ParentStudentHandbook2017-18 AUG.17

WE BELIEVE that the school is an integral part of the community through which teachers, students, parents and administrators work together in a friendly, cooperative atmosphere; flexibility is essential to the instructional program in order to meet the needs of a changing society; dimension is given to the program by the schools using community resources to the fullest extent; planning which involves both faculty and members of the community not only aids in solving problems but also meets the needs of the individual and develops resources for an expanding school system.

THEREFORE, the goal of our school is to develop individuals to be as mature and as sufficiently competent as their potential permits, so that they can enter into society and fulfill themselves as happy, healthy, useful human beings.

ABOUT BERLIN

Berlin is a wonderful small community located in Southern New Jersey, approximately 15 miles from Philadelphia, PA. The first European settlers came to Berlin in 1714. The village was once called Long–A–Coming, because of its position along the Lonaconing Native American Indian trail from the Great Egg Harbor River to the Atlantic Ocean. Berlin’s heritage includes the Camden and Absecon rail line that ran parallel to the main road between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic City, New Jersey starting in 1853. The Long–A–Coming Station, as it was originally called, was built in 1856. A hotel and tavern were within walking distance of the station to make it an ideal place for a stop. On February 5, 1867, the station was renamed "Magnolia." This caused much confusion because the town of Magnolia was nearby. So, three months later, on May 7, the town name and the station name were changed to Berlin. After some heavy rail traffic in the early years, the depression and increase of automobiles caused train travel to decline. By the 1960's the railroad that had grown to a double track was reduced back to a single line and stations were closed and removed. The Berlin Station was closed. It stood empty until 1994 when two residents, Roy Schmidt and Dan Pomponio, Sr., organized the restoration of the station. The Long–A–Coming Historical Society members did the restoration work, which took two years to complete. The railroad allowed the station to remain on its original spot. It is the meeting place for the Long–A–Coming Historical Society and several other area organizations. The Berlin Train Station is the oldest existing station in New Jersey. It is listed on the New Jersey and National Registry of Historic Places. Our community is also home to the historic Berlin Hotel, which is the oldest commercial building on The White Horse Pike between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. The exact date the hotel was built is not known, but the deed to Thomas Wright, the first owner, shows that he was living at the location as early as 1826/27. It is one of the few remaining buildings dating back to 1827 or earlier in Berlin today. The hotel was used as a stopping point for mule teams, stagecoaches, jitneys, and buses. It was also within walking distance to the Berlin Train Station. One of the hotel's owners opened the area's first drug store next to the hotel. In 1998, the hotel was put on the Preservation New Jersey's list of 10 Most Endangered Historic Buildings. Through a grassroots effort, the hotel was saved in December of 1999. This was made possible through a grant, donations, fundraisers, and lots of hard work by a very dedicated and determined group of volunteers. In March of 2000, the hotel was moved to a new location not far from the original spot and will remain, as it has always been, one of the most prominent buildings along Route 30. It stands as a monument to the time it was built when the town was first forming.

Thanks to the Long–A–Coming Historical Society for providing this information about Berlin.

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