October was a busy month here at Archway! In the past months, I have been overwhelmed with pride by teachers and staff members who have gone above and beyond for our students and consumers. They planned and implemented various activities designed to socialize students and consumers returning to school and group activities. I am pleased to say they have succeeded, and our students and consumers are flourishing under their care. I want to extend a sincere thank you to every member of our dedicated staff.

Another example of the dedication of our staff is the upcoming third anniversary of what started as Social Innovations Lab. Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts came to fruition after much planning and hard work. A successful endeavor on many fronts, the shop was made possible due in part to a grant from the Woods Services' Foundation with Archway Programs providing the additional capital required. Karen Todd, I.T. Director; Kim Zweier, Accounting Manager; and Kris Henle-Blank, Shop Manager; took the lead on the project by securing the space, licensing, set-up, floral stock, staff, and more. Sadly, a long-time friend and dedicated Archway employee, Kris, passed unexpectantly on November 28, 2020. She would be proud the project she put so much love and energy into was so successful.

The plan was to provide job training and support services for our students and consumers in a controlled environment with support personnel on-site. They would work as student employees to gain job experience, responsibility, and confidence, with the long-term goal of integrating the students into paid positions. We are excited to say the program does just that and has exceeded our expectations! Not only do we have a working small business, but we are also part of the community, and we are gainfully employing clients.

The mornings are reserved for students from the Lower School, while students from the Upper School work afternoons. The shop staff works in tandem with the school to ensure the best results for both the students and the shop regarding scheduling.

Currently, the shop is partnering with Sinfully Sweet, a local business close to the shop, to offer a combination package that offers candy from their shop along with a floral arrangement from Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts. We will be promoting the special through the holidays.

In closing, I want to reiterate the pride I feel working with a company dedicated to the safety and support of those in their care. It is inspiring to work with people that genuinely love the work they do.

Sincerely,

The Archway building at 250 Jackson Road may look the same on the outside, but on the inside, the building has a new look and a whole new purpose. Thursday, a group of its first visitors and intended participants, Archway School students, took a building tour a week before its proposed opening.

Over the past few weeks, crews cleared out, redesigned, and added equipment to the new career center. They transformed the front room into a board room, and they also redesigned a room in the back into a laundry area complete with a clothes steamer, sorting shelves, and hangers. A grocery store emerged just down the hall; they packed the store shelves with groceries and stocked the freezer. They installed a conveyor belt and a working cash register. The center offers students a computer room, and the downstairs has tables, chairs, a collection of books and games, and an instruction area.

The building and project, aptly named The Career Center, was the creative vision of Kelly Willis, a Paraprofessional at Archway Lower School. Her goal is to provide an alternative learning experience for students that will give them the confidence and skills necessary when entering the workforce.

The center will teach career skills and foster critical thinking and decision-making by urging students to participate in discussions about the program.

We want to thank our dedicated maintenance department: Mike Smalley, Maintenance Supervisor; Paul Mulcahy, Maintenance; Mark Ramos, Maintenance; Ron Kirby, Maintenance; and Scott Peggs, Maintenance. Their hard work and creative carpentry made the Career Center a reality. You are all the best, and we can’t thank you enough for your contributions to the project.

There was magic in the air at the Upper School and the Lower School on Thursday! Magician Ken Northridge of Dove Tail Presentations brought smiles to the faces of students and staff alike as he performed his magic show. Students participated in the excitement as Ken called on them to assist in the act.

Ken encouraged students to watch out for each other and be kind to one another while entertaining them with sleight of hand and fun props, including a bird and a bunny. The performance was both instructive and exciting for everyone!

It was students versus staff at the Upper School field on Thursday, October 14th. Four games ended in a tie, with the tiebreaking fifth game ending with the students victorious! Congratulations, team #Archwaystudents! Great set of games, teams, and a perfect demonstration of fair play and respect from all players!

Lucas Waldberger, Music Therapist; Mike Smalley, Maintenance Supervisor; Ed Tate, Business Development; Scott Peggs, Maintenance; John Petsch, Principal of the Lower School; Susan Lafferty, Executive Director of Education; James Ruble, I.T.; Karen Todd, I.T. Director

Archway held its 2021 Cancer Walk this past Wednesday, October 20th. It was a beautiful fall day; the leaves were shades of red, gold, and orange. The sky was clear, the air crisp and cool, and attendance was nothing short of inspiring! It was a day to show our support of friends and family, neighbors and coworkers, and anyone we care for who has been affected by cancer.

Students from the Upper School, the Lower School, Cooper’s Poynt, participants from all our Archway Programs, as well as family members and friends, were in attendance.

John Petsch, Principal of the Lower School, gave a short speech reminding us of the walk's purpose before giving the green light to start. Mark Letiziano, Principal of the Upper School, walked side by side with participants encouraging them along the way. George Richards, Archway CEO/CFO, and Susan Lafferty, Executive Director of Education, both took part in the festivities, showing their support.

