Visit Our Website

View the Bridge Archive

Submit Your Story

Dear Archway Friends and Family, 

Archway Upper School held a Social Worker Appreciation luncheon in March to celebrate Social Worker Appreciation Month. With that in mind, I’d like to express my gratitude and appreciation for the work our social workers do on behalf of our students and their families every month and every day of the year. You are an integral part of the Archway Family, and we could not do the fabulous work we do without you, so thank you! I appreciate all of you and your hard work and dedication.  

Mark your calendars for the Annual Hands Around the Lake Autism Walk on April 24th on the Archway Campus. This family-friendly event is not just about having fun and sharing time outdoors; it’s also about raising crucial awareness and funds for our Archway Family members on the autism spectrum. Your presence and support can make a significant difference, so please join us for this important cause.  

I also encourage anyone interested in the Run for Woods scheduled for May 5th to join an Archway Team. As a Wood’s affiliate, we want to show our support in person or online. I am participating in the run again this year, and I hope to see you and the Archway Family there!   

If you would like more information about the run, visit https://p2p.onecause.com/runforwoods. If you would like to join a team, please get in touch with Kim DePalma at kim.depalma@archwayprograms.org or by phone at 856.767.5757 ext. 206.   

Thank you to everyone in the Archway Family for your continued support. I appreciate everything you do to keep us moving forward and allow us to provide excellent services to those in our care. Your professionalism and dedication continue to set us apart from the rest.    

Sincerely, 

George Richards 

CEO/CFO 

Wendall Smallwood, Former Running Back for the Philadelphia Eagles, Visits the Upper School

Students and staff cheered as Wendall Smallwood, former Eagles Running Back, walked into the Upper School gym on the morning of March 5th. We have no doubt you could hear the cheers one town over! Mr. Smallwood answered questions from students about his career path, achievements, regrets, and even which celebrity he has a crush on. (That would currently be his wife.) Mr. Smallwood posed for pictures, autographed hands, sneakers, shirts, footballs, and more. Kelvin Prince, an Upper School staff member, presented Smallwood with a hand-drawn portrait he had created, and students and staff all signed a large card thanking him for visiting.  

Thank you, Mr. Smallwood, for visiting Archway Upper School and making numerous dreams a reality. It was a pleasure to be in your company. Thank you to Nurse Shannon for facilitating the exciting visit. 

Upper Schools Hosts Social Worker Appreciation Luncheon 

On March 8th, Upper School hosted a Social Worker Appreciation Lunch to honor Archway Programs’ Social Workers. Mark Letiziano, Upper School Principal; Dustin Roach, Paraprofessional; and Craig Vines, Paraprofessional, were busy serving a delicious hot luncheon while two students served beverages and desserts.   

Thank you, Jaimee Brown, Upper School; Jeffrey Dougherty, Cooper’s Poynt; Nicole Dudek, Upper School; Linda Gentile, Creative Achievement Academy; Nicole Jones, Upper School; Tammy Kaminski, Lower School; Charlie Kates, Creative Achievement Academy; Lisa Kaufman, Upper School; Crystal Mooney, Upper School; and Christine Murakami, Upper School. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to our students. 

Upper School Builds a Chain of Respect

On Monday, March 11th, students and staff from the Upper School completed a Chain of Respect to hang in the hallway outside of the main office. Each chain link contained handwritten notes from the students and staff expressing what respect means to them. Some notable chain links included:  

"Treat others the way you want to be treated."  

"Hold the door open for the person behind you."  

"Say please and thank you."  

Great job, everyone. The chain is a colorful reminder of the simple things we can all do to show respect for one another. 

Imposters or Dress Like Your Teacher Day?

Students from the Upper School turned the tables on staff on March 15th when they showed up for class dressed as their favorite teachers. We saw a Mr. Dustin look-alike, a Mr. Fishman, and five Mr. Turtz! Everyone had fun as the students displayed similar clothing, mannerisms, personalities, or shoes, as in Mr. Mark's case. It was a fun and light-hearted start to the weekend! 

Upper School Shamrock Shakes

Upper School students who have earned a Blue Card and above enjoyed frosty and delicious Shamrock Shakes! They all enjoyed the well-deserved, yummy, deliciousness.   

Clayton P Graduates Among Friends and Family

Congratulations to Clayton on his graduation from Archway Lower School! He has been at the school since December 2019 and has grown significantly since his first day. Bubbly and outspoken, he enjoyed announcing his presence to everyone, and while taking walks around the Archway Campus, he always invited others to join him or to take a few minutes to read Dr. Suess with him. Everyone will miss seeing him in the halls and hearing him exclaim his favorite one-liner, "C'mon!" We wish you the best of everything, Clayton! 

