| Goals | Governance | Students | Curriculum & Methods | Student Support Services | Student Activities |
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Current Goals
1. To establish a Resource Room and develop a program that meets the needs of our students.
Progress: Our goal is well underway. We have established a resource room equipped with the materials needed by the students and have a part-time Resource teacher who is a former member of the teaching staff. She works along with the classroom teachers to accommodate the specific needs of the children. In addition, we also have an in class support teacher one day per week, who is able to come to us via our local IDEA funding. These two individuals work in cooperation with our Special Services teacher, who is already here 2 days per week, to meet the needs of all of our students with specific needs, those having formal ISP’s in place as well as those who just need some extra help. We are also able to utilize one other staff member for an hour every day to give one-on-one help to those students who need it, as identified by the classroom teachers. Despite the fact that our current budgetary restraints have prevented the hiring of one full time Resource teacher, we have been able to develop an effective program that has a Resource team in place for approximately 4 days per week. All Resource team members meet regularly to ensure that student needs are being met with the appropriate team member.
2. To implement an updating of the reading program at every grade level by September 2004.
Progress: In order to undertake and accomplish the critical event of the implementation of an updated reading program, all self-prescribed collateral events were followed and completed in a timely fashion. This process occurred under the direction of the reading coordinators and their committees and with the input of all the teachers. Through extensive surveying, evaluating, discussing and deliberating, the reading program of St. Joseph School reflects the accomplishment of Goal 2. Grade one opted to continue with the Open Court Reading series, due to its successful phonics program. Grades two through six chose the Scott-Foresman series that would insure the development of an effective literacy program. Grades seven and eight, as pivotal transition years, selected the Prentice-Hall series. These three chosen series work together to produce an over-all balanced, smooth flowing instructional program that guides our varied students through the basics, the reinforcement, the maintenance and on to enrichment. In addition, many supplemental materials are used to enhance the program’s range and to provide additional aids for students at all levels of achievement. Our reading program meets the standards of the New Jersey Core Curriculum (2004) and the Archdiocese of Newark Language Arts Literacy Curriculum (2004).
3. To continue the development of a technology program for teachers and students through 2004 and beyond.
Progress: Full time staff member Gerry Mabli functions as technology coordinator and computer teacher. He provides regular on-going communication and support to all classroom teachers. Both his regular weekly classes and his open periods, during which teachers can bring their classes to the computer lab, allow for reinforcement of math, language arts and research skills in a hands-on environment. Students as young as grade 3 are also instructed in presentation skills with classes on Power Point technology.
Mr. Mabli is also web master of the official school website which offers a gigabyte of web space. The school calendar on the website allows teachers to post events, homework assignments, etc. on a daily basis. The website functions as an excellent conduit between the school and the home. Parents can even visit the computer lab from work, via the live web cam that is on during the school day!
Faculty training is ongoing and offered regularly, both at school or via a program of on-line faculty development courses. Each mini course provides five hours of teacher training and they are repeated in order to allow for each teacher to take advantage of all the topics offered.All wiring projects in both school buildings have been completed. There is a central server in each building. Networking is finished and DSL internet access is available in both computer labs, in all classrooms, in the school offices and in the faculty rooms. Multi-media applications have been introduced and developed. Students and teachers are instructed in Power Point and the use of Quick Time videos and MP3 music. The school website offers interactive games, activities and songs, including the music for the Christmas concert so that students could practice at home. Instructional CDs that include multimedia are used regularly in the classroom.
