From the Desk of Mr. Morris

Welcome to the website of W.C.K. Walls School. Walls is a small public elementary school located in historic Pitman, New Jersey. Walls School is not just a building, but a “community” - our students, parents, and teachers have joined together to share in the mission of learning. We are committed to the development of the whole child - physical, social, emotional, and intellectual.

We insist on providing a warm, caring, and nurturing environment in our schools, and we strive, through our innovative curriculum, to establish an avenue of success for all students, whether it is through academics, athletics or the arts.

Our school is home to approximately 175 students in grades 2 through 5, as well as self-contained classes (both primary and intermediate) and resource rooms for children with special needs.

Our teachers bring inspiration and direction to our school community. They are well trained in both subject matter and in the art of teaching, but more so, they are caring and nurturing people. They use a variety of teaching methods to enhance the connection between all learners – whole group, small group, and one-on-one instruction; cooperative learning; and problem-based learning.

Our curriculum is based on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. In our language arts program, students are encouraged to listen actively, speak and write clearly, and read a variety of materials and text. Our program includes phonemic awareness instruction in the early grades; we implement a guided reading language arts program and a supporting workshop model for reading and writing to further individualize instruction.

Our mathematics program stresses the use of math concepts in real life problem solving; communication in mathematics through written, oral and visual forms; and use of hands-on activities and manipulatives. We use McGraw Hill mathematics series to support instruction.

In science, our students learn how to formulate hypotheses; plan and conduct experiments; interpret and analyze data; draw conclusions, and clearly communicate their results. Our teachers use the web-based science program to support instruction and meet the standards set forth in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

In social studies, our students examine various cultures, economic forces, societal ideas, and political concepts through the study of people and events, both past and present. Students come to understand the people who live in our local community, our state and nation, and around the world. They have access to online and offline reference materials to enhance their understanding, and project-based units provide students with authentic learning experiences. In social studies, we use materials from the Teacher’s Curriculum Initiative.

Through our visual and performing arts program, our students acquire knowledge and skills that increase aesthetic awareness in music and the visual arts.

As part of our physical education curriculum, our students learn and apply movement concepts and skills that foster participation in physical activities throughout life. Students are encouraged to participate in daily physical exercise and make healthy nutritional choices. We also have a comprehensive school health program, with a focus on providing children with a positive, life-long foundation of skills in decision-making and healthy behaviors.

Additional specialized programs include a curriculum in world cultures, technology (including keyboarding/desktop publishing classes for students in grades four and five), and a comprehensive standardized testing program in grades 2-5. All grades 2-5, are benchmarked using Fountas and Pinnell twice yearly and using Link-It for benchmarking reading and math three times yearly to individualize and guide instruction. In addition, students in grades three through five are administered the state-mandated assessments known as New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA). We are very proud of the consistently positive results that our students achieve on these assessments, and take great effort to ensure continued success.

Our district is in the vanguard of school districts as it relates to the use of technology as an instructional tool. Teachers at Walls School are making daily use of our one-to-one Chromebook initiative to support, remediate and advance instruction. Staff members are continuously trained on the use of the latest technological tools, and on ways to integrate technology throughout the curriculum.

Contributing to the success of our educational community, we have an enthusiastic and loyal Home and School Association. Through their efforts, they provide funds for all our music and performing arts assemblies, and give additional funding for specialized classroom projects and field trips. Through their hard work and dedication, they have designed and built beautiful playgrounds for our children, purchased needed equipment, and worked to restore the beauty of our campuses. This organization strongly supports their neighborhood schools and will do all that is financially possible to maintain their independence.

You may find some of this information about Walls School to be useful to you:

• Our school day is from 8:20 AM to 2:50 PM (grades 2-5).

• Lunch is from 11:50 AM to 12:40 PM.

• We have a before and after-school program, "Panther Club". Please email jromer@pitman.k12.nj.us if you are in need of this service for your child.