The Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Approximately 900 students in grades 3,4, and 5 attend this school. Faculty, administrators, and staff all work together to help students reach their greatest potential while maintaining their unique individualism. There are many programs in place to help students develop a well-rounded education. Good citizenship is stressed. Our motto, Lahey “PRIDE,” stands for partnership, respect, innovation, diversity, and excellence.

Character Education is the framework of Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School’s code of conduct. The eleven Principles of Character Education are embedded into interdisciplinary curricular themes, allowing students’ time for purposeful exploration and self-reflection. It provides our youngsters with the self-esteem, stamina, and support they need to survive, be successful, and develop into strong, competent, caring, and responsible citizens.

CORE CURRICULUM AREAS
Balanced Literacy – TJL has been immersed in the Balanced Literacy philosophy for the past 3 years. As we continue our progressive journey, teachers have been changing their teaching practices to reflect new knowledge about learning and teaching. The focus has been upon improving students’ literacy achievement while creating a culture of active teacher participation in their learning. TJL students are reading and writing through a balanced literacy approach which emphasizes reading aloud, modeled writing, shared reading and writing sessions, guided reading and writing groups as well as independent reading and writing blocks of time. These components are taught through a variety of strategies that encompass direct instructional techniques, classroom management and assessment.

The balanced literacy approach has enabled us to better prepare our students for the ELA assessments. Our Academic Intervention Services also supports this philosophy. In addition to the support we provide our students during the day, we also conduct early morning sessions and afternoon sessions in reading and math. Our summer academy also helps support our academic program.

The mathematics curriculum at TJL is aligned with the revised performance indicators mandated by the state. Students understand mathematics and become mathematically confident by communicating and reasoning mathematically, by applying mathematics in real-world settings, and by solving problems through the integrated study of number systems, geometry, algebra, data analysis, probability, and trigonometry. Students understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.

The science curriculum at TJL is aligned with the NYS learning standards. Students understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science. They understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning. They apply the skills of math, science and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.

The social studies curriculum is aligned with the NYS learning standards. Students in the third grade study communities around the world; the fourth grade provides a foundation and framework for studying both New York and Long Island; the fifth grade stresses geographic, economic, and social/cultural understanding related to selected topics in the study of the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

SPECIAL AREAS
The Library program at TJL is designed to empower students to use libraries effectively for their own research and interest. Each class has a 40 minute weekly Library period. Students learn library skills and select books for borrowing. Skills developed across the grade levels include the use of the atlas and other geographical reference sources, the card catalog, types of fiction, the Dewey Decimal System, and poetry. Reinforcement of alphabetizing skills, general reference materials, library use, and biographical sources is included in the program. Students use books, CD ROMs, and the Internet as reference sources.

In our Music program, students learn to play instruments, refine their singing skills, and learn general music at each grade level. The TJL comprehensive music program includes orchestra for grades 3,4, and 5; band for grades 4 and 5; and chorus for grades 4 and 5. Concerts are held several times a year. Parents of band members in Grade 4 are invited to participate in Parent Band Nights during which they learn to play their child’s instruments and perform a mini-concert.

Physical Education is a part of the total education process. It provides opportunities for the physical, emotional, mental, and social growth of each child. The curriculum focuses upon individual, small group, and large group activities involving varied skills and social interaction. Students learn various skills through repetition, routine, self-exploration, peer assessment, guided discovery, and problem solving. Effort, cooperation, and sportsmanship are all primary objectives of the physical education curriculum.

Some of the various units that students engage in throughout the school year are: fitness, soccer, team handball, ball skills, project adventure, cooperative games, Newcomb volleyball, jump rope, square dance and line dance, and gymnastics, basketball, and track and field games.

The goal of our Health Education program is to develop in children the ability to understand, recognize, and apply decision-making skills to ensure a safe and healthy environment. Within each unit of study, several concepts are developed for each grade level. Concepts are age appropriate and consider the experiences, health beliefs and practices children bring to the classroom. These concepts provide the student with cognitive information that is supplemented with strategies and activities to reinforce learning.

Our Art program actively engages students in exploring different kinds of subject matter, topics, themes, and metaphors. Students understand and use sensory elements, organizational principles, and expressive images to communicate their own ideas in works of art. The students use a variety of art materials, processes, mediums, and techniques, and use appropriate technologies for creating and exhibiting visual artworks. The third grade students visit many lands to become culturally and socially knowledgeable about their own community and the world they live in. They dive into projects from Japan, China, and Mexico making dragons, fish kites, and “Calaveras”. Students study artists and sculptors from around the world. The fourth grade students study cubism, impressionism, expressionism, and pop art and study artists. The fifth grade students continue to learn about different artists and artistic styles. Students are introduced to many mediums, such as, celluclay, wire, and grid drawing. Interdisciplinary and character education projects continue to be part of the art curriculum.

TRIPS
Students enjoy a variety of class trips to places related to their current units of study, such as, museums, planetariums, and aquariums. Several grade four classes participate in an overnight trip to Caumsett State Park for environmental studies.

PARENT ACTIVITIES
Parent Involvement is a key element of the TJL program. We encourage parents to become involved in their children’s education. Several programs focus on developing reading skills and instilling a true love of reading, such as, Junior Great Books. Parents sometimes can be “mystery readers,” surprising the class by reading a favorite story to the students. There are also programs, such as, “Parents as Reading Partners,” in which parents and students log time spent reading together at home.

Parents are very involved in the Arts in Education program, selecting and arranging for large group professional performances for the children.

TJL has earned the Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence Certification for its outstanding parent involvement program based on the National PTA’s Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Our students are actively involved in community service. They participate in many activities in which they learn to help others. They have held coat, shoe and food drives. Each year, they raise over $10,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and raise over $3,000 for UNICEF.

TECHNOLOGY
As our world becomes a more technical one, a new emphasis is being placed on technology in the classrooms. Computers have been placed in every instructional classroom, and teachers and administrators are involved in searching for software that correlates with the curriculum. With the help of TJL teachers, students learn to use word processing, keyboarding, and skill building software. Students have been taught to use the Internet and search engines. Some classes even help design slide shows that display their work and activities in the classroom. The staff is being trained on how to use a document based camera and the smart board to enhance instruction in the classroom.

SCHOOL TO CAREER
TJL has a comprehensive school to career program that includes trips to the local bank, learning money and saving skills, career days, and a career skills exchange day. The students are also involved in Commerce Plaza, whereby student’s role play and go to work for the day and learn the skills necessary to survive in the work force.