Banyan Bulletin

Strong roots. Strong minds.

To educate students with learning disabilities by identifying individual strengths and abilities, continuously monitoring individual progress, and adapting the curriculum to to meet each students changing educational needs.

Principal's Pen - Fun to be Found in New Jersey for Spring Break

It is possible to find fun daytime activities for teenagers during our spring break! Just because the kids are off from school that does not mean that spring break needs to be costly or boring. Please check out these ideas that are close to home and will not break the bank. If you would like more information, please click the link at the bottom of the article.

Get Outside

Make the most of the nice weather at Tenafly Nature Center, located along the scenic Hudson River in North Jersey. With nearly 400 acres of lush spaces and wildlife habitats, you’ll find plenty to explore. Take teens for a hike along seven miles of trails (score your trail map here). Bring little ones to meet the center’s more than 30 animal ambassadors. Or choose from a collection of outdoor activities sure to put a smile on your kids’ faces.

In Hillsborough, you can explore over 1,000 acres of natural spaces at your own pace at Duke Farms. You can rent bikes on-site to go on a fun two-wheeled adventure. Try your hand (and brain!) at geocaching. Be sure to hit the Hay Barn, stroll through the Orchid Range and get a gander at the Great Falls before heading home.

Want to make some fine-feathered friends? Meet Osprey, Great Egret, Glossy Ibis and more at Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. Of course, it isn’t just birds flocking here. Spy the foxes, raccoons, box turtles, river otters, toads and tree frogs that also call this natural paradise home as you navigate the sanctuary’s scenic paths.

Blow Off Some Steam

When you can disguise learning as play, you know you’ve achieved master parenting status. New Jersey boasts a multitude of edutainment attractions – from aquariums to museums – that would make any teacher swoon.

At Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, kids can get hands-on with interactive exhibits delving into the wondrous worlds of science, space, technology and more. While budding marine biologists can dive into the fascinating underwater habitat of sharks, hippos, octopi, piranhas and more at Adventure Aquarium in Camden.

Your kids will find a new appreciation for larger-than-life masterworks at Grounds For Sculpture, an outdoor art park in Hamilton. For museums masquerading as indoor playgrounds for little ones, you’ll want to explore Imagine That! in Florham Park and The Wonder Wing at Monmouth Museum in Lincroft.

Or If You Wanna Get Wet If rain is in the forecast, don’t worry – you can go on a tropical getaway at one of New Jersey’s indoor water parks. At Big Kahuna's in West Berlin, the weather’s always perfect and kids can zoom down zippy waterslides, float along a lazy river or even try surfing.

Or splash over to DreamWorks Water Park in East Rutherford, the largest indoor water park in North America. Located in American Dream, this one-of-a-kind water playground has record-breaking slides, luxury cabanas and a balmy 81-degree climate all year long.

For more information, please click on this link: https://visitnj.org/article/family-fun-spring-break-new-jersey

Kessler Driver's Rehabilitation Program Parent Training

The thought of any 17 year old driving is daunting for parents. It is even more daunting for our students, who may face greater difficulty when operating a motor vehicle. Banyan has partnered with the Kessler Rehabilitation Institute to bring our parents training on their program for driver rehabilitation.

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation offers comprehensive driver rehabilitation services designed to help individuals with physical, cognitive, or neurological impairments to drive safely. Using experienced occupational therapists, the program provides clinical assessments and on-the-road evaluations, often featuring adapted vehicles to help driver's be successful on the road.

The key components of the program are as follows:

Comprehensive Assessment: Initial clinical evaluations assess vision, cognition, reaction time, and physical strength.
Behind-the-Wheel Evaluation: A one-hour, on-the-road evaluation in a customized vehicle assesses driving skills and needs.
Personalized Training: Individualized training sessions teach adaptive techniques, including using adapted vehicle controls and maneuvering specialized vehicles.
Vehicle Adaptation & Training: Assessment for and training on adaptive equipment (e.g., hand controls, left foot accelerator).
Coordination with DMV: The program provides final recommendations to the Department of Motor Vehicles for licensure, as noted in similar programs.

We are offering a virtual training for all of our parents on Tuesday, April 14th at 12 PM. Please join us for this amazing training opportunity by using the following link:

https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fselectmedical.zoom.us%2fj%2f97646118134%3fpwd%3dpAvtSf4am5PYpUiC5h1nG7iTnhzbTk.1&c=E,1,oHzlsGGUrigfxu99myr4HXEQhY_dHamtRAGsrYfkzjJKDhtUijoBL-xloRLWpy5UcTVgOAtHAkhdccsHdA2-ceZKEPM-VfXWeTp6xe55YOrZJD82LA,,&typo=1

Time to Order you Yearbook!

The yearbook for the 2025-2026 school year is being ordered through Jostens. The yearbook will be hardcover and cost $30.00.

