Star
School - 2004
St.
Joseph Regional School
A Star School in the Paterson Diocese
is a school on the "cutting edge." It promotes high
student achievement and has an identifiable specialization which
addresses the educational services and needs of students. The
faculty is engaged in professional development; there is
administrative and fiscal efficiency demonstrated in the educational
program. Outstanding performance is measured in terms of student
results and school accomplishments and there are collaborative
efforts with parents, parish and community.
Saint Joseph Regional Elementary
School in Newton, New Jersey has been awarded the accolade,
"Star School"
by the Diocese of Paterson. Faculty and administration identified
their specialization as efforts put forward to enhance Mathematics
and Science curriculum and instruction. This effort involves the
students in K-8, the faculty, administration, parents, and community
at-large. In order to achieve their desired goals, the school
partnered with New Jersey Statewide Systemic Initiative (NJSSI)
resulting in resources for professional development opportunities,
innovative teaching resources and a $5,000 grant.
The school's objectives were
identified: to create Science and Math Lab/Classrooms, to use
hand-on activities, to create smaller classroom enrollments, to
improve analytical skills, and to improve both student and teacher
motivations for life-long learning.
The school provided evidence of
moving forward with these objectives. The lab is in full operation,
using specialized science kits and advanced math instruction
methods. The lab reinforces classroom instruction and is taught by a
full-time science teacher with the assistance of an aide. Math
instruction is based on several Connected Math modules. Five
classroom teachers have attended a 60-hour course for Excellence in
Math, Science, and Technology.
The administrator of this school
facilitates and encourages the professional staff to attend
professional development classes and workshops. They are all on the
"cutting edge" of instruction in these areas and in
partnership with NJSSI.
The success of these curriculum
enhancements is evidenced in both success in competitions and honor
programs as well as in the excellent results attained on the
standardized Terra Nova testing. The school also provided evidence
of the collaboration that exists between administration, faculty,
students, and parents. In their own words, "All of these
activities provide our school family with an opportunity to
participate with the community at-large, sharing our knowledge and
continual love of learning."
CONGRATULATIONS
TO SAINT JOSEPH REGIONAL SCHOOL!
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