Volume 11 Issue 2

Change

Effect

Improve

Change

Effect

Improve

A newsletter for the students, families and friends of River Rock

River G River Rock Gator Winter/Spring 2016

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Random Acts of Kindness  

Being kind, helpful and selfless is encouraged at River Rock Academy throughout the school year. In February, during National Random Acts of Kind-ness week, everyone made an extra effort to serve others and seek out ways to brighten someone’s day. When encouraged to find ways to spread kindness, each campus came up with their own unique ideas. Students demonstrated many crea-tive and heartfelt Random Acts of Kindness towards their school, classmates and community.

Tennis Program Expands

Of all activities, why would River Rock Academy choose to expose our students to the game of tennis? Because we believe that the lessons students learn on the court go far beyond hitting a yellow ball across a net. In the words of our students, here are a few examples of what they have to say. “Tennis teaches you motivation because you never want to give up.” “You have to be prepared for anything just like in life.” “Having a good attitude will help you succeed.” “Tennis helps me with control and patience and helps me calm down when I have anxiety.” “You need to be humble on and off the court.” “I’ve learned to manage my anger, not give up when things get hard, find solutions to problems and work well with others.” “Tennis has been helping me focus better.” After launching a successful tennis initiative last year, this year’s program was expanded to provide more opportunities for more students to learn life skills and social skills through the game of tennis. On a weekly basis, trained coaches travel to River Rock Academy campuses as well as local indoor facilities to instruct students and fulfill the program vision of providing students with character-building opportunities through tennis. The mission of the program is to engage students through tennis to develop pro-social behavior that encourages academic success and supports a successful transition to the home school district. River Rock Academy’s Dave Neumayer, Director of Vocational and Student Experiences, has seen the program achieve its goals and provide many unique opportunities. “It has been

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The River Rock Gator is written, compiled, edited and designed by Wendy Capoferri and

Barbara Rodgers in the interest of RRA students, parents and Adams, Berks,

Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Perry and York County School Districts.

RRA Administrators

Steve Capoferri – CEO Patti Shatto-Young – CBO

Bob Howard – COO

Tennis, Continued from Page 1

rewarding to see the program grow and develop. The instructors really engage our students and I have witnessed many of them growing to enjoy the game, improving their skills and learning valuable lessons,” shared Neumayer. Many special events have occurred throughout the school year including match play between campuses, visits from guest speakers who shared how tennis has impacted their lives and the opportunity to take part in the earn a racquet program. Students who maintain good grades and attendance, display good sportsmanship and determination and are hard-working, cooperative and positive had the opportunity to earn their own racquet. They each wrote an essay on what earning a racquet would mean to them and what life lessons they have learned on the tennis courts that will help them in life. The following are essay excerpts from a few of the students who earned a racquet:

Program Goals

Build character and confidence through tennis and education

Engage students in activity that strengthens their academic, physical and emotional development

Teach life lessons such as respect, teamwork and self-control to equip students for success

Promote health and wellness to all students regardless of their current athletic abilities

Encourage participation in school ten-nis team or other extracurricular activi-ties to help students connect with posi-tive peer groups once transitioned back to the home district

Guest speaker Judge Andrew Valdez, author and first Hispanic juvenile court judge to serve in Utah, presents racquets to students who participated in the ‘Earn

a Racquet’ program.

“I started playing tennis last school year and I fell in love. I have so much fun from playing this amazing sport. I learned to let loose from tennis and that you can’t be scared or have anxiety all the time. Worry will only hold you back so take a chance.” Alexis Morganti, Amity Campus

“Tennis teaches motivation to keep going the hardest you can and not give up on others. It teaches me footwork

and keeps me conditioned for football.” Chance Hartman, Newville Campus

“Earning my own racquet would mean I have accomplished something that is important to me. I’ve learned how to manage my anger better, not to give up when things get hard and how to find a solution to a problem right when it’s thrown at you.” Shelby Dockeney, Red Lion Campus

“Tennis has opened up my life in so many new ways and given me ways to get my anger out and relieve stress. In the past, I would

have never seen myself playing tennis but it just goes to show that you should never count anything out before you try it.”

