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Mission Statement
Needham Elementary
strives to provide an enjoyable, challenging, and relevant learning
environment where students will experience immediate success and
develop the knowledge and skills necessary for continuing social
growth, physical growth and
academic achievement. Our goal is to encourage independent, lifelong
learning.
Educational Program:
Adults at Needham
are involved with students, attempting to meet their individual and collective
needs. They encourage student responsibility and accountability,
using child-centered approaches. Parents are partners with our
school. Community resources are accessed. Staff members are
continually modifying
or updating teaching methods. Core reading groups offer personalized, reading
strategies for K-4, while our Open Court Phonemic Awareness/Phonics program
supports reading instruction for K-3. Teachers are emphasizing writing
skills during the 2005-2006 school year. There is an increased focus
on basic math skills, including problem-solving and concept development. Students
are using K-5 hands-on science programs,
along with project-oriented, integrative social studies lessons. As
you visit our school, you will find a growing number of technology components
used to support instruction. At Needham, you will find a busy, active
media center where students are learning effective ways to access and process
information. You will also find a newly constructed multipurpose room, additional
classrooms and small group rooms. Pay us a visit.
Special Services:
Needham has supportive programs in Music, Library, Computer
Lab, Physical Education, Spanish, Art, Special Education,
Board of Cooperative Services, Gifted and Talented, ELL, Title I Reading
and
Counseling. Needham has a Parent Coordinator. There are periodic
visits by artists, authors, scientists, world travelers, and various community
experts.
Needham Staff
Classroom teachers (19), Counselor (1), Title I Reading
(3), Resource (2), Media Specialist (1), PE (1), Gifted/Talented (1), Center
Based Resource (1), ELL (1), Music (1), Art (1), Spanish (1), and Principal
(1).
Personnel work in
a wide range of positions which include: school nurse, cafeteria
staff, administrative
assistants, instructional aides and custodians. A number of specialists,
including a speech/language therapist, school psychologist, district nurse, social
worker, physical therapist and occupational therapist serve Needham on an itinerant
basis.
Special Programs or Activities:
Special activities
include: a Kidtime after-school program, after-school Arts Force classes,
intramurals, field trips, peer tutoring, seasonal Music Programs, Orchestra,
Mini-unit Fair, Knowledge Bowl, drama activities, academic
contests, an annual Learnathon fundraiser, Study Connection tutoring, Creativity
Festivity, Counseling groups, Environmental Club, Chess Club, Community
Service Projects, Student Council and more. We added a new Study Connection
mentor group the past few years. Study Connection was expanded in
2004-2005. Most students meet with tutors after school on Mondays. Our
nearby Neighborhood Network Center offers after school instruction, as
well as computer use for elementary students.
Accomplishments/Highlights:
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