Payment is due by Wednesday, April 22nd. Due to the printing contract due dates, orders received after April 22nd will not guarantee a yearbook. Please email us if you are ordering a yearbook, in case there is an issue with us receiving your order form on time.

Please return this yearbook form to school with your payment. Please make checks or money orders payable to Banyan School. Thank you for all of your support!

Classroom Spotlight: Using the Community as our Classroom with Banking

Our students recently took an exciting trip to the Kearny Bank in West Caldwell, where they traded the classroom for a real-world look at how money works. It was an action-packed day of learning that turned complex financial concepts into a hands-on adventure.

The visit focused on the functions of a bank and how it serves the community. We held a great discussion on the difference between needs and wants, helping students understand how to prioritize spending and the importance of saving. Students learned that being a bank teller is about more than just counting cash—it requires accuracy, responsibility, and great people skills.Everyone practiced filling out their own deposit slips and went through the actual process of making a deposit.

The highlight for many was a rare, behind-the-scenes tour of the bank vault. We discovered some fascinating security facts: The vault is only accessible for 10 hours a day and it features a "dual control" system, meaning it takes two people working together to open it—no one person has all the power!

To keep energy high, the staff at Kearny Bank hosted several interactive games that made learning about interest and accounts feel like play rather than work.

Banyan Creation Studio Expands into the Community

The Banyan Creation Studio is proud to introduce a pilot artistic enterprise where students curate an art collection created by Banyan artists, and then work to distribute this art to be displayed at local businesses on a rotating monthly basis. It is structured around the student’s IEP objectives and targets communication goals while also providing hands-on experiences in organization, self-advocacy, and workplace interaction.

This month, the students began their experiences by partnering with Hooked on Nails, a local nail salon located within Hair We Are in Little Falls. The students delivered a beautifully framed painting of a sunflower which is displayed immediately inside the front door. Additional artwork was also shared with Dessert Next Door in Oakland, where the owner/baker is excited to create a delicious cake in the likeness of student art. It will be amazing to see artwork come to life!

Building our Banyan Community - Senior Cookbook Fundraiser

FLASH SALE! ........3/31 through 4/7!

Don’t miss out—get yours before they’re gone!

We’re excited to offer our Banyan Family Cookbook, filled with delicious recipes your family will love!

$22.00 per cookbook
Each cookbook comes with FREE gift wrap—perfect for gifting!

Be sure to order using the form below by April 7.

COOKBOOK ORDER FORM!

All payments are due by April 13.

Please address the envelope to Emily Rose, and make checks payable to Banyan School.

Thank you so much for your support

MeetOur Administrative Team: Kim Krafft, BCBA and Supervisor

Hello! For those of you who may not know me, I am Kim Krafft. For the past year and a half, I truly enjoyed my time working as District Behaviorist at Banyan Elementary School, Banyan High School, and LIFE Academy. It’s been wonderful getting to know all the incredible students and families at Banyan Lower School. However, I am so excited to be back at Banyan High School! It feels like returning home.

As our students will tell you, I’m here to help with big feelings, coming up with plans when feelings feel overwhelming, and sharing strategies that help students make good choices. We all have feelings–it’s what we do with them that matters. My goal is to ensure that our students have the necessary strategies to navigate their high school and post-high school experiences successfully. I am deeply committed to collaborating closely with our dedicated staff and supporting all Banyan families to achieve positive student outcomes.

Outside of Banyan, I enjoy spending time with my three children at their dance, baseball, and track events. My hobbies include doing CrossFit, Olympic lifting, and hot yoga. I also love relaxing with a good book.

Preparing for Transition: LIFE Academy Student Patrick Enrolls in Home Improvement Retail Specialist class at CCM's Opportunity Program

LIFE Academy student Patrick is currently enrolled in the Home Improvement Retail Specialist class at County College of Morris (CCM) through the Opportunity Program.

Patrick enjoys working with his hands and has a goal of securing employment at a hardware store or as part of an installation team. On the recommendation of Banyan’s Transition Coordinator, Patrick enrolled in this course to further develop his vocational skills.

The program prepares students for careers in home improvement retail, hardware stores, and warehouse environments. Students learn about the safe use of tools, moving and securing materials, and proper use of equipment. They are also introduced to the carpentry, electrical, and plumbing trades, with hands-on opportunities to apply what they learn in a workshop setting.

Way to go, Patrick!

PTSO Parent Corner: Please join us for Family Bingo

We would like to invite all of our parents to join our PTSO for Banyan High School! The PTSO hosts many events for our families, such as the upcoming Bingo, and provides events for our students. If you would like to join, please use the links below:

Here is the link to the PTSO membership on Google Form

PTSO are collecting dues and payment will be accepted via Zelle and check/cash. Checks made payable To Banyan High School PTSO

Zelle: BHSPTO@banyanschool.com

Suggested amount $45

Please join us for the upcoming Family Bingo Night on May 16 at 6:00 PM!