• Character Education:  All students in our school receive lessons in character education throughout the school year.  The Character Education coordinator introduces a monthly theme which is reinforced in all classes throughout the month.  The purpose of the Character Education program is to help students develop socially as well as academically.

• Grading Policy:  Report card grades indicate the progress the student is making from one marking period to another during the year.  Grades are based on the following elements of a student's overall work:  Tests and quizzes, Homework, Classroom and class participation, Effort and attitude.
  
  In departmentalized grade levels, the following standards generally apply when determining grades:
         Tests and quizzes = 80%
          Homework =  10%
          Classwork & class participation = 5%
          Effort and attitude =   5%
  Teachers have, of course, some discretion in the applicability of these standards.  

• Pupil Records:  In addition to the pupil records maintained in the School Office, records of individual pupils are often maintained in the Heath Office and/or the Child Study Team Office.
     Records maintained in the Health Office include, but are not limited to, immunization records, allergy information, vision and hearing screenings, scoliosis screening, general physical examinations and other records and examinations of a medical nature.
     Records maintained in the Child Study Team Office are those mandated by NJAC 6:28-3.4, relating to the evaluation and classification of children suspected of having an educationally handicapping condition.  These would include, but not be limited to, educational and psychological evaluations, a social case history, a medical screening and such other evaluations or information that are required for the classification process.
     All pupil records are collected and maintained in compliance with NJAC 6:3, "Pupil Records". 

• Promotion and Retention of students:  Promotion from one grade to another shall be determined by academic achievement, maturity, and readiness through consultation with teacher and staff.  Each child whose promotion is in doubt shall be considered on an individual basis.  Procedures for promotion and retention of students:  

  1. Require the recommendation of the classroom teacher for promotion or retention.

  2. Require that parents are informed by April 30, by the use of separate communication, of the possibility of retention of a student at grade level in accordance with administrative criteria;

  3. Assure that every effort will be made to remediate the student's difficulties before he or she is retained;

  4. Assign to the Superintendent the final responsibility for determining the promotion or retention of each student.

• Report cards and Progress Reports:  Our school year is set up on the basis of four marking periods.  At the midway point of each marking period, progress reports are sent home to parents of students who are experiencing difficulty.  Report cards are issued about one week after the end of each marking period.  Parents must sign and return the report card envelope to indicate that they have received their child's report card.

• School Counselor:  Many children experience adjustment difficulties in elementary school such as: a change in school or academic program, family changes such as separation, divorce, or death in the family, or a change in living conditions.  Children also must adjust to the natural changes of growing up.
     The school counselor provides individual and small group counseling sessions to children during the school day.  Teachers and parents may refer children for counseling, or students may refer themselves.  The counselor will schedule regular sessions only with parent permission.  In some cases the counselor will refer the child, through his/her parents, to an outside agency for services.
     The counselor is also a resource for parents, advising them on various parenting issues when necessary. 

• Student Insurance Program:  The Board of Education will provide, at no cost to the parents of students, insurance coverage for injuries sustained by students during the hours and days when school is in session, while attending or participating in school sponsored and supervised activities, including participation in interscholastic sports, summer recreational activities, and field trips provided these are school sponsored and supervised, and travel to and from school.

• Homework:  Students of all grades are encouraged to develop home and school study skills and habits conducive to effective learning.  All students in Grades 3 through 6 will be provided with a homework assignment book to assist them in meeting their homework responsibilities.  Please confer individually with your child's teacher if you have questions regarding your child's study skills relative to short-term (homework) and long range assignments.
     Homework is designed to reinforce that which is learned in school, as well as to instill self-discipline and study skills.  The amount and nature of homework assignments should be commensurate with the age and maturity level of the student.  The following general homework guidelines apply to our school:

  • Kindergarten:  An occasional 10-15 minute assignment.

  • 1st & 2nd:  15-30 mins of homework 3 - 4 times per week.

  • 3rd & 4th:  30-60 mins of homework, assigned 4-5 times per week

  • 5th & 6th:  60-90 mins. of homework, assigned 4-5 times per week.

Parents are urged to check their child's homework regularly, and offer assistance when needed.  No educational benefit is derived, however, when parents complete the homework for their child.  If you find your child spending time on homework in excess of these guidelines, please bring this to the teacher's attention.
   Students whose homework is missing or incomplete are expected to make it up; partial credit is lost for incomplete homework, even if it is subsequently completed.
   Students who habitually disregard homework responsibility will face disciplinary action.
   In an effort to teach responsibility, return trips to the school for forgotten homework or materials is strongly discouraged.

• Homebound Instruction:  Students who are expected to be confined to home or hospital due to illness or injury for 10 consecutive days or longer are eligible for homebound instruction, if authorized by the Superintendent.  A doctor's note certifying the nature of the child's illness must accompany the parents' written request for homebound instruction.

• Physical Education:  Physical education is required unless excused by written request and approved by the school nurse.  After a physician's request for exclusion, the physician must give permission for re-admittance to physical education.  All students must wear sneakers for physical education classes.  Physical education classes are scheduled twice per week for students in grades 1 - 6 and once per week for Kindergarten.

• Computer Literacy:  Computer literacy instruction is provided for all children under the supervision of a computer literacy specialist.  Specific instruction on the use of computers will be provided along with supplemental activities in conjunction with the regular classroom teacher.  The Board of Education requires each student in grades 3-6 to have an Internet Use permission form signed by his/her parent or guardian.  Students who do not comply with policies dealing with appropriate use of the Internet will lose computer use privileges.  Click here for Technology page.

• World Language:  Students in grades K-6 receive weekly instruction in Spanish as part of our comprehensive curriculum.  World Language is included in the New Jersey Core Content Curriculum Standards which outline what all students must know and be able to do as a result of attending New Jersey's schools.

• Art:  All students in our school participate in our art program, under the supervision of an Art teacher.  While students enjoy a number of arts and crafts activities in the regular classroom, they receive specific instruction in various art media and in art theory once per week with the Art specialist.

• Music:  Music instruction is provided for all children by a full time music teacher.  In the primary grades, special emphasis is placed on rhythm expression, music appreciation, and good vocal tone quality.  In the intermediate grades, the student's musical experience is broadened considerably to include participation in chorus and an opportunity to learn a musical instrument through individual or group instruction.  In conjunction with the instrumental program, participants are also afforded the opportunity to participate in our school band.  Click here for Music page.

• Drug Abuse Education:  The Board of Education recognizes that the misuse of drugs has serious legal, physical, and social implications for the entire school community.  The Board will provide for the instruction of pupils on the nature of drug abuse and its effects and will make an effort to identify pupils with drug related problems. 

• Library/Media Center:  Students in grades K-6 have one lesson per week in the library to learn library skills.  Through this instruction, students gain knowledge of various forms of literature as well as methods of finding information.  Students are encouraged to sign out books from the library for home reading and are guided to age appropriate choices by the library teacher.  In grades 5 and 6, students visit the library and computer lab to complete research projects using a variety of tools, with the guidance of their classroom teacher and both the librarian and computer literacy specialist.  Click here for Media Center page.

• Academic Skills:  All teachers in our school teach academic skills throughout the day to students at all grade levels.  Academic skills include organization, responsibility, listening, and following directions.  Students in grades 3-6 are issued homework assignment notebooks and are taught how to use them effectively as an organizational tool.