WOODBROOK ELEMENTARYSCHOOL

A walk through the hallways of Woodbrook Elementary School revealsthe wonderful sights and sounds of our children and staff at work. Student workis proudly displayed beside the magnificent murals throughout our facility.Science, social studies and mathematics are hands-on as children create claylandforms, three dimensional globes and problem solve with counters,calculators, longs, flats, cubes and money during mathematics.

Our youngest learners may be gathered around their SmartTablesplacing enough fingers on the touch screen to find the missing variable. Theycoach one another as they create compound words jumping for joy as theirfriends and the SmartTable cheer for the correct answers!

The interactive Promethean boards found in every kindergartenthrough fifth grade classroom are highly motivating for students as they listenand learn from streaming videos on the internet or chorally read a story fromour anthology. Students enjoy receiving immediate feedback as they choose theirfinal answers for electronic quizzes on their wireless student responders. Ourstate of the art library/media center houses 28 desktops and 10 iPads forstudent use. The entire school has access to our new iPad cart of 20 iPads foruse in classrooms.

Assessments provide proof that our goals and beliefs concerningeducation are sound ones. Students are assessed formally in grades 3-5 with theNJASK and curriculum based assessments. Students in grades 1-5 are assessed onan ongoing basis through the district's computerized assessments in order tomonitor progress and modify instruction to meet students' needs. Response toIntervention allows us to follow individual students’ achievement trajectoriesclosely in order to make instructional decisions.  We host a morning literacy program forselected students in grades 3, 4 and 5 twice per week in order to support theiracademic growth as well.  

Students are supported at home as well. Students have access tothe language arts materials online at home as well having access to StudyIsland in grades 3-5, our language arts online program K-5, and our math onlineprogram in Grades 1-5. Teachers may provide specific assignments online foradditional practice or enrichment based on their students’ needs. Study Islandgives children the opportunity to work on standards based reading, writing andmathematics concepts and children enjoy competing for Blue Ribbon Awards asthey strive to do their very best work.

Attention is given to the relationship between our school, ourstudents and their families. Many programs have been initiated to support ourcurriculum and to address the needs of our diverse population. The annual FallFest, Science/Technology Fair, International Expo Night, the Woodbrook’s GotTalent Show, Annual Family Picnic Lunch, and the Music Festival are examples offamily programs.

Our math club for Grades 3-5 is run exclusively by parents ascoaches and coordinators. Students work together to solve challenging mathproblems on Wednesday nights with their peers. The math club has earnedrecognition for high achievement in a series of global math club competitionsover the past three years.

In an effort to provide more opportunities for our children tolearn from one another and from experts, we offer a variety of clubs throughour PTA and through our district’s Co-Curricular program. After school clubscurrently include Student Council, Art Murals, Spelling, Grammar and Poetry,Mad Science, Drama, Hobby Quest Aviation, Enrich and Grow Academy, Computers,Baseball, Golf, Math Fun, and Chorus. During the day fifth grade students takeon the role of Safety Patrols ensuring safe arrival and dismissal for allwalkers, car and bus riders. Safety Patrols are selected based on evidence ofresponsibility, maturity and citizenship.

Through an active Student Council, PTA and dedicated staff,special events enhance the curriculum. These events not only highlight currentor historical events, but also instill in our students a sense of family, prideand school spirit. Staff members volunteer to facilitate after-schoolactivities which support our program and encourage socialization.

We continue to reach out to our community. Our Student Council,CARE Committee and individual teachers and students hold collections throughoutthe year in an effort to instill a sense of community and philanthropy. StudentCouncil collects and donates to UNICEF during October and student decoratedturkeys adorn our hallways during our food collection in November for aMiddlesex Food Pantry. The CARE Committee declares a Penny War to raise moneyfor local Edison families in need during the fall as well. In December ourstudents and families send in presents for children who will be spending theholidays at JFK hospital through the Kids Caring for Kids toy drive. Weparticipate in St. Judes Mathathon,, Walk for the Cure and St. Baldrick’sFundraisers. Our very active PTA sponsors assemblies, subsidizes field tripsand provides many wonderful extras for our students ranging from additionaltechnology to books.

Our school is a collaborative member of New Jersey's School WidePositive Behavior Support model. Students, parents and staff members conductedschool wide self assessments of targeted areas for improvement. They designedand implemented effective school and class wide interventions and environmentsthat encourage pro-social behaviors. Students are recognized for positivebehaviors daily and are afforded incentives on a monthly and quarterly basis.

As always our main goal at Woodbrook School is to ensure that allchildren are challenged to do their very best in a nurturing environment whereevery child feels valued and respected.

It is my honor to serveas the Principal of Woodbrook Elementary School.