Highlights from Week of 10/27/2014

What a fantastic week it's been here at BELL! 

Please see below for some highlights.

Some of our graduates paid us a visit this week to make lunch and catch up with each other.

Graduates Kellie, Precious and Holly share a smile

Erica and her staff, Kirsten, bonding and painting their nails

"I liked getting my nails painted."

-Erica, student with the BELL Program

Kellie loves the way her nails turned out!

"This week I got to see my peers from our main campus at CP Rochester and we got to do our nails. We had a fun time and we also got to make lunch."

-Heather, student with the BELL Program

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Our students had the opportunity this week to attend an ICARE Halloween Party. ICARE is a new campus club for BELL students to support each other in the program and participate in social activities with mentors and friends. 

Happy Halloween from BELL!

Tyler and Erica sporting their fantastic costumes!

Mark, Kirsten and Heather share a smile

"I had fun at the ICARE party. In the future, it would be fun to have a meeting in the gym to play basketball."

-Mark, student with the BELL Program

"Today I went to the ICARE meeting Halloween party and I had a good time. They did a great job putting it together and I played games with my peers."

-Heather, student with the BELL Program

Dalton, Kirsten, Erica and her mentor Dorothy having a great time!

"The ICARE Halloween party was fun. We had treats and played games. We also had a costume contest. My acting won me 1st Place for my stiff walking and gurgle moaning!"

-Dalton, student with the BELL Program

"I loved the fun, games and snacks at the Halloween party at the ICARE meeting."

-Erica, student with the BELL Program

Tyler and Austin looking great in their costumes!

"I had fun at the ICARE Halloween party. I played games at the party."

-Tyler, student with the BELL Program

"The ICARE Halloween party was fun. There was a toilet paper mummy contest and a bunch of fun games."

-Austin, student with the BELL Program

Kirsten pulling off the "reindeer" look with style!

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Tyler participated in a scavenger hunt this week with his mentors Jack and Jaime. The scavenger hunt was designed to provide him opportunities to meet new people and improve his socialization skills. 

"I went on a scavenger hunt with Jack and Jaime. We had fun at the scavenger hunt."

-Tyler, student with the BELL Program

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Everyone at BELL would like to give a special shout-out to Erica who achieved a 95% grade on a test in her Fitness for Life class this week. Great job, Erica! :-)

Thanks for visiting our blog!

Hello, October!

It's been a busy few weeks here at the BELL Program! Please see below for a glimpse into what we've been up to during this month.



Once every week, our students volunteer at the historic Mount Hope Cemetery by helping to keep various areas neat and clean. Our assigned plot has never looked better thanks to our student's teamwork and positive work ethic.

"My time spent at the cemetery is peaceful and quiet. With my peers and mentors we get the job done as if it were a piece of cake or better, a slice of pizza!"

-Dalton, student with the BELL Program

Erica is working hard and having fun!

"We have had fun maintaining our area at the cemetery."

-Austin, student with the BELL Program

"At the cemetery I helped with the weeding and gardening with my peers. I like volunteering at the cemetery."

-Tyler, student with the BELL Program

"I enjoy volunteering at the cemetery. I help to pick up leaves, sticks and weed our area."

-Mark, student with the BELL Program

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During mid-term break, our students had the opportunity to meet with their peer mentors during a "Fall Festival" party. Everyone had a great time getting to socialize, eat yummy snacks and watch a movie to make for a well-deserved break!

"I enjoyed watching the movie Godzilla. We sang Happy Birthday to Jackie. I also had popcorn."

-Tyler, student with the BELL Program

 "I had a great time at the Fall party. I liked all of the food we had. It was very fun!"

-Heather, student with the BELL Program

Mark and his peer mentor Phil have been forming a great bond here at BELL!

"The movie was awesome. We all had a great time. We have got to do it again soon. I think I'm going to bring my dip again next time because everyone enjoyed it!"

-Dalton, student with the BELL Program

Erica and her peer mentor, Dorothy, share a smile.

"Godzilla 2014 was better than Godzilla 1998. The party was a fun time for everyone!"

-Austin, student with the BELL Program

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Tyler and Jaime here are socializing and playing a game of Connect Four. By the look on Jaime's face, it appears that Tyler might be winning!

