Kennedy Park School believes that the mission of our school is to engage the entire community in providing a learning environment that fosters independence, embraces change, and values diversity. We hope to develop, through a technology infused curriculum, lifelong learners who are responsible citizens prepared to enter the global society. We want our students to reach their highest level of accomplishment and to enjoy school while doing so. We are Kennedy Park proud that our commitment to these goals was recognized by the United States Department of Education. We were named a 2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School. This prestigious national honor recognizes our successful efforts to meet the needs of all of our students. Kennedy Park also was distinguished as a Governor's School of Excellence in 2004, and we have earned a NJ Benchmark School award for three years.
Our instructional program is one shared by all Woodbridge Township's elementary schools. Our program includes language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health, physical education, guidance, world languages, vocal music, art and instrumental music. We use the Everyday Math program in all grades. It is a challenging and highly motivating program. We are also offering the intermediate grades two web-based programs, Study Island and Learnia, which provides practice in math, science, and reading. Students can log on to the site from any computer with internet access. In kindergarten, our Fundamentals First program focuses on literacy. Whole class instruction with award winning literature, leveled Guided Reading groups, writing workshop, and a sequential phonics program are key components of our literacy program. First and second grade boasts a new language arts curriculum entitled Literacy First. The Word Work portion of the curriculum incorporates print knowledge, alphabet awareness, phonological and phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, spelling, fine and gross motor skills, critical thinking, speaking and listening skills. The writing component provides independent writing time supported by daily individual and small group writing conferences. Our language arts programs in grades 3-5 are based on reading and writing workshop models. All students are given multiple opportunities to participate in read-alouds, shared and individual reading of high quality materials. These grades also enjoy leveled instruction in guided reading groups. Writing is taught through genre units.
To meet our students' special needs we offer Academic Support Instruction in reading and math, a grade 1 and 2 Academic/Literacy Coach, Speech services, a Gifted and Talented program, and Special Education services. We have an Intervention and Referral Services Committee to help teachers assist children who are experiencing difficulties in school. Kennedy Park is the district's magnet school for our students whose first language is Gujarati. Bilingual instruction in reading and math and English as a Second Language are provided to students learning English.
To enrich and expand our students' school experience, we have many special programs which address emotional needs, expand our instructional programs, provide motivation and incentives, support family participation, and develop school spirit and goals. We are proud of our Nurse's Health Fair, Student Council, Safety Patrol, Track Team, Field Day, Honor Roll, Club 100, Vocal Music and Instrumental Music concerts, and Kennedy Park Citizenship program. Our students have the opportunity to present their writing and artwork at the Evening with Young Writers and Artworks programs. Our citizenship program includes our Character Education/Anti-bullying initiatives and continues to focus on good manners. Classroom lessons, school assemblies, a monthly bulletin board, and special projects, such as the Student Council's food drive and charitable giving, reveal our student's efforts to become thoughtful citizens of our community. Throughout the 2009-2010 school year, Kennedy Park has been committed to helping others in our community and the world. The year long efforts and dedication of students and staff helped us to raise $3171.60, which was donated to various charities. Some of the charities included: the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Unicef, Heifer International, and the Red Cross. Over 500 non-perishable food items were donated to local food pantries as well as $150.00 in supermarket gift cards
Kennedy Park has an extremely active Parent/Faculty Group that fosters a wonderful collaborative relationship with the administration, staff, students, and parents. It generously provides special assemblies, parties, class trips, materials and volunteers that help support our school programs and activities.
We set Pupil Performance Objectives focusing on NJASK preparation and are pleased that our students did very well on testing. In Language Arts our passing rates in grades 3, 4, and 5 were 80.3%, 63.6%, and 85.4% respectively. In Math the proficiency rates were 95.8%, 83.6%, and 97.6%. The students scored a 92.6% on the Science component of the grade 4 assessment. We are especially proud of the number of our students scoring in the Advanced Proficiency range in mathematics-Grade 3-65%, Grade 4-64%, Grade 5-66%. 64% of the fourth graders were Advanced Proficient in Science.
The Kennedy Park educational community, consisting of students, parents, teachers, administration, and support staff, will work in a cooperative manner to meet our students' social and emotional needs and help them achieve academic success. We will continue to strive for excellence!
