St. Michael School - Cranford, NJ USA
   
The Elementary School

St. Michael’s teachers contribute to the moral, spiritual and academic development of our students. Teachers and parents form a working relationship to help ensure students’ success and parents meet formally with teachers twice a year to discuss student progress. The parent/teacher relationship continues to grow at worship, athletic events and many other social activities sponsored by the school and parish. Our dedicated teachers involve themselves with students as coaches and moderators, further strengthening the bonds of community at St. Michael’s School.

SCHOOL HOURS
For Kindergarten through Grade 8 at St. Michael’s, school begins at 8:15 AM and ends at 2:45 PM. Students may be dropped off no earlier than 7:50 AM. (NOTE: Before School-care begins at 7:30 AM; After School-care is available from 2:45 PM to 5:30 PM.)

CURRICULUM
St. Michael’s follows the New Jersey Core Content Curriculum Standards in addition to Curriculum Guidelines set forth by the Archdiocese of Newark. The curriculum provides a liberal arts foundation on which students can build a life of learning. Every day begins with prayer led by a student. Students pray in the morning, at lunch and at the end of the day. Students also attend Mass once a month as a class and in celebration of Holy Days. In the second grade, students receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Fall and Eucharist in the Spring. Beginning in the first grade, the development of study skills is reinforced through daily homework assignments. In the third grade, students begin to change classes and experience departmentalized teaching. Our Spring Science Fair is always an exciting event. Past themes include civil engineering, architecture, and time. St. Michael’s also offers special services including speech correction and math tutoring provided by Union County Educational Services Our music program exposes students to several areas including singing and listening to music, playing the recorder, and reading musical notes. Third graders are invited to join Future Musicians of America, the St. Michael’s instrumental program. Our band and choir perform twice a year at the Christmas and Spring concerts.

Preparing the upper grade students academically and socially for High School is our main priority. We encourage students to become independent thinkers and responsible young adults grounded in Catholic values. Older students are encouraged to lead and mentor younger students. They are mindful of their position in the school and their responsibility to be positive role models. The essence of the Gospel, to love God and neighbor, is reinforced daily. Students are encouraged to follow the example of Jesus Christ and are challenged to live out their Catholic faith as members of the Church in the world. Eighth-graders are required to perform forty hours of community service for graduation. St. Michael’s students have consistently outperformed the national and archdiocesan averages on standardized Terra Nova tests. Our graduates are accepted into highly competitive high schools, laying the groundwork for entrance into competitive colleges and universities.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
St. Michael’s uses networked Apple computers with filtered Internet access. The school also has several laptop computers for student use. Computer instruction begins in Kindergarten with an introduction to Kid Pix. While children have fun creating pictures and learning to read, they also learn computer terminology and become skilled in the use of computer equipment such as the mouse and printer. Computer instruction continues weekly, with age-appropriate software added to the each grade’s curriculum. By the time students get to sixth grade, they are able to create Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint & multi-media presentations, web pages and simple programs. Eighth-graders work on a variety of projects designed to expand their knowledge of the core curriculum through word processing, spreadsheets and presentations to classmates. Throughout the St. Michael's computer curriculum, we teach our students ways to use the Internet safely as a research and communications tool. The school uses the most current learning applications to help teachers and students develop key skill sets including; early reading skills, reading comprehension, and math concepts.

ATHLETICS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH
Good sportsmanship, healthy living and a positive attitude towards exercise are all essential to student development. From Kindergarten through eighth grade, all students participate in the D.A.R.E. program, a nationwide police-led program that teaches children to resist peer pressure and live drug- and violence-free lives. After school hours, St. Michael’s students have the opportunity to participate in a host of instructional and competitive sports through programs offered by the St. Michael's Sports Association.

 

 
 


Copyright ©1996-2003 St. Michael's School
100 Alden Street, Cranford, New Jersey 07016, USA
Phone: 908.276.9425, e-mail: Send Message

   
Cranford Knights of Columbus The St. Michael Website is underwritten by the
Cranford Knights of Columbus - Council 6226