Oak Ridge Heights Elementary School #21 is one of sixteen K-5 schools in the Woodbridge Township School District along with five middle schools and three high schools. We currently service over 300 students with a faculty of 25 full and part-time teachers. The K-5 instructional program encompasses the following areas: integrated language arts (reading, writing, spelling, and handwriting), mathematics, social studies, science, world languages with an emphasis on Spanish, health, physical education, guidance, art, instrumental and vocal music. We offer teacher directed academic assistance, two instrumental and vocal music performances, the PTO Coffee House Reader program, track, and flag football.
To meet our student’s special needs, we offer Academic Support Instruction (ASI), Leveled Literacy Intervention, Speech Center, Resource Center Programs, a three-member Child Study Team, Guidance Services, and off-site student programs for the Gifted and Talented (G&T). Our Intervention and Referral Services Committee (I&RS) is comprised of seven members who offer guidance to teachers seeking to provide additional help to those students experiencing developmental variations. Our guidance counselors’ role focuses on being an advocate for each student while working to solve problems as part of our school-wide team. Our counselor is playing a major role educating students about the district wide Anti-Bullying Mission Statements, Oak Ridge Heights School #21 Belief Statements and Code of Conduct, and provides valuable assistance to both students and their families. To enhance student self-esteem the staff recognizes our individual students who perform random acts of kindness by maintaining a Wall of Honor whereby nominated students write their names for display in a public area.
We have succeeded in providing computers with ready access in all classrooms. To meet the growing multiple educational requirements, our district provided new laptop computers and installed both Intra & Internet capabilities. We are grateful to have received a gift of three additional laptop computers and two mimeo interactive systems with magnetic white boards from our highly supportive PTO.
Our teachers have been trained in the nationally recognized and highly successful Everyday Math Program in grades 1-5. This program is a scientifically based research program supported by research data and practical classroom experience. In order to maximize student learning, Everyday Mathematics encompasses the following instructional design: it is aligned with the NCTM standards, uses dynamic applications (algorithms), uses multiple methods and strategies for problem solving, provides concrete modeling as a pathway to abstract understanding, reinforces collaborative learning, encourages small group activities, and supports cross-curricular applications (real-life experiences). All students engage in hands-on social studies and science programs and all programs are designed to support the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. These programs help to prepare our grade 3, 4, and 5 students for the mandated state wide testing program. Under the guidance and direction of the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Mrs. Rotella, the district purchased the rights for all students in grades 3, 4, & 5 to use an ASK preparatory program entitled, Study Island available via the Internet. Traditionally, our students’ test results exceed the state requirements in both Language Arts and Mathematics. To maintain our goals, our professional staff continuously monitors student progress and enforces accountability through a team effort.
Anchored by the MacMillan-McGraw Hill New View reading series, our program views language arts as an integrated experience that helps to improve our students’ ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. It also includes award-winning literature, phonics, and writing across the curriculum. We believe in providing small group and individual assistance to our emergent readers and writers encompassing a balanced literacy approach. This consists of reading/writing workshops, word study, book club, and guided reading. Student success is ensured through the pleasure gained from positive learning experiences.
A full-time certified school nurse is assigned to our school. She provides immediate on-site care, serves as the chief health and safety officer of the building, and teaches selected health subjects in the classroom. Additionally, fourteen members of our staff have been certified in CPR/defibrillator use making emergency help available throughout the school.
Our student council has taken the lead in our school-wide character education initiative. The aim is to create a strong sense of community commitment. Activities include Trick or Treating for UNICEF, collecting twice a year for a local food bank, as well as Toys For Tots, money for phone cards for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and supplying back packs for needy students. Our grade four students are currently leading all grade levels in collecting cartons of hygiene items for the OZANAM Women’s Shelter and aluminum flip tops for the Kids for Kindness Program. In addition, over the last six years, the entire educational community raised over $31,500 as a donation to the Diabetes Foundation.
We have aggressively embarked upon a PTO sponsored Mystery Reader Program. This is the 12th consecutive year that adult community members participate as guest readers for all grade levels. The benefits to the students of this ongoing program are: instilling the joy of reading, providing positive role models, and creating a love of learning through reading. The PTO is very active and highly visible at Oak Ridge Heights adding an exciting dimension to the school experience. Eight student centered assemblies are provided throughout the year. Evening activities for holiday celebrations and financial support for all field trips, along with annual donations of equipment and materials to supplement the daily educational program including the recent purchase of twenty-three air conditioners at a cost of over $8,000 enrich our children’s physical and emotional environment.
With the guidance of our supervisors and central administration, we are monitoring the success of our Fundamentals First Reading Program. We are united in our concern that our students maximize their achievement through guided reading while experiencing dynamic methods of teacher presentations. The district has sponsored multiple professional in-service training experiences to provide support for staff development at all levels of instruction.
Our entire faculty meets the highly qualified teaching standards and is comprised of a variety of individuals with diverse backgrounds. The pride of Oak Ridge Heights is measured each day by the personal care extended to each student. Consistently clear communications and direct community involvement promote the comforting image to our students and parents that we are truly a Home Away From Home.
