Pheasant Lanes Bowling Upcoming Field Trips
November 9th Blue level students from our Academic High School, Transition High School, and BEST High School will be attending. November 16 Blue level students from our Academic Elementary School and BEST Elementary School will be attending. November 30 Blue level students [...]
Pancake Win For Positive Students
Download the October 2018 edition of The Senator Scribbler, our newsletter written by our students with the assistance of our staff!
FCS PEAK Newsletter – October ’18
Click here to download the latest FCS PEAK Newsletter
Protected: Learning Disabilities Month 2018
To view this page, please enter the password below:
Students of the Month – October 2018
We are proud to feature of students of the month for October 2018! This month, Middle Schooler, Kiana Charles has risen to the rank of Student of the Month. Kiana has made strides in receiving awards for academics and attendance. Her positive attitude is contagious to [...]
Introducing our New Associate Director
At our Findlay location, Ms. Karrah Windau has been named our new Associate Director! She has spent the last five years working in the Occupational Therapy Department as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She has five years of experience working with the students at the school, as well [...]
Sierra Staff All Star Team – September
Congratulations to our September Staff All Star Team! These staff have gone above and beyond for Sierra School and our students. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication! Mr. Lopez Mr. Ford Mr. Hodges Mr. Taylor A special congratulations to Ms. Williams who is our September [...]
The Stride: Keeping Littleton Moving Forward
Nova Center staff has formed a team for the Stride walk later this month to be held in Littleton, Colorado. The Stride is a community event that brings together students, parents, teachers, staff and neighborhoods. The focus is on health, wellness, community and school spirit with a goal [...]
Pancake Win For Positive Students
High school students who were on Positive status for the entire month of September were rewarded with a pancake breakfast that they, themselves, were able to make. Ms. Keller and Ms. Smith aided students in the pancake making process while students were able to enjoy their choice of chocolate [...]
Learning About The Prehistoric Era
Our Middle School students has been learning about the Prehistoric Era in history class. Students enjoyed creating their own cave painting to better understand the life of the early man.
Choir Club
Sierra Academy of San Diego is running Friday clubs based on student interests. This year we were fortunate enough to have two staff volunteer to start a choir club. Mr. Damian and Mrs. Nae both have musical talents and have been amazing additions to our team. Last week, [...]
High Road School of Wright City Walks for Autism
On October 13th, 2018, the staff from High Road School of Wright City got together to show their support and raise awareness for autism at the St. Louis Autism Speaks Autism Walk. The team had a great time meeting new friends and greeting the old. We want to [...]
New for 2018–19: Psychiatric Services
We are excited to offer students at B.E.S.T. Academy and High Road School of Wallingford (High School & Primary) Psychiatric services for the 2018–19 school year. Why did BEST Academy & High Road Schools believe providing a Psychiatric service would be beneficial to students?We work with amazing [...]
New School Social Worker
We are pleased to announce the addition of Mrs. Meagan Steyer who will be servicing all three of our locations as our new school social worker. Mrs. Steyer obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at The University of Findlay in 2012. She then went on to [...]
Staff of the Month: September 2018
High Road School of Hartford Primary's, Mr. Deven Scott has been selected as the September Staff of the Month! Through a process where all staff in the building nominate a peer who exemplifies our CORE 4 values and has been an asset to the team, Mr. Scott received [...]
Staff of the Month: September 2018
Uriah Lynn, a 3rd grade student here at High Road School of Hartford Primary was selected as the Student of the Month for September! One student from each of our 4 classrooms was nominated and then all staff voted on which student exemplified the desired behaviors of a [...]
Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom (Monthly Steps)
In May 2018 I wrote about Culturally Responsive Teaching. To be a culturally responsive teachers we ourselves must be culturally competent. According to The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “cultural competence means to be respectful and responsive to the health beliefs and practices—and cultural and linguistic needs—of diverse population groups. Developing cultural competence is also an [...]
Catapult Learning’s Summer School Program Gets High Remarks
Through a three year partnership with the Maryville R-II School District (Maryville, MO), we are excited about the high student retention (91 percent) and daily attendance increases (80 to 91 percent) as we completed our second year of the program. Read what Superintendent Becky Albrecht shared about our student [...]
Community Outreach Urban Gardening Project
Thanks to our friends at LandCare, and the hard work of all of the Sierra School students, we were able to revitalize the large planter area and prepare it for winter crops. Using almost ten yards of dirt and an entire team of professionals and (professional students) we are [...]
Student of the Week- Sep. 28
In the High Road School classroom at Lockerman Middle School, a “Student of the Week” is recognized and announced at the end of each school week. The “Student of the Week” is honored with earning a certificate, a “Free Rotation Pass”, and their name remains displayed the following [...]
U.N.I.T.Y. Dance Team Tryouts – October 5th
Tryouts – October 5th, 2018 It's that time of year again! The U.N.I.T.Y. dance team at High Road Academy are holding tryouts for the 2018-2019 school year! Students will be expected to do variation of dance forms, from ballet to hip-hop. If selected, students will be performing at [...]
The Science of Ice Cream Making
We kicked off our year in science in a sweet way by making our own ice cream from scratch. Our students precisely followed the recipe by combining half & half, sugar, and vanilla extract into a small bag; in a large bag we combined ice and kosher salt. [...]
Fall Into Learning
Students began their year in the English department by writing a literary essay on conflict analysis and how it builds tension and suspense within a text. The students were assigned a reading list over the summer and upon return chose one of the stories to write an essay [...]
Our Music Club
Although the Music Club is not a full orchestra or marching band it has the heart of one. It all started with one student asking if there was anyone he could play guitar with. It just so happens that t he teacher he asked knew how to play the [...]
Kitchen Project: Speaking Our Own Language
Part of the Transition Program here at High Road Academy is running our kitchen. Each student in the senior class get a chance to assist with making and distributing meals, putting shipping orders away and maintaining a proper working space. The purpose of the kitchen program is for [...]
Celebrating 3 Years With Howard County Parks and Recreation
We are so proud to announce that High Road Academy is entering its third year in partnership with Howard County Parks and Recreation. Over 20 students have helped to maintain the parks in their community since this partnership began. The goal of this program is to provide an [...]
Off to a Great Start in Lima
The 2018-2019 school year is off to a great start here in Lima, Ohio! We are excited to welcome back all returning students and staff in addition to all of those that are new to our school this year. We are happy to welcome a year of new [...]
High Road News – September
Download the September 2018 issue of the High Road News
Blue Level Trip – Aikido Delaware Aikikai
Our first Blue Level Field Trip of the new school year took us to Aikido Delaware Aikikai. High Road students from High Road School of New Castle, Cecil County & Harford participated on the trip. They were introduced to the martial arts practice of Aikido and worked [...]
Middle School Classroom News
Middle school has been practicing the rotational model in language arts and math. We are using fun alternatives like matching games and sentence building. In science we have started to construct a solar system using foil, paint, and wire hangers! We also took a trip to horse therapy [...]
Transition Program Updates – September 2018
School jobs around High Road School of Cecil County are off to a great start! Students apply for a job at school that interests them and go through a hiring process (application, interview, & training shift). This school year we started with a student flag raiser who raises [...]
September 2018 Newsletter
Download the September 2018 Newsletter Today
Biden Foundation-Cyber Safety Workshop
The Biden Foundation met with our elementary, middle school, and high school students to challenge them to think critically about online safety and digital citizenship issues. Students were taught how to recognize risky behaviors, evaluate their online choices, and communicate with trusted adults and friends through the [...]
Kicking Off The Year
The Kent Alternative Program is hosting a back to school kickball event. Welcoming parents, administrators and community members that work diligently with students at KAP. The kickball event is going to be a fun-filled event where parents and guardians can see what their child(ren) have been working on [...]
Muffins with Mom
Moms and mother figures were invited to indulge in an assortment of muffins and beverages at our annual Muffins with Mom event. This is a special occasion where students can show the special women in their lives how much they are loved. Above that, it's a fun opportunity [...]
Aikido Delaware Blue Level Trip
Aikido, the martial art for body, mind, and spirit was developed in Japan in the 20th century by Grandmaster Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido is derived from the ancient and enduring traditions of aikijujitsu, swordmanship, spearfighting techniques, and a philosophy of universal harmony and peace. Our Blue Level students [...]
Back to School Night
On September 25th we had our Back to School Night! Parents and students were able to see classrooms and meet teachers and staff. Everyone also enjoyed a BBQ dinner, Raffle prizes, and games. All of our families, students and staff had a great time! [...]
Elementary Classroom News
The students in Elementary continued to work hard during the month of September. We are growing academically through our classroom rotations and growing closer as friends through social skills time. The students are currently learning about the sun and moon. Elementary students also were able to go to [...]
Back to School Day
Back to School Day was a huge success. Thank you to all of the families that attended! Each classroom had interactive activities for families and students to participate in: luncheon, jeopardy games, student power point presentations, friend interviews, and much more! The event really promoted a community [...]
2018-2019 Book Fair
During the week of September 22, we held our annual Book Fair with great success! Books — their feel, their words, their pictures, and the bonding time they involve with others — are a magical part of learning for all students.
Driven Raceway Field Trip Rohnert Park
Our High School and Middle School students experienced their first field trip of the year by going to Driven Raceway! Below are photos from both trips. The students cannot wait to go back and race again. Middle School Field Trip Room 4 students earned a [...]
Picnic at the Park
This Friday, the Elementary and Middle school students went to the Rosemead Park as part of our Picnic Friday. Students and team members seemed to enjoy the trip because there were plenty of delicious snacks and juices. We also set up right next to the playground where the [...]
Cooking Class with Staff and Students
On September 21st, student participated in cooking class with staff and peers. The student made scramble eggs, bacon, and toast with jam. Staff Ford would demonstrate the steps to prepare a hearty breakfast while each student observes.. Then each student were given two eggs to crack into a [...]
Hard-Working Students Usher Eagles Game
Four High Road School students are off to a prosperous start to their school year. In September, they all were hired as unlicensed event staff members with the largest event staff company in North America. Under the guidance of Mr. Demby, Transition Specialist, the students filled out the [...]
Forget Me Not Farm!
Classroom 1 students took a field trip to Forget Me Not Farm! Students who meet academic and behavioral expectations at school are able to go to the farm on a weekly basis. This local establishment gives children the opportunity to care for and interact with various animals including [...]
Capital Academy Goes to Paula’s Orchard
Ms. Smith and Ms. Keller took a group of high school students to Paula's Orchard, as part of the "HS Newspaper Team," to report on their observations and the importance of pollination. Students returned to school and began drafting articles and reviews on their experiences. [...]
Mrs. Annecie’s Art Class
Mrs. Annecie and Ms. Alexis create a comfortable, relaxed work space to encourage creativity, socializing, learning, and the trying of new techniques. Each student was able to display their masterpiece at back to school night!
