Please join us on October 20, 2024, at the beautiful Raritan Valley Country Club in Bridgewater, New Jersey as we celebrate 50 years of excellence!
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Featured News
Rock Brook School Students Enjoy a Visit from the Montgomery EMS
By Thomas Connolly
Students at Rock Brook School in Skillman, New Jersey were treated to a special visit from the Montgomery Township Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Squad 47. At 10:00 am on March 20, our local first responders visited the students and staff to share what they do each and every day. In front of the school, two ambulances and one EMS SUV were available for the students to see and explore. Throughout the morning, groups of students had the opportunity to meet the team of first responders, see how they care for patients, and see some specific equipment and tools used by these professionals.
Partnership: Rock Brook School and The Pingry School
By Thomas Connolly
In February, Rock Brook students were invited to watch The Pingry School’s high school production of Into the Woods, a musical that takes traditional storybook characters like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and many others in an epic fairytale about wishes, family, and the choices we make. Following the 90-minute musical, The Pingry School and Rock Brook School students enjoyed lunch together.
Local Police Officers Engage with Students at Rock Brook School
By Thomas ConnollyStudents at Rock Brook School were thrilled to welcome police officers from the Montgomery Township Police Department to their classrooms.
On a mid-December morning, three officers arrived at Rock Brook School for a friendly visit. This included Officer Carlucci, Officer Connell, and Officer Davis. The police officers spent time with the students discussing their role in the community, equipment used by the officers, and overall safety. In preparation for the visit, a social story was created by Natalie Stewart, Coordinator of Students Interventions, and then shared with the teaching staff to share with the students. Social stories are narratives made to increase students’ familiarity, knowledge, help students understand social norms, and improve communication as it relates to specific situations.
Montgomery Township Fire Department No. 2 Visits Rock Brook School
By Thomas Connolly
Students at Rock Brook School in Skillman, New Jersey had a special visit from the Montgomery Township Fire Department No.2.
On a cool Monday morning in November, Engine 46-8 arrived at Rock Brook School as students and staff eagerly waited. As the truck parked in front of the school, five firefighters exited the vehicle, including Bob Maslanka, Phil Adams, Dan Labos, John Bolen, and Aiden Dugan. Throughout the morning, groups of students had the opportunity to meet the firefighters, learn about fire safety, and see some specific equipment and tools used by these professionals. In addition, the students were able to touch the truck and get an up-close look inside the truck.
Rock Brook School Welcomes Back Therapy Dogs
By Thomas Connolly, Principal
Students at Rock Brook School in Skillman had the opportunity to meet and interact with some furry friends last school year and are looking forward to continuing this wonderful program in the 2023-2024 school year.
Spearheaded by Bob Hegedus, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, The Attitudes in Reverse (AIR) Therapy Dog program has proven to support our students, staff, and community regarding social and emotional well-being. Bob Hegedus stated, “Therapy dogs have been providing assistance to people for well over 100 years. The support that the dogs have provided began with individuals in nursing homes, retirement communities and medical facilities. In recent years therapy dogs have begun to spend time in schools to help students with learning disabilities. Tricia Baker, who established the Attitudes in Reverse (AIR) Therapy Dog program in 2010 reported in a news article that it wasn’t until about 30 years ago that scientists began to conduct studies about dogs and the effects that they had on humans. They knew that dogs made people feel better, but they didn’t understand the physiological impact on the body. They soon realized that contact with a dog releases “feel good brain chemicals” that promote a sense of well-being and improves the overall mental and physical health of an individual. Tricia Baker added that the AIR Dogs Therapy program makes the most of these scientific facts in helping to create a safe, friendly and secure environment.
Throughout the course of the year, students and staff had opportunities to meet with two dogs for up to an hour. Some of the special therapy dogs who visited the school included Alice, McKenly, and Nomie. Each month, classes would gather and students and staff had the chance to learn about the dog as shared by the dog handler. They would discuss the breed of the dog, age, and daily activities the dog would participate in. The dog handler would then provide numerous opportunities for the students to pet and sit next to the dog, while other students observed the positive interactions. At the conclusion of the session, the students were provided with a picture of the dog including interesting facts about the dog such as birthday and favorite foods.
The primary focus of AIR is to promote messages of understanding, empathy, and kindness towards others. In addition, there are many potential benefits of having therapy dogs in school. This includes:
- Provides a calming effect on students and reduces stress
- Improves concentration, self-confidence, and self-esteem
- Increases level of motivation to learn
- Improves academic skills
- Builds trust and a sense of security
- Provision of unconditional acceptance
- Encourages respect and therefore improves relationships amongst students and staff
- Reduces anxiety and elevates mood and temperament
- Promotes character traits, such as cooperation, gratitude, nurturance, patience, and responsibility
Thomas Connolly, Principal of Rock Brook School, shared, “This program has been such a positive experience for our school community. We are looking forward to continuing this incredible program for our students and staff.” Additionally, Thomas Connolly stated, “Seeing our students interact, communicate, and smile while they are with the therapy dogs is absolutely wonderful.”
Rock Brook School is a private, non-profit school for communication impaired and multiply disabled children, ages 3 through 21. Located in Skillman, Rock Brook School is approved by the New Jersey State Department of Education and is recognized as a School of Excellence by the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET). The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools (MSCES). Currently, the school serves over 50 students from 25 school districts in New Jersey.