Staff and volunteers worked at the snack tables offering treats and refreshments to participants, and we were honored and thankful to have members of the Waterford Township Police Department on campus. Patrolmen Derek Naylor and K9 Officer Dan McGuckin, along with Nico, watched over the event from start to finish. Thank you, officers! We appreciate your time and service.

Kira Nasir is a former youth dancer and member of the Powhatan-Renape Nation. The tribe held powwows twice a year (on their reservation in Rancocas) to share the Native American history and culture with the local schools and community members. Unfortunately, the tribe lost the lease to the land in 2011. Since then, when called upon, various tribal members will do what they can to continue to inform non-tribal members of the South Jersey community.

Kira, being a former teacher, gave us an informative, engaging presentation. Kira shared the importance of Indigenous People's Day, discussed Powhatan history & invited the audience to participate in traditions such as smudging (washing one's self with the smoke of the burning sage to clear negative energy) and The Round Dance. Kira also taught volunteers that the traditional Round Dance was also known as the Friendship Dance.

Friday, October 22nd, the Lower School celebrated the season with a Fall Festival! What a wonderful day to get out and enjoy outdoor fun with friends. Music filled the air as students danced and took part in various activities. Pig races, pumpkin throwing, crafts, and temporary tattoos were just a few of the fun activities students enjoyed. As a special treat, they enjoyed fresh apple cider donuts and the most delicious s’mores! It was an enjoyable day for everyone, and we could not have asked for better weather!

Across Archway, Halloween celebrations were everywhere! We captured many moments on camera, including festivals, parties, dances, and trick or treating in school hallways. We captured so many photos that we compiled them all in one place, our Fall Celebrations Photo Gallery.

The Lower School celebrated Halloween by Trick or Treating on Friday. The staff did a fantastic job decorating the gym for the event, and they joined in the fun by dressing in costume. Special services created a set with a live scarecrow to entertain the students as they passed out their goodies!

The Upper School enjoyed dressing up and trick or treating the hallways as part of their fall celebration. Teachers and staff were also decked out in costumes and filled student bags with goodies as they paraded by. After filling their bags and buckets with treats and visiting the Career Center turned evil workshop, students enjoyed a Halloween dance complete with music and refreshments.

Cooper’s Poynt enjoyed a day filled with Halloween fun. Students had a fantastic time hollowing out pumpkins in preparation for drawing and carving out eyes, noses, and jack-o-Lantern grins. They played games in the classroom, and they even mummy wrapped other students and their teacher!

The ACT Program celebrated its Halloween party this past Friday. Everyone enjoyed spending time together, and the party might have had a little dancing involved. The costumes were creative, exciting, and award-winning! Jim, dressed as a superhero, won the Most Creative Costume. Daniel, dressed as Michael Jackson, won The Best Dressed costume. Everyone enjoyed the festivities, and they were excited to share their creative costumes.

Our group homes took part in the fun by getting dressed in their costumes. The ladies from our Piney Hollow, Freehold, and Medford locations are all ready for Halloween! You look fabulous, ladies! No tricks, only treats for this group of lovely ladies!

Be the guest every host wants at their table with a Blue Violet Flowers and Gifts Harvest Bundle. The shop is partnering with Sinfully Sweets, a local business and neighbor, to create a delight for your senses.

Choose from one of our specially designed holiday floral arrangements just bursting with color and pair it with a box of Sinfully Sweets *chocolate goodness. The combination will delight your host, guaranteeing you a recurring seat at their table.

*Candy/Cookie box contains nuts.

Would you like a job that makes a difference in the lives of others and your community? Do you want a job you can feel good about doing? Archway Programs might have the perfect job for you! We are currently hiring across many of our programs, and we have part-time and full-time positions available right now!

Archway offers competitive wages, flexible hours, and access to a 401k plan.

Visit our Careers page to view all the current openings. Your perfect job might be waiting for you!

Support Archway when you shop Amazon during the upcoming holiday season. Shop at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-2401037 and Amazon Smile! If you’re not sure how to use Amazon Smile go to Smile.Amazon.com, log in to your account and select ‘Archway Programs, Inc. For every purchase you make, Archway will receive a percentage at no cost to you.

When using the Amazon app on your mobile phone, open the Amazon app on the main menu, tap on settings, select AmazonSmile, then choose or type in Archway Programs Inc. Follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile.

A reminder that any COVID-19 related program updates can be found on our website at www.archwayprograms.org/covid19. This page will be updated frequently and will include our organization wide Re-Opening Plan, in addition to helpful resources for families served throughout Archway.

www.ArchwayPrograms.org | 856.767.5757 | communications@archwayprograms.org