About Linden Avenue The major goal of the Linden Avenue Elementary School is to provide all students with a love of learning in a stimulating, caring, safe educational setting which will ensure that each child meets his/her fullest potential. Students are taught by a group of caring professionals who teach the whole child. Well versed in the rigorous core curricular offerings, which are discussed in much more detail and can be accessed by clicking on the “curriculum” link to the left, teachers use Macmillan/McGraw-Hill’s Treasures program for reading and language arts and the Everyday Mathematics program created at the University of Chicago. Both programs have been well researched to provide students a sound foundation in both reading and math. Positive reinforcement for class participation and for taking academic risks is frequently bestowed upon the students by the staff. Appropriate conduct is always modeled and encouraged, for the staff frequently stresses the positive behaviors. Teachers are always mindful of building students’ self-esteem and encouraging classroom participation. They validate students’ feelings and emotions while keeping them focused on the task at hand. In doing so, classroom cultures reinforce the belief that errors are opportunities for learning. Our four-year-old students experience an active and exciting inquiry approach in a well-planned, stimulating classroom. Through many hands-on experiences, the children begin on a path of learning through discovery about the environment. They also begin developing an understanding how numbers and letters help them to communicate. We continue in our kindergarten through second grade programs to gradually increase the amount of direct and formal instruction. The program continues to the upper elementary school in a spiral manner, with emphasis by both staffs of continued articulation to ensure continuity of program. The academic program in the primary school is comprehensive and enriched with instruction in developmental reading, mathematics, language arts, social studies, and science being implemented by the self-contained classroom teachers. Subject area specialists enrich and coordinate the program of instruction through scheduled classes in health, physical education, music, art, and library science. In order to promote healthy choices and positive decision making, personal responsibility, self-worth, honesty and compassion, monthly character education themes are stressed. Teachers incorporate these themes into their curriculum, through direct instruction throughout the month and in conjunction with the Social Decision Making Program. By increasing the students’ self-esteem, promoting appreciation for diversity, improving communication skills, and preventing escalation of disciplinary problems, students are taught to react positively to each other. As a culminating activity, each spring a school-wide field day is held that allows students to participate in group athletic activities focusing on teamwork and sportsmanship. Other events held each year, which are designed to build individual and collective pride, include First Day of School Welcome ‘round the flag pole, Halloween Parade, Red Ribbon Week, Thanksgiving Food Drive, December Giving Train, Read Across America, and March Toiletry Drive. Basic Skills for reading and math are provided on a pullout and in-class support basis. Our Reading Specialist serves students with specific reading issues and works on both a pullout and in-class support basis. Special Services offerings include Resource Room classes, Pre-school Disabled classes, and a variety of other services to meet the needs of classified students. All classrooms are equipped with computers that are used as part of the instructional process. Students learn to function on their own with the computer and become skilled in accessing and using appropriate software. Our school both welcomes and depends upon parent volunteers who come to the building every day. We stress that when you come, sign in at the main office to receive the proper identification badge. Under no circumstances are parents to go directly to the classroom for this creates a disruption in the educational process and places undue stress upon the teaching staff. If you need to get a message or a forgotten item to your child, please go to the office and someone will assist you. If you need to speak with a teacher, please arrange a mutually agreed upon time to do so. Parents volunteer in the classroom, library, or in the cafeteria during Pizza and Pasta days. If you are interested in volunteering or visiting our school, please contact your child’s teacher or me at (973) 429 – 8301, or JCaravela@Glenridge.org.