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Dear Archway Friends and Family, 

Spring is moving quickly, and before we know it, summer will be here. I want to take a moment to slow down and recognize an important group within our Archway Family. As you may know, March was Social Worker Appreciation Month. I want to express my gratitude for the incredible work our social workers do for our students and their families, not just in March, but every day of the year. You are an essential part of the Archway Family, and we could not provide the vital services we offer without your dedication and ongoing effort. Thank you for everything you do to improve the lives of those in our care! 

On April 17th, Archway held the Annual Employee Recognition Breakfast. During this event, we acknowledge employees for their years of service in 5-year increments. This year, we honored 36 employees with 5 to 45 years of service. During the event, I, too, received my 10-year certificate. I cannot believe it has been 10 years since I started Archway Programs. I am honored to be working with all of you, including our Woods System of Care colleagues. Over the past 10 years, my role has changed, but my love for what I do grows every day.

In case you haven't heard, the 2026 Run for Woods System of Care is quickly approaching on June 7, 2026. I encourage everyone who is interested in participating to join an Archway Team. As affiliates of Wood's System of Care, we want to show our support by attending in person or participating online. I will be joining the run again this year, and I hope to see you there along with the rest of the Archway Family! 

For more information about the run, please visit https://p2p.onecause.com/runforwoods. If you would like to join a team, feel free to reach out to 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 ongoing support. I truly appreciate all that you do to help us move forward and continue providing excellent services to those in our care. Your professionalism and dedication truly set us apart. 

Sincerely,   

George Richards   

President/Chief Financial Officer 

National Social Work Month

March was National Social Work Month, and a time to recognize and honor the invaluable contributions of social workers. We thank the social workers across Archway Programs for their dedication to supporting those in our care and their families. 

Thank you to the following social workers for all that you do: 

• Nicole Jones, Upper School  
• Gabrielle Mund, Upper School  
• Erika McNulty, Upper School  
• Jaimee Brown, Upper School  
• Lisa Kaufman, Upper School  
• Tapria Simmons, Cooper's Poynt  
• Kimberly Baitzel, Creative Achievement Academy
• Charlie Kate, Creative Achievement Academy  
• Yvette Onofre, Creative Achievement Academy  
• Emily Wren, Creative Achievement Academy  
• Tammy Kaminski, Lower School  
• Brianne Cristelli, Step by Step 

Annual Hands Around the Lake Autism Walk at Archway Campus

The Archway Programs family, friends, and community came together on a beautiful sunny morning at the Archway Campus to show their support during the Annual Hands Around the Lake Autism Walk.  

The proceeds from our bake sale, goodie bags, and the sale of autism awareness merchandise, some of which were created by students and staff, will directly support individuals in the Archway Programs community.  

Thank you to everyone who made the day possible, including staff, maintenance staff, family, friends, and our community!  

Read More Here

Archway Programs Celebrates Employee Excellence at Annual Recognition Breakfast

Archway Programs held its Annual Employee Recognition Breakfast today in the Upper School Career Center. George Richards, President and Chief Financial Officer, along with Shawn Gibson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, presented the following awards:  

Mike Smalley, Maintenance Supervisor, received the Leader of the Year Award.

Pam Clark, Administrative Secretary, was named Employee of the Year. 

James Ruble, I.T. Help Desk Support, also received the Employee of the Year award.

Awards were also given to employees in recognition of their dedication to Archway Programs, celebrating service milestones ranging from 5 to 45 years. 

Tom Grant, Wood’s System of Care EVP, System CFO & CIO; and Ron Kennedy, Archway Programs Board of Trustees Chairperson, were also in attendance. 

Congratulations, and thank you to all of the Archway Programs employees who were recognized and awarded for their continued service! 

Special thanks to Mark Letiziano, Upper School Principal, for hosting the event, and to Lisa Meier, Food Service Director, and the Nutri-Serve staff for providing a delicious breakfast and beautiful spread.  

For highlights and photos from the event, please visit our Facebook Page.

Archway Career Center Shares Its Success in Empowering Futures 

Susan Lafferty, Executive Director, Education, (shown center) and Ms. Kelly Willis, Universal Careers Paraprofessional, (not shown) from Archway Programs, impressed visitors from Abilities Solutions, an Affiliate of Allies, when they gave Mr. Jeff (shown left) and Ms. Lorri (shown right) a tour of the Archway Career Center. They were aware of and impressed with the life-changing work Ms. Willis has been doing with students in the Careers Program. With the program’s success in mind, they were interested in what the Careers Program is all about and decided to visit the location to see it in action.    

