley Draper, and Betsy Clark
Ryan Hunt from GAF was all smiles as he posed proudly with his foursome after sinking a hole in one on hole nine. From l to r: Cory, Yawger, Alan Zambarana, Ryan Hunt, and Phil Desmond


P.G. Chambers School trustee Joe Longo brings family and friends to enjoy the day! From l to r: Dan Petrie, Tom McLaughlin, Joe Longo, and Matt Longo 








No Pressure!




Save the Date and Call for Volunteers!

We are excited to announce that we will be moving our popular Walk.Run.Fun 5K event to the fall with a new time and location. Please mark your calendars! We are also looking for volunteers to join our 5K Planning Committee and/or to volunteer on the day of the event. If you would be interested in joining the fun, please contact Special Events and Digital Communications Coordinator Patti Stenzel at stenzelp@chambersschool.org.
Proceeds from the 5K will support our students and families!  
Watch your mail for further information.
Celebrating Dylan
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