Dear Parents, Guardians, and Friends of the Manito School Community,

Welcome to the Manito School web site. As you navigate your way through the site, we hope to provide you with a unique perspective into our child-centered educational program. This comprehensive program addresses the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of our students as they progress through these crucial formative years. The ultimate goal of such a program is to create a dynamic environment that fosters the success of every child. The foundation of each day is built upon a simple, but important philosophy: every child can learn and experience success. Our challenge as educators lies in discovering how to facilitate that process. As our dedicated teachers and support staff help our students to reach beyond their potential, they work to inspire a genuine love of learning in every child. The result manifests itself in children who are excited about education, feel positive about themselves, and who develop the skills needed to build positive and productive relationships with adults and each other.

Combined with this positive climate is a strong academic curriculum that meets or exceeds the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. The core of the academic program is based on a solid foundation of study in reading, language arts and mathematics. The reading and language arts programs emphasize developmentally appropriate literature-based instruction that aims to engender critical, independent, life-long readers. Complementing the reading program is a process approach to writing that offers students the opportunity to create a variety of original, publishable works. In mathematics, teachers utilize manipulatives and a variety of technological resources to introduce and reinforce critical concepts in an environment that fosters an authentic, 'real world' approach to problem solving. Whenever possible, reading, writing, and mathematical concepts are integrated into the science and social studies curricula to which children are exposed throughout the year.

The rigorous academic curriculum is complemented by special area teachers who present lessons in physical education, health, art, music, technology, and Spanish (World language study begins in grade 3). Although students are introduced to computer skills during their technology lessons, teachers utilize the available technology in the school to create challenging, problem-based applications that can be integrated into each content area. Aiding that initiative this year will be five new Smart Boards, which the PTO has generously purchased to compliment the three existing mobile computer labs. The faculty and students are genuinely excited about the engaging learning opportunities that the Smart Boards will afford them. Although every classroom will not have a Smart Board, please be assured that every child will have access to one, as the equipment will be shared among teachers. There will also be a Smart Board permanently mounted in the Library Media Center for any teacher who would like to bring his or her class there to use it.

Our character education initiative will continue to be integrated across the curriculum. During the year, students will learn about and apply the tenets of the Josephson Institute's Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect, Fairness, Responsibility and Caring). Whenever possible, students will be recognized for practicing these traits and contributing to a positive environment that promotes the social, emotional, and physical well-being of everyone in the building. In addition, our Project Wisdom program, also generously funded by our P.T.O. will continue to provide daily positive messages to students and faculty alike.

Of course, the Manito experience would not be complete without the ongoing support of our P.T.O. Throughout the year the P.T.O. sponsors several special events and assembly programs that enrich the children's educational experience. The key to any school's success has and always will be a strong partnership between the parents of our community and the school. I look forward to maintaining that strong relationship, which has always been a hallmark of the Manito community, and I encourage all of our parents-both moms and dads-to actively participate in at least one of our P.T.O. sponsored events during the course of the year.

I look forward to another fantastic year of working with you and your children.

Sincerely,
Adam I. Silverstein
Principal