Dedicated to make sure that every child learns!!

 

The Anthony V. Ceres Elementary School is a K – 4 facility with approximately 600 students located within an urban district. The school is in its second year of implementing Professional Learning Communities. Teams of teachers work together to plan lessons, review data, identify the needs of our students and to identify and utilize best practices. Teachers are provided a daily, 45-minute common preparation period which allows them to meet at least once a week. In addition, the school has also implemented a daily forty-five minute intervention / enrichment period per grade level. At this time, teachers focus their instruction on skills that students have not mastered, as reflected on common assessments, and provide enrichment for those students who have met the standards. This intervention / enrichment program allows all students to receive the extra assistance they need daily, during the school day.

 

There are other programs in place that also assist the school in ascertaining that all students learn. The Four Corners program, which is in its fourth year, is an eight-week intensive program focusing on Language Arts and Mathematics. Students who score proficient or near proficient on the previous year’s state assessments attend half-hour sessions with specialists and intervention teachers during the school day. There is also an after school program structured with an academic focus and smaller class sizes for all students in third and fourth grades and our at-risk students in first and second. Students identified by our Intervention and Referral Services Team as needing additional assistance are tutored at least twice a week. The school also has third and fourth grade gifted and talented classes that address the needs of our students that have the ability to accelerate in the academic areas. Our curriculum consists of an uninterrupted, 90-minute language arts literacy block which includes guided reading, vocabulary workshop, and a writing workshop. Differentiated instruction strategies are used to meet the students’ instructional needs. A 30-minute self-selected reading block is initiated by mini-lessons that include an opportunity for shared/independent reading and individual conferencing with the teacher, implemented daily. Learning stations are strategically placed within the classroom with motivational learning activities for the students. Each classroom has a leveled library thematically labeled. Two reading specialists and one literacy coach model lessons using varied active teaching / active learning strategies needed for instruction of Language Arts Literacy and also provide teachers with a vast amount of resources.

 

In the area of Mathematics, our curriculum includes an uninterrupted 60-minute block of instruction with a focus on the individual and diverse needs of the students. In addition, the entire school has a common 15-minute block of Calendar Math daily. The math specialist models lessons for teachers that reinforce the concepts taught in “Math for Understanding” – a constructivist approach to mathematics, and provides valuable resources to them. Math is integrated in the content areas to provide real life experiences.

 

Updated technology has been infused into each classroom by providing two student computers that are connected to the Internet and share a printer. The students use the computers to reinforce skills, conduct research, and complete classroom assignments. Every classroom also houses a teacher’s station, which consists of a computer designated for their use only with its own printer. Among various uses, the teacher takes attendance on this computer through a district web-based application known as CrossPointe Schools Online and has access to an application known as Safari Video Networks and Montage. This database can be searched for educational videos that coordinate with their lesson plans and display them via a ceiling mounted television. Safari can also be used to display the teacher’s computer screen on the television so all students can view a PowerPoint presentation, a United Streaming image or a video clip.

 

The school also has a traveling wireless lab that can be rolled into classrooms for whole group instruction. In addition, we have a computer lab containing thirty-one computers. Each homeroom visits the lab once a week for a lesson with our full-time technology educator. The school uses Study Island and Bookflix to assist students in mastering skills in language arts literacy and mathematics. Our network provides the opportunity for students to begin work in the lab with the technology educator and has the capability to save it to their classroom account so they can finish it in their classrooms, if need be. A mobile smart board is also available to the teachers to be used for instruction. The school’s curriculum also includes: Science, Social Studies, Health, Music, Art, Library Skills, Physical Education, and World Language: Spanish and English as a Second Language.

 

The school provides co-curricular and after school programs, such as: Family Literacy/ESL Classes, Family Workshops for parents / families on school related topics and skills, CORE Counseling Groups, School Leadership Council - SLC, Student and Staff Support Team - SSST, Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS), Cheerleaders, a Gymnastics Program, the 21st Century Program sponsored by the Jewish Renaissance, a Parent Team, a Home-School Relations Committee, and YMCA. In addition to our outstanding staff of highly qualified teachers, we have specialists and other support staff, such as: Intervention Teachers, a Child Study Team (Psychologist, Social Worker and Learning Disability Consultant), a Crisis Intervention Teacher, a Computer Teacher, Guidance Counselors (2), Physical Education/Health Teachers, a Librarian and Library Aide, Music Teacher, Nurses (2), Reading Specialists (2), Speech, English as a Second Language (ESL) Teachers, a Math Specialist, a Literacy Coach, a Home / School Liaison, Paraprofessionals and two Security Guards.

 

We highlight school, teacher and student achievements in various areas that include: the 21st Annual School Leader Award, the National School Change Award Finalist for 2006 and winners of the Stock Market Game, Governor / Teacher of the Year Award, student awards for Honor Roll, Perfict Attendance, Character Education, and Most Improved Student. In addition, we have implemented many outstanding programs: Food Baskets for the needy, the Giving Tree during the Christmas Holiday, an excellent Assertive Discipline Program, Reading is Fundamental (RIF), Family Nights, National Book-It Program, EPIC (Every Person Influences Children), School Spirit Activities, School Assemblies, Say No to Drugs, March and Poster Contest, District Battle of the Books, Liverty Science Center Partnership Program and the Great Adventure Read-a-thon.

 

The Anthony V. Ceres Elementary School Staff, in partnership with the parents and community of Perth Amboy, dedicate themselves to create a safe, nurturing environment conducive to learning for all of our students. Through the application of standards-based instruction, students will achieve the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards through opportunities to develop independent learning skills, creative problem solving strategies, and a sense of responsibility while respecting the diversity of others. Instruction will be promoted, recognizing different learning modalities to foster individual success for all students to ensure that truly no child is left behind.