Welcome to J. Harvey Rodgers School – A Foundation for Lifelong Learning

At J. Harvey Rodgers School, we are proud to offer rich and meaningful learning experiences for our Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Our mission is to build a strong academic and social-emotional foundation that prepares children to thrive both in school and beyond. All programming aligns with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and is supported through Preschool Education Expansion Aid and ESEA Entitlement Grant funding.

Our dedicated faculty implements research-based, data-informed practices that support the whole child and foster curiosity, independence, and a love of learning.

Preschool Programming

Our Pre-K program uses the Creative Curriculum, a comprehensive, play-based approach that balances teacher guidance with child-initiated learning. It supports development across all domains—social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and academic—through engaging, developmentally appropriate experiences.

We utilize a mixed-age model, with 3- and 4-year-olds learning together in each classroom. This approach promotes leadership, empathy, and cooperation. Younger students benefit from peer modeling, while older students strengthen their skills by mentoring their classmates.

Key benefits of our mixed-age classrooms include:

• Fostering leadership and early learning skills

• Encouraging collaboration over competition

• Promoting confidence and individuality

• Supporting social and language development

Literacy and Mathematics in Pre-K

Our Pre-K classrooms foster literacy through immersive experiences that develop vocabulary, phonological awareness, comprehension, and a love of books. Teachers also build on student interests to introduce foundational math concepts, encouraging students to explore, question, and apply what they learn.

Kindergarten Curriculum

In Kindergarten, students engage in a 130-minute Language Arts block using Wit & Wisdom, Geodes and Fundations. This curriculum builds reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills through high-quality texts and integrated multimedia. Throughout the year, students explore four modules:

• The Five Senses

• Once Upon a Farm

• America Then and Now

• The Continents

Daily instruction includes:

• Phonemic Awareness, Word Studies, and Handwriting (Fundations)

• Small Group Reading (Geodes)

• Whole Group Lessons (Wit & Wisdom)

• Play-Based Knowledge Centers

Student progress is regularly monitored through MAP Reading Fluency, which provides real-time data on oral reading fluency, foundational skills, and comprehension. This data helps inform instruction and guide intervention in collaboration with our ELA Supervisor.

Kindergarten math is taught through Eureka Math, a hands-on, concept-based program aligned with state standards. Students explore numbers, addition and subtraction, measurement, and geometry through six engaging modules. Each lesson includes fluency practice, real-world problem-solving, and concept development. To monitor progress and inform instruction, students also take the MAP Math Growth Assessment, which provides valuable data on their developing math skills throughout the year.

Instructional Support and Services

To meet the needs of all learners, we offer a variety of support services:

• Basic Skills Instruction for Language Arts

• English as a Second Language (ESL)

• Extended Year services for eligible Special Education

  students

• Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) for academic and behavioral support

• Child Study Team referrals when additional evaluation is needed

Character Education and Positive Behavior Supports

At J. Harvey Rodgers School, character development is woven into the fabric of our school culture through our districtwide Bulldog PRIDE initiative. In alignment with our academic focus, we intentionally cultivate the social and emotional growth of our students, helping them develop into responsible, compassionate, and ethical individuals.

PRIDE is an acronym that represents the five Core Values at the heart of our character education program:

• Perseverance – Encouraging students to stay determined and keep trying, even when tasks are difficult.

• Respect – Teaching children to value others, listen actively, and celebrate differences.

• Integrity – Promoting honesty and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

• Dependability – Fostering responsibility, accountability, and follow-through.

• Empathy – Helping students understand and care about how others feel, and respond with kindness and compassion.

Each month, we highlight a specific virtue through classroom discussions, morning meetings, character lessons, schoolwide assemblies, and teacher-student interactions. Our shared language and common expectations create a safe, supportive environment where students are recognized for making positive choices.

Bulldog PRIDE not only improves the climate of our school—it builds a foundation for lifelong success. Through this work, we aim to prepare students not just to succeed academically, but to lead lives of purpose, character, and contribution.

Family and Community Engagement

Families play an essential role in the success of our school community. At Rodgers, we are proud to offer a variety of opportunities for families to stay involved and connected throughout the year. Our PTO meets monthly to organize school events, fundraisers, and provide support for classrooms and field trips.

We also host a range of engaging events such as Family Nights, preschool parent workshops, and multicultural celebrations that promote learning and build community. In addition, our Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) brings together families, staff, and community stakeholders to support and strengthen our early childhood programming.

These partnerships help create a welcoming environment where every child and every family feels valued, supported, and involved.