School Narrative

Our Dr. Herbert N. Richardson School is an elementary school for children in Grades K-5.  Our goal is to have all students performing at grade level or above in English, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.  By performing at grade level or above in these core subjects, we will be able to lay down a solid academic foundation enabling our students to be fully prepared for middle school and beyond.  We purposely say “our” Dr. Herbert N. Richardson School because we believe that the school belongs to all of us and by all of us we mean: Staff + Parents/Families + Students.  As a united force, we believe that our efforts will allow us to realize our mission. 

Our curriculum and pacing guides are aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and ensure that our students are exposed to the critical skills that they must develop at each grade level and throughout their K-12 educational experience. It is the expectation that our guides are used at the classroom level to address skills that are essential to ensure endurance, leverage, and readiness for the next level of learning among all students.

In Language Arts, our classrooms in grades Kindergarten through 2^nd grade use Benchmark Literacy phonics and reading to support the ELA frameworks. Third and fourth grade students continue to use Reading Wonders by McGraw Hill to support the ELA frameworks and pacing guides. In 5^th grade, students use the units of study for Reader’s Workshop by Lucy Calkins to support the ELA frameworks and pacing guides. All grades from Kindergarten through 5^th grade use the units of study by Lucy Calkins for writing. Each classroom has leveled libraries and resources. Learning stations are strategically placed within the classrooms with motivational learning activities for the students.

Our mathematics curriculum, pacing guides, and frameworks allow for rigorous instruction and provide students with opportunities to engage in higher-order thinking skills by applying learned skills to real world settings. Problem-based learning promotes students to work collaboratively while teachers foster a student-centered and student-driven learning environment.  All students in grades kindergarten thorugh 5th grade use Eureka Math by Great Minds.

Our science curriculum and pacing guides are taught through the use of Amplify Science in Kindergarten through 5^th grade.

Through collaboration with district curriculum directors and supervisors, we are proud to say that we have an extensive range of programs that meet the varying needs of our diverse student population.  We have self-contained special education classes as well as inclusion classes in each of our grades.  We have a Gifted and Talented Class in Grades 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade.

Updated technology has been infused into each classroom. Every classroom in Grades K-5 is one-to-one with Chromebook devices for our 1^st grade through 5^th grade. All kindergarten classrooms are equipped with iPads. Smart/Epson interactive projection whiteboards are being utilized throughout all classrooms.  All classrooms throughout the building are also equipped with an overhead document camera. Classrooms are set up with wireless AP’s to handle all wireless devices. Our technology educator collaborates with our technology coordinator to ensure that all the technology instructional needs are being met. We have a Computer Technology Lab that augments our School Media Center. Teachers also have access to mobile devices that can be utilized in classrooms.

To support  individual student needs, we have a before and after-school program available.  This program is available to select students.  It offers an academic focus with smaller classes.  

Through our parent outreach program, parental involvement has significantly increased.  We enjoy an effective partnership with our PTO and this partnership ensures that the PTO is available to sponsor various academic and social events throughout the school year.  

The Richardson School is proud to be the home for the district-run Health Clinic. The clinic provides families with access to health care services such as vaccinations, physicals, and many more several evenings each week and on Saturday mornings.