An Architect’s Experience
Students at Cambridge- South Dorchester High School were involved in a hands on Tech Ed activity involving toothpicks and marshmallows! Each student was given an instruction sheet and were encouraged to produce what was pictured or make their own design! Students involved enjoyed this fun activity but how could [...]
Welcome to the Therapy Department
"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are." In the Therapy Department at Sierra School at Eastern Extension, we believe that every child deserves to live their happiest and healthiest life. [...]
High School Norms & Expectations
Our Art Teacher, Ms. Keller, along with a group of students, worked diligently to brainstorm and create High School Wing wide norms and expectations. From here, they created posters under the "hash tag" theme and placed them around the High School Wing as friendly reminders to our [...]
Catapult Learning Announces Acquisition of Special Education School in Southern California
Company Continues Growth of Special Education Offerings Around the Country (PRWEB) September 12, 2018, Camden, NJ – Catapult Learning, a leading provider of special education and instructional intervention solutions, today announced the acquisition of the Leeway School for Educational Therapy in Alhambra, California. The Leeway School will join Catapult Learning’s [...]
Back-to-School Tips for Superintendents (Part 2)
The new school year is well underway. As superintendent of your district, your leadership sets the tone for how the months to come will unfold. You likely have already visited your schools and made contact with all of your principals and teachers. They know you [...]
Back-to-School Tips for Principals (Part 2)
The new school year is well underway – and hopefully off to a great start. As the principal of your school, the tone you set in these early days serves as the foundation for the months to come. You have likely already established habits that [...]
Meet Our Staff: Sherrie Noel
Welcome back! My name is Sherrie Noel and I work at Sierra School of Butte County. I started at Sierra in 2012 and I am currently teaching 9th through 12th grade. Sierra School is a special place to work! I enjoy the small, family like atmosphere. During my [...]
Working Wonders
In a goal to reach our community, we invite programs such as Working Wonders to come in and work with our students. Working Wonders is a program that serves disabled adults within our community by giving them opportunities to volunteer and expand their skills. When volunteering in our [...]
FCS PEAK Newsletter – September ’18
Click here to download the latest FCS PEAK Newsletter
Scientific Method & Fiesta Friday
As part of his Scientific Method lesson, Mr. Hedash held a "Fiesta Friday" which required students to apply their knowledge of writing lab reports and processes of creating an experiment. Students used scale measuring instruments and conversion factors to determine exactly how many pounds of meat was required [...]
Open House 2018
On September 7th, from 1:30-3:30, many families returned to the school building after dismissal. Students led their family members on tours throughout the building. Families were able to see the work students have been learning about and some even got to sit where their student's sit. The Pet [...]
Tower Challenge
Team building is an important aspect of our school and classrooms. The Tower Challenge shows both teachers and students the importance of building a strong, healthy team. The Tower Challenge involves several teams (of 3-4 students) competing to assemble the tallest freestanding structure in a given time period with [...]
Back-to-School Tips for Principals (Part 1)
It’s September at last and that means students across the country are back in the classroom. It’s a time when students anticipate new clothes, school supplies, lessons and experiences. Your faculty and staff spent a portion of their summer preparing for a great 2018-19 school year. [...]
Back-to-School Tips for Superintendents (Part 1)
School is in session across the country and that means communities are coming together for the 2018-2019 academic year. Your principals, teachers and staff have already welcomed students back into the classroom. Students are reconnecting with one another and anticipating many new and exciting lessons and [...]
Opening of Easton Middle School Program
We are proud to announce that the opening of the Easton Middle School program has started with many successes. Transitioning from elementary school to middle school is a difficult thing for any child; no more recess, access to more freedom yet having to adhere to more rules; just [...]
Slime Stress Balls
To kick off the 2018-2019 school year, one-of-a-kind stress tools were created in High Road programs at Denton Elementary, Lockerman Middle, and North Caroline High School. Ms. Ileana, the High Road Social Worker, and students discussed new school year transition while identifying school stressors and coping strategies. Throughout [...]
August 2018 Students of the Month
Jada Jada has demonstrated exemplary behavior both in and out of the classroom. She has served as a volunteer for several projects; attendance clerk, mentoring a non-verbal peer, St. Mary's Food Bank, horse therapy and multiple other activities. She is an excellent participant in classroom rotations and shows [...]
SHINE Classroom Events
The Shine Classroom welcomed back the school year by jumping straight into our cooking classes, learning about important social skills, and getting used to some new aspects of the classroom for the 2018-2019 school year! We made cookies, pasta salad, spaghetti, and spaghetti sauce! We learned about selling our [...]
1st Day At Our New School
For 2 weeks before the new school year began, staff were busily preparing their new spaces for our exciting move and participating in trainings. As the first day of school began, 32 students entered our new location located at 757 New Britain Avenue excited to start the new [...]
Football Spirit Day – Sep. 7th
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
2018–19 School Calendar
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
Back to School Treats
On August 24th We celebrated Back to School with a Kona Ice truck visit! The students were able to enjoy a sweet treat as part of our incentives for great behavior. Even the staff got in on all of the fun. We look forward to many more awesome [...]
Elementary Class News
Elementary has been working hard to complete assessments and learning new skills in our reading and math rotations. The students have enjoyed learning about the states of matter and parts of a plant in science. We have been enjoying playing together and becoming great friends through play time and [...]
Sierra School Newsletter August 2018
Millad Nooraei, Director Andrea Pons, Associate Director This school year brings about a few changes. We are happy to introduce our new Director, Millad Nooraei, who recently served as our Associate Director the previous year and Ms. Andrea Pons, our new Associate Director, served as [...]
Catapult Learning Pilots STEM Program for Public and Private K-12 Schools in Houston Area
(PRWEB) August 22, 2018 Catapult Learning, a leading provider of instructional intervention and professional development solutions, today announced the successful completion of a pilot program of its new STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) offering in public and private schools throughout the Houston area. Catapult Learning works with [...]
First Week Back for the Senators!
From the first day back for our new self-contained elementary wing. to teachers utilizing more brain breaks and academic centers to focus on special education needs everyone is excited for the new year. Each teacher has put a colorful spin on their classroom atmosphere with welcoming introductory activities [...]
A Great Start to the 2018-19 School Year
Middle school has been working diligently to complete classroom assessment and complete all of our rotations within our rotational model. We have started our classroom projects in science learning about plant structures. The students have been developing coping skills and appropriate social skills that we require in our [...]
Staff Training Week Activities
During training week, Staff took a break from academic enhancement to competed in competitive group bonding activities!
2018–19 School Calendar
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
Pups and Parks
At Sierra School of Antioch we offer the companionship of two service dogs, Luna Lovegood and Seymour. Both are certified service dogs who have not only received basic canine training but also training for PTSD, anxiety, and to prevent self-harm. Everyone who visits is encouraged to give our [...]
2018–19 School Calendar
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
2018–19 School Calendar
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
Capitalizing on Structures that Invite Teachers to Invest in Instructional Coaching
If you’ve ever coached a sport’s team, you may have noticed how the process of coaching baseball players and teachers is so much alike. Contemplate the chorus in John Fogerty’s 1985 song, Centerfield: Oh, put me in coach, I’m ready to play today. Put me in coach, [...]
Catapult Learning Brings Summer Programs in STEM, Math, and Reading to Hawaiian Students
Learning Tools and Activities Reduce Summer Learning Loss for Students on Maui August 15, 2018 (Camden, NJ) – Catapult Learning, a leading provider of instructional intervention and professional development solutions, today announced the conclusion of its summer offerings at two Maui schools. Through a partnership between Catapult and the [...]
And We’re Off!
The 2018-2019 school year is in full swing here at The Center for Autism and Dyslexia, in Bucyrus, Ohio. We are quite excited over all the new possibilities and experiences ahead of us this year. In addition to returning faculty and students we are fortunate to also be [...]
2018–19 School Calendar
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
2018–19 School Calendar
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
2018–19 School Calendar
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
2018–19 School Calendar
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
2018–19 School Calendar
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
2018–19 School Calendar
Download the 2018–19 School Calendar today
Giving Back to St. Jude Children’s Hospital
When we shop with at Amazon.com, a portion of our purchase go to: You can do the same by visiting Smile.Amazon.com and selecting a charity of your own!
New Murals from our Artistic Students
Two of our High School students wanted to give back to the school, and asked if they could paint murals. With each student being artistic in their own individual way, they chose a theme and went for it! Our gold student, Meghan was inspired by a famous quote [...]
Sierra Talent Show
On May 25th Sierra Academy had their Talent Show! Eighteen acts, totaling 34 students, performed their wonderful talents. The performers spent months of hard work and practice in preparation for the big show. The talents ranged from solo singers, game show questions, musical instruments, comedy, group singing and [...]
Educator Spotlight – Sarah Beaulieu
Sarah Beaulieu Social Worker “Sarah joined the Catapult team at the beginning of this school year, but her work ethic, reliability, rapport, and commitment display that of a veteran staff member. Sarah goes above and beyond to ensure that what is in the best interest for each student [...]
Sierra Academy Featured on Sonoran Living
Recently, our director of Sierra Academy of Scottsdale, Lenora King, was featured on Sonoran Living.
North Bay Trip 2018
At North Bay, they taught our students to recognize how their actions affect their futures, their community, and the environment using character development and outdoors activities. The students attended two classes each day. One after breakfast and one after lunch. In these classes they did educational team-building activities [...]
Congratulations Seniors!
High Road Academy of Prince George's County would like to wish the graduating class of 2018 nothing but the best of luck as they complete one milestone and begin another. The administration and staff are very proud of you and know you will do great things as you [...]
Creating Our School Garden
Jarvius is a rising 12th grade student at Highroad Academy of Prince George's County. During the 2016-17 school year he expressed an interest in having a career in landscaping after graduation because he enjoyed nature, planting and growing things. With the assistance of his school social worker Mr [...]
Great Day To Be Outside!
Our ESY class enjoyed a great day outside today! We couldn't ask for a better day!
A Message From Our Staff
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." "When you enjoy what you do, work becomes play."
First Openly Autistic School Board Member visits High Road Academy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1 in 59 children in the United States have autism. Autism is not a predictable or uniform disability – it presents differently in every child – so there’s no “one size fits all” approach to autism education. To show special education students [...]
Regional MO Newspaper Highlights Kirksville School District’s Summer Journey Program
The Kirksville R-III School District’s Summer Journey program was highlighted in a recent article in the Columbia Daily Tribune. The article highlights several of the course projects that summer school students have been working on during the four-week program, including claymation films, Lego architecture, and more. The district’s program director, teachers, [...]
McDonald County Summer Journey Featured on Local Missouri News
McDonald County School District’s Summer Journey program, which runs from May 30 through June 29, was featured on a recent newscast on KFJX Fox 14 News. The network highlighted the Catapult Learning program’s success in McDonald County, which has 56% of its students in attendance for the 2018 Summer Journey program. The [...]
