|
Members |
Term |
|
Rob Meyer,
President |
2008 |
|
Mary Lou
Bellinger,
Vice President |
2008 |
|
Sandra Close, Board Member |
2009 |
|
Catherine
Deely, Board Member |
2010 |
|
Donna
Kilcommons, Board Member |
2010 |
The
public is welcome to the monthly Board meetings. Please see
the Calendar of Events for details.
The Borough of Beach Haven has had its own elementary school since
1887. The current building was constructed in 1912. Classroom and
gymnasium additions were completed in 1926 and 1967. While our
building is old, it has been well maintained. Most recently we
completed an exterior painting project, replaced windows and a roof,
and carpet. Additional windows and roof replacements will be
replaced next year.
Academically, the Beach Haven School does well. Last year our
students scored in the top of Ocean County on the state assessment.
We use balanced literacy as our methodology for teaching reading and
language arts, believing that this approach is the current "gold
standard" relative to developing accomplished readers/learners. Our
students learn to write using "Writer's Workshop." Several of our
teachers have trained in this approach through the program at
Columbia University. We departmentalize for our intermediate
students. Departmentalization allows our teachers to teach to their
professional areas of strength. It enables greater individualization
as well. Because we are a small school, we have one teacher at each
grade level. In departmentalization a student has the same teacher
for a particular academic area for three years. The positive of this
is reflected in the need for less assessment and review each fall as
a teacher gets to know his/her students. Our teachers know their
students already.
We adopted the Trailblazers Mathematics Program five years ago. The
program is endorsed by the National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics. It develops students as mathematical thinkers using a
hands-on, problem solving approach. Our students are excited about
math. We supplement with a balanced focus on memorization of the
facts.
In technology we have just updated our computer lab. Computer
classes are run in conjunction with our library classes. Children
write in "Writer's Workshop" and they "publish" during computer
class. They learn to write in varied styles and genre' as they study
authors in the library and their classrooms. We have computers in
each classroom as well.
We have small classes. The average this year is 11. Our smallness
allows us to individualize student learning.
The community is actively involved in the education of the children
of Beach Haven. We have a number of student performances during the
school year. Our PTA is active. It provides activities for our
students both during the day and in the evening. We have a vibrant
intergenerational group which meets several times during the school
year. Retired community members come to school, participate in
seasonal activities, and have lunch with our students.
The Beach Haven Board of Education provides courtesy busing for all
students. And through sound budgetary management, they provide
textbooks, as well as supplemental materials. Area specialists are
employed for art, music, instrumental music, physical education,
enrichment and speech.
Our students have won honors and awards from local, county, state
and national organizations.
Our teachers meet the standard of being "Highly Qualified." They
have proven themselves to be life long learners by continuing their
training through graduate courses and workshops. We have hosted the
ERIC Monarch Butterfly teacher training. We teamed with the Island
Heights School District last year to provide teacher training in
Differentiated Instruction from a nationally acclaimed trainer.
The Beach Haven School's commitment to its students and their future
gives us the resolve to stay on the cutting edge, while keeping
tradition. Our students are safe, secure and educated to the best
that they can be!
Dr. Patricia P. Daggy, Superintendent
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