Westbridge Academy participated in the annual Verizon/PDFNJ (Partnership for a Drug-Free America New Jersey) 2011-2012 Fourth Grade Folder Competition. This contest gave our fourth grade students the time and opportunity to think about “Fun Things to Do Instead of Doing Drugs”. The students were able to channel thoughts into positive peer-t0-peer messages. They worked with their Art Teacher, Alice, to design posters with anti-drug messages. Over 35,600 students participated, with over 8,000 art pieces entered. Our students received certificates for taking part in this contest. Congratulations to all of our fourth graders, we are proud of you for taking part in such a worthy cause. You are all winners in our eyes!

A Workshop Sponsored by the Outreach Department
Earn free CEUs and register at no charge!

DATE: Friday, May 11, 2012

SCHEDULE:

• 8:30 am – 9:00 am Registration
• 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Presentation
• 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm Lunch

LOCATION: Westbridge Academy Auditorium
60 West Street, Bloomfield, NJ (Parking available on-site)

About

The workshop/planning session will share information and resources for and about students in special education ages 14–21 for members of child study teams, secondary educators, and school district liaisons. Topics include the vision development and self-advocacy issues; transition planning form and how to develop individualized transition goals; housing, postsecondary and employment options and more.

Our Presenter

Ernie Brattstrom, Executive Director with Learning Tree Educational Consultants, L.L.C., will present this overview of Transition Planning and answer questions you may have about this transformative initiative. (See bio below).

The Program

Planning a Life: Making the Most Out of Transitional Planning

• Learning about resources for students ages 14-21 in special education
• Defining the vision development and self-advocacy issues
• Developing individualized transition goals in the IEP
• Exploring post-secondary life (housing, employment options and more!)

Details

• Refreshments will be served in the morning.
• Lunch will be served after the workshop until 12:45 pm.
• Participants will receive 3 Continuing Education Credits.
• Participants will have the opportunity to take a tour of Westbridge Academy.

To Register

• Contact Eboni Williams 973.429.8110 ext. 110 for more information
• Walk-ins limited (as space permits)

About Ernie Brattstrom
Ernie Brattstrom has been a committed educator for 33 years serving in a variety of educational positions.  He is certified as a Teacher of the Auditory Handicapped, Teacher of the Disabled, Speech Pathologist, Supervisor, Principal, and Chief School Administrator, and is a former Teacher of the Year. He has served with the NJ Department of Education as the Burlington County Supervisor of Child Study, overseeing the educational needs of more than 5,000 disabled students in 40 school districts. Additionally, he has been superintendent of schools with SCSSSD, Somerdale (K-8) and Florence Township (K-12) and taught at Union College, Rowan University, Drexel University, and The College of New Jersey.

Click Here for Online Sponsorship/Registration

              Westbridge Academy’s Music program celebrated notable African-Americans during Black History Month.  First, students examined the social setting and historical events leading to the Civil Rights Act through song.  One of those songs studied was Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.”  The lesson encouraged students to listen and read the song’s lyrics and thereafter follow-up with a class discussion.  A second song studied was Stevie Wonder’s “Living For the City.”  After studying  both songs the students engaged in a discussion comparing the messages from both.  They reflected on each songs lyrical content and its messages of struggles, hopes, and dreams of African-Americans.  The month concluded with participation in a similar lesson where students examined Bruce Hornsby’s “That’s Just the Way It Is” as well as Tupac Shakur’s “Changes”  which was sampled from Hornsby’s older hit.  One of the main topics dicussed in Shakur’s lyrics was the evolution of the Black Panther Party and one of it’s more dynamic leaders Huey Newton.  The conversation concluded with the students discussing what changes they have witnessed over time and what are some of the struggles that still remain.

Imagine waking each morning paralyzed by anxiety, accompanied by feelings of despair and hopelessness. You wish that it would all go away. Unfortunately, this is a reality for far too many students. Bullying has festered into a major problem in our society. It is estimated that 160,000 children miss school every day due to the fear of attack or intimidation by other students. American schools harbor approximately 2.1 million bullies and 2.7 million of their victims. At Westbridge Academy we not only recognize this growing problem but have taken the proper steps in educating our staff and students by hosting a series of presentations on anti-bullying.

On January 9, 2012, the students of Westbridge Academy took part in the Straight Talk Bullying and Bias Assembly which was presented by Steered Straight, Inc.  This program is part of a non-profit educational and prevention/intervention organization, committed to reaching children, teens, and young adults.  The assembly emphasized the realities about one’s life choices and the importance of one’s actions.  The Straight Talk Bullying and Bias Assembly was a innovative way to address the growing problem of bullying and the increasing need for effective prevention. The uniqueness of Straight Talk was through the messenger; people that have lived with, witnessed, and have been directly impacted by the consequences of bullying and bullying violence.  These real-life messengers helped our students gain a better understanding about anti-bullying so that they can feel empowered to deal with this issue in their everyday lives. We believe that every student deserves to enjoy a sense of safety and well-being while growing up.