Community Support For Our Students
Members from St. Joseph's Catholic Church came to the school and donated school supplies after doing a drive at their church. They collected more than 2 boxes of supplies plus a $150 gift card to Target to purchase uniforms for students. What amazing community support! [...]
Experiencing Colonial Times
Our fourth grade students were able to travel back to the colonial times at the Historic St. Mary’s City! During this field trip, our students learned how goods were traded on ships. They were also able to board a ship and take a tour through it! Our [...]
Forum of Italian American Educators 34th Annual Awards and Dinner Dance
The Forum of Italian American Educators: 34th Annual Awards Ceremony On Friday, April 20th, Catapult Learning will attend the Forum of Italian American Educators (FIAME) 34th Annual Awards Ceremony and Dinner Dance at Villa Barone Manor. Since 1978, FIAME has been promoting Italian culture for a new generation of Italian [...]
Trenton Catholic Academy 14th Annual Golf Outing
Trenton Catholic Academy educates a diverse PreK-12 student body to be responsible citizens of a global society through a challenging and relevant curriculum centered in Catholic tradition and values. Trenton Academy is a place where students "Believe, Dream, Succeed!" This year Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of the [...]
End of the Year Celebration
It is hard to believe that the end of the school year is already here! On June 5th, our classroom held a celebration to acknowledge all of the hard work and effort the students have put forth this year! The celebration started off with an awards ceremony, in [...]
Extracting DNA in Science Class
By extracting strawberry DNA students were able to see up close and personal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strands. Students followed the scientific method and created hypothesis on what they thought would happen. They created a detergent using isopropyl alcohol, dish soap, sodium chloride. The students then used cheese cloth to [...]
Educator Spotlight – June 2018
We are pleased to feature our first-ever Team of the Month edition of Educator Spotlight! Over the years, we have received several requests to nominate a team of teachers for the Educator Spotlight honor. Team is defined as a group of educators who work together daily to support learning, student [...]
School Year In Review!
What a great year we had at High Road School New London. Here are just a few of the photos from this past school year!
End of School Year Celebration
On the last full day of school the staff helped to plan a BBQ at the end of the year. Staff prepared crafts, activities and sport rotations before and after lunch for the students. Parents were also invited to join in on the activities and lunch. Activities included [...]
A Peek Into the Future
High Road School students are creating vision boards to help explore and share some of their future goals. Some students were clear about earning their high school diploma but unable to formulate a plan any further. While other students had goals to reach beyond high school including being firefighters, [...]
Cultural Competence – Part I: First Steps
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to the change the world.”—Nelson Mandela As educators, we must work to meet the needs of all learners in our classrooms. To do this, we must participate in continuous professional learning and self-reflection. We are obliged to study [...]
2018 Michael Cardin Scholarship Recipient
James found out about the scholarship opportunity from Ms. Scott a reading support staff member at High Road Academy. After asking him if he would be interested in applying and taking the time to meet with James to go over the different areas the scholarship covers and awards he [...]
Graduating Senior Moving on to Morgan State University
Class of 2018 graduate Jordan Green, is looking forward to graduation and excited about his transition from high school to college. Jordan has been accepted, and will be attending Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD in the fall. He plans to major in Psychology with hopes of becoming [...]
The Dr. Mudd House and Museum
Recently, Mrs. Tibe, Mrs. Curtis, and Mrs. Burgos took our students on blue and gold level to the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House and Museum for an educational field trip. While on this trip the students learned about Dr. Mudd's wife Sarah Frances Dyer who was his childhood [...]
Catapult Schools’ Career Fair Featured in Local San Diego Newspaper
Springall Academy and Sierra Academy of San Diego, members of the Catapult Learning Schools Group, hosted a Career Fair for the schools' students on April 18th. The event was featured in an article in the May/June 2018 issue of the Mission Times Courier. Several businesses—including the YMCA, Starbucks, and Kona [...]
Catapult Schools’ Career Fair Featured in Local San Diego Newspaper
Springall Academy and Sierra Academy of San Diego, members of the Catapult Learning Schools Group, hosted a Career Fair for the schools' students on April 18th. The event was featured in an article in the May/June 2018 issue of the Mission Times Courier. Several businesses—including the YMCA, Starbucks, and Kona [...]
Better Hearing & Speech Month – Part 2: Safe Hearing & Listening
By Janelle Paul, M.S., CCC-SLP, Supervisor of Specialized Services, Catapult Learning Earlier in the month, I wrote about caring for your teacher voice in Part I of my blog highlighting National Better Hearing & Speech Month. But it wouldn’t be Better Hearing and Speech Month without some tips about hearing [...]
Better Hearing & Speech Month – Part I: Caring for Your Teacher Voice
By Janelle Paul, M.S., CCC-SLP, Supervisor of Specialized Services, Catapult Learning I am excited to inform you that May is National Better Hearing and Speech Month! As a speech-language pathologist (SLP), I often use this month as an opportunity to provide knowledge and tips about good vocal hygiene and good listening [...]
New Jersey Association of Federal Program Administrators Annual Conference
The New Jersey Association of Federal Program Administrators (NJAFPA) Annual Conference will be taking place in Princeton, NJ at the Marriott at Forrestal on May 31, 2018. Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of the NJAFPA Annual Conference! We are excited to be a part of this year's event and [...]
Catapult Learning Sponsors Baccalaureate Ceremonies
This year Catapult Learning is a sponsor of two annual baccalaureate ceremonies for organizations that uphold a reputation of greatness. We are proud sponsors of the Black Community Organization Network's (BCON) 40th Annual Baccalaureate Ceremony and the Hispanic Educators Association of Nevada's (HEAN) 31st Annual Baccalaureate Ceremony. BCON's ceremony is [...]
Catapult Learning will Exhibit at Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration Summer Conference
Catapult Learning will be exhibiting at this year's Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA) Summer Conference in Norman, OK at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center. John Scroggins will be at booth #019 on June 6th and 7th from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The CCOSA School Leadership [...]
The Catholic Foundation’s 17th Annual Golf Classic
Catapult Learning was a proud sponsor of The Catholic Foundation's 17th Annual Golf Classic. Yesterday's event took place at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club and raised money to benefit the Catholic Schools and Catholic Education Endowments at the Foundation. Yesterday was dedicated to a great day of golf, [...]
Easton Elementary Students
The students in our classrooms at Easton Elementary love to work hard and play harder. With lots of studying and practice, 5th grader Antonio Gibbs got his first 100% on a spelling test this year! Connor Ellifritz, one of our 3rd graders, celebrated his 50th day on [...]
Educator Spotlight – May 2018
Educator Spotlight Announcing the May 2018 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. [...]
2018 Career Fair
Sierra Academy of San Diego co-hosted an annual Career Day with Springall Academy this year. Eleven different businesses donated their time and came to campus to share information with all of the students. Businesses included: Snapology, YMCA, Horse Therapy, Camp Bow Wow, a Computer technician, Pet-Tential, 3 different [...]
Creating With Clay
Middle school students were able to have creative control and expression through clay creation. The middle school classes were given some clay and told to create something, the second part of the project was for them to then write a passage briefly about their projects.Once they began working with [...]
Kindness Challenge
At the start of the 2018 Spring season, Ms. Ileana, High Road social worker, led a group activity with students in the High Road programs at Denton Elementary and North Caroline High school. The group activity focused on promoting random acts of kindness. Ms. Ileana introduced discussion topic of [...]
In-Service Days Complement Professional Development Activities
A rich knowledge base exists on the benefits of thoughtful, multi-year professional development activities for schools, districts, and dioceses, inspired in large part by federally funded research on school improvement, organizational change, and adult learning styles. Effective educational leaders are familiar with insights gleaned from this knowledge base, and typically [...]
Virginia Association of School Superintendents Conference
Catapult Learning attended the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS) Conference in Roanoke, Virginia. Beginning on May 6th and concluding yesterday, May 8th, the conference offered a rich array of professional learning and networking opportunities. This year's annual conference provided participants with insight into the new Administration's specific objectives for [...]
A Great Year for our Transitions Program
The Transitions program for the school year has been great. Our students spent time working with the community, handing out food every month during our food box distribution here on campus. Our students also spent numerous hours volunteering at St. Mary’s Food Bank, helping box and prep food [...]
Pennsylvania Association Federal Program Coordinators 50th Anniversary Annual Conference
From April 29 to May 2, the Pennsylvania Association Federal Program Coordinators (PAFPC) celebrated its 50th anniversary during the association’s annual conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Catapult Learning exhibited at the 50th anniversary conference, which featured a "Leading & Learning” theme and provided attendees with information and training on the laws, [...]
Torah Umesorah 62nd Annual Leadership Convention
Catapult Learning is a gold sponsor at this year's 62nd Annual Torah Umesorah Annual Leadership Convention. Beginning on May 2nd and concluding on May 6th, this year's convention will be taking place at the Kalahari Resort in Pocono Manors, Pennsylvania. Torah Umesorah's mission is to ensure that every Jewish child [...]
Local Connecticut BOE member with Autism Speaks to Students at High Road Academy
[vc_column_text pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] Enfield, Connecticut Board of Education member Sarah Hernandez, who has Autism, visited High Road Academy in Wallingford last week. Hernandez spoke with students, answered their questions, and toured the school with Education Director Sue Gilleaudeau. Three local media outlets highlighted the visit in print [...]
Local Connecticut BOE member with Autism Speaks to Students at High Road Academy
Enfield, Connecticut Board of Education member Sarah Hernandez, who has Autism, visited High Road Academy in Wallingford last week. Hernandez spoke with students, answered their questions, and toured the school with Education Director Sue Gilleaudeau. Three local media outlets highlighted the visit in print and online features. Read the articles [...]
Catapult Learning School Director Op-Ed on Autism and Inclusion Featured in Local Colorado Paper
An op-ed written by Sarah Strothkamp, Executive Director of Sierra School of Weld County, was featured in The Greeley Tribune, a print and online newspaper that serves Greeley and Weld Counties in Colorado. In the op-ed, It’s Time to Reflect on Inclusion, Strothkamp discusses the importance—and value—of inclusion both for [...]
Educator Spotlight – April 2018
Educator Spotlight Announcing the March 2018 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. [...]
What Winning the Spelling Bee Means to Me
I can remember the day I signed up for the spelling bee. Mrs. Deluzio came to my class room announcing that we were having a spelling bee at the school. Once I saw the poster I was excited to sign up because I knew I was very good [...]
Historic Legislation
In celebration of African American History Month the High School students participated in a mock debate regarding the merits of the details in the landmark case, Brown vs. Board of Education. Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka,347 U.S. 483, was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in [...]
