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Mahatma Gandhi Elementary School offers an all inclusive Pre-K through eighth grade program in four separate sites: Romaine Avenue (PreK, Grades 3-8), Sip Avenue (PreK), West Side Avenue (K) and Duncan Avenue (PreK-2). As the largest school in the district with a student population of over 1500, academic excellence continues to be our top priority. Our diverse population is not only an asset to the learning process but also to the climate of the building. This exposure has aided in the tolerance and acceptance of others. Our motto is “Together we can!” “Together we will!” To reinforce our motto, students participate in the daily reciting of our school pledge, empowering them to believe that “At Mahatma Gandhi everyone will succeed.”
The students’ day begins with a nutritious balanced breakfast followed by 90 minutes block scheduling devoted to instruction in Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science. Instruction is provided by highly qualified staff. Through collaborative and professional meetings, teacher assist each other to develop curriculum and assessment programs that develop higher order thinking skills through the utilization of researched based strategies to promote success. At the middle school level, we have successfully implemented the Secondary School Initiative. Sixth, seventh and eighth graders have developed Small Learning Communities designed to build, establish and maintain a personal connection within their Professional Learning Community. These two communities, Rutgers and Princeton, have been endorsed by the student body to best represent their future goals. Each community has its own guidance counselor and a teachers’ schedule designed to reduce the student/teacher ratio. Additionally, a 45 minute lunch and a minimum of 45 minutes daily are scheduled for students in the areas of special classes: Swimming, Physical Education, Art, Music, World Language, Instrumental music. Library, and Applied Technology. Bilingual and ESL classes in a variety of languages from Arabic and Gujarati, to Urdu and Vietnamese are also available Special Education classes (Pull-out Replacement, Inclusion and Transitional) are provided to meet students’ individual needs. At risk students receive one on one instruction through the Project Raise and Reading Recovery (Gr. 1) programs.

A quarterly awards program celebrates and recognizes student’s academic success. Honor Roll, Credit Roll, Perfect Attendance, 100 Book Challenge are some of the awards presented. Promoting a culture for teaching and learning, teachers, too, are recognized on a monthly basis for going above and beyond for the betterment of the school. Honorees are presented with a “Reserved Free Parking” space for one month. Their names will be posted in a “Hall of Fame” bulletin board.

District wide program, Joint Activities, assist us in creating an environmental awareness educational program. Classes from different schools participate together enjoying numerous field trips, including a three-day retreat at Stokes Forest. Students experience the outdoors and broaden their knowledge and appreciation for nature. Our participation in the district-wide Hope Program (Honors Opportunity Potential Enrichment) in grades 3 thru 8 provides students who have achieved academic success a challenging environment to maximize their potential. Additionally, our school participates in the College Prep Program where students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 who maintain satisfactory grades are selected to become members. These members benefit from college visitations, financial assistance, tutoring, mentoring and SAT preparation for their future. Students benefit from the monthly assembly programs presented by various grade levels.

A variety of after-school programs are provided to promote a healthy life style and to reinforce basic and test taking skills: CASPER (Child Care Services for Parents), DARE Dance, Learn It, Rocket Learning, Princeton Review, GEPA/ASK Prep and Homework Assistance. Also provided are recreational sports (volleyball, basketball, and swimming. These clubs encourage teamwork and instill sportsmanship through a health conscious physical regime.

Character Education Club, Student Council, Peer Leaders and the Middle School Visual and Performing Arts Programs are also available and implemented to build leadership skills and develop students’ innate talents.

Our school level plan specifically targets the areas where students must show academic improvement and all instructional efforts are channeled towards attaining this goal. Our small class size setting allows teachers the opportunity to maximize time on task. Teachers are better able to impart the curriculum through cooperative learning, thematic units and interdisciplinary projects.

Monthly faculty and School Leadership Committee meetings and parent conferences address both administrative and instructional needs. Weekly collaborative professional grade level and cross-grade content meetings are opportunities for teachers to share their strategies, plan ways to align the curriculum, and discuss ways the students’ needs can be addressed. Special emphasis is placed on instructional strategies for all of our at-risk students.

Early intervention services are provided as a preventive measure by the Clinical Social Worker, Inclusion Specialist, Child Study Team, Guidance Counselor, I&RS and RTI. In-School Suspension (ISS) and Saturday Suspension provide an opportunity for students to continue their educational program within the school setting. This approach enforces the Student Code of Conduct and assists students to realize that all unacceptable conduct has its consequences. Our orderly and safe school environment is a result of parental support, staff expertise and our commitment to excellence.

With much enthusiasm, we look forward to a successful 2008-2009 school year when we can once again service an ever increasing and diversified community.

email: jayala@jcboe.org


Jeanette Ayala
201-915-6490