December and January were full of learning, celebration, and connection across all River Rock Academy campuses. Let’s take a look at snapshots from each campus and see how students are building skills, confidence, and community as they progress through the school year. 

Amity Campus 

Amity campus students participated in a hands-on project focused on creating low-cost meals within a set budget. Working individually and in small groups, they planned menus, compared prices, then cooked their dishes using affordable ingredients.  

Bradford Campus 

At our Bradford campus, students heard from guest speaker Ron James, who encouraged them to think about their futures; focusing on personal growth instead of others’ mistakes and reminding students that “where your mind goes is where your energy goes.” 

Carlisle Campus 

The Carlisle campus Student Council organized a series of holiday activities to bring the school together before winter break. Students competed in gingerbread house and tree-decorating contests, created festive displays around campus, prepared treat bags to enjoy over the break, and organized a gift exchange.  

Clifton Heights Campus 

Our Clifton Heights campus celebrated student achievement with a Quarter 2 incentive assembly. Students were recognized for honor roll, perfect attendance, and subject-area accomplishments, reinforcing positive academic and behavioral habits.  

Cressona Campus 

At our Cressona campus, elementary students celebrated the holiday season with an afternoon watching the Polar Express movie. Classrooms were transformed with snow, lights, tinsel, and a large-screen projector. Students enjoyed hot chocolate, waffles, popcorn, and other snacks while watching the film. Before leaving for break, they each received a winter gift bag with items like blankets, socks, soup, and hot chocolate to enjoy at home. 

Indiana Campus 

The Indiana campus kicked off the winter season with a field trip to Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s 150-year anniversary exhibit. Students explored historical displays, flipped through old yearbooks, and were especially impressed by the stained-glass windows.  

Lancaster Campus 

Our Lancaster campus Social Skills classes used the Winter Olympic Games as a framework for exploring themes like teamwork, perseverance, and communication. After discussing how these qualities show up in their own lives and in athletes’ experiences, students designed their own classroom events. Curling was the favorite! 

Newville Campus 

Newville elementary students took part in the “Chicks in the Classroom” curriculum through the Cumberland County Penn State Extension Office. Over 21 days, they candled eggs in an incubator to learn about the hatching process and life cycles. When the eggs finally hatched, students welcomed five healthy chicks. 

Red Lion Campus 

Students in Mr. Burrows’ class at our Red Lion campus dove into STEM by building mini electromagnets. The project helped them see how electricity and magnetism work together to create electromagnetic force.  

Shiremanstown Campus 

Shiremanstown students in the Pebbles and Cobblestones program spent January learning about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After reading about his impact and discussing themes of kindness and peaceful leadership, each student drew an image of peace or kindness on a paper leaf. The leaves were combined into a “Peace Tree” display, giving students a visual reminder of their commitment to treating others with respect. 

Sinking Spring Campus 

At our Sinking Spring campus, students welcomed a guest speaker from Teaching, Learning, Community (TLC) Fore Reading PA, a local organization that encourages students to make positive choices and see each day as a new chance to grow. The same speaker later returned to help host a holiday celebration that included gifts for students.  

Spring Grove Campus 

Spring Grove campus students continued to enjoy the calming presence of Rip, the campus therapy dog. Rip joins students for check-ins, group activities, and individual support times, providing a comfortable and relaxing environment. 

Williamsport Campus 

At our Williamsport campus, students had the opportunity to meet Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter during a campus visit. Mayor Slaughter asked their ideas about what they would like to see in the city, described a typical day in his role, and answered a wide range of questions. He also spoke about mentorship and civic engagement, encouraging students to see themselves as active contributors to their community.