February was a busy and celebratory month at Stepping Stones School!
Students kicked off the month with Super Bowl–themed activities that combined fine-motor skills and imaginative play. Children pinched and picked up small football erasers and placed them into a cup designed like a football field, played tabletop football by flicking paper triangle “footballs” through goal posts, and colored football-themed pages while stamping their predictions for the Super Bowl winner.
Valentine’s Day brought opportunities for more themed fun. During sensory activities, students stacked heart-shaped rings onto paper straws and built bridges using cups and tongue depressors, carefully balancing heart erasers across their creations. On Valentine’s Day, children took turns reading their friends’ names and placing valentines into the correct boxes. The celebration continued with a festive lunch featuring heart-shaped waffles with maple syrup, strawberries on the side, and sugar cookies topped with pink icing.
One of the month’s biggest highlights was the 100th Day of School celebration. Students counted by tens to reach 100 and added the final sticker to the 100-day chart before counting down again for a surprise beach ball drop. Students rotated through themed activity stations, creating the number 100 with special erasers, building palm trees with craft materials, shark bowling, and exploring ocean-themed sensory play in a blow-up pool. The day ended with a beach-themed party, complete with grass skirts, lei bracelets, Hawaiian music, fruit smoothies, and a relaxing viewing of Moana while lounging on inflatable pool tubes.
Later in the month, students came together for an Olympic-themed Team Time, cheering one another on as they completed obstacle-course challenges and earned gold medals for their efforts. February also included a Lunar New Year celebration, where children participated in Chinese New Year games and enjoyed a special lunch featuring noodles, rice, and other traditional treats.
From seasonal celebrations to academic milestones, February reflected Stepping Stones School’s commitment to creating engaging, inclusive experiences that support learning, connection, and joy for every student.
The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones School is a Department of Education approved private school for students with disabilities. Located in Fairfield, NJ, the school is designed to meet the developmental and educational needs of children with cognitive impairments such as Down syndrome and other students with similar educational and developmental needs. For more information, or to request a virtual tour and assistance with an out-of-district placement, contact Robin Moses, Director of Early Childhood and Education at (862) 210-8781 or rmoses@arcessex.org.