Farming for Hunger
Recently students on gold, blue and green level earned a field trip to Farming 4 Hunger. Farming 4 Hunger is an organization that was formed in 2012 by Bernie Fowler Jr. in Southern Maryland. This is a non-profit organization that has partnered with over 27 local farms, 20+ [...]
Mobile Dental Program Piloted at High Road School of Hartford
An op-ed co-authored by Catapult Learning Regional Vice President Brooke Violante Kelly and Marwa Abdinoor, a senior at a Hartford-area high school, was recently published on CT Viewpoints. The sister site to The Connecticut Mirror, CT Viewpoints provides thoughtful commentary and robust discussion of public policy issues vital to the future [...]
Middle School Highlights – March 2018
Middle school has been very busy for the month of March!! We have volunteered for the St. Mary’s Food Bank, had the Phoenix Symphony visit us, participated in the school talent show, and kept up with various hands on projects!! We also get to enjoy dog Therapy!. [...]
2018 High School Prom
The 2018 Prom was such a huge success and exciting day for all. The students looked beautiful and handsome for this very special event! Our sister school, Sierra Academy of Scottsdale arrived by limo and walked down the red carpet into the beautifully decorated event. Dresses, jewelry and men's [...]
Catapult Learning Releases 2018 Learning Bag Catalog
A Cost-Effective Way to Keep Young Minds Engaged April 19, 2018, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning, a leading provider of instructional intervention and professional development solutions, today announced the availability of its 2018 Student Learning Bag & Lending Library Catalog, offering a cost-effective way to supply students with engaging [...]
Senator Bob Duff Visit
Thank you to Senator Bob Duff for visiting our school! Our staff and students enjoying giving you a tour of school. We hope to see you again soon.
The Importance of Empathy in Our Work with Students with Special Needs
A debate currently rages about the nature of autism. Within this debate are two important questions: Is autism a disorder to be treated? Or should society be treated to fit the needs of everyone? Like other writers who try to avoid falling into the pit of political despair, this blog [...]
North Bay Trip 2018
At North Bay, they taught our students to recognize how their actions affect their futures, their community, and the environment using character development and outdoors activities. The students attended two classes each day. One after breakfast and one after lunch. In these classes they did educational team-building activities [...]
Inaugural Jalen White Regional Spelling Bee
Spelling Bees are a popular and effective way to have students become better spellers. It allows them to practice spelling words they might not ordinarily use while mixing in some fun and competition. This the High Road Schools of the Maryland South Region decided to create a regional [...]
Stop, Drop, and Read!
Stop, Drop, and Read! is a recurring school initiative where students are encouraged to stop and drop everything that that were doing, pick up a book and begin reading. Once it is announce that all students must Stop, Drop, and Read, they are free to find a place [...]
National Poetry Month 2018
During the month of April, the students and staff at High Road Academy of Prince George’s county celebrated National Poetry Month. Everyday during the morning announcements students were exposed to different poetic devices and challenged to use these throughout the day. The month ended with a poetry presentation entitled [...]
Sea World Trip – April 2018
Blue and gold level students were able to earn a field trip to Sea World. We explored the exhibits including Penguins, Sharks and Dolphins. We even got to go to the touch tanks to pet fish and got to sit in the Splash Zone at the Orca Encounter [...]
Mock Interview Day
Students from 6 separate High Road Schools visited High Road School of Harford County on March 23rd for a Mock Interview Day. Students worked with their Transition Coordinators to prepare for the day, which included resume building, determining the appropriate attire, and questions for employers. Community employers donated [...]
Catapult Learning to Exhibit at the 2018 National Catholic Educational Association Convention and Expo in Booth #423
Leading Instructional Intervention Provider to Showcase Recently Launched STEM Program Based on the Engineering Design Process; Company Educational Experts to Host Sessions April 3, 2018, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning, a leading provider of instructional intervention and professional development solutions that generate academic gains and better life outcomes for [...]
2018 NCEA Convention and Expo
Catapult Learning is a proud corporate partner ofthe National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). The event begins on April 3rd and concludes on the 5th in Cincinnati, Ohio. During NCEA, Catapult Learning will be presenting at two conference sessions: 1. International Perspective on Catholic Education (Session #1113) - Fr. Ron [...]
Social Worker Appreciation Month
March was Social Worker Appreciation Month. Ileana Hoffman is the social worker for Caroline County High Road Rooms; North Caroline High School, Lockerman Middle School & Denton Elementary School. It is her second year with our High Road Programs in Caroline County, which has allowed her the ability to [...]
From Knowledge to Action: How Instructional Leaders Can Create Positive Change
“Act or accept.” —Anonymous “Knowing about the ‘knowing-doing gap’ is different from doing something about it.” —Jeffery Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton, authors How do we turn knowledge into measurable action? How do we address the knowing-doing gap within education. As an educator, I try to live by the words, [...]
Educator Spotlight – March 2018
Educator Spotlight Announcing the March 2018 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. [...]
Calming Critters Group Counseling Activity
Students in High Road at Denton Elementary School practiced using coping skills by creating “Calming Critters” when participating in a group counseling session with High Road Social Worker, Ileana Hoffman, LGSW. Group session focused on identifying feelings and exploring new coping tools. Ms. Ileana and students engaged in discussion [...]
Old School Communication
At the start of the 2018 Spring season, Ms. Ileana, High Road social worker, led a group activity with students in the High Road programs at Denton Elementary and North Caroline High school. The group activity focused on promoting random acts of kindness. Ms. Ileana introduced discussion [...]
Catapult Learning Principal Seminar Features Award-winning Author & Noted Speaker Dr. David Lieberman
March 19, 2018, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning recently welcomed David Lieberman, Ph.D., to speak to over 100 school principals and administrators in Lakewood, New Jersey. The event was held on Thursday, March 15, at Lake Terrace Hall in Lakewood. Dr. Lieberman’s presentation, “All in a Day's Work: Acknowledgement. Insight. Strategy.” [...]
Race for Autism 2018
This year’s Race for Autism was held at Balboa Park on March 24th. Thousands of people came in support of kids and adults who have been diagnosed with Autism. Sierra Academy has participated in the Race for Autism for several years but this year Sierra was fortunate enough [...]
My Experience at Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)
My Experience at Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Randall M., took classes at CCBS this semester and was given the opportunity to speak at their Fall graduation ceremony. Randall's experience at CCBC was very exciting for him and he wanted to share why it was so special. Being [...]
How STEM & the Engineering Design Process Develop Problem-Solving & Critical-Thinking Skills
STEM certainly is a hot topic in education right now, and for good reason. A strong STEM curriculum does more than just focus on skill instruction; it provides learners with an integrated approach that brings together their knowledge from different core areas and allows them opportunities for tangible problem-solving that [...]
Catapult Learning Launches New Turnkey STEM Program Inspired by the Engineering Design Process
March 13, 2018, Camden, NJ – Catapult Learning, a leading provider of instructional intervention and professional development solutions, today announced the launch of its new supplemental STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program. Catapult Learning works with hundreds of district partners across the country and has seen first-hand how schools [...]
Launching Into Learning
The students have been working on acceleration, speed and velocity. The students calculated the project using the formula distance= velocity x time. To get the basics of how objects move and what forces affect them during movement/flight. Then we started on projectile motion, to give us an understanding [...]
Easton Elementary Students
Makhai is a second grader at Easton Elementary School. He was awarded the “Shining Star” for his grade this month. Makhai is a shining star due to his participation in Specials and his general education class. He enjoys helping his peers and always tries his best. Makhai [...]
Q&A with a Graduating Senior
Q&A With TaQuess J. TaQuess is a graduating senior and has been in the High Road program for the last 2 years, and began taking classes out in general education this year. He also made honor roll for the first semester of the year! What are your greatest skills [...]
Fun Projects at Snow Hill Middle
Teacher Ms. Courtney and Social Worker Ms. Taylor have been working with our students on a project, using balloons, tissue paper, and mod podge to create colored light covers. Many of the students in the classroom have sensory sensitivities, and we are hopeful that the dimmer lighting will be [...]
The Eyes Have It . . . Or Do They? What the Eyes Can Tell Us About Learning
“Eyes on me!” I demanded decades ago as a young, inexperienced teacher. I assumed that if students’ eyes were on me, they were with me—they were learning. That was then. And this is now. Data scientists have recently come to a conclusion that contradicts such human intuition. In referring to [...]
Students’ Visit to Norwalk Fire Department Featured in Local News
Students from High Road School of Norwalk had the opportunity to tour the Norwalk Fire Department during the month of February. Visits, organized by grade level, allowed the students to walk through the firehouse and spend time talking with the firefighters. The Norwalk Daily Voice reported on the event, featuring [...]
100 Days on Blue
Kennara joined NCHS High Road for her 9th grade year. It has been her initial transition back into the public school setting since 6th grade. Since joining us she maintained Blue level and passed all her classes through the High Road room for the first semester. Since the beginning [...]
African American History Wax Museum Visit
A primary motivation for establishing America’s first African American history wax museum was to “use education, history, and example to help culturally disadvantaged youth overcome feelings of alienation, defeatism, and despair”. Exposure to the Museum and its programs ensures that youth, as well as adult patrons, learn more about [...]
Middle School Highlights – February 2018
This month, some of our middle school students participated at Special Olympics. They did a great job in a basketball skills event! The class has also been focusing on video based projects. As a team, the [...]
Educator Spotlight – February 2018
Educator Spotlight Announcing the February 2018 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. [...]
How Educators Can Support the Emotional Needs of Their Students & Themselves
This week I was supposed to start a blog series on Culturally Responsive Teaching. I’ve started writing the blog three times and can’t get past the first line. My first writing attempt was last Wednesday, the same day of the most recent school shooting in our nation. More students lost [...]
Black History Month 2018
During the month of February the students and staff at High Road Academy of Prince George’s County celebrated Black History month. Each class selected an influential African-American and was responsible for creating a presentation which could be a song, dance, poem, or a visual display. Students and staff ended [...]
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy with Courageous Hearts
Our students participated in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy with Courageous Hearts. Courageous Hearts is located in Lincoln DE. They help students dealing with ADHD, Depression, Behavior Issues, and more. Courageous Hearts help teach skills and give encouragement to develop confidence along with other great abilities that students can use in [...]
Black History Month
Led by Mrs. Adrienne Lyon and her dedicated team of volunteers, High Road Academy made Black History Month memorable. Students were able to engage in various activities that highlighted the contribution of Africans and afro- American individuals and their culture. Every week students chose between a cooking project [...]
Catapult Learning Supports Steps for Students 5K Run for Catholic Education
Race Sponsorship Benefits Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston February 17, 2018, Camden, NJ - Catapult Learning, a leading provider of instructional intervention and professional development solutions that generate academic gains and better life outcomes for students, today announced its sponsorship of the 13th annual Steps 4 Students 5K [...]