Congratulations to the Rock Brook School Class of 2023
By Thomas Connolly, Principal
Rock Brook School celebrated its two graduates, Lauren Libou and Dominick Natoli, on a beautiful sunny morning, Thursday, June 16. The commencement took place at the school in a ceremony under a large tent which was decorated with balloons, banners, and personalized messages for this special event. It was wonderful to have over 50 guests join us for this celebration which included parents, families, staff, and students.
The graduation began with a welcome message from Mr. Glenn Famous, Executive Director, followed by a procession of our graduates. Principal Thomas Connolly addressed the graduates stating, “Each and every day you brought your very best, a strong work ethic, and a friendly smile that went from ear to ear. We enjoyed learning along with you every day and you inspired us by your many contributions to our school. Today you have crossed the finish line!”
Students at Rock Brook School Spread Kindness
By Thomas Connolly, Principal
The students and staff at Rock Brook School participated in The Great Kindness Challenge February 6 through February 10, 2023, which is a positive and uplifting national program that creates a culture of kindness in schools and communities. Throughout the week, students learned, witnessed, and practiced kindness with those around them. Rock Brook School had a creative menu of school-wide activities that were ready to go for the students and staff.
The Great Kindness Challenge was launched by three California schools in 2012 to promote connections, inclusion, and compassion. Across the nation and around the world, the annual program has grown each year in participation.
Rock Brook Community mourns the loss of Maggie Deeds, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
A Tragic Loss for RBS
September 9, 2022
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Rock Brook Families,
It is with a very heavy heart that I reach out to you with news of the unexpected passing of Rock Brook family member Mrs. Maggie Deeds. There are no details to share with you at this time, but more information will be forthcoming. For now, we ask for your prayers and positive thoughts for Maggie’s family during this very difficult time.
Maggie has been an integral part of Rock Brook School over the past 14 years and her passion for serving our students is unmatched. With great energy, enthusiasm and positivity, she has served as a classroom teacher, a Speech Language Pathologist, Director of Technology, and most recently as our Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
“Miss Maggie” has been part of every intake for every child at Rock Brook over the last 14 years and she clearly set the standard for how to build positive relationships with students and families. Our school crisis team is already gathering resources for you and your family and we will be sharing additional information over the weekend.
Along with our counselor, Mr. Chris, we will have additional staff available to help support students on Monday and throughout the coming weeks. In the meantime, you may find the following links helpful as you process this unexpected news:
https://good-grief.org/
https://www.dougy.org/
https://www.nasponline.org/
I thank you for your support as our Rock Brook School community deals with this devastating loss.
~ Glenn Famous
glenn.famous@rock-brook.org
RBS Family Update
September 11, 2022
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Rock Brook Families,
Thank you so much for your outpouring of condolences, remembrances, and offers of support in the wake of the loss of our colleague and friend, Maggie Deeds. This update provides you with information, resource links, and a few ways to support Maggie’s family during this challenging time.
We have provided some links below that you may find helpful as you speak to your child this weekend. From our shared experience base, we know that there is no easy nor singular way to help children understand death, especially when it is sudden and there has been no time to prepare. Each family deals with loss differently and we ask that you share the news of “Miss Maggie’s” death according to your own family, cultural or religious beliefs, and within the context of you knowing your child best.
We will have additional staff available tomorrow to help any child in need, but no class or school “announcements” are planned. As always, we will meet the individual needs of students in the same differentiated manner in which we deal with them on all topics and issues. Should you have specific concerns or questions, please feel free to reach out directly to me or any of the following:
School Counselor – chris.cruz@rock-brook.org
BCBA – maribeth.epstein@rock-brook.org
Supervisor of Instruction – jenie.vargas@rock-brook.org
School Nurses – nurse@rock-brook.org
You may find helpful resources by clicking the links below:
Addressing Grief
Grief and Bereavement Resources Autism Speaks
Additionally, as a way of sharing valued resources and ideas, we have also created a shared Google Doc: Shared RBS Resources for Loss and Grief where you can share titles or links to articles, books, videos, etc., that you have found helpful in the past when dealing with a personal loss or unexpected tragedy. We ask that you simply post the link or the resource you know of and specify whether it is specifically to help students or the adults of our community. Should you have any difficulty posting or accessing the shared doc, please email the information directly to info@rock-brook.org and we will post it for you.
At this time, we have no information in regard to services or arrangements but will forward that to you when received. Many of you have requested contact information or asked how to best support the family. For now, we provide the following options for you:
- Expressions of condolence and sympathy may be mailed or dropped off at Rock Brook School and we will ensure that Maggie’s family receives your expression.
- Similarly, direct financial support for the family may be sent to the school or click the following link for a GoFundMe page that has been set up by Maggie’s friends from the tennis community:
Deeds Family – GoFundMe page
Previously shared resource links:
https://good-grief.org/
https://www.dougy.org/
https://www.nasponline.org/
I thank you for your support as our Rock Brook School community deals with this devastating loss.
~ Glenn Famous
glenn.famous@rock-brook.org
RBS Chapter 27 Emergency Remote Instruction Plan 2022-23
In April 2020, Governor Murphy issued an executive order that became P.L.2020, c.27. This law provides for the continuity of instruction in the event of a public-health-related district closure so that LEAs can utilize virtual or remote instruction to satisfy the 180-day requirement pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-9. Read more…