A+ Ideas, Programs, and Practices

Eastern Learning Academy (ELA) is an off-site program, designed for students struggling with depression and anxiety, that is part of the Eastern Camden County Regional School District. The program serves 20 to 22 students, who benefit from a small group and independent study learning structure. Students have full access to Eastern Regional High School sports, … Continued

This is a Take Your Child to Work Day project with a twist. In an effort to make the day more meaningful for students, and to the visiting elementary school-age children of district teachers, the young visitors are escorted by high school student “buddies” to a day’s worth of activities. From period to period, the … Continued

Wellness, mindfulness and social-emotional learning, as well as character development and skills such as conflict resolution, are part of a new focus in the Asbury Park school district. The district is encouraging a healthy environment for teaching and learning by cultivating students’ and teachers’ inner lives. The mindfulness-based approaches are helping students hone the skills … Continued

January 2015 was a milestone in Passaic County’s Manchester Regional High School and Haledon Public School Districts. The month marked the midpoint, of the 12th year, that the two districts have shared a superintendent and business administrator. To say the two districts are pleased with the arrangement is an understatement. Over the years, the shared … Continued

In Woodbury, school officials discovered a barrier to student growth was families’ difficulty in accessing community-based mental health services. For some families, scheduling problems or transportation issues made it impossible to access those important services. As a result, the district created a partnership with a local mental health agency, in which counselors come on-site to … Continued

There are security cameras and locking systems, redesigned vestibules and even new blinking traffic lights near two schools. But beyond the physical changes, there is also an Emergency Preparedness Task Force and a “Team Guardian.” There are regular meetings held three times a year, among school officials, police, firefighters, and others in the community, where … Continued

In Stafford Township, it takes a community to educate students in the dangers of substance abuse. Health care workers from the local hospital; police department D.A.R.E. officers; and local anti-drug-abuse leaders worked with Stafford Township School District staff to create “Project Aware,” a substance abuse education program that was recognized by the NJSBA as a … Continued

The school is promoting positive student behavior, and enhancing the school atmosphere, through a program that rewards attributes such as respect for teachers, responsibility and preparedness, and good manners. In a nutshell, students are CHAMPS – Caring, Helpful, Accountable, Motivated, Polite and Successful. The school joined forces with the New Jersey Positive Behavior Support in … Continued

The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) sponsored a mental health awareness day for all high school students. General and special education teachers, administrators, board of education members, Child Study Team members, and guidance educational specialists created a special that included various activities involving mental health. The program was developed in conjunction with the Bergen … Continued

In 2014-2015, the Piscataway School District began a book club, which engaged students in the work of educational and motivational leaders such as Yvette Jackson (The Pedagogy of Confidence) and Stephen Covey (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. From there, a new program for the 2015-2016 school year was born:You…I…We Inspire. Throughout the year, … Continued