Elementary Classroom Highlights – February 2018
Elementary had a busy February filled with learning. Our minds are growing each and every day in our rotations. The students are learning to memorize their multiplication facts, continuing to expand on their vocabulary, and also working on writing paragraphs in class. The students are also working together to [...]
ServSafe Training
Through our partnership with Prince George’s Community College, he High Road School of Southern Maryland continues to offer students an opportunity to gain training and knowledge in a variety of industries. . A number of our students are currently taking the nationally recognized ServSafe class. In this class the [...]
How to Save a Life
As part of our Workforce Development Program students learn CPR that can be applied to several differen jobs such as life guarding. This lesson demonstrates the student’s ability to learn and properly perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). At the completion of the lesson, students will be able to utilize [...]
Catapult Learning Exhibits at the 2018 National Title I Conference
Leading Instructional Intervention Provider to Showcase Programs Among More Than 3,000 Educators February 8, 2018, Camden, NJ - Catapult Learning, a leading provider of instructional intervention and professional development solutions that generate academic gains and better life outcomes for students, today announced its participation in the 2018 National Title I Conference [...]
How Strong Instructional Leaders Can Bring Out the Best in Educators
Great leaders and managers recognize the importance of maximizing their resources, including recruiting and retaining the right people for their organizations. In the book, First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently, authors Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman state, “Select a person, set expectations, motivate the [...]
Educator Spotlight – January 2018
Educator Spotlight We are starting the new year off with a fantastic group of dedicated and talented educators from across Catapult Learning. Announcing the January 2018 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted [...]
Learning about Agriculture
The Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation brought their Mobile AG Lab to our school. The bureau went over the history of agriculture as well what the future holds for farmers. They gave each student a seed to plant and tend to just like a farmer would. The students [...]
More than an Extracurricular: Integrating Service Learning into the Curriculum
If your school is anything like the schools where I work or the schools where my children attend, parents organize service learning opportunities throughout the school year. There are food drives at Thanksgiving, coat and gift collections during the holidays, a full day of service on Martin Luther King, Jr. [...]
Rise and Shine Classrooms – January 2018
The Rise Classroom has had lots of fun learning this January. We’re learning about our bodies and our senses while completing lots of fun experiments! Our favorite experiment this month was making ice cream! We had to work hard to make our ice cream. First we had to [...]
Investing in Self-Reflection: A Resolution for the New Year
“Happy New Year!” This time of year, and specifically those words, often lead one through a customary self-reflection of the previous year—personally and professionally—with recollections of the good, the bad, and the indifferent in hopes of setting new goals. January 1st brings optimism for a new beginning, the perspective of [...]
Investing in Self-Reflection: A Resolution for the New Year
“Happy New Year!” This time of year, and specifically those words, often lead one through a customary self-reflection of the previous year—personally and professionally—with recollections of the good, the bad, and the indifferent in hopes of setting new goals. January 1st brings optimism for a new beginning, the perspective of [...]
Black History Month 2018
Recently, the Elementary, Middle, and High School students interested in careers in Landscaping attended a workshop hosted by Elisha Pittman to gain information regarding the profession. Students received information regarding the pay range, types of work involved, working for yourself, and customer service. They were very interested in hearing [...]
Happy New Year! Resolving to be the Very Best We Can Be as We Ring in 2018
Ring in 2018! Hard to believe, but we are beginning yet another new year. And while there may be some question about the real astronomical significance of New Year’s Day, the New Year certainly can signal an opportunity for us to resolve to explore and grow as professionals in areas [...]
Educator Spotlight – December 2017
Announcing the December 2017 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. They are our [...]
Teacher Spotlight – Samantha Popel
“Samantha has started the Reading Buddies Program for our school with our high school students and elementary students. Within this program her high school students are paired up with a student from our elementary classroom. The high school students will read to their assigned elementary student and they [...]
High Road School of Wallingford’s PJ Day Featured in Local News
Several students at High Road School of Wallingford got to wear their pajamas to school on Friday, December 15. The annual event, known as PJ Day, is a fundraiser for the Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Students who give donations get to participate [...]
Educator Spotlight – November 2017
Announcing the November 2017 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. They are our [...]
Student Agency: The Heart of Personalized Learning
During a visit to our school’s eucalyptus grove this year, I was amazed to watch a group of our kindergartners demonstrating the student agency inherent to this age group. Watching these young people interact in natural surroundings was witnessing student agency at its finest. Without prompting or instruction, [...]
A Holiday Gift to Teachers: The 2017–18 Top 10 Free Educational Technology Tools
Many educators are intrigued with the idea of using educational technology in their classrooms and with their students. And they want to move past the productivity stage to the point of truly enhancing their own teaching and their students’ learning through educational tools. However, there are so many [...]
Local CT News Highlights High Road School of Norwalk Thanksgiving Celebration
On Tuesday, November 21, High Road school of Norwalk celebrated Thanksgiving with a holiday feast. Staff and students were joined by the family members as well as Norwalk City police and fire personnel and first responders. The Hour featured the event in a recent online feature
High Road Academy Thanksgiving Feast Featured in Local Connecticut News
The students and staff at High Road Academy in Wallingford, Connecticut, celebrated their annual Thanksgiving Feast on Tuesday, November 21, 2017. Fox61 News featured the school celebration in a video and article featured on the station’s website. Click here to watch the entire video and read the article.
2017 Agudath Israel Convention
Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of this year's Agudath Israel Convention taking place at the Crowne Plaza in Stamford, Connecticut. This Thursday, November 23rd until the 26th, Catapult Learning's representatives will be attending sessions about leadership, growth, success, and our future. Going to a convention gives us the opportunity [...]
2017 Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education Conference
Catapult Learning was a proud sponsor of the 2017 Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education (G-CASE) Fall Conference in Savannah, Georgia. On November 15th to the 17th, the G-CASE Fall Conference presented Everyday HEROES - Highly Effective Resources and Opportunities for Exceptional Students! Our schools group representatives, Andrea Vargas, Josh Strzegowski, and [...]
Student of the Month – Waffle Breakfast
Sierra Academy does a monthly waffle breakfast to celebrate our Student of the Month winners. Monthly themes that students work on include items such as: integrity, respect, empathy, kindness, determination, self-advocacy, leadership, etc. Sierra Academy also honors our students monthly for Perfect Attendance for the entire school year. Students have [...]
Getting Started with STEAM: A Mini Toolkit
STEM is an acronym referring to the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The term STEM is typically used when addressing education policy and curriculum choices in schools to competitiveness in science and technology development. STEAM is designed to integrate STEM subjects into various relevant disciplines in education [...]
Another Look at What Is Special About Special Education
Two years ago, I wrote my first blog for Catapult’s EduBlog, titled “Back to the Future of Special Education.” That blog post explored the question, “What is special about special education?” from the perspective of the importance in taking a diagnostic and prescriptive approach to special education. Two [...]
New High Road School Campus Featured in Local Maryland News
The grand opening of High Road School's new location in Prince George’s County, Maryland, was recently featured in several local news outlets. Prince George's Community TV/CTV76 visited the school and interviewed Michelle Anderson, the school’s Education Director, for the story. Click here to watch the broadcast clip. The Beltsville News features the [...]
2017 National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention
Catapult Learning will be joining thousands of educators, experts, authors, administrators, and publishers in St. Louis, Missouri for the 2017 National Council of Teachers for English Annual Convention (NCTE) Annual Convention on November 16th. From the 16th to the 19th, Catapult Learning will be exhibiting at the convention (booth #909). [...]
28th Annual Council of Administrators of Special Education Conference: Fall 2017
Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE). CASE is an international professional educational organization which is affiliated with the Council for Exceptional Children whose members are dedicated to the enhancement of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of each individual in society. [...]
Catapult Learning Marks Grand Opening of New Location for Two Schools in Prince George’s County
Special and Alternative Education Provider Opens Campus to Better Serve Students Catapult Learning, a leading provider of special and alternative education solutions that generate academic gains and better life outcomes for students, today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of the High Road School and High Road [...]
Educator Spotlight – October 2017
Announcing the October 2017 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. They are our [...]
Honoring Background Knowledge
"Education is all a matter of building bridges.” —Ralph Ellison One of my favorite television shows is Modern Family, and a favorite character on the show is Cam, the self-proclaimed farm boy from “Missoura” who often refers to his upbringing with tales that often include hog raising and [...]
11th Annual HISD Golf Tournament: A Proud Sponsor
Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of the 11th Annual Houston Independent School District (HISD) Golf Tournament. This tournament benefited the HISD Innovative Fund - Encouraging schools and teachers to inspire students. Georgia Moss, Director of Educational Partnerships, and Annette Charles, Territory Vice President, had a great time supporting Catapult [...]
Learning Objectives: Creating “Maps” to Improve Student Learning
In my years in education, no single statement from a teacher ever shook me more than from a struggling individual who—in a stressful moment—proclaimed to me, “I don’t know what’s going wrong! I’m up there teaching, they’re just not learning!” Awful as that is, it was a good [...]
Catapult Learning Awarded Contract for Title IV Program to Serve Private Nonpublic Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Title IV Program Joins the Company’s Title I and II Program Partnerships with HISD October 23, 2017, Camden, NJ –Catapult Learning, Inc. today announced that the company has been awarded a contract by the Houston Independent School District to provide Title IV, Part A services to private, nonpublic schools within [...]
NCEA: Catholic Leadership Summit October 22 – 25, 2017
Catapult Learning is a proud corporate partner of NCEA and will be attending NCEA: Catholic Leadership Summit which takes place October 22-25, 2017. The NCEA Catholic Leadership Summit is open to all NCEA members who are arch/diocesan superintendents, assistant or associate superintendents, directors of diocesan level offices of Catholic school [...]
Association for Compensatory Educators in Texas (ACET)
Catapult Learning will exhibit at the upcoming Association for Compensatory Educators in Texas (ACET) on October 23, 2017. This conference provides a great opportunity to learn how Catapult's services can support your schools. ACET is a state affiliate of the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators (NAFEPA). NAFEPA provides [...]
NJSBA Workshop 2017
Catapult Learning will participate in this year's NJSBA workshop on October 23, 2017. This workshop is a great opportunity for conference attendees to learn more about the services Catapult Learning can provide your schools. Workshop 2017 is the largest professional development event for school leaders in New Jersey. The conference offers training, [...]
Sierra Academy Featured on ABC15
Following our grand reopening in early October 2017, we were happy to be featured in a news segment on ABC15. The news featured highlights our school’s focus on helping students with autism and other learning disabilities gain social and life skills, in addition to academics, to prepare them for the [...]
Council of Great City Schools Cleveland, Ohio October 18th – 20th
Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of the Council of Great City Schools which takes in Cleveland, Ohio at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, October 18th - 22nd. Hosted by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the five-day conference will give more than 1,000 big-city school superintendents, board members, senior administrators and [...]
