Hopewell Headlines

Hopewell and Bridgepoint Academies will integrate and provide transitional, academic, and therapeutic services to special needs students in a safe, nurturing, and predictable environment to ensure the positive, long-term growth of the students' academic and emotional lives.

Welcome back!

I hope you had a wonderful summer filled with opportunities to relax and recharge. As we begin a new school year, I am excited to welcome both our returning students and those who are joining our school community for the first time.

A new school year brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge yourself. This year, I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone, pursue your interests, and make the most of the opportunities that will help you grow both inside and outside the classroom.

Remember that every day is a chance to learn something new, support one another, and make a positive impact on our school community. I am looking forward to celebrating your successes and watching you achieve great things throughout the year. Let's make it a great year together!

- Dr. T. Payton

Students are dabbling in the art of soldering, a skill used to join electronic components and create working circuits. Soldering requires patience, steady hands, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills. From repairing electronics to building robots and other technology projects, soldering is a valuable skill that can open doors to careers in engineering, manufacturing, and the skilled trades.

Regular attendance helps students learn, grow, and stay connected. This year, Hopewell's goal is for every student to achieve 95% attendance or better (missing no more than about 9 days all year).

If your child is sick or facing challenges that make attending school difficult, we're here to help. Together, we can build strong attendance habits and support every student's success.

This summer, high school students gained valuable job experience at ATEN by dismantling computers and sorting electronic components for recycling. Through this experience, students developed technical skills, workplace responsibility, and confidence while preparing for future employment opportunities.

TeacherEase allows you to stay connected by viewing your child's grades, attendance, announcements, and other important school updates, all in one place. You will receive an invitation email from TeacherEase with instructions for creating your parent account. Please watch your inbox and be sure to check your spam or junk folder if you don't see it. This email will provide everything you need to get started.

Once you've created your account, we encourage you to download the TeacherEase app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for convenient access on your mobile device. If you have any questions or need your invitation email resent, please contact the school office. We're happy to help!

Students enjoyed a day outdoors during a visit to the Pilcher Park Greenhouse. They explored the trails on a hike, spent time enjoying nature, and even met a few friendly animal residents along the way. The visit gave students a chance to explore one of our local parks while spending time outdoors.

Congratulations to the Hernandez duo for taking home the championship title in our Water Balloon Challenge! Students and staff teamed up to toss a water balloon back and forth, taking a step back after each successful catch. The competition continued until only one team remained with an unpopped balloon. Great job to all who participated in this fun end-of-year event!

During a field trip to Joliet Junior College, students participated in a fun architecture challenge led by a JJC architecture professor. Using Keva planks, they worked to build the tallest tower possible, testing their creativity, teamwork, and architectural skills.

Students visited the Old Joliet Prison for a guided tour of the historic site. They learned about the prison's history, daily operations, and the experiences of those who lived and worked there. The visit also highlighted the prison's impact on the Joliet community and how the facility has been preserved as a local landmark.

Students welcomed a guest speaker from Will County Green, who shared how recycling and reusing materials can benefit both the environment and businesses. Students learned how companies can reduce costs and operate more sustainably by finding creative ways to reuse scrap materials instead of throwing them away. To put those ideas into action, students created unique bracelets using recycled plastic bags, proving that everyday items can be transformed into something new with a little creativity.

Students celebrated the end of summer school with a trip to Scene75! They enjoyed arcade games, laser tag, and other attractions while spending time with friends and celebrating a successful summer.

Students in our Transition Program have been actively caring for the school garden, planting, watering, and maintaining a variety of crops. Through these hands-on experiences, students are developing vocational skills, teamwork, responsibility, and confidence while helping our garden thrive. We are proud of their hard work and dedication!

Students are exploring the basics of electrical circuits through hands-on learning activities. As they connect components and troubleshoot their work, they're developing valuable vocational skills such as following directions, problem-solving, attention to detail, and perseverance. These practical experiences help prepare students for future employment and greater independence.

This fall, our Transition Program is launching Hopewell Handling, a student-run Amazon return service designed to provide meaningful, hands-on job training. Students will manage the entire return process, from communicating with staff and tracking requests to organizing packages, preparing shipments, and completing weekly UPS drop-offs in the community.

Through this authentic workplace experience, students will develop valuable employability skills including customer service, communication, organization, technology, inventory management, teamwork, problem-solving, and community-based job skills. Hopewell Handling is another example of how our Transition Program creates real-world learning opportunities that prepare students for greater independence and future employment.

Transition students recently visited IKEA to practice budgeting and financial decision-making. Their challenge was to furnish a room while staying within a set budget, comparing prices, prioritizing needs over wants, and making thoughtful purchasing decisions. The activity gave students practical experience with budgeting and independent living skills they'll use in the future.

Planning to work in the food industry? Sign up for this fall's ServSafe Food Handler Certification class! Students will earn a nationally recognized credential while learning the food safety skills employers value. Whether you're looking for a job now or planning for the future, this certification is a great addition to your resume.

Transition students took a trip to the Route 66 Rock & Roll Museum, where they explored the history of music, local culture, and one of America's most iconic highways. Students enjoyed viewing memorabilia, learning about legendary musicians, and experiencing a unique piece of Illinois history while building community and social skills through the field trip.

Transition students recently toured Mariano's to learn about the wide range of careers available in a grocery store. They explored positions from bagger and cashier to bakery, deli, produce, stocking, backroom operations, and management. Students also learned about the skills, responsibilities, and opportunities for advancement within the company, gaining a better understanding of the many career paths available in the retail grocery industry.