Principal's Message
July 19, 2005
Dear Parents,
The Katharine D. Malone School is comprised of approximately 400 students in grades K-5. These students have a large range of talents, abilities, and needs, and our exemplary instructional program has been designed to reflect these diverse needs and to assist students in their growth and development. Our integrated curriculum and differentiated teaching strategies support the district's mission statement and are aligned with the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. KDM’s dedicated faculty is committed to meeting the needs of all students with an academic emphasis that aligns the curriculum to state standards and frameworks. We believe that all students can grow, develop and succeed.
Our exemplary program includes individual and group work, cooperative learning, math manipulatives, and hands-on projects in Science and Social Studies. An extensive technology program supports and enhances the curriculum. Last year our computer lab was upgraded with new computers and additional ones were placed in classrooms. This year every classroom will have an LCD projector to further augment our technology program. Curriculum initiatives this year include an emphasis on the McGraw Hill Language Arts Reading program, a new Houghton Mifflin Math program, a computer keyboarding curriculum in grade 3 and the use of writing portfolios to provide a snapshot of student growth over time.
KDM’s after-school instructional program includes developmental reading and math for students in grades 1-5, a Sign Language program for grades 1-5, a Drama Club for grades 4-5, a Student Government program for grades 4-5, and a before and after school Kindergarten Club program.
Our students continue to demonstrate sustained academic gains and improvements as demonstrated by the results of both our formative and summative assessments that are aligned to the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and the NJ Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK). In the spring of each year our 3rd and 4th grade students are administered the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) in the areas of Language Literacy and Math and our goal is to provide students with those skills needed for continued success on these assessments.
The Katharine D. Malone PTA and its multitude of programs clearly involve our families in their children's learning and overall school-life. They have created a community in which students, teachers, parents, and administrators all learn from one another by sharing their knowledge and expertise. The PTA is committed to strengthening family-school partnerships and children's learning and their programs provide for positive interactions between staff, students and their families.
KDM is a safe, positive, and caring school that provides a nurturing and creative learning environment for young students to grow and develop. Working together with families, we are committed to the young people who are entrusted to our care.
Sincerely,
Stephen Gottlieb
Acting Principal