Increasing Critical Thinking & Cognitive Demand in Your Classroom
Can you imagine a classroom where all students think and learn at high levels and demonstrate clear depth of understanding? The classroom described above does exist beyond the limits of our imagination and can become a reality when teachers use instructional strategies that engage students and both encourage [...]
Student Questions & Creating a Culture of Inquiry
Ask any builder and they will tell you the most essential part of creating a home that will stand the test of time and endure the elements is a strong foundation. A focus on 21st Century Learning and Innovation Skills has prompted schools to identify opportunities for students [...]
Catapult Learning Receives Accreditation from AdvancED for Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Catapult Learning Receives Accreditation from AdvancED for Commitment to Continuous Improvement Special and Alternative Education Provider Excels in Voluntary External Review Camden, NJ – Catapult Learning, a leading provider of special and alternative education, intervention programs, and professional development solutions that generate academic gains and better life outcomes for students, [...]
Sierra Academy of Scottsdale Featured on ABC15 News
Sierra Academy of Scottsdale, which celebrated its grand reopening in early October, was featured in a recent news segment on ABC15 in Arizona. The news featured highlights the school’s focus on helping students with autism and other learning disabilities gain social and life skills, in addition to academics, to prepare [...]
CEC Convention and Expo 2017
Catapult Learning will exhibit at this year's CEC 2017 Conference and Expo. This conference focuses on special and gifted education. Please stop by Catapult Learning’s booth #1727 for more information about our special education and alternative education programs!
MANS 2017 Administrators Conference, October 11-13, 2017
Catapult Learning is a proud Mighty Mac sponsor at this year's MANS Conference at Mission Point Resort. This conference bring over 200 education leaders to learn about issues facing faith-based schools while hearing methods that will inform your school improvement efforts. Please be sure to stop by our table to learn [...]
California Association of Administrators of State and Federal Education Programs (CAASFEP)
Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of this year's California Association of Administrators of State and Federal Education Programs (CAASFEP) conference. CAASFEP is a professional organization serving State and Federal Project Directors and others in the implementation of federal and state programs. CAASFEP is a state affiliate of the National Association [...]
Archdiocese of Baltimore Gala
Catapult Learning is proud to sponsor the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s 9th Annual Gala celebrating Catholic education. The gala took place at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront on September 30, 2017. Each autumn, this always festive occasion promotes the mission of our archdiocesan schools and raises significant funds in support of both current and endowed tuition assistance scholarships.
NCEA Elizabeth Ann Seton Awards October 2, 2017
Catapult Learning, a proud partner of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), attended the NCEA Seton Awards Gala that took place at The Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC on October 2, 2017. The NCEA Seton Award is named after Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in recognition of her lifelong dedication to teaching. This [...]
Educator Spotlight – September 2017
Announcing the September 2017 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. They are [...]
District Sees Improved Test Scores & Budget Surplus with Summer Journey
In its inaugural year with Summer Journey, Union R-XI School District has seen positive results, from enrollment to test scores to budget surplus, according to several recent articles posted on emissourian.com. The school district saw over a 100% increase in it enrollment over its 2016 summer program. More than 1,100 [...]
Helping Hurricane Harvey Victims
Students from many High Road Schools in Connecticut dove into providing relief for people in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey. At the end of our collections, students donated $345 of their school store money to the two charities we decided upon. With Pet Centers in many of our schools, [...]
INPAC
Catapult Learning is excited to be exhibiting at the Indiana Non-Public Administrators Conference in Carmel, Indiana on September 25th - 26th. INPAC provides opportunities for professional and personal growth as well as an opportunity for networking. In addition to featuring noted professionals, the conferences offer Indiana’s non-public educators an opportunity [...]
MO-CASE
Catapult Learning is excited to be exhibiting at the Missouri Council of Administrators of Special Education (MO-CASE) in Osage Beach, Missouri. MO-CASE attracts approximately 1,000 Special Education Directors, Process Coordinators, Superintendents, Principals, Psych Examiners, and Agency Person from around the state. This is a perfect opportunity to showcase Catapult Learning’s [...]
Catapult Learning Expands Presence in Arizona with Acquisition of Desert Heights Academy
Special Education Provider Now Serves Over 330 Students at Three Schools in the State September 12, 2017, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning, a leading provider of special and alternative education, intervention programs, and professional development solutions that generate academic gains and better life outcomes for students, today announced the [...]
Catapult Learning Strengthens Finance Team With Addition of Joseph Driscoll
Finance Expert Brings More Than 20 Years of Fiscal Management and Oversight Experience to Company August 22, 2017, Camden, NJ –Catapult Learning, a leading provider of outstanding education solutions that generate demonstrable academic achievement and better life outcomes for students, today announced the appointment of Joseph Driscoll to vice president, [...]
Catapult Learning Strengthens Sales Leadership with Addition of Chris Shenk
New executive brings over two decades of business development experience to Catapult Learning. July 10, 2017, Camden, NJ – Catapult Learning announced today that Chris Shenk has joined the company as Vice President of Sales for the company’s Education Solutions group. In this role, Shenk will lead the national sales [...]
Successful Summer Journey Program Featured in Local Missouri Newspaper
Maryville R-II School District’s Summer Journey program was featured in a recent article in the Maryville Daily Forum, a local newspaper in Maryville, Missouri. The school district, which has run its own summer program in past years, adopted Catapult Learning’s Summer Journey for its 2017 summer school program. The result [...]
Catapult Learning Awarded Title Services Contract for Seton Catholic Schools Network
The three-year contract will provide Title I, II, and III services to 13 Milwaukee-area Catholic elementary schools. June 22, 2017, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning, Inc. today announced that the company has been awarded a three-year contract to provide Title services to the Seton Catholic Schools Network in Milwaukee, [...]
Summer Journey Attendance Doubles for Missouri’s Union R-XI School District
Union R-XI School District is one of 35 Missouri school districts participating in Summer Journey, Catapult Learning’s summer program that enrolls nearly 25,000 Missouri students each year. The Union School District, which has offered a summer program in the past but adopted Summer Journey for 2017, was recently featured in [...]
2017 NCEA New Directions Exceptional Learners Conference
Catapult Learning is excited to share that our very own Lee Anne Housley and Susan Gerenstein will be presenting on Maximizing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) at this year's Exceptional Learner Conference 2017 taking place this week in Evanston, Illinois. ELC 2017 will provide top-level education to teachers and administrators [...]
National Charter School Conference
Catapult Learning is a sponsor for The National Charter Schools Conference which takes place on June 12-13, 2017 in Washington, DC. The National Charter Schools Conference is the best learning and networking event for charter school educators, leaders, and advocates. This conference is about being part of a movement, learning from [...]
CCOSA Summer Conference June 6-8, 2017
Catapult Learning exhibited at Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration Summer Conference on June 6-8, 2017. The CCOSA/USSA Summer Conference is the premier conference for Oklahoma school administrators at all levels. The CCOSA/USSA Conference encompasses all public school administrators from each association under the CCOSA umbrella (OASA, OAESP, OASSP, OMLEA [...]
Making Your Classroom Lessons Breathable
Let me start out by saying that I appreciate the attention to “best practices” that goes into the creation of the professional development (PD) sessions that consultants like myself deliver to teachers. The work of a consultant is challenging, time consuming, and sometimes grueling. To do what we [...]
Educator Spotlight – May 2017
Announcing the May 2017 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. They are our [...]
FASFEPA
Catapult Learning will exhibit at this year's Florida Association of State Federal Educational Program Administrators (FASFEPA). FASFEPA and the East Coast Technical Assistance Center (ECTAC) collaborate to provide Technical Assistance Forums twice a year. This year Catapult Learning will be exhibiting at this Forum which takes place on May 10-12, 2017. [...]
PAFPC
Catapult Learning exhibits at the 48th Annual PAFPC Conference. This conference provides the training required by the law, regulations and policies that focuses on program implementation, monitoring, and fiscal accountability. The theme of the 48th Annual PAFPC Conference—Compliance not Complacence— centers on the correct use of federal funds for programs [...]
Summer Journey Featured on KMOV TV St. Louis
Catapult Learning's Summer Journey program was recently highlighted in a feature story on KMOV TV St. Louis. Katie Brettschneider, a representative from Northwest School District in High Ridge, Missouri, spoke about the free, full-day Summer Journey program available to students in grades K-8. Brettschneider discussed the program's many features, including the hands-on activities that [...]
Torah Umesorah
Catapult Learning, Inc. is a platinum sponsor at the 61st Torah Umesorah Annual Leadership Convention. This convention will take place at Kalahari Resorts and begins on May 4 - 7, 2017. It's Torah Umesorah's mission to ensure that every Jewish child in Yeshivos, Day Schools, and Bais Yaakovs receives the highest standards [...]
Educator Spotlight In Memoriam: Janet Bliss Mello
On April 2, 2017, Janet Bliss Mello passed away at age 68. A lifetime educator—she worked as a classroom teacher and a staff developer—Janet spent the last 17 years as a national and international educational consultant. During her years as a consultant for Literacy First and Catapult Learning, Janet’s passion [...]
Summer Journey’s STEM Curriculum Featured in Local Missouri Newspaper
Catapult Learning's Summer Journey program was recently featured in an article on The Lincoln County Journal's website. The article, "Winfield Summer School to focus on STEM Learning," highlights the school district's focus on STEM learning, beginning with Summer Journey's STEM-focused courses with plans to expand STEM learning to the district's [...]
Educator Spotlight – April 2017
Announcing the April 2017 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. They are our [...]
“Who Cares?”: How to Reach Challenging Adult Learners Using Your Head & Your Heart
“Show respect even to people who don’t deserve it; not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of yours.” —Dave Willis “Who cares?” is a question sometimes posed by apathetic students in the classroom, but it’s not a question that I expect to hear from [...]
Students and Teachers at Ohio School Honor Autism Awareness Month
Students and teachers at The Center for Autism and Dyslexia, located in Findlay, Ohio, honored Autism Awareness Month with a balloon release. The event was covered by local media, including The Courier online, WFIN, and WTOL/CBS TV. The Center for Autism & Dyslexia is a member of the Catapult Learning Schools [...]
Catapult Learning Alternative Education Program Featured in Columbia (TN) Newspaper
Catapult Learning’s alternative education program at Cox Middle School in Columbia, Tennessee, was featured in a recent article on The Daily Herald website. The program, called “Cougar Academy,” is credited with helping to turn the once troubled and dangerous middle school into a safer and more learning-focused environment. Ryan Pope, [...]
Student Learning Conferences: Continuing the Transition to Student-Directed Learning
This blog is the second of a two-part series on Learner Voice. In my last blog post, I discussed how teachers can use the Spectrum of Student Voice Oriented Activity to reflect on how they can start moving their classroom activities from being teacher-directed to more student-directed. In [...]