Tristan Turner, Shiremanstown Campus

Thank you to the coaches and instructors who shared their knowledge of tennis with our students. They hold a variety of professional certifications and teaching positions in the world of tennis. The local schools they are associated with are listed next to their name. Amanda Carello – Coach at Lancaster Catholic and Solanco High Schools Barb Fetter – Coach at Cocalico High School Delaine Mast – Coach at J.P. McCaskey High School Brenda McBride – Coach at Elizabethtown High School Josh Riehl – Coach at Lampeter Strasburg High School Elliot Rodriguez – Team member at Gettysburg College

River Rock Academy received the 2016 USTA Central Pennsylvania District

Commercial Organization of the Year award.

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State Senator Rich Alloway visited the Newville Campus to learn more about River Rock Academy’s pro-grams and discuss the importance of education for all students. He visited classrooms and joined students dur-ing run club.

Change Takes Commitment

“There is no such thing as I can’t…take it out of your vocabulary,” expressed Katrina Adams to a group of River Rock Academy students from the Amity and Sinking Spring Campuses. She is speaking from experience as someone who was motivated to accomplish great things despite her surroundings or circumstances. Growing up in Chicago’s west side, Adams stayed out of the gang life that so many around her succumbed to by choosing to want more and dream big. Tennis was her lifeline and by working hard she played at Northwestern University and went on to become a professional tennis player, television commentator and Executive Director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program. In 2015, she was named the youngest president of the United States Tennis Association. Adams is the first African American and first former professional tennis player to hold this prestigious position. Adams says that giving back to youth and offering words of encouragement provides her with an opportunity to give back to others. On the sidelines of the Hillcrest Racquet Club courts in Reading, Adams shared her story and spoke with students about making positive changes that will lead them away from negativity and toward a positive path in life. She said, “Take ownership of what you have done so you can understand what you want to do differently. Change takes a lot of hard work, commitment and trust from within yourself.” Adams joined in games on the court and presented prizes and racquets to students who earned them. Teaching professionals from Hillcrest volunteered their time hitting with students, which was much appreciated.

During Random Acts of Kindness Week, River Rock Academy students:

Loaded bags in cars and returned carts for shoppers at a local grocery store

Mailed letters to people who helped them overcome challenges in their lives

Shoveled ice off sidewalks in the surrounding community Created a kindness bulletin board to encourage everyone to be positive Wrote notes to teachers and staff to express their appreciation Made cards for autistic students at a local school Helped elementary students with their math and read books to them in

their classroom Cleared snow from parking spaces and picked up trash at local busi-

nesses

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The Bricks4Kidz program visited the Shiremanstown Campus and provided students with hands-on lessons to explore architecture, science, technol-ogy, engineering and math through the use of LEGO bricks. The interac-tive experience helped students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills in a fun way.

Students learned a variety of wood-working and carpentry skills by building Adirondack chairs in Mr. Hile’s Life Skills class.

Coaches Corner

We are proud of the many staff members who dedicate their time and energy to coaching athletes at schools throughout the region. Hats off to these members of the River Rock Academy team who lead, serve and guide youth in our com-munities!

Amity Campus Rob Flowers – Head Football Coach at Reading Senior High School Matt Flowers – Assistant Basketball Coach at Reading Senior High School Kevin Oswalt – Head Wrestling Coach at Daniel Boone Area High School Marlon Randall – Assistant Basketball Coach at Reading Senior High School

Carlisle Campus Andre Anderson – Head Basketball Coach at Carlisle High School Andy Casale – Assistant Football Coach at Dickinson College Shawn Lee – Assistant Football Coach at Harrisburg High School John Walton – Assistant Basketball Coach at Boiling Springs High School

Day Treatment Eric Baumgardner – Track & Field Coach and Assistant Football Coach at Spring Grove Area High School Brian Billman – Girls Basketball Coach at Conewago Valley Intermediate School Paul Grier – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach at Delone Catholic High School Ron Johnson – Assistant Football Coach at Red Lion Area Senior High School Lawrence Williams – Head Boys Basketball Coach at Delone Catholic High School

Newville Campus Jason Creek – Head Boys Basketball Coach at Big Spring High School Jon Eavenson – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach at Carlisle Area High School Jeb Nelson – Head Boys Soccer Coach at Upper Adams Middle School

Red Lion Campus Joe Ramp – Head Girls Volleyball Coach at West York Area High School Todd Roberts – Head Wrestling Coach at Millersville University Brian Schmoyer – Head Boys Basketball Coach at Dover High School

