2009-2010 Calendar

News

Giving Back!
Over the past few months, the students at the Rock Brook School have been discussing an important pillar of character education which is caring. They talk about sharing, compassion, caring for others, and ways to show we care.

Additionally, Mary Hayes, our school counselor, worked with all the students to help them understand the difference between wants and needs. As part of this lesson, all the students were asked to bring in an item of food. All the food was boxed and delivered to a local food pantry by the students in Class 7. The donations were divided between Hillsborough and Montgomery families in need.



Not only did we have a food drive as a whole school, but all the classes participated in different activities to show they cared. Classroom 3 ran a collection for Project SAVE in Princeton and collected animal food, paper towels, and other items SAVE was in need of.

Classes 2 and 5 have been participating in peer mentoring where the students work together to model play skills and social interactions. One example included a peer mentoring holiday party where the students had to select a gift to wrap and then give it to another student. The students also had to practice making requests to their peers.

Class 6 held a Bake Sale in December to raise money for Operation Shoebox. One of the aspects of this organization is that they collect items frequently requested by U.S. soldiers and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Class 6 used the proceeds from their Bake Sale to buy some of the soldiers requested items. On 1/22/09, Class 6 went on a class trip to Shoprite and each group of students had a list of items to buy.

The Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools (MSCES) awarded Rock Brook School accreditation in November 2008.

MSCES accreditation signifies the educational community of Rock Brook School has engaged in a rigorous process of developing self-knowledge; has hosted an evaluation team of independently-appointed educators; and has created an on-going Strategic Plan to move school improvement forward. This twelve month process was governed by a steering committee, chaired by Joan Fenster, Educational Supervisor and Director, Mary Caterson. This process involved many elements of the Rock Brook School community, including faculty, parents and students.

Accreditation also signifies that Rock Brook School has met the MSCES Standards for a quality school. These standards reflect current research and best practices from throughout the education profession. During the term of accreditation the school community will engage in a Commission-directed series of reports and/or site visits to maintain the vigor of the accreditation process.