Students here are listening intently during a lecture presented 

by peer mentors Phil and Jaime.

Tyler enjoying a walk around campus with peer mentor Jaime.

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The Week in Review

Wow! This week sure flew by fast. I guess that's what happens when you're working hard and having fun at the same time! Please see below for some highlights from the past week.

"My mentor Phil and I played basketball and did my homework together which is very important. We got caramel mocha frozen coffees with whipped cream and no cherries at the library. Phil and I made new friends at the library and gym."  

- Mark, student with the BELL Program

Here, Heather and Tyler volunteer by delivering meals to participants of Meals on Wheels.

All students including Austin and Mark are given the opportunity to help those in need while learning new skills in the process.

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On Friday, September 26th students were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the Inauguration of President Deana Porterfield.

"I had a good time at the Inauguration. I enjoyed getting to see President Porterfield. A band played and they were great."   

- Tyler, student with the BELL Program

The group is all smiles as they head to the Inauguration.

"I liked today because we got to see the new President, Mrs. Porterfield. Me and Amelia went to chapel together and it was very good. I went to BT's with her and that was good too."    

- Heather, student with the BELL Program

Erica is dressed for the occasion and looking fabulous!

"The Inauguration was good and I liked to see the new President, Deana Porterfield, receive her Presidential Medal. I liked the cross in the procession. I think that's the best job ever here at Roberts!"  

- Mark, student with the BELL Program

"The Inauguration was wonderful and the music was beautiful. I think President Porterfield is going to be a great success at the college because I believe in her the same as I do in God."  

- Dalton, student with the BELL Program

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SMILE! You're on candid camera. Tyler had fun hanging out with his mentors and shooting some hoops in the gym this week.

He shoots...

HE SCORES!

Thank you for following our blog, stay tuned!

Throughout the program our students are provided opportunities to improve their vocational skills at various volunteer work sites. One of these sites is the Seneca Park Zoo where students are tasked with recycling. This is a great opportunity for students to improve their ability to multitask and work as a team. Today was no exception!

Tyler and Mark are listening intently to Dalton's instructions. They understand that teamwork is key!

"Good team work at the Zoo today. It was a bit chilly, but we pushed through and got the job done!"

-Dalton, student with the BELL Program

Tyler and Austin working together to make the Zoo a cleaner and safer place for all, not to mention helping out the environment!

"Today we went to the zoo and did the recycling. It was a bit colder today and I was the only one wearing shorts. I learned that I should check the weather more often before heading out for the day!"

-Austin, student with the BELL Program

Here, Mark and Dalton understand that it takes team effort to get the job done.

BONUS: Tyler and mentors Jack and Jaime having fun around campus and taking selfies!

Thanks for stopping by our blog. Stay tuned for more exciting and educational adventures!

1st Annual BELL Stone Soup Picnic

On Thursday September 18th, 2014 our students and their families had the opportunity to meet with BELL staff and RWC student mentors and academic coaches to feast on delicious stew cooked up by the Co-Director of the BELL Program, Kym. Everyone had a great time! As you'll see below, some of our students even helped out with the ingredients. Please stay tuned for future posts about our experiences here at the BELL Program!

 Tyler preparing an ingredient for our "stone soup"

Heather (above) and Dalton (below) helping out

The soup is ready!

Everyone is enjoying the delicious meal. Yum!

"Yesterday I attended the stone soup dinner. The soup was good! I burned my tongue on the first spoonful, but after it was cooled it was very tasty. I was surprised by the amount of people that showed up and the speech at the end about us all being "ingredients" in this program was interesting as well. The cake was great too since black and red frosting dyed my tongue purple which made for some interesting selfies on the ride home! Overall I had fun and I would do this again."

- Austin, student with the BELL Program

Dalton enjoying the picnic with his peer mentor

Austin having fun with his peer mentor

"I went to the BELL Stone Soup picnic with my mom and dad last night. I met with my peers. I had delicious soup for dinner. I had fun at the BELL picnic."

- Tyler, student with the BELL Program

Heather and Mark share a smile

Mark here is setting tables and improving his skills

Kym and baby Arabella. Aww!