Shiremanstown Campus Steve Borja – Assistant Wrestling Coach at Franklin & Marshall College Rob Bozart – Assistant Wrestling Coach at Camp Hill High School Kari Cover – Head Girls Basketball Coach at Bermudian Springs High School Ryan Euker – Assistant Wrestling Coach at Cumberland Valley High School Troy Sunderland – Head Wrestling Coach at Manheim Central High School

Sinking Spring Campus Pete Gilmore – Assistant Varsity Football and Track Coach at Reading Senior High School Rachael Hasselhan – Junior High Field Hockey Coach at Oley Valley Middle School Kevin McFarland – Junior High Basketball Coach at Hamburg Area Middle School Rick Perez – Head Basketball Coach at Reading Senior High School

Spring Grove Campus Neil Barnes – Assistant Wrestling Coach at Dallastown Area High School Danielle Hayes – Head Junior Varsity Softball Coach at Cumberland Valley High School Dave Neumayer – Assistant Baseball Coach at Delone Catholic High School Kirk Ruff – Track and Field Long and Triple Jump Coach at Spring Grove Area High School Karly Sprenkle – Junior High Track and Field Distance Coach at Spring Grove Area Middle School

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Professional mixed martial arts fighter and author Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman visited the Red Lion Campus to share his story. After achieving success as a division one wrestler at Lock Haven Univer-sity and becoming a Spanish teacher, Brenneman’s life took a different path when he entered the world of professional fighting. He shared with students how his determination and ability to overcome obstacles helped him succeed. Brenneman encouraged students to be motivated and have a positive mind-set as they seek to achieve their goals. Driven: My Unlikely Journey from the Class-room to Cage is the title of Brenne-man’s published autobiography. 

Coaches Go Head-to-Head

Sinking Spring Campus Director Rick Perez and Carlisle Campus Coun-selor Andre Anderson recently faced each other in their roles as high school varsity basketball coaches. They went head-to-head during the District Three Class AAAA boy’s basketball state quarterfinal held at the Giant Center in Hershey. The Reading Senior High School team, led by Perez, claimed a 78-73 victory over Anderson’s Carlisle High School team in a game that many said was one of the most thrilling they had ever witnessed. Following the game, Perez said, “This was one of the most intense games I have ever been a part of and it was amazing to see what both teams accom-plished in terms of hard play and sportsmanship. Andre Anderson and De-shawn Millington are as tough of leaders as you will find in Pennsylvania.” Millington, who scored a team-high 19 points for Carlisle, attended River Rock Academy in middle school. Anderson has always been a positive role model for Millington. During his time at the Carlisle Campus, the staff took Millington under their wings to help influence him to be the best person he could be. He shined this season as a standout player as well as a team leader. Going into the game, Anderson was confident that his athletes would give it their all both mentally and physically. The game went into overtime where all 10 players on the court fought a solid fight. Anderson shared, “We fell a little short but I have to tip my hat to Coach Perez and his team as they were simply better than us that day. It was great to know that as coaches we could not only represent our district so well in the state tournament but also represent River Rock Academy.” Congratulation to both teams on their many accom-plishments throughout the season.

Restoring History in Red Lion

Red Lion Campus staff members recently helped with a project that is bringing back a piece of history to the local community. In 1975, the one-room schoolhouse originally built in 1860, was transported to the school grounds where the current River Rock Academy Red Lion Campus is located. Named The Neff School House, this structure that has stood the test of time is being completely renovated. Red Lion School District’s Drafting and Design teacher John Royer is leading the charge and guiding his students who developed blueprints and are now working to complete the project by the fall. Desiring to be part of history, Red Lion Campus staff dry walled joints and painted exterior walls. Behavior Manager Karl Munscher said, “It was special to show support for this project that not only helped students and staff from the district but also beautified our backyard and community.” As part of River Rock Academy’s ongoing commitment to community service, every campus served locally as a team this school year. The following are the organizations or events where staff helped: Amity Campus: Daniel Boone Intermediate Science Department & Hope Rescue Mission Carlisle Campus: Adopt-A-Highway, Carlisle School District and NHS School Newville Campus: Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance 5K Shiremanstown Campus: Shiremanstown First Church of God Sinking Spring Campus: Hope Rescue Mission Spring Grove Campus and Day Treatment: United Way Holiday Family Outreach

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Our Elementary Programs Pebbles, Cobblestones & Boulders

Our Elementary Programs

Red Lion Campus

Elementary Happenings

Elementary students have been learning, growing and experiencing through hands-on activities, classroom projects, field trips, guest speakers, games and activities. Pictured are just a few of those experiences from the Newville, Red Lion, Shiremanstown and Spring Grove Campus locations.

