About Our School

On behalf of Johnson Elementary School and the Jackson School District, I am happy to welcome you to our website.

 

Johnson Elementary School Goals 2025-2026

Targeted Instructional Practice, Academic Rigor and Data Analysis

Health, Safety and Socialization for the Whole Child

Strategic Planning and Alignment for the School Community

 

 

In Jackson, high academic, social and character education standards serve as the framework for board, district, and building objectives. Overall, achievement test scores and report card grades reflect a high level of academic excellence and success. In addition to the important "basics," we place an emphasis on developing written expression, high-order thinking skills and offering our students learning opportunities based on their individual needs.

 

Johnson Elementary School’s educational curriculum is aligned with the New Jersey State Learning Standards and engages learners in challenging and meaningful ways.  Johnson’s highly qualified teachers design learning experiences to ensure the acquisition of academic skills incorporating 1:1 technology and STEAM in preparation for a future in a broader, global community.  Curriculum standards are actively addressed within the district through grade-level meetings, department meetings, and K-12 articulation within the district curriculum meetings. High district standards are continually reinforced through a wide variety of instructional methods and materials. The school district provides our staff with numerous in-service programs and exceptional instructional and research-based curricular resources. The rich and varied curriculum is further enhanced through services provided by building specialists. These special area teachers include a reading specialist, intervention teacher, a technology/computer teacher, art, music, physical education, a media specialist, and a guidance counselor. 

Students learn to communicate effectively and achieve higher level thinking and problem solving skills while developing a love of learning.

 

Meeting the needs of all learners remains an essential goal at Johnson Elementary.  Our professionals share the responsibility for the education of all children and teach tolerance for and acceptance of all individual differences. Johnson embraces inclusion and the philosophy of accelerating learning with the highest expectation for all learners. Utilizing assessment data to drive instruction is an integral aspect of attaining this goal. We continue to improve student achievement at all grade levels and to close achievement gaps where they exist through differentiated instruction.  We continually review our special education programs to ensure that every child's needs are met in accordance with their Individual Educational Program (IEP).  Speech teachers, and occupational and physical therapists serve children with special needs. We also track and provide necessary educational interventions through our Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) team. These interventions help students that benefit from additional support acquire the skills necessary to grow as a student. 

 

The Jackson School District uses a standards based report card at the elementary level. Standards based grading identifies a New Jersey Student Learning standard and indicates whether or not a student is meeting the standard at a given point in the year.  Subjects are divided into a list of skills and knowledge that students are responsible for mastering by year-end at a specific grade level.  Reporting is based upon the progress toward mastery of these learning targets or standards.  Instead of a traditional letter grade for a subject area, students receive a number from 1-4 on each standard being assessed during that grading period. 

The Johnson School administration and staff realize the importance of home-school cooperation and clear communication with all parents and families. This is encouraged through school and class web pages, and seasonal and/or monthly e-mail blasts with pertinent information regarding school functions such as parent conferences, Back to School Nights, and PTO sponsored events. Parents also have access to the Portal system and Blackboard Data systems, which keep them up to date on grades, assignments and district happenings. 

 

An active Parent Teacher Organization takes pride in enhancing the school life of our Johnson students. They provide parent information programs on a variety of educational topics. Cultural assemblies, class trips and educational equipment provided by the PTO enhance our school programs. The PTO also sponsors book fairs, bingo nights, carnivals, family holiday events, and other pertinent events. In addition, community members frequently visit the school to share their expertise on subjects such as the environment, drug and alcohol safety and awareness, personal hygiene, fire prevention and patriotic holiday celebrations.  

 

Students are encouraged to go beyond the regular school curriculum and to broaden their educational experiences by giving back to the community as well as participating in many extra-curricular activities and competitions. Johnson students and staff participate in several charitable activities throughout the year including our annual Soup-er Bowl Food Drive for the Jackson Food Pantry, a Holiday Giving Tree, Hat and Glove Drive, Halloween Costume exchange, and Breast Cancer Awareness.  Additionally, our students have been recognized for their achievements in the following areas: MLKJr. Essay Contest, NJ Math League Contest, Ocean County Math League, National Geography Bee, Spelling Bee, Ocean County Technology Contest, Young Authors Club, Tournament of Champions, and various community and state poster contests. 

 

The Johnson Elementary School community is committed to the continued growth and development of our students. Please feel free to peruse our web site at www.jacksonsd.org and learn more about our district, its goals, and initiatives.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mrs. Renee Pagano-Hein

Principal

(732) 833-4640

rpaganohein@jacksonsd.org