Since both programs offer similar services, the teams are open to new ideas and are committed to improving and diversifying the services they provide to the individuals they serve.  
Read More...

Step By Step Empowering Families: Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers

Step By Step Early Intervention provides in-home and community-based services for infants and toddlers (ages 0–3) who are showing developmental delays or early signs of autism and other disabilities. Our team partners closely with families to support communication, play skills, daily routines, and overall development during these critical early years.

Some early red flags to watch for include:

• Limited or no babbling, pointing, or gestures by 12 months
• Not responding to their name
• Limited eye contact or social engagement
• Delays in speech or understanding language
• Repetitive behaviors or limited interest in play
• Loss of previously acquired skills

We believe that parents and caregivers are a child’s most important teachers. Our providers focus on coaching families so they feel confident supporting their child’s development during everyday routines.

If there are concerns about a child’s development, families can contact the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS) for an evaluation at 1-888-653-4463.

Early support can make a meaningful difference, and we are honored to support families during this important stage of growth.

AADP Participants Celebrate 
Dr. Seuss's Birthday with Fun 'Crazy Hat Day'

Participants in our Advanced Abilities Day Program got in on the fun by celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday week with a fun “Crazy Hat Day!” We loved the addition of the Cat in the Hat bowtie and all the other creative hats! Everyone looked festive and fantastic!  

AADP Friends Enjoy a Fun-Filled Day

at Bowlero 

The Archway Advanced Abilities Day Program friends had a great time during one of their many community outings in March. The group visited Bowlero in Turnersville. The group visited Bowlero in Turnersville, where they played several games and cheered each other on. They also enjoyed a delicious lunch while they were there. 

Welcome to the Archway Family, Justin!

The Archway Programs' Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) has a new addition to the AADP Family. Welcome, Justin! We are excited to have you as the newest member of our family, and we look forward to sharing our adventures with you! 

AADP Visits All Sports Museum of South Jersey in Bridgeton, NJ 

Our Advanced Abilities Day Program friends visited the All Sports Museum of South Jersey in Bridgeton. The group enjoyed touring the museum and hearing the stories behind an impressive collection of sports memorabilia, including signed baseballs, footballs, uniforms, and even a life-size cutout of Shaquille O'Neal!   

Creative Easter Celebration: AADP Friends Enjoy Paint N Sip Party!

Friends from the Advanced Abilities Day Program (AADP) enjoyed a creative Easter Paint N Sip party. Thank you to the staff, Za'Nijah, for planning and setting up this wonderful event for our friends to enjoy. Everyone had a great time painting canvas pictures, dancing, listening to music, and enjoying frozen fruit drinks and treats. 

Advanced Abilities Day Program Enjoys Scenic Outing at Red Bank Battlefield

A group of participants from our Advanced Abilities Day Program recently enjoyed a community outing to the Red Bank Battlefield in National Park, Gloucester County. The weather was beautiful, making it a perfect day to explore the park. The group participated in an informative sightseeing tour of the park grounds and historic buildings. Later, they had a picnic lunch while taking in the scenic view of the Delaware River. 

Happy Birthday, Jacob!

Jacob, from our Atco group home, celebrated his 47th birthday with a delicious cake and good friends. Happy Birthday, Jacob! We hope you had a wonderful day! 

Happy Birthday, Thomas!

Thomas, from our North Jersey group home, celebrated his 62nd birthday in March among friends and lots of goodies! Happy Birthday, Thomas! We hope you have a spectacular day today!  

Atco Group Home Residents Celebrate with a Festive Easter Bunny Brunch

On Saturday, March 1st, the residents of our Atco group home enjoyed an Easter Bunny Brunch sponsored by the Gloucester Township Recreation Department. The roommates and friends enjoyed bagels, donuts, and juice, as well as playing games and crafts. The highlight of the day was, of course, meeting the Easter Bunny! They had a wonderful time, and the event made for an exciting Saturday adventure! 

Atco Group Home Ladies Celebrate Spring Down on the Farm

The lovely ladies from our Atco group home enjoyed a special spring celebration at Hidden Hill Farm in late March. The ladies enjoyed visiting the adorable baby goats, mini cows, and baby pigs. The ladies played with the animals and even got to hold them! They had a lovely time and truly enjoyed the weekend's adventure.

