Report Card Narratives
New Jersey Department of Education

HURFFVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The 2005-2006 school year was a rewarding and exciting time for Hurffville Elementary.  Honored by the New Jersey State Department of Education, we were pleased to be selected as a New Jersey Governor’s School of Excellence and awarded twenty five thousand dollars.  The Governor’s School of Excellence banner is displayed with pride near the main entrance of our building.  Committed to utilize the monetary gift to enhance instruction and student achievement, we invested in technology which would be used daily in our classrooms, LCD projectors and document cameras, as well as a multimedia system for our library. 

It is also a pleasure to announce that Hurffville Elementary met the adequate yearly progress goals (AYP), for the total population and each disaggregated sub-group established by No Child Left Behind.  Our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students performed very well on the spring 2006 ASK assessment in comparison with their peers throughout our state.  The ASK 3 results indicate that 94 % of our 3rd graders were proficient or advanced proficient in Language Arts Literacy and 92 % scored proficient or advanced proficient in Mathematics. The 3rd grade General Education Language Arts Literacy scores resulted in 99 % of the pupils achieving proficiency or advanced proficiency. In Math the 3rd grade General Education students achieved 97 % proficiency or advanced proficiency.Using the 2006 ASK 4 results, 90 % of the total 4th grade student population scored proficient or advanced proficient in Language Arts Literacy and 90 % achieved proficiency or advanced proficiency in Math.  Our 4th grade General Education students earned 93.5 % proficiency or advanced proficiency in Language Arts Literacy and again, 93.5 % met at or exceeded proficiency levels in Mathematics.  Our total 5th grade population  achieved 94.5 % proficiency or advanced proficiency in Language Arts Literacy, with 97 % of the general education students at or above proficiency.  In Math, 91 % of our total 5th graders met or exceeded proficiency, while 98% of our general education students were proficient or advanced proficient.  All sub-groups earned or exceeded the mandated AYP scores in Literacy and Math.

We successfully implemented the final phase of our new math program last year.  All students in grades one through five are using the Every Day Math program and teachers have noted gains in our students’ daily progress.  Our Gifted and Talented curriculum or TAG, was revised and the new program will be introduced in the fall of 2006.  Our Language Arts Literacy curriculum is comprised of reading, writing, and word study.  Although we utilize an anthology at each grade level, our teachers use leveled trade books for literature circles, guided reading groups and independent reading.  Our Science curriculum is concept based and developed upon the NJ Core Content Standards; it offers our students the opportunity for discovery and exploration.  We use many resources and materials so that our students are actively engaged with the learning process.  Likewise, our Social Studies program also reflects the Core Content Standards and relies on a diversity of materials.  The text book is used as one resource tool, but not the total curriculum.

Professional development continues to be a primary focus at Hurffville as in our district.  Fourteen teachers participated in a district initiative, Literacy Academy, which is a professional development program wherein participants research the current best practices in literacy instruction.  For the second year, our Librarian provided “Teachers as Readers”, a site based professional development program, for twenty five teachers who met once a month to read and discuss children’s literature and optimal literacy instructional strategies.  Just as our teachers are learning to differentiate instruction in Language Arts Literacy, professional development was provided to help our teachers meet the needs of all learners by differentiating instruction during math lessons.  An in-depth test analysis was completed by our staff in October in order to adjust instruction and content emphasis to promote student achievement as measured on the ASK.  We continue to refine classroom instructional strategies through both district and site based professional development programs so that our teachers can provide an optimum research-based learning environment for all of our students.

Our students learn in self-contained classrooms in first through fourth grade. In fifth grade, five team teachers provided instruction in the core content areas. Special area teachers provide weekly lessons in Art, Music, Physical Education, Library and Research Skills, Computer, and Primary Enrichment (PEP). TAG is offered to academically gifted students in 3rd through 5th grades. Math and Reading enrichment (MARS) is also offered to high performing students in 4th and 5th grades. 

Our 4th and 5th graders also have the opportunity to participate in band, chorus, or a hand bell choir. Our fine Orchestra is composed of students in 3rd through 5th grade. Our 4th and 5th graders are welcome to join an after-school intramural program. Both Drama Club and Art Club offer students an avenue to display their talents. The Fifth grade students are eager to participate in our Safety Patrol program. A TV broadcast of school news and events is produced each morning by a team of fifth grade students. Under the supervision of our Guidance Counselor, volunteer 5th grade students tutored younger peers who needed a additional practice and a “big brother or big sister” role model.

Students are recognized throughout the year for academic achievement and attendance. “Hurffville Heroes” are pupils who emulate and model character traits highlighted in our Character Education program and are recognized each month. The DARE Graduation and the June Awards program are highlights of our 5th graders’ final year at Hurffville.

The Hurffville PTO is a dedicated and active group of parents. The PTO generously offers many special activities for our students including a Homework Club, book fair, special assemblies, an author’s visit, field day tee shirts, a 5th grade pool party, and school spirit days. The annual Hurffville Art Show is an outstanding and delicious event, with the PTO providing the accompanying Ice Cream Social.  Parents volunteer daily in our classrooms and are valued members of our school community. The Parent Advisory Committee meets monthly to discuss school programs and curriculum, and to exchange ideas. The Hurffville Budget Committee, composed of staff and parents, fosters communication and increased community involvement in the annual school budget process.

The Hurffville staff is committed to “building a better world, one student at a time.” While we continually strive to increase our students’ academic achievement through improving instructional strategies and aligning curriculum to the New Jersey Core Content Standards, our teachers are committed to meeting the needs of the whole child. We strive to teach our students important life skills that will help them to become responsible and productive global citizens in a rapidly changing world.

Joanne Robertson
856-589-7459

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CONTACTS:
Dawn Heil - Hurffville Contact
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