Hopewell Headlines
School News
Mission Statement
Hopewell and Bridgepoint Academies will integrate and provide transitional, academic, and therapeutic services to special needs students in a safe, nurturing, and predictable environment to ensure the positive, long-term growth of the students' academic and emotional lives.
Important Dates
February 12th
No School
February 16th-19th
No School
March 4th
No School
March 15th
No School
March 19th-20th
PSAT and SAT Testing
March 25th-April 1st
No School
Joliet Public Library
Hopewell students visited the Joliet Public Library. Beyond the shelves lined with books, the library offers modern resources in the Digital Media Studio. Our students had the opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies and creative tools that are shaping the future. From 3D printing to audio rooms, digitizing to drawing tables, photography to green screens, and even t-shirt printing. The library also provides hands-on experiences in video editing, web design, and video production.
Science Class: Oreo Cell Lab
Students created a model for each stage of mitosis using Oreos and sprinkles. The cream filling represented the cytoplasm of the cell. They created the structures inside the cell that play
a role in the cell cycle. Using the sprinkles students created the structures inside the cell that play a role in mitosis by using one color of candy to represent the chromosome pairs and other colors of sprinkles to represent the spindle fibers, centrioles, and nuclear membrane. Toothpicks were used to remove or divide the cytoplasm or to move around the sprinkles.
Mexico Greece Germany
Ukraine Finland France
Fermentation Lab
Students learned about fermentation in a balloon lab. They put warm water, sugar, and yeast in a balloon and it expanded because of the chemical reaction. The yeast digests the sugar and creates a gas as a waste product. This gas is called carbon dioxide (CO2) - it’s the same gas that is responsible for the fizzy bubbles in your lemonade. Since the gas carbon dioxide takes up more space in the bottle than the solid sugar, the balloon expands.
Coping Strategies for Students and Families
Life's challenges can be overwhelming, but with the right coping strategies, you can navigate through them with resilience. Here are 100 coping strategies to utilize when life becomes difficult. Tailor them to suit your family's preferences and needs, and don't hesitate to revisit and adjust as necessary. Consistency and open communication will play key roles in making these coping strategies effective for you and your family.
Transferable Skills
Through light construction projects students are gaining transferable skills that will serve them at home and potentially in future workplaces. They are learning about craftsmanship, measurement techniques, problem-solving skills, teamwork and attention to detail. Whether they're working on a home improvement project or exploring potential career paths, the lessons learned in our Training Center are laying the groundwork for a lifetime of success.
Unlocking Nature's Palette: Exploring the Science of Fall Foliage
In a recent lab experiment, students learned about dominating color pigments in leaves and discovered Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color and is so dominant it hides the other colors in the leaves. But in the fall, chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down allowing the other colors to finally shine through and show their beautiful reds, yellows, and oranges.
David & Alfred Smart Museum of Art
Transition students visited the Smart Museum of Art. a fine arts museum at the university of Chicago. The museum had hands-on exhibits that introduced new perspectives and engaged diverse communities.
Pumpkin Painting and Fall Fun
Buying a Car
In a recent lesson focused on buying a car, students actively engaged with key elements that increased their understanding of personal finance. Throughout the lesson, students explored and researched crucial aspects such as:
Purchase Price
Title and Registration Fees
Interest Rates and Loan Terms
Tax Considerations
Maintenance and Repairs
Gas Expenses
Renewal Fees
They concluded the lesson by visiting a car dealership and speaking to salesmen in regard to pricing and finance.
Independent Living Skills
From navigating the aisles of a grocery store to mastering the art of laundry, and from home maintenance to budgeting, our students are acquiring the skills necessary for a successful transition into independent adulthood.