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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.

Mr. Landfair's class hosted September's PBIS pillar presentation on conflict resolution. Students were presented with scenarios where there was conflict and had to determine the best way to resolve each situation. The presentation ended with the class transforming the game show America Says into their own unique game Students Says.

In Mr. Parson's cooking class, students are gaining valuable culinary skills and learning to cook independently. They're not just following recipes, but rather, they're learning to plan meals, prepare ingredients, adjust portion size, and understand cooking times. This quarter they have created a wide array of dishes including; juicy burgers, various egg dishes, homemade pizza, and pies.

All public high school students in Illinois are required to complete the FAFSA application or sign the non-participation waiver to graduate. Below are the links for any senior who is graduating this year. Please choose an option and notify Hopewell when the FAFSA has been completed or return the non-participation waiver to alenz@hopewellschools.com.

Hopewell students had a hands-on learning experience in Ms. Berard's science class. Equipped with microscopes, they delved into the world of plants and animals, exploring different parts to observe the cellular structures. In addition, they had the opportunity to get creative by crafting edible cell models, both animal and plant, in the form of cookies. Each cookie was transformed into a representation of cell structures using frosting and candy. These activities allowed our students to explore and understand the unique organelles found in animal and plant cells.

We are now accepting students for our 2nd-semester internship opportunities. This is a chance for you to gain hands-on experience and enhance your job skills.

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

• Good Attendance
• Adherence to Guidelines and Safety Rules
• High School Work Completion Rate
• Willingness to Learn

If you are eager to improve your job skills and meet these requirements, please get in touch with your job coach.

In a Fermentation lab experiment, students used the respiration powers of yeast to inflate balloons. This activity reinforced the basic principles of respiration as a fundamental metabolic process for living organisms using yeast as a model.

Some students are participating in a wood shop class where they are learning the proper use of both hand tools and power tools. Students become familiar with various tools and fasteners, they utilize proper tool techniques, establish safety precautions, and measure, cut, and assemble a tangible project. The class equips students with practical skills for both everyday living and fundamental employability skills.

Hopewell students participated in a door decorating contest for Hispanic Heritage Month. Each classroom researched the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. They decorated the classroom door to display their chosen country's heritage and presented to a team of judges the history and knowledge they gained relating to that heritage.

In our recent Trustworthiness Assembly, students were presented with various scenarios and had to utilize their decision making skills. They wielded their judgment by holding up green for trustworthiness and red for doubt. At the end, each classroom had six minutes to craft a performance showcasing trustworthiness. The students in the classroom that displayed the most creativity, teamwork and integrity were awarded a gift card.

Students have been utilizing an online resource, https://cwpubonline.com/ to prepare for challenges they may face at a job or in their future career. The platform guides students through a module called "Career Decisions." Within this section, students are presented with various scenarios and are led through the decisions that individuals have to make in their careers. The game not only educates but also keeps track of each student's progress through a scoring system. This hands-on approach enhances the understanding of real-world career choices and provides students with immediate feedback on their decision-making skills.

In Social Development class, students are participating in team-building activities. These activities help students learn to collaborate, problem-solve and listen while working with others. These skills are directly applicable in the workplace and everyday life.

Two Truths and One Lie is an interactive activity taking place in our classrooms. This exercise helps learners sharpen their observation and critical thinking skills. One person shares 3 personal life experiences, two are true and one is fabricated. Students participate by voting on which story they believe to be a lie. After everyone has shared, the class discusses their thought process in deciphering the lie. What did they observe and listen for? The students gain a better understanding of one another and practice the ability to pick up on nonverbal cues and utilize existing knowledge about a person.

Transition students have been learning the important life skill of budgeting. Understanding how to manage finances is a part of independent living, and a skill students can carry with them into adulthood. Students took part in a vacation planning activity that allowed them to put their budgeting skills into practice but also encouraged critical thinking and decision-making,

The Vacation Planning Process

1. Choosing a Destination: Each student selected a destination they'd like to visit while considering factors such as distance, interests, and accessibility.

2. Transportation: Students researched and calculated the cost of transportation to their chosen destination. This included options such as flights, train tickets, gas, or bus fares.

3. Lodging: Next, students explored various accommodation options available at their destination. They learned to consider factors like cost, location, and amenities in order to make an informed choice.

4. Food: Students worked on planning their meals during the vacation. They learned to budget for groceries and dining out.

5. Entertainment: They explored activities and attractions at their chosen destination. They considered entrance fees, tickets for events, and any other entertainment costs.

Transition students have been taking weekly trips to Nowell Park to engage in physical activity. Exercising promotes physical health, mental well-being, social interaction and teamwork, stress management, and good lifelong habits.

Students participated in mock interviews to enhance their job skills. They arrived in appropriate attire, resumes in hand, and were prepared to answer questions. After the interviews, students discussed what went well and what could have been done differently. It was a great learning experience for these young adults.