Joppatowne Elementary School
Challenging Tomorrow Today
School Structure:
The master schedule at JES is designed to meet all the curriculum requirements and instructional time allotments. Teachers at each level are able to plan together throughout the week through block scheduling of various special area classes. Special area classes occur on a four-day rotation schedule, which allows students to always have their special area classes, regardless of school closings.
About our School:
Joppatowne Elementary is a school rich in history and tradition. This community oriented school has educated several generations of the same family since 1965. We are currently scheduled for a building renovation to begin in the summer of 2007. The staff and students are focused on a sense of Pride, not only in academic areas, but Pride within the school itself and the Joppatowne community.
Joppatowne is fortunate to have a full-time Reading Specialist, Math Specialist, Gifted and Talented Teacher, and School Psychologist, who offer enrichment and intervention on a school-wide level. We have pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten programs, which lay the ground work for our young learners. The LAUNCH program assists Kindergarten students with necessary early literacy skills. Our BEST Star Character Education Program, celebrated monthly, focuses on building and maintaining strong character traits throughout the year. A dedicated computer lab allows students to access the latest technological advances. Bi-weekly classroom newsletters provide parents with resources to support daily learning as well as to keep them informed. The school also supports before and after-school daycare through the YWCA.
A very dedicated and enthusiastic staff provides quality instruction that meets the needs of all learners. The School Improvement Team, Instructional Leadership Team, Instructional Facilitator, and Mentor Teacher work cooperatively and collaboratively to assist teachers in the delivery of that instruction. The development of a shared vision, monitoring of student progress in the core content areas, and the narrowing of achievement gaps are at the center of all decisions. Support from the PTA enhances the educational process through cultural arts assemblies, field trips, and familyoriented activities. The home-school connections between parents, teachers, and students create a warm, caring, and nurturing environment at Joppatowne Elementary.
Community Involvement:
JES boasts an active partnership with our PTA. Many activities are offered throughout the year to allow parents to be actively involved in their child's educational programs and in the school. Family Math Night and Family Reading Night are 2 events that are well attended every year. On these nights, we typically have close to 300 parents and students working together to see just how much fun learning can be in these 2 subjects. Many members of the Board of Education and the County Council have joined us on these evenings to help with the activities.
The Talent Show, the Basket Bingo, the Pancake Breakfast, and the May Fair are PTA-sponsored events that allow teachers, parents, and students to have fun together. These and other successful and well-supported fundraisers sponsored by our PTA have provided our school with many programs and materials that enhance the education of the children.