Tewksbury Elementary School is host to students from Kindergarten
through fourth grade. Our school offers a warm, child-centered
environment and a wide variety of curricular programs that
successfully address children’s educational and social needs.
Our goal is to develop in students a strong sense of self-esteem,
an excitement and curiosity for learning, and a strong foundation
in each subject area. To accomplish this, teachers use research
based strategies, engaging activities and educational technology
that place all of our students at the center of the learning
process. Tewksbury Elementary School’s instructional program
is characterized by a strong emphasis on literacy and math
skills and carefully integrated programs in science and social
studies. In an effort to educate the whole child, rich programs
in music, visual art, computers, physical education, library,
and Spanish enhance the basic academic program.
Our
students are provided with opportunities for enrichment in
the classroom through differentiated instructional strategies
as well as a school-wide program taught by a specialist. The
goal is to enhance higher level thinking and in-depth exploration
using the curriculum as a base. Project Aspire provides an
additional opportunity for students who are particularly talented
in math and/or reading. Students, through a pull-out format,
are challenged by rigorous concepts and skills that are beyond
their grade level. For students needing academic support,
Tewksbury Elementary School offers Reading Recovery as well
as basic skills instruction for language arts and math in
a small group or one-on-one setting.
The
physical environment at Tewksbury Elementary School is bright
and colorful, providing a stimulating setting for learning.
The building is attractively decorated with samples of students
work and curricular related displays. A unique feature of
our school is the street signs in all hallways reflecting
concepts from our character education values. The integration
of technology is indicated by the addition of a computer lab
with 24 new computers in our Media/Library Center, Smartboards
in each classroom, and a computer lab on a cart for technology
use in the classrooms. Additionally each classroom has at
least two desktop computers and our teachers enjoy the use
of laptops.
An
important element of Tewksbury Elementary Schools philosophy
is our emphasis on developing a climate which encourages a
sense of community among staff and students where everyone
is seen as a learner. This is apparent during our monthly
celebration of learning assemblies. Also our concern for students’
social/emotional development is demonstrated by school-wide
programs in character education, anti-bulling, and Open Circle
in grades 3 and 4. As part of our character education program,
we integrate community service activities school-wide. One
example is our Victory Garden which is cared for by our students
during the school year and by volunteer school families during
the summer. The garden’s produce is sent to families in need.
Our
instructional program is complemented by a strong emphasis
on assessment, particularly in the area of language arts.
In addition to standardized tests, we evaluate student progress
through a comprehensive system of assessment which includes
portfolios and benchmark assessments. These reveal student
progress in relation to grade level expectations, student
growth over time, and clearly indicate student strengths and
weaknesses to staff members in relationship to curriculum
expectations. In addition, there is a comprehensive reporting
system in Kindergarten through 2nd grade which strongly correlates
with our language arts assessment.
One
of the continued strengths of Tewksbury Elementary School
is the commitment by staff and administration to constantly
improve the instructional program through curriculum and staff
development. This occurs through presentations by nationally
known experts in their field and investigative research by
subject area curriculum committees. Professional growth also
occurs through embedded staff development utilizing the expertise
of staff through faculty meetings and after school workshops.
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