STATE REPORT CARD NARRATIVE

Pride, Tradition, and Spirit defines Henry E. Harris School. With its eighty-year history, this Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Eight elementary school has been committed to meeting the educational, social and emotional needs of every student on an individual basis. It is a school that has evolved and adapted to the changes in the community and the needs of its diverse student body. It is a school that has grown to meet the ever-increasing population where the newest addition to the building created space for nine new classes, a full day kindergarten and a half-day pre-kindergarten.

The school offers a wide range of educational opportunities, activities and programs that show our commitment to educating the individual child. The faculty demonstrates a strong sense of caring for the needs of its diverse urban student population.

Our mission is to ensure the educational, emotional and social success of each child by developing a sense of responsibility and community in celebrating the cultural differences, individual abilities and personal talents of each child.

The New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards set the framework for the district curriculum. Our school has been working to fulfill state standards in all academic areas. The new state mandated testing in grades four and eight require students to demonstrate proficiency in literacy, mathematics, science and now social studies. Each content area is presented to the students using GardnerÌs theory of multiple intelligences and emphasis is placed on presenting lessons using the latest in technology.

To actively engage our students in their learning, the administration and staff have been developing the latest teaching strategies, expanding the uses of technology in the classroom setting and participating in numerous staff development activities. These encourage optimal understanding, critical thinking, and problem solving by our students as they continue to enjoy learning and seek better ways to solve problems.

Computers are available to all students in two computer labs as well as in each classroom with Internet Access. Inter-active laser discs and CD-ROMs, tech carts and videotaping equipment are continually used to make lessons adaptable to the many levels of student ability from Pre-K to eight. The school technology team members provide expertise to train teachers and students on a regular basis to use the equipment and software.

Numerous extra and co-curricular activities round out the studentsÌ educational experience. Students participate in activities such as public speaking, academic challenge, chess club, student council, and athletics such as volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, track, baseball and softball. This has resulted in city-wide winning teams and children who learn the lessons of fairness and competition. Parent and community involvement in the school, along with our studentÌs commitment to the community have created an atmosphere of strong partnership in education.

The school, family and community organizations strive to utilize available resources and develop student learning. Henry Harris has an active Parent Teachers Association and parents have access to teachers and are welcomed into the school. Programs such as D.A.R.E. and the C.O.P.S in school program promote understanding and provide information

As part of our school mission, we strive to aid our students to become healthy, happy, productive and fulfilling citizens of the future. At Henry E. Harris, we provide a consistent, well-disciplined and strong learning environment, which meets the academic, social, emotional and physical needs of our students.

New Jersey State Report Card