Mission Statement

Radix Elementary

The goal of Radix Elementary School is to address the academic, as well as the social and emotional needs of our children.  We want students to enjoy the learning process while acquiring the skills for a lifetime of learning by infusing technology and character into programs that address local, state and national standards. We are proud of our balanced literacy program that creatively teaches communication skills designed to promote oral reading and writing.  Teachers use authentic literature, trade books, and guided reading techniques, along with leveled readers, to meet the needs of all students. Student writing has been enhanced in all grade levels through the adoption and use of the “Four Square” prewriting strategy. Student achievement shows positive growth in the areas of writing and language arts literacy. Our mathematics program promotes the use of manipulatives, hands-on explorations, creative lesson development, and problem solving using open-ended questions.  We are proud of the fact that our children in grades three and four met all NJ ASK 3/4 AYP requirements as a result of last year’s state testing program.

Radix Elementary is extremely proud of our Nationally and State-recognized Character Education Program, which is unique because it uses both a school-developed ideology in combination with the NCLB approved “Community of Caring” program. In the past, students were extrinsically rewarded for exhibiting good character.  Now students exhibit the Core Values because of the intrinsic reward they feel for doing what is right. Radix Elementary was selected by the Character Education Partnership (CEP) as one of ten schools nationally to receive the National School of Character Award.  This prestigious honor was announced at CEP’s National Forum in November 2007.  As a National School of Character, Radix received a $20,000 grant to promote Character Education at both the state and national levels.  Radix Elementary will partner with EIRC and The New Jersey Center for Character Education to conduct two regional statewide conferences as part of the grant.  In addition, Radix Elementary School received the New Jersey School of Character Award presented by the New Jersey Center for Character Education and the Department of Education. Radix has also been chosen as a mentor school for Character Education through a project co-sponsored by the New Jersey Center for Character Education (NJCCE) and State DOE.  (Fostering Change in School Culture Through Character Education project).

We are excited to see the infusion of technology within the academic content areas through the use of a 26-station computer lab; several mobile classroom carts containing iBook computers and a demonstration DVD computer. Teachers utilize presentation carts containing a 25” monitor, computer, scanner, and digital camera. The technology program has been enhanced with the addition of a mobile distance learning lab that has enabled our children to take numerous virtual field trips to support all curricular areas. Our school uses a totally wireless system allowing students to access the Internet from any location in the building and provides software necessary to use the various forms of media to enhance the learning process.  The district technology curriculum is implemented through the collaborative efforts of classroom and technology teachers.   The school was involved in a STAR-W Technology grant designed to infuse technology to improve student performance in the areas of language arts literacy and to enhance the learning process. Students are provided an opportunity to experience learning through the use of project and problem-based learning and virtual field trips all over the world. School personnel have presented technology seminars at state and national conferences. 

A positive school climate has been created by our staff, parents, and students.  A very active PTA has also been instrumental in purchasing equipment and providing assemblies to enhance our fine academic programs and improving school climate.  In addition, the school offers chorus, art club, ecology club, library club, student council, K-4 student and staff yearbook, safety patrol, peer mediation, a welcome committee, and a district-wide second grade pen-pal picnic.  Student interest and spirit is heightened by the following: Student of the Month Program, spirit days, scheduled reading and mathematics motivational programs, school fair, and educational assembly programs. Our students’ ongoing scholastic achievement is credited to the numerous teachers who continue to improve their skills through involvement in graduate level courses, professional seminars, teacher in-service, instructional strategies, professional improvement plans, and curriculum development.  We feel confident that our students will continue to grow both academically and socially.