CEC 2017: Special Education Convention & Expo
Catapult Learning will be exhibiting at CEC 2017 Special Education Convention & Expo to be held April 19th-22nd. The convention will take place at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success [...]
NCEA 2017 Convention and Expo
[vc_column_text pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] Catapult Learning looks forward to participating as a continued corporate sponsor of the 2017 National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Conference and Expo this year in St. Louis, Missouri! The NCEA 2017 Convention & Expo will take place April 18 - 20 at the America’s [...]
Boosting the Power of Presentations to Enhance Learning
Think about the many PowerPoint presentations you have sat through. Add the PowerPoint presentations that you yourself have given. I am pretty sure the total is quite high. Now try and remember the most recent presentation you attended—and the key concepts that were presented. In most cases, you [...]
Reverend Ronald Nuzzi, Ph.D., Named Executive Director of Equitable Access and Excellence at Catapult Learning
In his dual-capacity role, Reverend Nuzzi will focus on securing equitable services for students and developing programs that impact academic excellence nationally. April 11, 2017, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning, Inc. announced the hiring of the Reverend Ronald Nuzzi, Ph.D., as Executive Director of Equitable Access and Excellence. Nuzzi [...]
Catapult Learning Principal Seminar Featured Acclaimed Speaker Richard Lavoie
Catapult Learning Principal Seminar Featured Acclaimed Speaker Richard Lavoie April 5, 2017, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning recently welcomed Richard Lavoie, M.A., M.Ed., to speak to a group of more than 200 Lakewood, New Jersey principals and administrators. The event was held on Thursday, March 30, at Lake Terrace Hall in [...]
Developing Learner Voice: The Transition to Student-Directed Learning
Research has shown that developing learner voice may be the most powerful lever available to improve student learning in schools. Students learn better when they are engaged partners throughout the educational process.1 When students plan educational activities, their investment, ownership, and consequent learning is greatly increased.2 At Catapult [...]
LASAFAP
Catapult Learning exhibits at the Louisiana Association of School Administrators of Federally Assisted Programs each year. At LASAFAP, conference activities allows members, exhibitors & friends to explore and understand many of the destinations ESSA identifies on the road to its full implementation. Capitalize on such destinations as: ESSA’s requirement to [...]
Using Social Stories to Support Autism Students’ Learning
Navigating the autism community and differentiating between what may be “the buzz” and what is an evidenced-based strategy is often difficult for teachers and parents alike. Further compounding this navigation is that the media often covers only fads, or “quick fixes,” rather than those strategies that have been [...]
The Power of Reflection for Teaching & Leading
“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” —Peter Drucker, author and founder of Drucker Business Institute A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to interview a superintendent and a school board member for a graduate school assignment on [...]
High Road Students Overcome Anxiety, Enjoy Holiday Party
High Road Students Overcome Anxiety, Enjoy Holiday Party BLOOMINGTON — During a season of rambunctious holiday parties and lively school concerts, children with emotional and intellectual disabilities can miss out on the fun. Parents of students at High Road School — a private educational facility for children with physical, cognitive, [...]
Leadership Development Aligned to Mission and Vision of Excellence
Leadership Development: Start with the mission and a vision for your organization Excellent schools need excellent leaders whose principles and practices align with the school’s educational mission and vision. They are inspired and motivated by the vision of excellence and possess the desire and skills necessary for making [...]
Literacy Instruction: Casting a Wider Net
Over the course of 40+ years in Special Education, my enduring passion has been dedicated to individuals with significant reading disabilities (Dyslexia). Historically, professionals working with this population have largely targeted individuals of average or above average intellectual ability who had an unexpected difficulty learning to read relative [...]
Lifelong Learning and Innovation Skills
The partnership for 21st Century Learning, or “P21,” was founded in 2002, intending to bring together the business community, education leaders, and policy makers in order to, “position 21st century readiness at the center of US K-12 education and to kick-start a national conversation on the importance of [...]
Lunch & Learn On the Go – Houston, TX
Catapult Learning, an approved Houston ISD contracted services provider, is hosting an informational session event known as the "Holiday Lunch & Learn On the Go" on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 from 11:00 am - 1:30 pm at Houston's exclusive, Backstreet Café. Catapult Learning is committed to providing outstanding education solutions that [...]
ASHA Career Fair
Catapult Learning will be exhibiting at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Career Fair from November 17-19 at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. At ASHA's career fair, this is the place where job seekers are able to connect with Catapult Learning and other employers. Each employer gets to meet one-on-one with job seekers [...]
Agudath Israel of America 94th National Convention
Catapult Learning will be exhibiting at the Agudath Israel of America's 94th National Convention held November 17-20, 2016. The convention will take place at the Crowne Plaza Stamford Hotel in Stamford, CT. Since 1922, Agudath Israel was founded. Since then, it has served as Orthodox Jewry's umbrella organization on our [...]
NABSE 44th Annual Conference
NABSE is the premier organization advocating on behalf of African-American education. Their activities include local, state and regional conferences, tutoring/coaching sessions, training programs, scholarships, newsletters, recognition programs, position papers, student trips and monitoring local, state and federal directives. To this day, NABSE officers, members and affiliates have pledged themselves to [...]
Catapult Learning Strengthens Executive Team with Addition of Steve Quattrociocchi
Catapult Learning Strengthens Executive Team with Addition of Steve Quattrociocchi Newly Named Education Solutions Group President Brings Three Decades of Education and Technology Leadership to Catapult Learning November 07, 2016 12:32 PM Eastern Standard Time CAMDEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Catapult Learning, Inc., today announced the hiring of Steve Quattrociocchi as President of [...]
Firm starts scholarship program for Bucks County Catholic school students
Firm starts scholarship program for Bucks County Catholic school students An instructional services company with a local office in Middletown has started a scholarship program for students attending Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools in Bucks County. Officials from Catapult Learning Inc. recently announced that it has endowed one $2,500 scholarship a [...]
Missouri Charter Schools Conference 2016
Missouri Charter Public School Association, formed by a dedicated group of volunteers and member schools, is the only organization dedicated specifically to the needs of the charter school sector. Their mission is to improve student achievement by increasing access to high quality charter public education options throughout Missouri. With impressive [...]
NAEHCY 28th Annual Conference
On October 29th until November 1st, Catapult Learning will be exhibiting at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. This conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, FL. The NAEHCY annual conference brings together a wealth of knowledge from across the country. Nearly [...]
2016 NCEA Catholic Leadership Summit
The NCEA Catholic Leadership Summit began on Sunday, October 23 and concluded on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. The 2016 summit was held at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis, IN. The Catholic Leadership Summit gave the opportunity for leaders to network with each other by providing an impressive line-up, keynote presentations and [...]
R-XIV Uses New Tool to Gauge Learning
R-XIV Uses New Tool to Gauge Learning The Lonedell R-XIV School District has implemented a new assessment tool that will help students, teachers, administrators and parents gauge student understanding of specific content taught. Superintendent Jenny Ulrich said the district has recently purchased an online testing tool called Evaluate by Catapult [...]
Workshop 2016 Partners in Student Achievement – NJSBA
Workshop 2016 is the largest professional development event for school leaders in New Jersey. The conference offers training, networking and events for the entire district team, including school board members, school business administrators, superintendents, school technology professionals, school facilities managers and staff, and curriculum professionals. To be a truly effective [...]
How to Create Opportunities for Students to Experience Applied Science: 4 Tips
As an educator married to an entomologist–a scientist who studies insects–I think it is safe to say I know far more about the six-legged creatures that inhabit this earth than the average person. After sitting in multiple study sessions with graduate students and doing field work for my [...]
60th Annual Fall Council of the Great City Schools
Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of the Council of the Great City Schools. The CGCS goals are to educate all urban school students to the highest academic standards. To lead, govern and manage our urban public schools in ways that advance the education of our children and inspire the [...]
Stop By Our Booth at the ACET 2016 Fall Conference
With an exciting lineup of speakers, Catapult Learning will be exibiting at the ACET 2016 Fall Conference at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, TX from October 20th until the 21st. If you plan to attend, please stop by! ACET conferences are about preparing Texas' educational leaders to stay current in state [...]
Trenton R-9 Board of Education Approves Baseball Field Agreement, Reviews Summer School
Trenton R-9 Board of Education Approves Baseball Field Agreement, Reviews Summer School Trenton R-9 Board of Education has approved a baseball field user agreement for two years; and a summer school contract for three years. For use of the Burleigh Grimes baseball field, Trenton R-9 will pay $200 per day, [...]
Educator Spotlight – September 2016
Announcing the September 2016 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. They are our [...]
PAIU Conference 2016
On October 12th until the 14th, Catapult Learning will be attending the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) Conference in State College, Pennsylvania. PAIU is a non-profit organization comprised of the executive directors of Pennsylvania's 29 intermediate units. PAIU promotes educational and operational collaboration across IU boundaries; leverages partnerships and [...]
Visit Our Booth at the CAASFEP PD Institute
On October 12th through the 14th, Catapult Learning will be attending the 2016 CAASFEP Professional Development Institute in Sacramento, California. With an impressive speaker line up, networking opportunities and other key topics, Catapult Learning will be set up at booth #6. Please be sure to visit to learn more about us! [...]
Why All Students Should Learn How to Code in Elementary School
Maybe you are wondering why I stated that ALL students should learn to code. Well, besides the fact that coding, also called programming, is a skill set that students could use for a future career in a world that has a shortage of skilled coders and programmers, coding [...]
FASFEPA/ECTAC Forum – September 13−15, 2016 – ChampionsGate, FL
Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of the FASFEPA (Florida Association of State and Federal Education Program Administrators) and ECTAC (East Coast Technical Assistance Center) Spring Technical Assistance Forum from September 13-15, 2016, at the OMNI Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in ChampionsGate, FL. The primary focus of the forum is to provide federal program [...]
Building Classroom Walls That Teach
As educators, we know that environment influences learning, and in particular, that classroom environments influence literacy development. We also know this to be true for grades Pre-K−12.While the start of school is still a week away for some of us, I wanted to write about a topic that [...]
The Special Education Teacher Identity Crisis: Prescriptive or Pragmatic? Part II
In The Special Education Teacher Identity Crisis: Prescriptive or Pragmatic? Part I, I discussed the special education teacher “identity crisis” as it relates to taking a more diagnostic/prescriptive role to planning instruction versus a more pragmatic role. I also described my observations of two special education teachers at [...]
Catapult Learning Awarded Department of Defense Contract for Systemwide K−12 Literacy Professional Learning
Catapult Learning Awarded Department of Defense Contract for Systemwide K−12 Literacy Professional Learning Contract will support teachers in 168 schools on 60+ U.S. military bases throughout the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific. August 2, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning, Inc. today announced that the company has been awarded [...]
