The Knowledge Loom: The Success Story

Canfield Avenue School (Elementary)

Mine Hill, NJ

School Type: Public	School Setting: Suburban
Level: Elementary	School Design: Traditional
Content Presented By:
Edvantia

Feature Story

Just 25 miles from New York City, the Mine Hill School District in Morris County, New Jersey, is home to a small school making a big difference in the education of children. The innovative programs of the Canfield Avenue School have brought it both local and national attention. This P-6 school is a National Blue Ribbon School and was named one of "America's Best Schools" by Redbook Magazine. The school's progress through the past decade offers several lessons for school leaders wishing to increase community involvement and support curricular goals with major technology initiatives.

In 1989, one of every three students at the school was enrolled in special education or basic skills. Standardized test scores were among the lowest in the county and discipline referrals were chronic. Available technology was outdated and rarely used. Emphasis on community involvement and communication turned these statistics around.

In 1997-1998, standardized test scores were among the highest in the county and only two children out of 375 were enrolled in basic skills. The implementation of the "Assertive Discipline" program, which has a strong parental focus, has brought referrals down to a handful per year. The 2000-2001 school year marked the opening of a $4 million technology expansion that provides a state-of-the-art technology facility for the school and the surrounding community. Under the guidance of Principal and Superintendent Dr. Ernest Palestis, Canfield built on the momentum of early parent involvement programs to implement technology-rich programs that meet curricular goals. Canfield's nationally recognized programs are driven by communication and the belief that a parent is a child's first teacher. This multi-faceted program includes a strong technology component in which parents build their own parenting schools and increase their involvement in the school community through an evening family computer program. Together, parents and children learn experience the value of technology in learning and the new information economy. Virtually 100 percent of Canfield's parents participate in at least one of the many evening programs, which cover topics such as music, art, reading, math, science, and fitness in addition to technology.

To achieve his vision of supporting curriculum with technology, Palestis used the success of the family programs and their wide base of community support to develop a multi-year technology plan. With curricular goals as a focus, a technology advisory committee was created from teachers, parents, board members, administrators, and community members, some of whom were experts in technology-related fields. This committee conducted a technology needs assessment and was key in building widespread support for the ambitious technology plan and to helping the board of education understand the need to develop budgetary support. The multi-year plan distributed costs over three years and was designed to meet three primary technology goals:

Update the computer lab and the educational media center.
Network all classrooms, the lab, and media center, and upgrade classroom computers.
Provide Internet access to all computers in classrooms, the lab, and media center.

The resulting facility is one any community would be proud of. More than 260 computers are networked and the parent involvement program has expanded to include access to senior citizens, as well as the greater community. Student learning focuses on curricular goals, and technology resources provide increased opportunity for hands-on authentic assessments. Community programs focus on building basic skills and providing access to technology, but the presence of this community center itself strengthens the base of support for the school and its programs.

The early successes of Canfield's parent involvement program undoubtedly contributed to passing the $4 million school expansion referendum. Placing emphasis on curricular goals helped this community focus its attention on the importance of the school's mission. In return, the school has become a vital community center that not only educates the young, but supports community members of all ages as they develop the skills necessary to live in an increasingly technology-rich society. Says Palestis, "The sense of the school in the community is very strong."

[Previous] [Top] [Next]