Moving Forward for the Future
CBI (Community Based Instruction) and community life skills are a crucial part of our overall curriculum. The program has several components which include school based activities and structured experiences in the community. Our students go into the community several times a week and have learned to implement behavioral and social skills quite effectively.
In School at a Glance
Basic Living Skills - ironing, laundry, food shopping, cooking maintenance
Resume Writing - training to highlight in-school and internship experiences
Internal jobs (Headways Program) - Director’s assistant, security officer, receptionist, CBI assistant, tour guide, social worker's assistant, bus duty assistant
Food Service
a. Classes rotate through lunch preparation, learning to follow recipes, prepare, serve and clean up.
b. 140 Park Café - completely students-run restaurant experience comprising cooking, serving, wait staff, bussing, management, and menu planning.
Community Program
a. The students food shop in local markets to stock the school pantry.
b. Field trips include the water company, Home Depot and department stores to familiarize students with their operation.
Internships- students train in local restaurants, retail shops, day care centers and beauty salons, gaining hands-on learning experience.
Our goal is to provide Bergen Center for Child Development students with the opportunity to reach their personal potential and prepare them for future success.
Bergen Center's Learning Through Living
COMMUNITY FIELD TRIPS are excellent opportunities for our students to learn and explore their community. These educational outings are positive opportunities to encourage independence, confidence and mobility.SPORTS TOURNAMENTS are held every six weeks to encourage good physical health and to teach good sportsmanship. These events correspond with the current unit being taught in Physical Education (football, floor hockey, balloon volleyball, floor tennis, jump rope, scooter basketball and wiffle ball. They have proven to be an excellent motivator for our students.
THE HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE is an opportunity for students to invite their parents, family and friends to school and to raise money for their classrooms. Every class makes a craft to sell at this event and the proceeds are used for field trips. The biggest money making venture has consistently been Bergen Center for Child Development’s special homemade dog biscuits that are baked with special care by our students. The Holiday Concert is also performed at this time and the response from the audiences has been remarkable.
INTERNATIONAL DAY LUNCHEON is an event which promotes an understanding of various cultures of the world. Each class makes a presentation to the entire school about a country, and provides a food that is native to that country. The students also participate in a Winter Olympics Contest during this week with each class competing as its country of choice.
ART CONTESTS Many of our students have entered local or state-wide art competitions, and won prizes and honors. The students’ art work is displayed throughout our building and appears on the cover of our yearbook.
STUDENT COUNCIL is an excellent opportunity for our students to learn about government and assist in enhancing their school environment . Class representatives are elected every November and meet regularly to discuss school issues. Student Council members are expected to conduct themselves as role models for their peers.
SPRING SOCIAL is held in May of each school year for all BCCD students who have demonstrated appropriate social skills throughout the school year. This day of dancing and singing is enjoyed by all. This even t is held at a local catering hall which provides students with a dining experience which they might otherwise enjoy.
AWARDS DINNER is a chance for students to demonstrate their many accomplishments. Family and friends are invited to share dinner and applaud the students for their hard work with the handing out of awards. This has proven to be a wonderful and positive experience for our students to strive for excellence and success in many areas.