Archway Programs Group Home Residents Enjoy St. Paddy’s Day Celebration with Dinner and a Dance

On March 19th, the residents from our Atco group home attended the Camden County disABILITIES St. Paddy’s Day Dinner and Dance. They were joined by residents from our Voorhees and Medford group homes, which made the evening even more enjoyable! Everyone had a delicious dinner and had a wonderful time showing off their fancy moves on the dance floor!  

Medford Group Home Ladies Enjoy a Creative Outing at Color Me Mine!

The lovely ladies from our Medford group home enjoyed a creative community outing to Color Me Mine in Voorhees. They chose their pieces and added their own personal flair with paint. They left the session proud of their creations, and so are we! Great job, ladies! 

Atco and Medford Residents Celebrate Easter with Egg Dyeing and Festive Dinner 

The residents of our Atco and Medford group homes came together to dye Easter eggs and share an Easter dinner. Everyone had a wonderful time enjoying the day and the delicious meal. 

Atco Group Home Residents Attend disABILITIES Dance Class

On April 6th, the residents of our Atco group home attended Camden County's disABILITIES dance class. The two friends enjoyed the instruction and quickly added their own flair to the routine! The two had a fantastic time and even encouraged others with their enthusiasm on the dance floor!

Betsey's Fabulous Day Out: Enjoying Drag Brunch at Tortilla Press

Betsey, one of the lovely ladies from our Medford group home, enjoyed an exciting community outing. She attended the Real Housewives Drag Brunch at the Tortilla Press Cantina. The show was entertaining, and the brunch was delicious. Betsey enjoyed every moment of the colorful performance, and she was thrilled to pose with the performers!  

Christina's Thrilling Weekend in Atlantic City: Sports and Sightseeing!

Christina, from our Atco group home, spent an exciting weekend in Atlantic City, where she enjoyed sightseeing with Guided Tours. Her weekend also featured attending three sports events: a Phillies baseball game, a 76ers basketball game, and a Flyers hockey game. What a fantastic and thrilling weekend! 

Dr. Seuss Spirit Week Celebrates Creativity with a Book Fair and Fun Themed Days! 

Upper School Celebrated Dr. Seuss Week with a week-long book fair and a Spirit Week celebration. Students and staff kicked off Dr. Seuss Spirit Week by celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday with "Wear Silly Socks Day," where everyone donned their favorite silly or mismatched socks. This festive day also marked the opening of the book fair, which ran until March 6th. On March 3rd, participants embraced "Wear a Hat Day," showing off their favorite hats and adding a playful touch of sports-team rivalry. The creativity continued on March 4th with "Wacky Shirt Day," where many wore their shirts in fun and unusual ways, including shirts backward and mismatched outfits. On March 5th, students celebrated by wearing green, and on March 6th, they wrapped up the week with “Wear Your Water Gear” day, donning water goggles, swim trunks, and beach towels. 

Upper School Shares Inspiring March Bulletin Boards 

Students and staff from the Upper School showcased their creativity in March with an impressive selection of bulletin boards. The themes included Women’s History Month, St. Patrick’s Day, March Madness, and Dr. Seuss! Everyone did a fantastic job, and we shared their creations on our Facebook page here: Upper School Bulletin Boards.

Upper School Celebrates Dr. Seuss's Birthday with Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast

Upper School students enjoyed a delicious Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast. The Seuss-inspired feast consisted of scrambled eggs (green or original yellow), steaming hot pancakes with syrup, crisp turkey bacon, and a sweet fruit cup. The annual breakfast tradition celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday and the start of Read Across America.  

Thank you to the Nutri-Serve staff for their lovely spread of breakfast goodness, and our social worker servers for all you do daily to improve the lives of our students. 

Upper School Students Celebrate Good Behavior with Shamrock Shakes

Upper School students earning Blue Card and above status celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day with a reminder that good behavior has its rewards! They enjoyed delicious McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes as a tasty way to celebrate maintaining their good behavior. 

Upper School Celebrates Platinum Students with Video Game Event!

Archway Programs' Upper School hosted an exciting video game event today. Once again, they invited GameTruck to the school to bring an incredible video game experience to Platinum Students. The special reward showcased one of the many benefits of maintaining good behavior and is a favorite reward among the students. The reward is made possible due to students' exceptional work and behavior!  

Upper School Students Celebrate Spring with Fun-Filled Easter Egg Hunt!

