Animal and Plant Life Cycles Study

To celebrate the completion of our study of animal and plant life cycles, the students at the Haddon Heights Campus witnessed the metamorphosis of the painted lady butterfly in their classrooms.  The arrival of the tiny little caterpillars was anxiously awaited and when they finally arrived in mid-May, they were quickly welcomed into each class.  Students eagerly observed their eating habits and tracked their growth until one day they started to build their snug little chrysalis.  Over the next ten days or so, we were unable to see much, but thanks to our lessons, we knew that there was much work taking place inside the chrysalis as the caterpillar was slowly preparing to become a butterfly.   As the weather grew warmer, one by one, the butterflies began to emerge from their chrysalis.  After several days of eating fruit and allowing their wings to develop and grow stronger, our butterflies were ready to be released into the wild.  On a warm June day, each class allowed their butterflies to leave their habitats and explore the freedom of the school yard.  What a wonderful way to observe the development of an animal life cycle!

Dental Hygiene Month

Health is meant to be fun and informative! One of our health lessons this month was all about dental hygiene. The students learned about the importance of brushing their teeth to prevent infections in their mouth. As an activity after the lesson, everyone made a craft in the shape of a tooth to be displayed in the hallway. Each student assembled their project and decorated it. The students were really creative when completing the craft!
‘Kayla Livecchi, Elementary School Nurse’

Read Across America week

This month in Room 101, Read Across America week was March 1-5 and our students did many STEM activities to incorporate our Dr. Seuss theme.  They got to build “Oh the Places They’ll Go”, build a friendly trap for Thing 1 and Thing 2, and create new Truffula trees.  Imaginations were put to the test and was very successful in Room 101 that week!  STEM week was so much fun, engaging, and motivating for the minds of our Red Wolves.  We are looking forward to our next STEM week next month!

“While we try to teach our children about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” 

Brookfield Elementary is Taking Acts of Kindness to the next level

For the entire month of February, Brookfield Elementary staff and students are being challenged with completing as many acts of kindness throughout each school day. The idea developed during a Bullying Prevention group in January, when students were presented with a Kindness Bingo game to play. The excitement in the students was overwhelming. The idea of playing a game and winning if you complete simple acts of kindness came so natural for so many of our students. Throughout the month of February each classroom has a poster-sized bingo card to complete each day. They earn a heart for each bingo they complete. If they complete the entire board in one day they earn 15 hearts. In addition, there are random challenges throughout the week, for example whichever class fills the board first will earn 20 hearts for their class. The hearts are displayed in the main hallway of the school. The response to the activity has been amazing! This activity aligns with our positive climate initiative and has continued to support the positive community developed in each of our classes.

Brookfield Schools Annual Food Drive 2020

In recent weeks at our Cherry Hill campus, staff and students have been working diligently toward creating an appealing educational atmosphere.  Creativity and “thinking outside the box” have become the epitome of lesson and activity planning while our country continues to battle the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020.  Students are still attending in a hybrid, partial in-person/partial remote fashion.  Though this can be a challenge for all participants, the push for engaging our students has never been greater.

Our school nurse, Ms. Sherrill Ciarrocca, has been employing our students to create informative videos and signage around the building and for use on our school website and social media.  The involvement of the students has presented itself as a way for our youngsters to become more informed and knowledgeable about the risk factors and protective measures necessary for keeping our building safe.  Staff and students continue to participate in a positive manner, with the use of PPE and practicing safe cleaning and sanitization processes.  Thank you, Ms. Ciarrocca for your help and efforts in keeping Brookfield’s Cherry Hill campus a safe environment.

Brookfield Schools Annual Food Drive is proving to be a true success so far this school year.  Each Friday, staff has been permitted to participate in a Dress-Down and Donate program in efforts to collect and assist those who are in need during this year’s holiday season.  School Social Worker, Ms. Amy Kershner has headed this cause and has had a great deal of success thus far.  Thank you so much, Ms. Kershner for your efforts in providing for our Brookfield community and family!

Our Culinary department is also currently working hard and preparing for the holiday season in order to bring some sense of spirit and normalcy to the program.  Although catering and sales are not able to be offered at the moment, there is still an opportunity here, in-house, for our staff to purchase holiday cookies for themselves.  The Culinary students have put together a small menu of items and have been practicing their baking skills in these last weeks in preparation for this occasion.  The program has learned and is following all required state and health department guidelines in order for production to take place.  Chef Shawn Harris truly believes that this small, yet celebratory (and safe!) activity will help to keep our youngsters in a positive mindset.

Brookfield Schools Haddon Heights Campus K-8th

The educational component of Brookfield Schools Haddon Heights Campus is designed to provide an intensive and grade-level academic curriculum with a successful model for therapeutic health and socialization opportunities that promote each student’s return to their original school district. Our priority is to facilitate the learning process. Additionally, we hope each Brookfield student will return to their district with an increased awareness of appropriate social behavior, greater self-esteem, and more positive social interactions.

Behavior Modification
At Brookfield Schools Haddon Heights Campus, a program of behavior modification using a 100-point system is in place. A written report is sent home daily and the positive reward system offers students the opportunity to earn daily, weekly and monthly rewards, trips, and purchases at the school store. The goal is to change the behavior of the students so they will be able to confidently interact within their environment.

Comprehensive Services
Brookfield Schools Haddon Heights Campus services encompass more than just the educational component and include:

• Individual and group counseling
• Creative therapies (art, play, cooking, gardening)
• Parent and family counseling and consultation
• Parent Meetings
• Lego Therapy
• Individual iPads

Community Partnerships & Recognition
Brookfield Schools Haddon Heights Campus has formed innovative partnerships within the community that include relationships with:

• Perkins Center for the Arts
• The Rowan University Institute Advancement for Learning

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