Blogs from Essex County, New Jersey, United States, North America

Today, the Bridge to Success Scholars visited Stone Mountain. It was an enjoyable day! First, we rode on "Ride the Ducks." These are military type vehicles that can be driven on land and on water. We were divided into two groups and took off on our adventure. We took a quick tour around Stone Mountain and then found our way to the lake area! Suddenly, our land vehicle turned into a boat and we took a lovely ride on the lake. Some of us were given opportunities to drive the boat. It was lots of fun! After the boat ride, we took a lift to the top of Stone Mountain. Some of us were not as anxious as others to take the ride to the top. NEVERTHELESS, the entire group climbed onto the tram and we ... read more

Good Morning CHS Community! We are up and ready to start our day. This morning we will be visiting Stone Mountain. They say it is a beautiful area. This afternoon, we will be traveling back into downtown Atlanta and visiting the Dr. MLK, Jr. Center for Nonviolence. We hope to have a great day! Enjoy your day! CHS Cougars... read more

TODAY OUR BRIDGE TO SUCCESS SCHOLARS SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY PARTICIPATING IN A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT. WE WERE GREETED BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT de PAUL EARLY THIS MORNING. THE GROUP WAS DIVIDED INTO SUB-GROUPS AND PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: ADDRESSING INVITATIONS, SORTING CLOTHES, LABELING FOOD DONATIONS, SHREDDING PAPERS, PREPARING BACK PACKS FOR CHILDREN, AND UNLOADING TRUCKS. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE DAY! IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT BUT WE KEPT OUR FOCUS, AND DID OUR PART TO FIGHT POVERTY IN THE ATLANTA AREA. BEFORE WE DEPARTED THE CENTER, MR. JIM VELLECHIA, THE DIRECTOR, MADE THE FOLLOWING COMMENT REGARDING OUR STUDENTS, "THE STUDENTS FROM COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL ARE AN INSPIRATION!" TONIGHT WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO DOWNTOWN ATLANTA FOR DINNER! TO BE CONTINUED! CHS COUGARS... read more

"Tomorrow is the day when idlers work, and fools reform." ~Edward Young So as my suitcases lay yet empty, I decided to write my first blog of the summer. As I always feel it is necessary to reflect on the past year, I find that my packing can wait a few more minutes. I was blessed this year to be moved to an incredible new school. At first, something new is always a bit of a challenge, but change is necessary when bordem sets in. I found myself revived again to teach ... not only by my "difficult" students but by all of the new teachers I met at School 23. I was amazed at their dedication, the new ideas, the team work, and the family I was soon to become a part of. To all ... read more

Just a test to get this thing up and running. We're buying our gear & planning our route. We have our leaving party on Saturday in Philly.... read more