Our Elementary School Community at a Glance

School Leadership

A school district with a history of well over 100 years, Emerson is proud to educate both the children of our new residents as well as the families of children who have made Emerson their home for generations. Nestled in northern Bergen County’s Pascack Valley, Emerson is home to three schools educating just under 1200 children. Memorial Elementary School (Pk-2) and Patrick M. Villano Elementary School (3-6) educate 600 of those students. Woven throughout the district’s work is a profound spirit of cooperation between students, teachers, parents and administration. From this cooperation flows the development of a love of learning, dedication to academics, caring for each other, and the fostering of a caring and nurturing environment.

Jessica Espinoza, Principal Kristy Friedman, Lead Teacher Kristin Gagliano, Lead Teacher Devan Zambito, School Social Worker

District Leadership Brian P. Gatens, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools

Our elementary school students participate in a comprehensive, developmentally-appropriate and varied academic program. These academic offerings are supported by formal research-based curricular programs and implemented by staff members who have received specific training and professional development to best know these programs. Alongside their in-class academic work, our students take part in a wide variety of school climate and culture activities designed to help them make positive behavior choices as well as be contributing and productive members of the elementary school community. At every opportunity, students are given the opportunity to take leadership roles in both elementary schools.

Philip J. Nisonoff, Ed.D., Asst. Superintendent/SBA

2017-2018 Highlights

Alice Opperman, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology

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Nicole Heid, Director of Special Services

Special Subject Areas Art Digital Citizenship Instrumental Music

iPad Program in all Memorial Schools grades PK-2 Classrooms 1:1 Chromebook Program for Villano School grades 3 through 6 Memorial School 2nd grade Ambassadors Villano School 6th Grade Leadership Jobs Program Odyssey of the Mind Program for grades 3 through 6 Advisory “Family Time” Program at Villano School

Research-Based Elementary Curricular Programs LANGUAGE ARTS & LITERACY MATHEMATICS

Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop Orton-Gillingham Multisensory Phonics Instruction -- K-2 Everyday Mathematics 4 -- K-5 Connected Math Project 3 -- Grade 6

Physical Education Media Center Vocal Music

SCIENCE SOCIAL STUDIES

Amplify Science Program Communities, New Jersey History, Cultural Awareness, United States History and Current Events

World Language TECHNOLOGY

iPads, Chromebooks, Google Apps for Education

The Emerson Elementary Schools take particular pride in the caring and professionalism of its teaching and building staff. Aside from their dedicated classroom practice, they spend time honing their teaching skills through both peer-based learning as well as participating in formal training programs.. The participation by our teachers in extensive professional development activities during the year allows them to gain valuable insight into creative teaching techniques, as well as current trends in education that will directly benefit the students. Our teachers engage in Professional Learning Communities focused on strategies for working with special populations, Cyber Lunches, designed to provide focused training on technology integration, and peer visits instructional coaching among their colleagues.

Assessing Student Learning through Standards-Based Report Cards Time for students to learn and grow - ​Standards-based report cards assess students on specific skills rather than general categories or work completion. Many of these skills take significant time to develop. While teachers are measuring them formatively every day in the classroom, publishing summative results three times per year gives all students the time they need to meet the appropriate knowledge and skill goals and show true growth between reports. Thoughtful assessment and reporting​ - Standards-based report cards include an increased number of categories and more indicators for each student as they move through each grade level. Reporting less frequently (trimesters) gives the teachers the time they need to assess each skill and provide the detailed information required. Alignment to parent conferences​ - Conferences take place before report cards are issued, rather than after. This facilitates teachers making contact with parents well before the first report cards are published. Alignment to major assessments ​-One of the most important assessments in our elementary classrooms is the DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment), which takes place two to three times per year. A trimester schedule allows teachers to enter the beginning, middle (as applicable) and end scores for students at report card time.

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The Emerson Elementary PTA focuses its efforts on providing supplemental services and supplies for our students, such as bringing cultural arts events to the school, book fairs, student academic planners, student magazines, and the purchasing of summer reading books. Parents are invited to participate in Family Science, Family Math and Literacy sessions to increase their understanding of how their children are taught in these subject areas.

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Elementary Chorus Elementary Band School Ambassadors Monthly Handy Meetings Monthly O Show Assemblies Citizen of the Month High Five Program Villano Vouchers Grandparents’ Day Family Celebration Art Show Spring Performance Villano School Play Annual Spelling Bee

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Two Schools, One Book Read Across America Event Community Outreach Programs Fire Safety Event Week of Respect Red Ribbon Week Jump Rope for Heart NFL Play 60 Family Math Family Science TREP$ Odyssey of the Mind Student Congress Monthly Book Talks

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Daily Open Learning Lab Scrapbooking Club Coding Club Engineering Club Puzzles and Problems Club Board Games Club Hour of Code Morning & Aftercare Program Writing Celebrations Heritage Day Villano News Network Peer Mentors Social Skills Groups Pillars of Character

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Poetry Celebration Town Hall Meeting Talent Show Buehler Space Center Scholastic Book Fair Heroes and Cool Kids D.A.R.E. Program Career Fair Open Circle Online School Newspaper Annual Geography Bee Annual Field Day Vocabulary Parade 100th Day of School Celebration