Upper School elementary students enjoyed beautiful weather during their Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 1st. The students searched the gardens and sports field to fill their goody bags and buckets with colorful eggs filled with treats. They raced to be the first to find the Golden Eggs among the brightly colored pastel eggs, which held an extra special surprise! 

Upper School Students Celebrate Good Behavior with Rita's Water Ice 

On April 24th, students from the Upper School who held Blue Cards and above enjoyed the rewards of their good behavior with a delicious treat from Rita's Water Ice! Staff called students down to the game room to choose from a selection of delicious water ice flavors, including Swedish Fish, Cherry, Mango, and Blue Raspberry. It was a tasty reward for their excellent behavior!  

Celebrating Dr. Seuss Spirit Week with Fun and Festivities! 

During Dr. Seuss Spirit Week at the Lower School, students and staff celebrated with a variety of themed days. Kicking off the festivities was "The Cat in the Hat Day," where participants wore Cat in the Hat-style hats or red, white, and blue attire. Tuesday was "Fox in Socks Day," where everyone showcased their favorite colorful socks in honor of Read Across America Week. Midweek brought "Wacky Wednesday," encouraging mismatched clothing, with students showing off creative color and print combinations. On Day 4, "Green Eggs and Ham Day," everyone wore green and enjoyed Dr. Seuss-themed activities. The week concluded with "The Sleep Book Day," allowing everyone to relax in cozy pajamas while enjoying a movie and popcorn. It was a perfect way to unwind before heading home for the weekend. 

Mr. Henry Claims Victory Again in the Annual Pi Day Pie Eating Contest! 

Lower School students and staff celebrated Pi Day with their Annual Pie Eating Contest. Everyone gathered to watch the tasty battle to see if Mr. Henry could retain his title as champion.  

The contestants were Mr. Henry, reigning champion. Mr. Tyreek, Miss Debbie, Miss Lori, and Mr. Zac. Miss Sam timed the event, which lasted three minutes and fourteen seconds, and then the contestants, hands behind their backs, dove into their pies face-first! The students and staff watching the competition raised signs and cheered for their favorite contestant!  

It was no contest; Mr. Henry, the reigning champion, emerged victorious with a pie-covered face and a pie-eatin' grin! 

Lower School Students and Staff "Taste the Rainbow" 

In celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, the Lower School students and staff made their own rainbow in hopes of reaching the pot of gold at the end. After making the colorful rainbow, they summoned a feisty leprechaun to help them along their way. While he didn't have any gold, he did have a pot of Skittles! So, Mr. John, Lower School Principal and resident leprechaun, handed them out to students, and everyone was able to "taste the rainbow!" He also went out during dismissal and shared some of the tasty treats with the bus drivers! What a great leprechaun! 

A.L.L. Students Host Delicious Ice Cream Social for Lower School

Adult Life Learners (A.L.L.), 18–21-year-old students, hosted an ice cream social for Lower School students and staff. The A.L.L. students decorated the gym, packaged craft kits for the Creation Station, took orders, prepped cookies, waffles, and toppings, and served staff and students with a smile. The event provided the A.L.L. students an opportunity to practice their vocational skills, including planning, prepping, serving, decorating, and cleaning up. It also provided an opportunity for all of our Lower School students to develop peer interactions, choice-making, and communication skills. 
Everyone is already looking forward to the next one!

Students from Ms. Jaimie's Class Visit Their Adopted Cow at Myerwood Farm

Students and staff from Ms. Jaimie's Lower School Room 13 visited their adopted cow, Cora, at Myerwood Farm in Pilesgrove. They have been following Cora since her birth and learning about the life of dairy cows and their role in providing milk to communities.  

They enjoyed a wagon tour around the farm, where they saw the cows' living areas, where they care for the calves, and observed where they treat sick cows. They discovered that cows are milked every day and received a lesson on the milking process. The experience was unique for the students and filled with lots of laughter and fun for everyone.  

Students from Room 15 Join Mr. Brandon for a Campus Cleanup

Mr. Brandon and a group of students from Lower School Room 15 took advantage of the lovely weather by heading outside to clean up around the Archway Campus. They enjoyed the fresh air and got some exercise while working on the cleanup. They did a great job, and we appreciate their help in keeping our campus beautiful!

Archway Lower School Celebrates Annual Prom with Dancing, Fun, and Friendship!

