"A+ Ideas, Programs and Practices" is a place where school districts can share, and learn about, successful programs and initiatives taking place in classrooms, school business offices and the community at large. A+ programs were in effect when selected, please contact local districts for more information.
February 12, 2016
The Hillsborough Public Schools meet the needs of township families, and add revenue to the school district, through the Children at Play (CAP) Program. CAP is a tuition-based, thematic play-based kindergarten extension program, which provides children with a full school day beyond the half-day kindergarten program. For $609 per month, parents may enroll their child … Continued
February 12, 2016
To inspire young women to pursue or continue to pursue studies and careers in STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics – Summit held a community-wide workshop for middle and high school girls and their mothers or other significant women in their lives. Hosted by school board member Gloria Ron-Fornes, who was then board … Continued
February 12, 2016
Leaving middle school, and entering the demanding world of high school, can be a culture shock for many students. Often, there is a gap between the skills students have when they leave eighth grade, and the skills they will need to succeed in high school in algebra, science, technology and other content-rich courses. The school … Continued
February 12, 2016
The Pascack Valley Regional High School District has implemented all of these, plus other scheduling changes, to restructure time and scheduling at the high school, for the benefit of student learning and wellness. The effort to restructure time began several years ago, with a multi-year study involving parents, students, faculty, administration, the school board and … Continued
February 12, 2016
For the past nine years, the Harrington Park School District has worked toward a goal of developing the leaders of tomorrow, through a deliberate and strategic program to place students in opportunities where service leadership is infused into their daily lives. One effort is Project Pride. Through Project Pride, students use what they learn in … Continued
February 12, 2016
The preamble to the South Brunswick school district’s mission statement begins as follows: “South Brunswick Schools will prepare students to be life-long learners.” This idea – that learning is ongoing, and occurs both within school and outside – led to an innovative program that fosters cross-generational exchange. To better connect with the township’s seniors, the … Continued
February 12, 2016
Students and members of the Hanover Park community learn about caring, tolerance and respect through a “gallery walk,” the service learning portion of the high schools’ semester-long Genocide Studies course. The Gallery Walk program involves students at Hanover Park and Whippany Park high schools, and the two campuses alternate hosting the event each year. Visitors … Continued
February 12, 2016
The news is good in Manchester: The Broadcast News program, a volunteer leadership program for fifth-graders, is building a positive school climate, as well as a strong social and emotional foundation for students, through the work of an on-air news team. Modeling speaking and listening skills of the Common Core State Standards, fifth-grade students put … Continued