About Washington Elementary School

  • Washington School is a multi-cultural school that celebrated its 118th birthday in 2013. Washington School has a very successful Partners in Learning Program. This partnership between parents, students, teachers and administrator emphasizes the importance of student achievement in grades K-5. We sponsor Educational Evenings, an International Dessert Night, and Coffee Klatches with speakers. The New Jersey Association of Partners in Education, Inc. has published The Partners in Learning Program at Washington School in the New Jersey Directory of School Community Partnership Programs. We also provide English classes for our parent community twice a week so they can learn to speak English and help their children at home with their academic work.

    We implemented Making Meaning to develop the reading, spelling and vocabulary skills of our students. We continue to implement the Fountas and Pinnell Literacy Program in grades K-5. We have also implemented Being A Writer, a Writing Program to develop the writing skills of our students. We sponsored our fifth Literacy International Night for Parents and Students. Our Reading Specialist, our Faculty and our World Language Teacher prepared Literacy Activities for parents and students. We also had special translators to include our Hispanic Community and we gave out special prizes to all that attended. This was also a celebration of our Cultural Diversity with staff, student and parent participation. We also had Crystal Velasquez the author of the Maya & Miguel Series. She read one of her stories to our students. The students were able to interact during the presentation and take pictures with Ms. Velasquez. Our Science Program emphasizes the Scientific Process and Hands-On-Science Exploration. Our Technology Program such as Success Maker enhance our other academic programs. We continue to implement a 90 minute block in Literacy and a 75 minute block in Math.

    We also use differentiated instruction to help our students succeed and maximize their learning potential. We continue to implement the Everyday Math Program in grades K-5. We also continue to implement the Scholastic Read 180 Program for our students in grades 4 and 5. Washington School continues to implement the Green School initiative a Small Learning Community in grades Kindergarten and Grade 5. The Green School is based on our Science Curriculum and District Goals for Sustainability.

    Teachers and Librarian use technology to integrate the use of computers, in their classrooms, in the Library Media Center, and in our Computer Lab. The Fine Arts program of our school also excels in the area of Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Strings and the Arts. The Physical Education Department also has a Walk-A-Thon and Jump-A-Thon to emphasize physical fitness and strengthening the heart.

    The Student Council continues to be a very important part of school life at Washington School. The students collected their extra Halloween candy for homeless children. They wrote greeting cards for the veterans and we had a special flag ceremony in honor of the veterans on Veterans Day and on Memorial Day too. Holiday Greeting Cards and gifts were sent to Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Homes in West Orange and other communities. Hundreds of soup cans and food items were collected for the food pantry at Holy Trinity Church. Our Student Council also sponsors an Annual Flag Day Program and picnic for our students.

    This is the twelfth year of our Peer Mediation Conflict Resolution Program at Washington School. Students in grades four and five are Peer Mediators with Staff Members as Coaches. Students and Staff were trained by R.C.C.P. We implemented a Character Counts Program with our Student Council and Guidance Counselor for grades K-5. Each month we emphasized one of the following pillars of character: Respect, Caring, Fairness, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, and Citizenship. We also emphasized Prevention of Bullying and not being a bystander. We had Assembly Programs to build Self Esteem and Prevent Bullying. Awards were given out on a weekly basis to students who demonstrated good character. The purpose of these programs is to build good character and decrease the behaviors that lead to violence and provide a smooth transition to Middle School and High School.

    We developed a partnership with the West Orange African Heritage Committee. This group of dedicated individuals provides tutoring after school for our students. This program was a great addition to our school program and we are continuing it again this year. The West Orange Community House also provides an After School Program for our students K–5. Washington School is fortunate to have a Police Substation across the street from our school. We have developed a working relationship with the police officers at the substation. Our students have developed an understanding of the policemen and their work. They view the policemen as their friends and as positive role models. The Police Substation also sponsors an After School Program for our Students.

    We continue our Partnership with Montclair State University. We became a field site for the students enrolled in ECEL 200 Perspectives on Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education in a Democracy. This course is a prerequisite for application to Montclair State University’s Teacher Education Program for early childhood and elementary teacher candidates. Each student attended an orientation program at our school. They spent a whole day of visitation in our school with a host teacher. The goal of the visit was to enable the students to make an informed decision about entering the programs at Montclair and considering teaching as a career. The students also attended school related meetings and completed 15 hours of community service.

    Ms Marie DeMaio
    Principal
    (973) 669-5385