Lower School Celebrates Dr. Seuss Week

Lower School students and staff dressed in their favorite Seuss gear to kick off Dr. Seuss Spirit Week! We saw silly socks on Monday, green fur, and tall hats with stripes on Tuesday as students enjoyed a special treat: a guest reader reading a favorite Dr. Seuss story.

Everyone continued Dr. Seuss Spirit Week with Wacky Wednesday! They were encouraged to throw their fashion sense out the window and mismatch to their heart's content, and they did so with wacky combinations that created eye-popping results! 

The fun continued Thursday with Hat Day, finding students and staff wearing whimsical and colorful headgear. They wrapped up Spirit Week with a relaxing Pajama and Movie Day, providing the perfect end to the week and start to the weekend. 

Pie Eating Contest Ends in a Sweet Victory for Mr. Henry

Lower School students enjoyed an exciting event celebrating Pi Day as staff competed in a Pie Eating Contest! The contestants were Miss Johnna, Miss Lilly, Mr. Zac, Miss Jas, Mr. Steve, Mr. Tyreek, Mr. Henry, and Miss Amanda Glantz, the reigning Lower School Pie Eating Champion. 

Miss Monica set a three-minute and fourteen-second timer, 3.14, in honor of Pi. Our contestants put their hands behind their backs and dug in face first! When the timer sounded, they lifted their faces, gulped in pie-free air, and wiped the whipped topping from their eyes. It was a sweet victory for Mr. Henry, the new champion, with Miss Amanda behind him in second place and Mr. Tyreek in third place. It was an exciting competition for all the spectators and a sweet treat for the competitors! 

Everyone was Feeling a Wee Bit Irish at the Saint Patrick's Dance

Everyone was at least a lil' bit Irish today as Lower School students and staff enjoyed a St. Patrick's Day Dance. Staff decorated the all-purpose room with festive shamrocks and a colorful rainbow leading to a pot of gold, providing the perfect scene and a fabulous photo backdrop! The students and staff listened to music, danced, colored holiday-themed pictures, and enjoyed tasty snacks and drinks. Everyone had a great time, and spirits were high as students returned to class and home for the weekend.  

Gingerbread House Earthquake Lesson

Mr. Dave's class at Cooper's Poynt enjoyed a sweet science lesson today. Students learned about tectonic plates and how they cause earthquakes. Mr. Dave demonstrated the effect of the quakes on buildings using a gingerbread house. Once the lesson was over, students enjoyed eating the broken, yet still delicious, remains!  

The Earthquakes Continue at Cooper's Poynt

The students in Mr. Dave's class at Cooper's Poynt are continuing their lessons on earthquakes. While teaching about the importance of solid stabilization and support systems during earthquakes, Mr. Dave created an engaging, interactive, full-body lesson. Students started the lesson with their bodies stretched across chairs to demonstrate a stable support system. Then, the earthquake hit, and the lesson became interesting. To demonstrate what happens if the support system shifts or fails, Mr. Dave removed the chairs, and things got a little wobbly! We can all agree the students will remember this lesson for quite some time! 

Gold Club Members Enjoy a Trip to Dave and Busters

Staff rewarded Archway Creative Achievement Academy Gold Club Members with an exciting trip to Dave and Busters for their continued excellent behavior. The students enjoyed a day of video games before sitting together for a delicious lunch. It was a well-deserved break for the students, and the staff certainly looked like they enjoyed it, too! 

Unda the Cap Visits CAA for Free Haircuts

Creative Achievement Academy, an Archway Programs School, sponsored a special Free Haircut Day for students choosing to participate! Professional Stylists from the "Unda the Cap" barbershop in Vineland visited the school with shears at the ready. Students received great cuts and some interesting and unique designs! They all looked fabulous, and they appreciated their special cuts. Thank you, Unda the Cap, for your excellent service!

Merchantville Students Get Crafty With Shaving Cream

Students at Just Kids, Merchantville, enjoyed some good, clean fun when they got crafty and creative with shaving cream. We can always count on our Just Kids staff to come up with unique activities to make after-school care fun and exciting for the students.

Beeler Elementary Students Show Off Their Work!

Just Kids Beeler Elementary students proudly showed off their fabulous Easter chalk creations. We have lots of artists in the group. All the students did a great job with their artwork. They all look great! Thanks to our Just Kids staff for activities that nurture the students' creativity.

Horticulture Students Create Gnome Leprechauns

Students from the Upper and Lower Schools made Gnome Leprechauns during their horticulture lessons with Miss Lisa and Miss Terri during Horticulture class at From the Ground Up. What a perfect project for St. Patrick's Day weekend! You all did a fantastic job; the gnomes are adorable! 

