Students & Parents

History of Coleman School

Clara E. Coleman was a small woman with an enormous talent for teaching. In 1911 she began her long career in educating Glen Rock elementary school children at School No. 1. When Central School was built, she continued teaching the first, second and third grades until her retirement in 1947. Clara taught for a total of thirty -six years.

The first building named for Clara was the new elementary school built adjacent to the Junior High School on Harristown Road in 1950. In his tribute to Clara, Supervising Principal, Dr. Kenneth Coulter stated that "she was so dedicated to the children of Glen Rock that naming a school after her was the best way to let her know how much our town admired her."

The Coleman name was transferred to the new and larger elementary school built in 1954 on Pinelynn Road, to allow the original structure to be absorbed into the expanding high school facilities. The dedication of the new Clara E. Coleman Elementary School was performed by Glen Rock's Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Eugene Bradford and Dr. Roy Zimmerman, Bergen County Superintendent of Schools.

A plaque of Clara hangs in the entrance of the Coleman School that pays a fitting tribute to this outstanding educator and person.


Coleman School Today

Clara E. Coleman Elementary School is comprised of grades Pre- K-5 with classes in Art, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, Reading, Speech and Learning Center. Our Learning Center contains 7,000 volumes as well as a video collection utilized by staff to support their teaching in all curricula areas.

At Coleman School, we strive for an atmosphere where our students, staff and parents feel proud and committed to supporting each other. With such a climate, our students enjoy learning, our teachers enjoy teaching, and our parents have a strong sense that they are welcome and can make important contributions to the success of our educational program. Clara E. Coleman School is a community of learners.

The staff at Coleman is an exceptionally hard working, dedicated, and positive group of educators who care passionately about their students and their profession. In addition to taking graduate courses, our staff regularly attends workshops and conferences about pertinent topics such as balanced literacy, mathematics, writing, technology infusion, and instructional strategies.

Our Home and School Association is an integral part of our school community. Families have generously and consistently volunteered their time and expertise for the benefit of our children. The H.S.A. organized our Science Fair,  Book Fair,  Art Docent Program, Musical Review and many important programs and fundraisers. Families volunteer their time in the Learning Center, classrooms, and numerous after school and lunchtime activities as well as assisting with Field Day and the Art Show. The H.S.A. has raised a considerable amount of money to purchase technology equipment and literature, and conduct assembly programs. Our lobby was recently upgraded with a beautiful mural.

Balanced Literacy guides our instruction of reading and language arts. At each grade level, there is an emphasis on the reading/writing process, as well as incorporation of literature into other curricular areas. Quality literature also serves as the basis for instruction in writing, spelling, grammar, speaking, and viewing. Phonics skills and spelling instruction are directly correlated. Teachers receive district level staff development on topics relevant to their teaching including summer curriculum projects. Additionally, teachers have implemented exciting projects such as reading buddies with other grade levels.

Our school goals for this year focus on improving technology and writing skills.

Our mathematics program for grades Kindergarten through grade 3 is Everyday Math and in grades 4 and 5, Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley. These programs focus on thinking skills, using manipulatives to assist in problem solving and group work. Students are encouraged to think of various solutions to a problem. Each student maintains a journal in which problem solving responses are recorded.

Coleman’s strong academic program also includes a hands-on approach in science, social studies, and health.

Our art program incorporates discipline based art, studio production, art history, art critiques and aesthetics. During the April Art Show, all students’ special projects are displayed.

The physical education program is movement-based, using themes to teach children to be skillful movers, to maintain good health through physical fitness, and to develop desirable social skills. A school wide Field Day is held in the spring.

The music program includes music appreciation, history, note reading, instrumental and choral performances. Students learn through the Orff-Schulwerk process, a joyful, non-competitive child centered method where active participation and creativity are paramount. Concerts are held in December and May.

 

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