On April 2nd, Archway Lower School students and staff had a wonderful time at their Annual Prom held at Brigalias in Sicklerville. Students arrived excited to dance and enjoy the celebration, and everyone looked fantastic as they gathered on the dance floor, ready to show off their moves!  

View the Lower School 2026 Album here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1399495048888434&type=3 

Easter Bunny Hops into Lower School and Early Learning for a Day of Fun!

Students and staff from the Lower School and Early Learning enjoyed a visit from a special long-eared guest on Friday, April 3rd. The Easter Bunny took some time from his busy schedule to hop over to visit everyone, leaving behind Easter eggs filled with fun stickers. Everyone enjoyed his visit, sharing hugs and taking photos with him. 

Lower School's Logan to Throw First Pitch at Phillies Game!

On Monday, April 28th, Logan from the Lower School threw the first pitch at the Phillies game! Mr. Brandon and Logan practiced daily to perfect his pitch and prepare his arm for the big event. To show their support, Lower School students, staff, and Logan's family gathered for a special afternoon pep rally in his honor. We are all so excited that you had such a wonderful experience, Logan! You did a great job, and we are Archway Proud of you!

Creative Achievement Academy Celebrates with a Green-Themed Gathering

On Tuesday, March 17th, Creative Achievement Academy students and staff gathered in their green attire to enjoy snacks and drinks! Staff served green cupcakes and cookies, along with fresh lemonade. The celebration took place during behavior mod, so all students and staff could join in on the fun. 

Cooper’s Poynt Students Venture Outdoors for Interactive Compass Learning!

Students and staff from Cooper’s Poynt took their science lesson outside for an interactive learning experience. Everyone carried a compass to learn how they function to indicate direction. It was a fun and engaging experience, and the students enjoyed learning how to read and use a compass. 

Cooper's Poynt Students Get Creative Designing Colorful Easter Eggs!

Cooper's Poynt Room 107 got creative with food coloring, baggies, and their imaginations as they designed and dyed Easter eggs today. Their bold and interesting colors look fantastic! Great job, everyone! 

Cooper’s Poynt Students Get Creative with Easter Peeps!

Students at Cooper’s Poynt participated in a fun and tasty activity. They adopted Marshmallow Peeps! They were tasked with describing the qualities of their chosen adoptive Peeps. Each student selected a Peep and described not only its physical appearance, but they also created a background story for it! The activity ended with an Easter bucket filled with goodies, including Peeps, making it both enjoyable and delicious. 

Promoting Autism Awareness and Acceptance in Room 106

On April 14th, Ms. Tapria, Cooper’s Poynt Social Worker, worked with Room 106 to talk about Autism Awareness and Acceptance. She discussed making good choices, recognizing that not everyone is the same or thinks the same way, and that those differences can bring something unique and exciting to the classroom.  

It's important to remember that autism can manifest differently in each person. No two people on the spectrum look or behave the same way. What can you do? Learn more about autism. Be patient, be kind, and be a friend. 

Cooper's Poynt Students Celebrate Success at Franklin Institute Field Trip!

In late April, the Cooper's Poynt staff rewarded Blue and Gold level students with an exciting field trip to the Franklin Institute. The students and staff enjoyed the interactive exhibits and colorful displays. It was, by all accounts, an exciting day filled with interactive science lessons cleverly disguised as fun. 

Congratulations to all the students earning blue and gold status! We are Archway Proud of all of you! 

Just Kids Celebrates March With Creativity and Fun! 

In March, Just Kids programs at various elementary schools engaged students in a variety of fun and creative activities. Beeler Elementary kicked off the month by making Jaggard pen pals and enjoying some lively pie face games. They also celebrated the start of the Just Kids Olympics and held a medal ceremony to recognize the participants’ efforts. Meanwhile, Jaggard Just Kids got into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit by crafting paper chain rainbows, decorating a festive board, and making leprechaun traps. They even enjoyed some Olympic trivia where Team Super Kids emerged victorious!  

March 17 brought an exciting visit from the Leprechaun at Jaggard, while Beeler Elementary created a variety of clover crafts to celebrate the holiday. As spring approached, students at both schools made spring chalk art and participated in various Easter-themed activities. For instance, Jaggard’s older kids decorated Easter eggs and eagerly took part in a fun Easter egg hunt on March 31. Additionally, Dr. Albert M. Bean Elementary School hosted a “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” contest and enjoyed Crazy Hat Day, along with exciting experiments like the Bouncy Egg, keeping the children engaged and curious throughout the month. 

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!

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.