Recently, Business Week magazine recognized Oakland, New Jersey as one of the top 50 smaller towns in America to raise children. That recognition is no surprise to Oaklanders. The specialness of this community has been long appreciated by our residents.

That our schools were rated by Business Week as #7 among the top 50 towns is immensely gratifying news. Our schools reflect the goodness of our community, and we are always appreciative of how highly Oakland's residents prize children and value education.

Children are our focus - and the reason for our being. The District strives to promote high achievement in a supportive, challenging environment. High expectations are held for each child, and each student is inspired to be the best person and student that she/he can become. While staff members pursue these objectives, each child's individuality is valued.

Our programs aim to develop skills that enable students to function competently and successfully as citizens of the world. As reading, writing, and mathematics skills are mastered, students are motivated to be curious, to be creative, and to love learning.

Aligned with New Jersey's Revised Core Curriculum Content Standards, District curriculum and materials are regularly reviewed. Teachers remain current in content and methodology with in-service programs, participation in workshops/seminars, and through District-supported graduate study. Our District believes that technology enhances children's learning; thus, with funding support from the Board of Education, the Oakland Education Foundation, and each school's PTO, hardware has been significantly increased. Mobile carts with laptop computers can be found in every school building, and they support any time, any place learning. Teacher web sites enhance parental communications and knowledge of the educational program.

In the academics, the arts, and athletics, our students have accomplished much and brought pride to our community. Of particular note were the strong competencies that our students demonstrated on the NJ GEPA and the NJ ASK - the State's student proficiency assessments. Our students' abilities were further applauded when our team won 1st Place in the NYC Regional Future City Competition and competed at the National Competition in Washington, D.C. Oakland's students also excelled by placing 1st in the Junior Division of the New Jersey National History Day contest and represented New Jersey at the Washington, D.C. Nationals. Additionally, Oakland's students received an Honorable Mention Award in the NJ Law Adventure Contest. With activities such as Student Leadership Day, and through overnight studies in Boston and Frost Valley, our students learn the value of community, as well as history and government. This learning is reflected by our students' community service projects.

Our schools foster the development of cultural awareness, social consciousness, and sensitivity for the environment. Through reading selections, interdisciplinary thematic units, eighth grade projects, and special programs, young people learn to respect and appreciate cultural differences, wrestle with social problems, value their environment, and express their individuality. Our commitment to gender equity is reflected in curriculum programs, library collections, and practice.

Active parent organizations enrich the schools, and a strong partnership exists with the Borough. Community members join with students in various activities, including town clean-ups, reading programs, and poetry workshops. After hours, schools become community centers as recreation and civic groups host many programs in District facilities. The summer months, also, find our schools as learning sites for the Summer Enrichment Program, Safetytown, the Preschool Program, and the Threshold Program, as well as auxiliary home for Oakland's Recreation Camp.

In addition, Summer 2006 and 2007 brought major facilities renovations. Because of voter-approved bond proposals, initiatives that make our schools safer, more efficient and more secure were completed. These projects included reroofing, heating system replacement, window and door replacement, electrical upgrading, and the installation of security systems.

The Oakland community holds high expectations for its schools, and our schools have high expectations for our students, faculty and staff. These high expectations ensure that Oakland will continue to be a learning community committed to excellence.

Dr. Richard G. Heflich
Superintendent of Schools