Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members:
On behalf of the Howard C. Johnson Elementary School and the Jackson School District, I am happy to welcome you to our website.
In Jackson, high academic, social and character education standards serve as the framework for board, district, and building objectives. Overall achievement test scores and report card grades reflect a high level of academic excellence and success. In addition to the important "basics," we place an emphasis on developing written expression skills and offering our students learning opportunities based on their individual needs.
We continue to improve student achievement at all grade levels and to close achievement gaps where they exist. We continually review our special education programs to ensure that every child's needs are met in accordance with their Individual Educational Program (IEP). State and national standards are actively addressed within the school through grade-level meetings and professional development. High district standards are continually reinforced through a wide variety of instructional methods and materials. Our school district provides our staff exceptional instructional and curricular resources.
The implementation of Promethean Smart-board technology and correlating applications in the classroom continues, bolstering our school's technology initiatives. These 21st Century tools provide teachers with very effective ways to reach students. In math, hands-on lessons that include the use of manipulatives and the continued focus on process activities assist learners as they increase their application of skills and strategies for high order cognitive analysis and evaluation. The Envision Math Curriculum provides students with online materials, dynamic tutorials, and easy-to-use assessments to drive instruction.
In the area of Literacy, Johnson teachers and learners are invested in developing the workshop model for reading and writing in an attempt to enhance and deepen students' learning experiences. This model has shifted the focus away from the teacher as the provider of knowledge toward increased student ownership in the educational experience. By differentiating instruction in this manner, our program incorporates best practices and current research about curriculum, cross-curricular instruction, technology, and assessment. This enables us to support all of our students at their various points on the educational spectrum.
The Howard C. Johnson Elementary School involves the community as an integral part of its educational program. An active Parent Teacher Organization provides numerous family nights, community information programs, reading programs and student assemblies. In conjunction with staff members, both the Jackson Police and Fire Departments present assemblies for students pertaining to safety, fire prevention and substance abuse awareness. We also provide a monthly Character Education assembly to foster a positive school environment. Other community members also visit the school in order to share their expertise in such areas as dental hygiene, environmental issues, historical events and patriotic holidays.
Staff professional development is also part of the school's success. There are regular staff meetings, monthly grade-level meetings and in-service offerings that address a variety of topics. Improving writing skills and broadening instructional techniques in this area are important pieces of staff development. Motivational programs to promote student achievement are strongly encouraged. The general curriculum is enhanced through services provided by a guidance counselor, reading specialists, media and technology teachers, a world language teacher and an enrichment teacher. For children with specialized needs there is a full child study team available, as well as speech, occupational and physical therapists, and basic skills teachers. The Intervention and Referral Services Team works regularly with teachers to develop plans that ensure improved student success.
The administration and staff of Howard C. Johnson Elementary School are committed to the continued growth and development of our students. Please feel free to peruse this website to learn more about us.
Mrs. Renee Pagano-Hein
Principal, H.C. Johnson Elementary School
