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Community Corner

Local Teens Ready for Success

35 teens have graduated from Bridge to Success, a four week high school readiness program for incoming freshman.  Bridge to Success is a collaboration between the South Orange-Maplewood School District and The Loft, managed by FAMILYConnections, to ready students for the challenging transition from middle school to high school.

There was a graduation ceremony at Columbia High School.  District Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne was the keynote speaker, encouraging the soon to be freshmen to "study and choose their friends wisely."

Bridge to Success delivers intensive academics paired with recreation and small group discussions on life skills, healthy decision making, anger management, goal setting and consequences to actions. Presentations by CHS administration, the Maplewood Police Department, the Sheriff's Office and Steered Straight, focus on expectations, alcohol and drugs, violence, gangs and good decision making.  CHS Vice Principle and Magician Michael Healy entertained the students with a fun-filled magic show.

The Loft at CHS is funded by the Department of Children and Families, Division of Family and Community Partnerships.  Investors Bank provided funding for the Bridge to Success Program.

For more information about The Loft, please call (973) 762-5600, ext. 1188.

FAMILYConnections is a non-profit family services agency with more than 35 programs for all ages including counseling, skills-building, training and prevention.  For more information, please visit www.familyconnectionsnj.org or call (973) 675-3817.

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