Catapult Learning Announces Acquisition of Ohio-Based Autism Schools
Catapult Learning Announces Acquisition of Ohio-Based Autism Schools The acquisition represents the second in 2016 for the company’s Schools Division. July 6, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning, Inc. has acquired the Center for Autism and Dyslexia (CFAD), a specialized school program with locations in Findlay and Lima, Ohio, [...]
Top 10 EduBlogs of 2015−16
As we look back at the blogs posted by our EduExperts over the last eleven months, we notice several topics popular with our blogs readers throughout the 2015−16 school year. These topics range from the Every Student Succeeds Acts (ESSA) to differentiated instruction to special education and more. Following is a list of [...]
Catapult Academy of Hillsborough County Honors 36 Graduates in Class of 2016
Catapult Academy of Hillsborough County Honors 36 Graduates in Class of 2016 The two-year-old district-approved program now serves nearly 450 students on three Tampa campuses. June 30, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning announced the graduation of 36 students from the Hillsborough County School District–approved Catapult Academy program in [...]
Catapult Academy of Duval County Honors 109 Graduates in Class of 2016
Catapult Academy of Duval County Honors 109 Graduates in Class of 2016 The 2016 cohort is the largest graduating class for the three-year-old dropout recovery program. June 30, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning announced the graduation of 109 students from the Duval County Public Schools-approved Catapult Academy program [...]
Creating Authentic Learning Experiences in Your Local Community
Preparing students for the real world is central to current education pedagogy. To do this, educators create problem- and project-based learning assignments, encourage students to work collaboratively, develop engaging lessons, and produce a myriad of learning opportunities and assessments. Whether we are talking about project-based learning, inquiry learning, [...]
STREAM 2.0 Symposium – Aston, PA – June 27-29, 2016
Catapult Learning is a proud attendee and sponsor of the STREAM 2.0 Symposium presented by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). This year’s symposium will take place June 27-29, 2016, at Neumann University, in Aston, PA. The three-day symposium will acquaint, enrich, and facilitate Catholic school educators in the design [...]
Support Students’ Summer Learning with Interactive, Web-Based Resources
Ahh . . . summer is here and for most students that means vacation, free time, swimming, and no more school work. For parents and teachers, though, there are concerns that students, while enjoying their summer freedom, will lose some of the academic gains made during the school [...]
Catapult Learning Selected to Provide Tutorial Instructional Services to Volusia County
Catapult Learning Selected to Provide Tutorial Instructional Services to Volusia County The company will serve eligible K−12 students in Volusia County non-public schools. June 21, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning, Inc. today announced that the company has been selected as a service provider by the School Board of [...]
Word Up! Books That Will Accelerate Your Personal Summer Learning
Hard to believe, but yet another school year has come and gone and now it’s time to chart a course for maximizing your summer break. What a tremendous chance to decompress, devour a few good books, and engage in a little personal learning. If you’re like me, you [...]
Catapult Academy of Marion County Honors 26 Graduates in Class of 2016
Catapult Academy of Marion County Honors 26 Graduates in Class of 2016 The district-approved dropout recovery program has graduated over 110 students since 2014. June 1, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning announced the graduation of 26 students from the Marion County School District-approved Catapult Academy program in Ocala, [...]
Catapult Academy of Dougherty County Honors 39 Graduates in Its Class of 2016
Catapult Academy of Dougherty County Honors 39 Graduates in Its Class of 2016 The school district-approved dropout recovery program has graduated more than 100 students over the past three years. June 1, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning announced the graduation of 39 students from the Dougherty County School [...]
Educator Spotlight – May 2016
Announcing the May 2016 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. They are our [...]
Catapult Academy of Muscogee County Honors 67 Graduates in Its Class of 2016
Catapult Academy of Muscogee County Honors 67 Graduates in Its Class of 2016 The district-approved program has graduated 127 students since its implementation in fall 2014. [...]
NAEP Results: Less “Bang for Our Buck” (But Plenty of Whimpers)
“Between the idea and the reality . . . falls the shadow.” —T.S. Eliot A new report from our friends at the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the “Nation’s Report Card,” provides data on student performance in reading and mathematics across multiple [...]
Using Visual Supports for Students with Developmental Disabilities
It is true, no two learners are alike. Some learn better through reading; others through listening or doing. For students with developmental disabilities, who have difficulty communicating with others and especially difficulty understanding what people in their environment are communicating to them, it is important to present information [...]
Torah Umesorah – Stamford, CT – May 18−22, 2016
Catapult Learning is looking forward to attending this year's national leadership convention being held at the Crowne Plaza Stamford in Stamford, CT from May 18-22, 2016. If you plan to attend this convention please be sure to stop by our booth to ask the team how Catapult Learning can help your educators and [...]
FASFEPA/ECTAC Forum – May 11−13, 2016 – Orlando, FL
Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of the FASFEPA (Florida Association of State and Federal Education Program Administrators) and ECTAC (East Coast Technical Assistance Center) Spring Technical Assistance Forum from May 11−13, 2016, at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, FL. The primary focus of the forum is to provide federal program administrators and [...]
Engaging Special Needs Students with Experience-Based Learning
Students with special needs have unique strengths, motivators, preferences, and interests in a learning environment. By identifying and addressing these elements, educators can encourage a higher level of engagement. In experience-based learning, facilitators take a step-back approach—allowing for natural discovery of consequences and problem-solving-based learning The result of [...]
CAPS Event – May 3, 2016 – Philadelphia, PA
Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of the CAPS (Celebrating Academics, Philanthropy, and Service) 2016 event at The Fillmore Philadelphia on May 3 from 6:00 PM-9:00 PM. The distinguished organizations in Catholic education will come together to celebrate academics, philanthropy, and service in Philadelphia-area Catholic schools. At the CAPS 2016 event, we will celebrate the [...]
47th Annual PAFPC Conference – May 1-4, 2016 – Seven Springs, PA
Catapult Learning is a proud sponsor of the 47th Annual PAFPC Conference at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania from May 1-4, 2016. This year's theme will be "Pathways to SUCCESS!" The primary purpose of the conference will be to provide the required training and assistance to learn about [...]
Educator Spotlight – April 2016
Announcing the April 2016 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. They are our [...]
Facing Hard Facts and Tough Decisions
As I looked at the calendar and considered what I wanted to write about in this blog, I started to reflect on my last few months of work-related travel and my conversations with school leaders throughout the country. I also thought about the countless conversations about education that [...]
Catapult Learning’s Education Leadership Survey Results Featured in eSchool News
Catapult Learning’s Education Leadership Survey Results Featured in eSchool News Catapult Learning’s Annual Education Leadership Survey was recently featured in an article in eSchool News, a monthly print and digital newspaper that covers all aspects of education technology. The overall results of the survey, which included questions that ranged across the [...]
The Special Education Teacher Identity Crisis: Prescriptive or Pragmatic? Part I
Over the course of my many classroom visits and teacher observations throughout my career, I am truly in awe of the master teacher. These teachers live and breathe all aspects of the teaching and learning process, from expert planning to delivery of engaging, differentiated lessons. They exude confidence [...]
Catapult Learning Named SIIA Education CODiE Award Finalist for Best Student Assessment Solution
Catapult Learning Named SIIA Education CODiE Award Finalist for Best Student Assessment Solution Evaluate™, Catapult Learning’s next-generation assessment solution, earns prestigious education industry recognition. Camden, New Jersey, April 8, 2016 – Catapult Learning, Inc. today announced that the company’s Evaluate™ formative assessment system was named a finalist for the 2016 [...]
Catapult Learning Principal Seminar Featured The Breakthrough Coach’s Malachi Pancoast
Catapult Learning Principal Seminar Featured The Breakthrough Coach’s Malachi Pancoast April 5, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning recently welcomed Malachi Pancoast, President of The Breakthrough Coach, to speak to Lakewood, New Jersey, principals and administrators. The event was held on Wednesday, March 30, at Lake Terrace Hall in Lakewood. [...]
Five Ways to Motivate the Reluctant Learner
Educators can readily identify the student who seems to lack motivation. While he or she is generally not a behavior problem in the classroom, the unmotivated student can cause a teacher many sleepless nights. There are a variety of labels used to describe a student who just doesn’t [...]
Catapult Learning Announces Acquisition of Arizona-Based Special Education School
Catapult Learning Announces Acquisition of Arizona-Based Special Education School The new program reflects the company’s focus on and commitment to expanding its special education programs. April 4, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning, Inc. today announced the acquisition of Aurora Day School, a specialized school program in Peoria, AZ, [...]
Educator Spotlight – March 2016
Announcing the March 2016 Educator Spotlight honorees! Congratulations to our educators. The Educator Spotlight is a monthly feature on our Catapult Corner Blog. The educators that are highlighted are nominated by their colleagues in recognition of the positive impact they have on children and schools throughout the country. They are our [...]
Catapult Learning Releases Results of Education Leadership Survey
Catapult Learning Releases Results of Education Leadership Survey Survey respondents cited meeting individual student needs and building educator capacity as their primary focus. March 30, 2016, Camden, NJ – Catapult Learning, Inc. today released the results of its Annual Education Leadership Survey. The overall results of the inaugural survey reflect [...]
MASA/MOSPRA 2016 Spring Conference – Lake Ozark, MO – March 30 – April 1, 2016
Catapult Learning is looking forward to attending the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) and The Missouri School Public Relations Association (MOSPRA) Spring Conference at the Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Missouri from March 30-April 1, 2016. MASA is the only statewide association in Missouri that exists for the [...]
2016 NCEA Convention and Expo – March 29-31, 2016
Catapult Learning is looking forward to attending and sponsoring the 2016 National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Convention and Expo at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA from March 29-31, 2016. This year's keynote speaker is David Coleman, President and CEO of College Board. Aside from being President for College Board, Coleman was [...]
Catapult Learning Celebrates 40 Years of Dedication to Student Achievement Gains
Catapult Learning Celebrates 40 Years of Dedication to Student Achievement Gains The company has grown to serve 300,000 students and 25,000 teachers each year. March 29, 2016, Camden, New Jersey – Catapult Learning, Inc., the largest provider of K−12 contracted instructional services in the U.S., is celebrating 40 years of [...]
Catapult Learning Welcomes The Breakthrough Coach to Upcoming Principal Seminar
[vc_column_text pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] Catapult Learning is pleased to announce its upcoming principal seminar featuring speaker Malachi Pancoast, President of The Breakthrough Coach. The two-hour seminar, to be held on Wednesday, March 30, at Lake Terrace Hall in Lakewood, NJ, will feature Mr. Pancoast’s presentation, “How to Work [...]
140 Characters or Less: Using Twitter to Enhance Your Personalized Learning Network
Believe it or not, Twitter joined the digital world approximately ten years ago. A decade is ancient when it comes to technology, and for many teachers, Twitter has not been a friend. How many times have you had to tell your students to get off Twitter over the [...]