If we meet someone who owes us thanks, we right away remember that.  But how often do we meet someone to whom we owe thanks without remembering that?

Johan Wolfgang Von Goethe

On November 23, 2011, staff and students joined together to break bread and celebrate the Westbridge Academy annual Holiday Feast.  It is an event that everyone looks forward to with great anticipation.  The feast was complete with all the traditional foods of Thanksgiving as well as desserts provided and prepared by the Westbridge Academy staff.  In life, one of the first lessons that we learn at home is how one is to conduct themselves while dining not only with family but in other social settings as well.  Students gained an opportunity to demonstrate and enhance some of the social skills attained through the Project Achieve program.  At Westbridge Academy, we are taught “Food is love” and on this day, both love and food were in abundance.

A Workshop Sponsored by the Outreach Department
Earn free CEUs and register at no charge!

DATE: Friday, December 9, 2011 

SCHEDULE: 

• 8:30 am – 9:00 am  Registration
• 9:00 am – 12:00 pm  Presentation
• 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm  Lunch

LOCATION: Westbridge Academy Auditorium
60 West Street, Bloomfield, NJ (Parking available on-site) 

About

This interactive workshop will examine staff perceptions, then recognize the defining characteristics and types of bullying and why students become bullies. 

Discussions will include proven strategies to araise awareness and deter bullying to reduce incidents, as well as considerations for a well-defined and effective bullying prevention program.  Participants will gain strategies for working with parents as partners to reduce bullying in school and community settings.  

Our Presenter

Maria P. Kreiter, nationally-certified staff development facilitator through the National Staff Development Council’s Leadership Academy, will present this overview of Bullying and answer questions you may have about this transformative initiative. (See bio below). 

The Program

Bullying: Why “Stick and Stones” Thinking is Passé

• Define bullying characteristics
• Learn strategies to deter bullying
• Examine well-defined anti bully programs
• Gain perspective of parents as partners

Details

• Refreshments will be served in the morning.
• Lunch will be served after the workshop until 12:45 pm.
• Participants will receive 3 Continuing Education Credits.
• Participants will have the opportunity to take a tour of Westbridge Academy.

To Register

• Contact Eboni Williams 973.429.8110 ext. 110 for more information
• Register by Friday December 1, 2011 to guarantee seating
• Walk-ins limited (as space permits)

About Maria P. Kreiter

Maria P. Kreiter has been a committed educator for 19 years serving in a variety of educational positions in the private, public and university settings.  Maria is an adjunct college instructor, certified teacher, curriculum and instruction supervisor and principal who holds a Pennsylvania Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibilty.   

As an educational leader, Maria nurtures growth and potential by challenging people’s thinking about best practice.  She is a parent of two children with learning challenges.  Her experience enables her to bring a unique perspective to her programs.

On October 7, 2012 our Career and Life Skills classes welcomed a representative from New Jersey Transit to introduce students to the New Jersey Light Rail in a two part series.  First, students were shown a video and participated in an open forum discussion on how to safely use the light rail.  Then on October 14, 2012 those same students got a chance to experience what thousands of patrons do each day.  With the guidance of a New Jersey Transit liason, students were given a round trip complimentary ticket from Grove Street Station in Bloomfield to Newark Pennyslvania Station via one of the many New Jersey Light Rails.   Along the ride, the New Jersey Transit liason showed students students how to validate a ticket, how to enter and exit the Light Rail and engaged in a question and answer session where topics ranged from light rail safety, as well as travel and career possibilities with New Jersey Transit.

Take a Stand, Lend a Hand – Stop Bullying

Back to School Night this year was exceptionally exciting for students, staff and parents at Westbridge Academy!  Dr. Viviana Litovsky, Director and Robert Rodenbaugh, Principal declared October 13^th as “Anti-Bullying Day”.  In an effort to combat bullying, students and staff participated in a series of workshops and activities to increase the awareness of the concept of bullying.  All wore red, white and blue to symbolize their unity against bullying and the rights of all children to have a safe learning environment.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, bullying among children is an aggressive behavior that is intentional and involves an imbalance of power or strength.  It can take many forms such as physical bullying, verbal bullying, emotional bullying and cyber-bullying.  Westbridge Academy has developed an active bullying prevention program.  A “Bully Buster Team” has been created to address children who bully and the victims of bullying.  A “Bully Buster Box” is located in the school lunchroom where children can safely and privately report any instances of bullying that they may experience.  The team then investigates the situation and appropriate consequences are assigned.  Parents are encouraged to partner with the school to support their children’s efforts to eliminate bullying.

Westbridge Academy is dedicated to providing students with courteous and respectful treatment in a safe and protective school environment.  Staff and students created a Handprint Rainbow Banner which is proudly displayed at the entrance of the building.  This banner represents a signed commitment by each staff member and every student to join together in efforts to stop bullying.