Students Celebrate the Arrival of Spring

Upper and Lower School students celebrated the first full day of spring and the upcoming holiday by making and wearing bunny ears during their OT sessions. Don’t they all make the cutest little bunnies! 

Welcome to the Archway Family, Taylor 

Archway recently welcomed a new family member into the fold. Our Williamstown Group Home residents and staff would like to welcome Taylor to the Archway Family. Welcome home, and welcome to the family! We are all happy to have you here! 

AADP Participants Plants

Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) participants were busy at Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts on Thursday, tending to their collection of houseplants. The group potted and grew the plants from seed. They regularly visit the shop to trim, water, and care for them. To support the program participants and their work, visit the Blue Violet Flowers and Gift shop and look for the AADP hangtag. Your support is appreciated, and it helps us to continue providing opportunities to those in our care.

ACT Spring Fling Prom Was Clearly a Hit!

The Archway ACT (Adult Counseling and Therapy) Program held its first Spring Fling Prom in late March. Participants arrived at the program dressed to impress. Everyone received a lovely corsage or boutonniere to add to their attire, and after a delicious luncheon, they all enjoyed music and dancing. A Prom King, Johnnie, and a Prom Queen, Carissa, were chosen and crowned. It was a wonderful afternoon, and everyone seemed to enjoy the festivities and getting all gussied up. Everyone had such a great time; they plan to do it again next year!

A Bit of Kindness and a Celebration

The Archway Saturday Respite Program participants have been keeping busy and spreading joy. The group colored kindness cards for their friends and family to remind them they are appreciated. The group also placed Jimmie center stage as the star of the day with a birthday celebration! Happy Birthday, Jimmie! We hope you had a great day!

Nick Hones His Floral Design Skills

Nick from the Lower School has been busy perfecting his floral design skills while working at the flower shop during his Work Study time. He made this lovely arrangement in a festive tin container perfect for spring decoration or gift giving. You are doing a great job, Nick, and we are Archway proud of your progress! 

Making Bows With Bonnie—A Bite Size Tutorial

Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts Manager Bonnie tied up the end of March weekend with a beautiful bow tutorial. If you need a little help creating the perfect bow from ribbon, take a moment to watch as Bonnie walks you through the steps to bow perfection! Visit our Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts Facebook Page and Instagram for access to all of Bonnie's floral and gift tutorials!

Welcome to the Archway Family!

We are proud to welcome new employees to the Archway Family as our organization expands, allowing us to help more families throughout the community. Please help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of the Archway Family!

Crestwood School Takes STEM Education to New Heights with R/C Aero Club Pilot Program 

**Crestwood, Spring 2024** – This spring, the skies above Woods' Services Crestwood School will witness the maiden flights of model airplanes, marking the launch of an innovative pilot program aimed at propelling STEM education to new heights. Spearheaded by Shawn Cain and the Crestwood Administrative Team, the R/C "Aero Club" is set to provide students with an immersive experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through the fascinating world of radio-controlled aviation.

At the heart of this pioneering initiative is the desire to offer Crestwood students more than just a textbook understanding of STEM subjects. By introducing them to the hands-on thrill and technical intricacies of flying model airplanes, the program seeks to ignite a passion for discovery and innovation among young minds. Shawn Cain, who has been instrumental in developing the Aero Club, has already taken the lead by selecting, building, and learning to fly a model airplane as a demonstration of commitment and to serve as an inspiration to students.

Learning to pilot these miniature aircraft is no small feat. It transcends the mere act of taking the controls and watching the planes soar. Before each flight, students, guided by Cain and the Aero Club mentors, will delve into the principles of aerodynamics, aircraft engineering, and the physics of flight. This preparatory phase is crucial, as it equips students with a fundamental understanding of the forces at play and the engineering marvels that make flight possible.

The program's emphasis on pre-flight learning is a testament to its educational rigor. By correlating theoretical knowledge with practical application, students are expected to gain a deeper appreciation of the STEM fields and how they converge in real-world scenarios. The Aero Club is not just about flying; it's about fostering a holistic understanding of the myriad scientific principles that enable flight, from Bernoulli's principle and Newton's laws to the intricate design considerations involved in aircraft construction.

As Woods' Services Crestwood School gears up for the Aero Club's inaugural session, the excitement among students and educators is palpable. This pilot program represents a significant leap forward in STEM education, offering a dynamic and engaging platform for students to explore and excel in these crucial disciplines. With the support of the Crestwood Administrative Team, the Aero Club is poised to inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, and aviators, proving that the sky's the limit when it comes to STEM education.

If you have news or information you would like to see in the next issue of The Bridge, please contact Kelly by phone: 856.767.5757 ext. 242 or by email: kelly.jones@archwayprograms.org.