Learning problem solving by creating a Lepre-chaun trap and making crystalized shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day

Exploring at the Turkey Hill Experience to see how ice cream is produced

Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday while learning about rhyming, word families and measure-ment

Planting seedlings to learn about gardening Enjoying green eggs and ham in celebration of Dr.

Seuss’ birthday Learning about living healthy lives and making good

choices during the “Too Good For Drugs” program Expressing creativity and learning problem solving

skills during the Bricks4Kidz program

Getting active and learning different exercises while enjoying a trip to Spooky Nook Sports

Reading to volunteers from KPETS who brought dogs to interact with students in the classroom

Hanging peanut butter and seed bird feeders in recognition of Earth Day

Enjoying a story read to the students by York County’s Dairy Ambassador Nicole Guise

Designing and constructing a miniature golf course to develop teamwork and social skills

Taking a ride on the historic Strasburg Rail Road on a steam train that passes through Lancaster’s countryside

Completing activities and reading lessons with their high school buddies

Shiremanstown Campus

Newville Campus

Spring Grove Campus

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River Rock Students of the Month The following are the Students of the Month for January, February, March and April. Students are selected based on their behavior, grades, attendance and positive attitude. Congratulations to all of the Students of the Month!

Amity Campus January Collin Gonzalez February Austin Muckey March Jacob Graham April John Cahill

Carlisle Campus January Kelton Scheaffer Jayson Staggs February Logan Colvin Robert D’Artagnan March Felicia Campbell Dontae Reisinger April Michael Kauffman Dontae Reisinger

Day Treatment Campus January Evelyn Patino Brett Stratton February Carlos Bermudez Kyle Scheaffer March Qwyshon Miller Noah Reinecker April Ja’Shay Dodd Alex Sumrall

Newville Campus January Chance Hartman February Anthony Lescalleet March Matthew Soler April Evan Winkleman

Red Lion Campus January Inari Lane

February Christopher McWeeney March Sierra Snyder April Sebastian Woodard

Shiremanstown Campus January Kalin Stricker Richard Walters February Nashaun Cormier March Jesse Bender Richard Walters April Adam Baker

Sinking Spring Campus January Alex Plucker February Jasmine Cygan March Mykal Smith April Aaron Weaver

Spring Grove Campus January Donnell Willingham February Seth Williams March Lane Seigman April Lane Seigman

Students from the Spring Grove Campus pulled weeds and mulched around the building at the Southwestern Regional Police Department.

Looking Ahead

The first day of school for Carlisle, Day Treatment, Newville, Red

Lion, Shiremanstown and Spring Grove Campuses

is August 22.

The first day of school for Amity and Sinking Spring Campuses is August 29.

At the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, Newville Campus students helped tear down a deteriorated tower and loaded the scrap wood and metal on a truck for disposal.

Serving the Community

Amity Campus students cleaned and refreshed the stalls for the horses at the Shady Hollow Horse Farm.

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River Rock Perfect Attendance

Amity Campus January Alaniz, Adam; Gonzalez, Collin*; Graham, Jacob; Harris, Tyrone; Langlois, Nathan; White, Dequan

February Alaniz, Adam; Balzer, Christopher; Ferkins, Chase; Hendricks, Lydia; Muckey, Austin*

March Cahill, John; Ferkins, Chase; Gonzalez, Collin; Graham, Jacob*; Muckey, Austin; Pack-McFerren, Christian

April Cahill, John*; Colon, Eric; Graham, Jacob; Hendricks, Lydia; Hornak, Donald; Mace, Tyler; White, Dequan

Carlisle Campus January Brown, Jordan; D’Artagnan, Robert; Ditzler, Tennessee; Howard, Trenton; McNaughton, Gavin; Staggs, Jayson*

February D’Artagnan, Robert*; Ditzler, Tennessee; Howard, Trenton; Johnston, Jalen; McNaughton, Gavin

March Baumgardt, Elijah*; Howard, Trenton; McNaughton, Gavin; Staggs, Jayson

April Baumgardt, Elijah; Brown, Jordan; Howard, Trenton; Scheaffer, Kelton; Staggs, Jayson*; Walker, Jane

