Bridge Academy Students and Teachers Join for Thankgsiving

From Pelham Public Schools: Nearly 50 former and current Bridge Academy students, teachers, school administrators and Board of Education members gathered on Tuesday, Nov. 22 to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with their school family.

At the 10th annual Thanksgiving luncheon, past graduates of the Bridge Academy told the current students how much the program meant to them, where they are now attending college and their majors. The Bridge alums also read text messages from their peers who were not able to return for the event, but wanted to share their thoughts about the program.

Students and teachers brought dishes for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, stuffing, sweet and mashed potatoes, lasagna, baked ziti, pies, cookies and doughnuts. The Bridge students were joined by PMHS Principal Jeannine Clark, Superintendent Dr. Peter Giarrizzo, Board of Education President Marianne Gilland, Vice President Madeline Smith and member Tom Imperato

Before the feast, students also thanked their teachers Jeanette Connolly, Tom Beck and Tim Pitrulle, who run the academy.

The Bridge Academy provides an alternative learning environment for some high school students whose needs are better served in a non-traditional classroom. The program features a more intimate classroom setting with no fewer than two teachers for 20 students. It emphasizes development of academic, social and emotional potential of students and has an extremely high graduation rate.

Images via Pelham Public Schools: (image 1) Jorge Chit-Sanchez; (image 2) Joe Sperry, Mateo Radosta, Felix Santos Matias, Jeremiah Gant; (image 3) Justin Dalmau, Matt Falvey, Mateo Radosta; (images 4-7) Bridge Academy Thanksgiving activities