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Dear Archway Friends and Family, 

I want to share some milestones and highlights from our recent activities that reflect the impressive work we do every day in the Archway Programs community.   

I am particularly impressed and proud of the Advanced Abilities Day Program's community outreach project, the Cereal Box Collection, which successfully gathered over 100 boxes of cereal to donate to a local food pantry. It is heartening to see such enthusiasm and commitment towards helping those in need. Projects like this not only address essential needs but also promote a sense of community and encourage our participants to give back.  

Additionally, I can hardly believe that we have already reached and surpassed the first 100 Days of School! Time seems to fly, and it’s wonderful to see the progress and changes our students are making as they continue throughout the school year.   

Though I was unable to attend the Upper School’s Black History Month Presentation, I saw the pictures from the event on Facebook and heard wonderful things about the students’ work. The level of research required for such in-depth presentations is notable. From the photos, it was clear that their creativity in assembling displays and their commitment to their subjects shone through during the presentations. I am proud of all the students for their hard work and dedication to their projects. 

Just a reminder, the 2026 Run for Woods registration is open. If you are planning to participate, you can sign up at www.runforwoods.org. I will see you there! 

Thank you for your ongoing support of our programs and your commitment to those we serve. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of so many people, and I am proud of the progress we have made and continue to make every day.  

Sincerely,   

George Richards   

President/Chief Financial Officer 

Archway AADP Donates Cereal to Local Food Pantry, Celebrates with Creative Cereal Box Dominos!

Participants and staff of the Archway Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) collected boxes of cereal to donate to a local food pantry. On February 4th, before heading to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift and Food Pantry in Berlin, the group celebrated their efforts with Cereal Box Dominos, using the 110 boxes of cereal collected.  

The group has been collecting boxes of cereal throughout January as part of a community outreach project. Their hard work netted a much-needed donation to help local families put food on their tables. You all did a great job, and we are Archway Proud of all of you!   

The group plans to coordinate multiple food drives throughout the year. Stay tuned if you are interested in participating in the project by donating and helping the group succeed!   

Advanced Abilities Day Program Welcomes Jeanne to the Family

In mid-February, friends from the Advanced Abilities Day Program welcomed a new friend, Jeanne, to the AADP family! Since joining the AADP Family, Jeanne has been enjoying lots of adventures with her new friends! Welcome to the family, Jeanne! 

Christina Celebrates her 39th Birthday With Roommates and Staff

On February 2nd, we celebrated the 39th birthday of the lovely Christina, from our Voorhees group home. Staff and roommates celebrated the special day with gifts and a delicious Oreo Cookie cake! Happy Birthday, Christina! It looks like you had a wonderful birthday! 

Atco Ladies Enjoy a Day of Pampering

The lovely ladies from our Atco group home took advantage of a day off from their day program to enjoy a girls' day of pampering. The day included manicures for both ladies, and they both enjoyed relaxing and bonding over their shared beauty routine. They look fabulous, ladies! 

Archway Owls Pep Rally:

A Fun-Filled Celebration of Archway Team Spirit!

On Tuesday, February 10th, school counselors distributed tasty hot dogs to students as they entered the Upper School gym. The atmosphere was festive as Ms. Julie, the music therapist, and the Archway cheerleaders entertained the crowd and helped build excitement during a pep rally celebrating the Archway Owls basketball team. 

Mr. Fishman once again served as the emcee, while Archie the Owl, the team mascot, entertained the audience with his antics. Coach Branson announced the names and statistics of each Junior and Varsity team member as they entered the gym.  

The team showcased their on-court talents through various drills, and the event reached a fever pitch when team members faced off against the staff in an exciting free-throw competition, leading into a dance off between Ms. Shelby and Mr. Kenneth, with the latter winning and taking home the prize! Everyone had a fantastic time!  

Upper School Celebrates Valentine's Day with a Festive Dance!

The Upper School staff and counselors transformed the all-purpose room into a festive setting complete with hearts, balloons, and colorful centerpieces. The lively atmosphere was enhanced by Ms. Julie, the Music Therapist, who served as the DJ for the Valentine's Day celebration, held for students with Blue Cards and above. Special thanks to Ms. Shelby for adding a fun touch by wearing Cupid wings and posing for photos! 

A big thank you to the Nutri-Serve staff for their creative and festive table settings and delicious cupcakes! Your hard work truly made the event special. 

Congratulations to the Blue Card holders for earning this wonderful reward once again! We hope you enjoyed the dance! 

Upper School Celebrates 100 Days with Centenarian Costume Fun!

Both students and staff celebrated 100 Days of School at the Upper School by dressing up as centenarians, complete with grey hair, glasses, and mobility appliances. Everyone looked adorable as they showed off their creative interpretations of what it means to be 100 years old! 

Upper School Students Showcase African American Contributions Through Interactive Displays and Cuisine 

In celebration of Black History Month, Upper School students and staff created interactive displays highlighting the significant contributions of African Americans. Subjects included Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, entertainers like Denzel Washington, musicians Sam Cooke and Kendrick Lamar, and talk show host Oprah Winfrey.  

The colorful, creative displays encouraged classmates to ask questions and learn more from well-prepared presenters. After exploring the displays, students and staff sampled dishes from African American cuisine, such as collard greens, sweet potatoes, and fried chicken.  

The event engaged all the senses, using music, interactive displays, and food to celebrate the rich history and achievements of African Americans. Read More…

Lower School Celebrates Groundhog Day with Predictions for Spring 

In celebration of Groundhog Day at the Lower School, students and staff predicted whether Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow. While everyone, including Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter, we remain hopeful that our furry friend was wrong and that spring weather is just around the corner.  