Day Treatment Campus January Hess, Memphis; Kennedy, Daphne; Riddle, Marshall*; Santiago, Tysheem

February Kennedy, Daphne; Riddle, Marshall*

March Dixon, Jr., Tykuan

April Kennedy, Daphne; Miller, Dakota; Schaeffer, Kyle*

Newville Campus January Heaton, Blake; McCrobie, Joshua; Painter, Sabian; Pottorff, Charles; Printz, Dylan; Riggleman, Terrance; Smith, Bryson*

February Hartman, Chance; Lescalleet, Anthony; McCrobie, Joshua; Painter, Sabian; Relaford, Michael; Ware, Gage*; Weary, Tyler

March Howard, Jereme; Palmer, Damien; Printz, Dylan*; Ross, Matthew

April Appleby, Kameron; Garland, Curtis; Hartman, Chance; Howard, Jereme; McCrobie, Joshua; Nipper, Jr., Juan*; Pottorff, Charles; Ross, Matthew; Stamy, James; Weary, Tyler

Red Lion Campus January Clinton, Trevon*; Fowle, Justyn; Jones, Colbert

February Brode, Sean; Clinton, Trevon; Kline, Leahann*; McWeeney, Christopher

March Fowle, Justyn; Jones, Colbert

April Brode, Sean; Burkhart, Allen; Clinton, Trevon; Edmisten III, Dellas*; Graham, Kaila; Kline, Leahann; Stoner, William

Shiremanstown Campus January Billet, Mikel; Colon, Carlos; Drake, Jared; Lantz, Seth; Shuey, Trevor; Smith,

Jacob; Spiewak, Logan*; Stricker, Kalin; Thompson-Barninger, Skyler

February NA

March Billet, Mikel; Drake, Jared; Klinger, Autumn*; Santos, Javier; Shockey, Amber

April Baker, Adam; Billet, Mikel; Colon, Carlos; Cormier, Nashaun; King, Nikolay*; Santos, Javier; Stricker, Kalin

Sinking Spring Campus January Cunningham, Dawud; Gonzalez, MarcAnthony; Ulrich, Drake*; Vega-Ferrer, Loaira

February Cunningham, Dawud; Cygan, Jasmine*; Gonzalez, MarcAnthony; Miliauskas, Dylan; Perez, George; Smith, Mykal; Ulrich, Drake; Weaver, Aaron

March Coyle, Brian; Cunningham, Dawud*; Ulrich, Drake; Vega, Joshua

April Cunningham, Dawud; Cygan, Jasmine; Ephriam, Kristle; Miliauskas, Dylan; Sepulveda, Kristian; Ulrich, Drake; Vega, Joshua; Weaver, Aaron*

Spring Grove Campus January Bryant, Aspen; Holmes, Jiovanny; Kingston, Kody; Mitchell, Antron; Palacios-Orihuela, Azael; Perez, Alexsander*; Stedding, Kenneth; Williams, Seth

February Fink, David; Gantz, Brianna; Gilkes, Lewis; Kingston, Kody; McMurtrie, Jordan; Palacios-Orihuela, Azael; Rodkey,

The students listed below had perfect attendance for January, February, March and April. They were rewarded with a River Rock snack gift card. Students who had perfect monthly attendance and spent no time in the resource room were entered into a

contest. One student from each campus was selected at random. Winners received a gift card. Contest winners have a * next to their name. Congratulations to all the students!

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Electrician James Zipfel spoke to Newville Campus students about the benefits of learning a trade and po-tential earnings in this career. He provided hands-on activities for the students that allowed them to learn how to complete an electrical circuit.

2nd Marking Period

Amity Campus Ethan Moore Alexis Morganti

Carlisle Campus Jordan Brown Felicia Campbell Tammy Russell Nathaniel Wilson

Day Treatment Campus Seth Kohlbus Marshall Riddle Amya Rodriguez Kyle Schaeffer

Newville Campus Bryson Smith Joshua McCrobie Tatianna Vanaskie

Red Lion Campus Jesse Berger Trevon Clinton Shelby Dockeney* Inari Lane Matthew McGuire Matthew Yinger

Shiremanstown Campus Daryan Brinton Chassidy Feliciano* Autumn Klinger

Spring Grove Campus Donnell Willingham 3rd Marking Period

Amity Campus Kyle Davis Ethan Moore Alexis Morganti Christian Pack-McFerren

Carlisle Campus Jordan Brown Emily Hartzell Samuel Hoffman Dontae Reisinger Kelton Schaeffer Jayson Staggs

River Rock Academy Honor Roll

The following is a list of students who achieved the Honor Roll for the sec-ond and third marking period. To be named to the Honor Roll, all A’s and B’s must be earned. Those who received all A’s were named to the Distinguished Honor Roll. Congratulations to all of the students for their hard work and success.

