English as a Second Language

The school, in compliance with State Law, maintains a program for students with limited English skills. The students represent a variety of native languages and are taught to develop the functional English language skills needed for classroom success.

An “English as a second language (ESL) program” means a daily developmental second-language program based on student language proficiency that teaches aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing in English using second language teaching techniques, and incorporates the cultural aspects of the students' experiences in their ESL instruction. A period is the time allocated in the school schedule for instruction in core subjects.

The district board of education determines, at the time of enrollment, the native language of each LEP student through a home language survey.  Results from the home language survey, which indicate whose native language is other than English, determine who must be tested to determine English language proficiency.

Entrance and exit from this program is determined through an assessment, classwork and teacher recommendation. These students are also given support within their classroom.

Gifted and Talented Program

Students differ in their degrees and dimensions of intelligence. The Gifted and Talented program provides a range of differentiated teaching and learning experiences to meet the needs of students in grades kindergarten through six. Students are offered a variety of new experiences through the school wide enrichment model. Emphasis in both the cognitive and affective domains is stressed in that both are equally important for the development of well-rounded and successful learners.

Speech / Language Services

Students who experience a speech and/or language disorder, which meets the criteria of N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.5(c)4, are eligible to receive speech/language services by the school's speech/language specialist.

What are Speech and Language Services?

The development of age-appropriate speech and language skills is essential to the learning process and to a student's social, emotional, and academic growth. Students must be able to comprehend language, express their thoughts and opinions, interact effectively and efficiently with peers and adults, and produce speech that others can easily understand.

Speech and language services are provided to students who demonstrate a need to improve their speech and language skills in articulation, language, fluency, or voice disorder in order to make educational benefit.

How are students referred for Speech and Language services?

Students can be referred for speech and language services by their parents or their classroom teachers if they are concerned about a student's speech and language proficiency as part of a Child Study Team Evaluation or in isolation. The goal of these services is to help students develop the speech and language skills necessary to make educational benefit in their classes.

Occupatonal and Physical Therapy 

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a related service designed to help students within a school setting who are showing an educational related disability that impairs his/her ability to function in the school environment. Occupational therapists use purposeful activity to facilitate a student’s active participation in the areas of self-care, academic and/or vocational pursuits, as well as play and leisure activities. Using direct and indirect services, as well as assistive technology and environmental modification, school occupational therapists collaborate with parents, teachers, and other educational staff to help implement a child’s program. The goal of services is to assist a student to function well within the school setting.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy is a related service designed to help students access their school environment and participate safely and to the best of their ability in their academic curriculum.  School physical therapists address functional limitations such as difficulties with mobility, transitions, or gross motor skills, as well as interventions that address impairments that contribute to those functional limitations such as posture, balance, strength, and coordination.  Difficulties in these areas must impact upon student participation in their educational program and environment.

Home Instruction

Home instruction is provided for students who, due to illness or injury, are unable to attend school for a period longerthan two weeks. If your child requires this service, please contact Mrs. Orthmann, the School Nurse.