Lower School Celebrates Valentine's Day with Festive Party and Fun Activities!

Lower School celebrated Valentine's Day with a festive party in the all-purpose room. Students enjoyed music, thanks to Ms. Katie, the music therapist, holiday-themed projects, and tasty snacks. They enjoyed taking a turn playing Cupid while playing Cupid's Arrow, and everyone loved pasting sticker kisses on everyone in the Kissing Booth, where they received chocolate kisses in return. Students and a few staff members enjoyed face painting and tattoos, and, of course, everyone had fun dancing and socializing with their classmates.

Lower School Students Celebrate 100 Days with Fun Activities and Creative Posters!

Lower School students celebrated 100 Days of School with activities throughout the day. One special activity was a scavenger hunt for 100 pictures of Mr. John, Lower School Principal, highlighting “100 Days with a Principal Who Gives 100%!” 

In addition, students also designed creative posters for the 100th Day of School celebration. Everyone did a wonderful job, and the posters decorating the halls were fabulous! 

Lower School Celebrates Olympic Spirit Week with Creative Themed Days! 

During Olympic Spirit Week, Lower School students and staff showcased their enthusiasm and support for our Olympians in a series of themed days. On Day 1, everyone dressed in athletic wear, while on Day 2, participants wore red, white, and blue to celebrate our athletes. For Teammate Day on Day 3, pairs of friends dressed as twins, with Mr. John and Ms. Kristen impressively donning matching flannel and khaki outfits. Their creativity earned high marks for originality and execution. Finally, on Day 4, students and staff embraced the Olympic Spirit by wearing the vibrant colors of the Olympic rings. 

Creative Achievement Academy Students Enjoy Free Dental Day at Tenbrook Orthodontist!

Creative Achievement Academy students took part in a free dental day at Tenbrook Orthodontist on Friday, February 6th. Some students got FREE dental exams, X-rays, and even fillings!  

Thank you so much, Tenbrook Orthodontist, for hosting this and letting our students take part in the event. 

Platinum Card Students Celebrate Success with Lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse!

On February 9th, Creative Achievement Academy students who earned platinum card status enjoyed a delicious lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse as a reward for continued good behavior. Great job, everyone! We hope you enjoyed your tasty reward!  

Cooper's Poynt Students Celebrate 100th Day of School with Creative Challenges! 

Cooper’s Poynt students celebrated the 100th Day of School with a series of engaging activities. One highlight was the 100 Bead Challenge, where students counted out beads in increments of five, using fun “super mushrooms” as markers to make the counting more exciting and relatable to their favorite video games.  

They also participated in another special 100 Day Celebration activity by building towers with 100 cups, allowing their imaginations to run wild. This fun activity not only encouraged creativity but also focused on patience and skill, as students enjoyed the process of building and then tipping their creations over to start again. It was a week filled with learning and joy! 

Cooper’s Poynt Students are Rewarded With a Roller Rink Field Trip!

Cooper’s Poynt Blue/Gold level students enjoyed one of the many benefits of maintaining good behavior. The group enjoyed a field trip to their favorite roller rink/arcade. As if we needed proof of their excellent character, it was evident as staff watched the older students guide the younger students safely around the rink. We are so proud not only of their continued Blue/Gold status, but also of how they jumped in to help without being asked.  

Great job, everyone! We are Archway Proud of all of you!   

Archway Early Learning Celebrates 100th Day of School with Themed Activities

The students and staff at Archway Early Learning celebrated the 100th day of school with exciting, themed activities and wore shirts and paper hats to mark the special occasion. Of course, a couple of staff members decided to speed up their own time clocks and head for housecoats, eyeglass chains, and hair rollers! Overall, it was a fun day that marked an important milestone in the school year. 

Archway Early Learning Celebrates Teammate Day by Twinning!

Students and staff at Archway Early Learning (AEL) celebrated Teammate Day during Winter Olympic Spirit Week yesterday. Participants were required to dress alike with their class teammates. Some wore the same hats, while others took the quest seriously and matched their entire outfits! All of them were twinning winners, and all the AEL teammates looked fantastic!  

February Fun: Just Kids Celebrate with Crafts, Parties, and Special Events! 

In early February, Just Kids at Jaggard had a fun afternoon on the 5th with coloring, Play-Doh, board games, and more. On the 6th, Jaggard and Beeler hosted Super Bowl parties with themed cookies and crafts. Valentine's Day activities on February 9th included dot-painting by younger kids at Jaggard and heart card-making at Beeler. Older kids at Jaggard created gift bags for their Beeler buddies on the 10th, and both schools made Valentine's Day snails on the 11th.

February 12th was a bittersweet farewell to Mrs. Lori at Beeler. On the 18th, Just Kids crafted St. Patrick's Day wands and celebrated the 100th day of school, with students dressing in creative costumes. Beeler prepared for the Just Kids Olympic Games on the 26th, and Jaggard concluded the month with a donut day on the 27th to celebrate students' good listening. 

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!

Join Us for the 2026 Run for Woods System of Care!

You can run, roll, or walk your way to a day filled with fun and fitness, all while making a difference in the lives of many. 

Sign up today at www.runforwoods.org and help us make a positive impact while enjoying a fantastic day of fitness!

Paid Internship Opportunity for Local High School Students with Disabilities

Abilities of Northwest Jersey Inc. is seeking local high school students with disabilities to participate in a paid internship program with local businesses. Each internship pays $18 per hour for 150 hours ($2,700 total).

To be eligible for the program, which is made possible by a grant from the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), students must be between the ages of 14-21 and live in Warren, northern Hunterdon, southern Sussex, and western Morris Counties. Students must be eligible for DVRS services and be committed to working on-site a minimum of 10 hours per week.

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.