Day Treatment Campus Tyler Bateman Ja’Shay Dodd Dakota Miller Noah Reinecker Kyle Schaeffer Brett Stratton

Newville Campus Dakota Boyles Katie Foose Curtis Garland Joshua McCrobie Raya Rine Bryson Smith Matthew Soler Tyler Weary Max Zipfel

Red Lion Campus Shelby Dockeney Kaila Graham Christopher McWeeney

Sinking Spring Campus Austin Hassler Raymond Shultz Aaron Weaver

*Denotes Distinguished Honor Roll

Continued from Page 8

Greyson*; Shankle, Joshua; Thomason, Theodore

March Kingston, Kody; McMurtrie, Jordan; Mitchell, Antron; Shankle, Joshua*

April Contreras, Grayson*; Fink, David; Glassmyer, Joseph; Kingston, Kody; Palacios-Orihuela, Azael; Shankle, Joshua; Williams, Shyanne

A group of students from Day Treat-ment, Newville, Shiremanstown and Spring Grove Campuses visited Mount St. Mary's University in Em-mitsburg, MD where they received a tour from Samantha Pinchoff, the men’s and women’s tennis coach. They visited the library, academic buildings, dormitories and sports fa-cilities and walked to the Grotto at the top of the mountain where the students enjoyed a beautiful view overlooking the campus.

Lieutenant David Godfrey and Sergeant Samuel Shipley visited Day Treatment to educate students on the York County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit. They explained the extreme costs, training and specializations that the dogs perform in tasks such as tracking for fugitives or missing persons and detecting explosives or drugs.

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Almost Back to Dutch

One of my favorite television shows is Deadliest Catch, a reality se-ries on the life of Alaskan crab fisher-men. They follow captains and crews aboard fishing vessels as they try to catch their quota of the prize, which is Alaskan king crab. It takes place on the Bering Sea and the boats depart and return to the port of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. When I watch what everyone goes through aboard the crab boats, it is easy to relate it to life. It is especially easy to relate it to what students and staff at any school go through. It starts out like most school years do with nice weather and the staff and crew usually in good moods with anxious anticipation for a good school year or catch. Once out at sea, some boats have more luck and success than others. The boats have so many unforeseen things to deal with, as do we in schools. The weather gets rough, things break, crew members get hurt, people quit and so on. The one constant is the same thing that plays out every school year and crab season. Time doesn't stop. The crabbing season as well as the school year will come to an end. At some point during the crab sea-son, the seas will be rough just as there will be rough times during the school year. Sometimes boats have to fire a crewmember or they quit the boat just like schools may need to replace staff or students may quit. Toward the end of the show’s season, they show the boats heading back to Dutch Harbor. Most crews feel a huge sense of accomplish-ment for finishing the season. Even the boats that experienced rough seas feel accomplished because they have fin-ished something. Hopefully as the school year ends, we can all feel that sense of accom-plishment for finishing the year. I know in our lives at home, work and school we all face challenging storms, some more than others. Please take comfort in knowing we all do. And if you can, lend an umbrella to help someone in his or her storm, I am sure it will be appre-ciated because we all will need an extra umbrella at some point. Let's have a safe trip into Dutch! Thank you to eve-ryone for everything. Steve

Trout in the Classroom

Throughout the school year, the Carlisle Campus has been participating in the Trout in the Classroom program through the Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, an organization dedicated to the preservation and enhance-ment of cold-water resources. Participation in this program allows students to learn about cold-water conservation while raising brook trout from eggs to fingerlings in a classroom aquarium. The eggs arrived in the fall along with a 55-gallon tank, chiller and filtra-tion system that was set up in teacher John Walton’s classroom. As coordinator for the project, Walton has worked with Trout Unlimited liaison for the pro-gram, Biff Healy, to teach students many lessons. “Students have learned that the life cycle for trout is delicate and that they need special care, which trans-lates to keeping the environment clean and safe for all animals. The students have taken ownership of the project and have grown in their responsibility,” shared Walton. Weekly tasks for the students include feeding the fish, checking water lev-els, temperature and clarity, maintaining proper function of the chiller and pump and measuring PH, ammonia and nitrate levels in the pump. This data is forwarded to the Pennsylvania Boat and Game Commission. The project concludes when the trout are taken to a state approved water-way for release. Students will have the opportunity to take part in the release later this month at Yellow Breeches Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Cumberland County.

