About Our School

Washington School is a child-centered learning community for students in grades K-3. The teaching staff is a body of compassionate and caring professionals who, through their own unique styles of teaching, have created an interactive and nurturing learning environment. Teachers utilize a variety of innovative techniques to foster the development of our young, emergent readers as they move toward fluency and comprehension. Written expression is emphasized beginning with our youngest learners. Manipulatives are used extensively in math instruction to provide hands-on experiences. Students in grades two and three participate in laboratory based environmental science lessons conducted inside and outside of the school building. Computer programs are integrated across the academic areas. Grade 3 students presently receive instruction in Spanish twice weekly. Spanish is infused into the K-2 curriculum as well. Lessons provided by our librarian enhance the core-curriculum.

Students at Washington School have the advantage of excellent physical education and arts related programs. In physical education classes, students receive instruction in all aspects of age-appropriate movement related sciences. Sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play are essential elements of each lesson activity. In our vocal music program, students lift their voices in song as they begin to understand the fundamentals of sound, rhythm and choreography. Concerts are presented for parents and others in the community with all students participating. The art program exposes students to various art styles and movements, with brief studies of pertinent artists and plenty of time for personal expression.
Washington School provides support programs for those students who may require additional services. Our staff includes a remedial reading teacher, a remedial math teacher, an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, two resource room teachers, a speech teacher, a teacher of the gifted & talented, an occupational/physical therapist and a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC). Through our Response to Intervention (RTI) program, our youngest learners who are in need of assistance are identified early and provided with support.

Washington School is a proud member of a progressive school district where curriculum is kept current and innovative through strict adherence to a well-planned curriculum review cycle. All curricula are written to meet or exceed the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. Specific district curriculum meetings as well as full staff and grade level meetings are held to facilitate this process. Teachers are provided with extensive professional development opportunities. Workshops focus on the essential elements of instruction, diverse learning styles and NJ ASK preparation, among others.

Washington School maintains excellent relationships with local community groups. These associations provide extended learning opportunities for our students and foster their understanding of practices for safe, healthy living. During Fire Prevention/Safety Week, our students participate in poster contests and informative assembly programs, highlighted by a fire safety presentation provided by the Rutherford Fire Department. The school works with the Rutherford Police Department on a student identification card program complete with photographs and fingerprinting. To enhance student appreciation and use of the library, our students and teachers take quarterly field trips to the Rutherford Public Library. Periodic visits from other local professionals and business people further enhance the educational experience of our students as these visitors share insights into their areas of expertise.

Our students and staff benefit from a cooperative program with Felician College, wheras Felician students provide valuable tutoring assistance in classrooms across the grade levels to satisfy requirements within their own education related courses. Washington School students have the opportunity to participate in an after school science discovery program presented through an arrangement with Mad Science of Bergen County. Community resources are effectively utilized for field trips designed to raise the educational and cultural awareness of our students. Examples include trips to the Meadowlands Environmental Center, the William Carlos Williams Center for the Performing Arts and the Liberty Science Center.

In the fall of 2007, we adopted and incorporated the MacMillan McGraw-Hill Treasures Language Arts program across the grade levels. During that same school year, our teachers began utilizing new strategies to facilitate effective writing skills that were developed by our school writing committee. Entitled Writing Workshop, the program will now include the use of Ruth Culham’s 6 Trait’s of Writing Trait Crates. Also this fall, our teachers will be implementing the Rebecca Sitton High Frequency Spelling program.
In September, 2008, we opened our new Environmental Science Study Garden and Outdoor Classroom. Designed in conjunction with the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, the garden provides our students with a hands-on, natural habitat for scientific discovery and inquiry. It will enable us to fully engage our students in our current science curriculum, which is rich in the earth, life and physical sciences. It will also allow us to further their sense of environmental and civic responsibility.

An awareness of cultural diversity and responsible citizenship are fostered in a variety of other ways as well. Our children learn about the history of various holidays and cultural celebrations through participation in international breakfasts and festivals. Multicultural awareness is stressed through plays, assemblies and biography days. Our students participate in a school-wide assembly each morning as we salute our flag, raise our voices in patriotic song and discuss cultural and ethnic events pertinent to the day. Washington School students gain an appreciation for community service through active participation in many charitable works that benefit those in need.

Throughout our school district, we take great pride in the computer technology program that we have integrated. Each classroom is equipped with access to the internet. In most classrooms there is a center with several Macintosh computers. Our library has a technology station with six computers and a mounted Smart Board. We now have three other new Smart Boards in the building for our staff and students. Numerous educational software programs are available for teacher and student use. Teacher training continues in such areas as Smart Board use, web-page design and internet based strategies for classroom instruction. We utilize the Homework Hero program for greater parent-teacher communication.
Parents play an integral role in our success at Washington School. A very active PTA conducts numerous events throughout the year, raising funds that benefit the school and enhance our academic and cultural programs. Our students enjoy many assembly programs that focus on specific academic areas, cultural awareness or character education. Through our annual book fair, the PTA helps to increase significantly the number of volumes in our library. Our PTA also sponsors visiting authors and helps us build a community spirit at our grade level social events. Parents visit our classrooms as guest readers and participate in National Education Week as well as Read Across America Day. Parents also participate in discussion groups with our teachers under a new program entitled “Second Cup of Coffee.” The goal of these meetings is to empower parents with valuable strategies they can use to foster their child’s learning experience.

A positive spirit is ever present at Washington School. The energy in our classrooms, and the overall commitment from our entire school community prepare our students to be lifelong learners and respectful, productive citizens.