STRIVE PTO is a Parent Teacher Organization in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District that focuses on the unique needs of teachers and children who receive services in the district’s special education program. STRIVE invites parents and students of all abilities from all over Mercer County to come and gain valuable information about the summer camp offerings in the area at its Summer Camp Expo, which will be held on January 25, 2020, at the Hopewell Valley Central High School Community Room, 259 Pennington-Titusville Rd., in Pennington from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. It is free admission for all and children are welcome.
STRIVE is hosting its first Summer Camp Expo and Silent Auction with two purposes: to bring information to parents in a convenient way about the spectacular summer camps in the area during an event that is free to enter and to raise money for STRIVE PTO. The event will include a free Science Show from 1:30-2:15pm by Mad Science of Pennington so parents can browse the booths while children enjoy the show. The Silent Auction will close at 3:30pm and will include items such as a free week to a sponsoring camp or other valuable services.
Every camper can find a camp that suits their needs at STRIVE’s Camp Expo. Many of our camps can accommodate special needs campers, and those will be designated on that camp’s table at the Expo.
“We hope all local parents will take advantage of this awesome opportunity to meet with representatives from over twenty summer camps. We are grateful and so excited to be hosting these great camps from our community on the 25th,” stated Brian Cavanaugh, President of STRIVE PTO.
In exchange for a table at the event, camps and other organizations either made a monetary donation to STRIVE or they donated a week of camp or services to give parents a chance to win a discounted opportunity for their child in the Silent Auction.
Some highlights of the participating camps, organizations and their donations include:
- Liberty Lakes Day Camp donated two weeks of camp
- Mad Science donated a free Science Show for children during the event
- Beyond Communication in Pennington donated a series of 5 ADHD Coaching Sessions
Other participating organizations include: Rambling Pines, Schafer Sports, Camp NAC, SKIT, PEAC, Watershed, Westminster Conservatory, HV YMCA, Laurel School, Pennington School, Victory Tae Kwon Do, Silver Lake Camp, Team85, Camp Mercyville, Fernbrook Farms, Encouraging Kids, Miracle League, Big Oak & Camp Expressions, Camp Pal Paradise, Robotics Club, and 12 Acre Farms.
Our flyer can be found here at this link.
STRIVE’s Summer Camp Expo will raise funds to support STRIVE, which seeks to enhance the learning opportunities for children in the district who receive special services. Over the years, STRIVE has provided grants to teachers, facilities and students that have reached far beyond our initial hopes and goals. Grants and Mini-Grants have covered a host of needs such as:
- Resurfacing material for Hopewell and Stony Brook Elementary playgrounds
- Field trips to local businesses as rewards for accomplishments achieved as a class
- Sensory paths all students can use to take breaks and reset their emotions during school
- Extra social skills curriculum materials to teach and reinforce positive social interactions
- Bringing in special presenters and teachers to help enhance and educate our students
- Materials
so our IDEAS students could build a new volleyball court at Timberlane Middle
School, which was then used by the students to host a benefit for animal welfare.
In addition to numerous grants, STRIVE also hosted its first awards night for HVRSD students whose successes can be measured in non-traditional methods during the 2018-2019 school year. We are already planning the next awards night on June 8th, 2020.
HVRSD special education teachers can receive the Mini-Grant Application by sending an email to STRIVE PTO at: [email protected]
A special thank you to our most generous donors: Mad Science and Liberty Lakes.
Submitted by STRIVE PTO. STRIVE PTO is A Parent Teacher Organization Supporting Families and Students Who Receive Supplemental Services through the Hopewell Valley Regional School District.