Sarah Baicker, a Comcast SportsNet’s Philadelphia Flyers reporter and co-host of the Breakfast on Broad Show, recently visited with students at the Red Lion Campus. Elementary students enjoyed trying their hand at reporting by interviewing Baicker with their own questions. When she spoke to the older students, she shared how she had to rise above critics who thought she couldn’t succeed in a male dominated industry. Working hard, living with long hours, adjusting to ever-changing schedules and always having to be professional on camera are some of the challenges Baicker shared with students about her career.

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Graduation Celebrations Graduation celebrations for our

Day Treatment, Red Lion and Spring Grove Campuses will be held on June 2, 2016

at 1:00 PM at

LCBC Church 951 North Hills Road

York, PA 17402

Graduation celebrations for our Carlisle, Newville and

Shiremanstown Campuses will be held on June 1, 2016

at 1:00 PM at

West Shore Evangelical Free Church 1345 Williams Grove Road Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Graduation celebrations for our Amity and Sinking Spring Campuses

will be held on June 6, 2016 at 1:00 PM

at Calvary Bible Fellowship Church

4891 Penn Avenue Sinking Spring, PA 19608

Brooke Hoffman from JUMP, a Juve-nile Mentoring Program, connected with female Day Treatment students through art. By expressing them-selves through painting, they learned how creativity is a great way to re-lieve stress. Every student enjoyed the experience and took pride in their work.

Mr. Casale’s class at the Carlisle Campus has been taking part in a greenhouse project where they are growing a variety of flowers and vegetables. Learn-ing the stages of plant growth, differences between various cells and how plants interact in the ecosystem has been part of this interactive experience.  

Students and Staff Complete Mud Run

Six Spring Grove Campus students and two staff members recently com-pleted the Shadey’s Rugged Run, a 3.5-mile mud/obstacle course designed to challenge participants as they go through water, fire, walls and mud pits. After training for months for this event held on the campus of Lancaster Bible Col-lege, the students crossed the finish line exhausted but also rewarded with feel-ings of accomplishment. Proceeds from the event benefitted the Lancaster Bible College Athletic Department and Penn State Hershey Children’s Miracle Network. Counselors Kelly Gable and Ryan Wall participated and took time on a Saturday to bring students to the Rugged Run. Congratulations to Tyson Brown, Grayson Contreras, Joshua Merkel, Antron Mitchell, Azael Palacios-Orihuela and Jordan Sell for pushing yourselves and achieving this feat!

River Rock Academy Administration

268 West Beaver Street Suite 109B Hellam, PA 17406

Three basic behavioral norms that are the foundation of River Rock Academy are: • No student has the right to hurt, intimidate, or ridicule another student. • Education and the classroom are sacred. • Our school is sacred and we will always protect its property and belongings.

Winter/Spring 2016

Sinking Spring Campus Students and staff enjoyed

playing team building games and a picnic on a

beautiful spring day.

Shiremanstown Campus Staff and students worked together on an interactive STEM engineering project

called a geodesic dome.

Campus Happenings

Day Treatment Young adults from Care

First who struggled in their youth met with students to

share their stories of change and success.

Red Lion Campus Lieutenant Colonel Bonnie Lowe from the Army War

College spoke with students about leadership and the importance of education.

Newville Campus Cornerstone Federal

Credit Union presented a Reality Fair to give

students a realistic view of incomes, expenses and

financial decisions.

Amity Campus Students engaged in hands-on educational

activities at the Da Vinci Science Center

in Allentown.

Spring Grove Campus At the Pennsylvania Farm

Show in Harrisburg, students viewed exhibits

and learned about a variety of farm animals.

Carlisle Campus Staff served students who

earned the privilege a delicious homemade All-Star Breakfast.