The King’s Christian School Elementary School Profile 2011-2012
Principal
Mrs. Jane Fort
M. Ed. Rutgers University
BS The King’s College
14 years TKCS; 16 years Total
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Beth Conover
8 years TKCS
Kindergarten
Teacher Miss Jessica DeLong
BS Baptist Bible College
1 year TKCS; 2 years Total
Each Kindergarten child is a special individual, created in the image of God. Kindergarten is an important, integral part of the school program. It is a year in which the reality of the Christian life is nurtured and developed. We have an extensive reading/language arts program which is based on phonological awareness, along with a hands-on mathematical experience which provides success for each child. Our Kinderplay program is an extension of the Kindergarten experience. It is filled with outstanding units for studying God’s amazing creation. It is rich in literature, language, and social experiences, along with exciting crafts emphasizing the unit of study.
First Grade
Teacher Mrs. Jodi Schmid
First grade is a year of great academic growth. Students are taught decoding skills, as well as various comprehension strategies. In math great emphasis is placed on reasoning skills, as well as math fact memorization. All subjects are taught with a Christian worldview.
Second Grade
Teacher: Mrs. Cheryl Wolf
BA Rowan University
8 years TKCS; 8 years Total
Second graders are growing in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by learning how to talk to God and how to have a daily quiet time. Second grade is full of many great outdoor learning experiences. They are also becoming avid readers, advancing with their math skills, and learning that anyone can be a scientist to explore and discover God's wonderful world!
Third Grade
Teacher: Mrs. Susan Anderson
BS Taylor University
10 years TKCS; 14 years Total
Aide: Alyssa Davis
5 years TKCS
Third grade is a year of transition. We begin to learn multiplication and division, cursive handwriting, and reading skills. We also continue to learn more about God and His world.
Fourth Grade
Teacher: Mrs. Pam Savarese
BA St. Joseph’s College
9 years TKCS; 14 years Total
Teacher: Miss Brynna Stockdale
Baptist Bible College
First year teaching at TKCS
Fourth graders continue to build on their foundation in math, learn how to use many strategies to improve their reading, form ideas into writing, discover facts about the state of New Jersey, formulate scientific thought, study the truth about God’s creation, and focus on the nation of Israel in Bible class.
Fifth Grade
Brianna Lombardo
Rowan University
Three years teaching. First year teaching at TKCS
Fifth grade builds on math skills, expanding knowledge of number theory, fraction operations, and geometry. Science is integrated with an understanding that God created and speaks through the natural world, as well as through the written Word. A major project involves creating a well-balanced, personal nutritional program. We study the Bible as a whole, focusing on the great characters and stories contained therein. We learn how the heroes of the Bible relied fully on God, and how God worked out His purposes through His people. Fifth grade Social Studies is a chronological history of the U.S.
ART
Teacher: Mrs.Terri Maines
BA Rutgers University
Philadelphia Biblical University
20 years TKCS; 20 years Total
Elementary art is generally once a week for a period of 40 minutes. At The King’s Christian School, we view visual art as a gift from God, a unique aspect that humans alone in all creation are made in the image of our Father, being given the ability to purposefully create. Each student compiles a portfolio of their work throughout the year, which they take home at the end of the year and present to parents.
Spanish/Library
Teacher: Mrs.Grace Richmond
Villanova University Graduate School
BS Covenant College
33 years TKCS; 34 years Total
Spanish is offered as an introduction course to fourth grade students. They are introduced to basic vocabulary and dialogue covering introductions, numbers, shapes, and days of the week, months, and seasons. Each unit has a corresponding Bible verse which is used to help students integrate biblical principles into their thinking. Fifth grade Spanish continues the Fourth grade program. Students expand their vocabulary to include colors, parts of the body, parts of a house, and family members. They compose dialogues of their own and learn a traditional folk tale in Spanish. Each unit has a corresponding Bible verse which is used to help students integrate biblical principles into their thinking.
Library instruction focuses on the power of the written word to teach and delight and on the use of the library as a system of organized materials and information. As a Christian school, we have a special focus on the power of the Word of God to teach, encourage, guide, correct, and bring new life. This instruction is integrated with our character traits curriculum and Bible verse instruction.
Physical Education
Athletic Director/Teacher: Mr. David Eller
BA Cedarville University
8 years TKCS; 33 years Total
Physical Education
Teacher: Mrs. Missy Eller
BS Liberty University
8 years TKCS; 22 years Total
Physical Education is an integral part of the total educational process at TKCS. Our bodies are to be used for His service to honor and glorify Him. As the mind and body develop, principles are taught which are congruent with scripture. The principles which are taught in scripture are those which are to be implemented into the life of the student. Physical Education plays an important role in the development of the total individual. It emphasizes movement exploration, development of motor skills, fitness activities, group interaction, and rules of individual and team sports. The highlight of elementary P.E. is field day towards the end of the school year where the students get to show off everything they have learned throughout the year.
Music
Teacher: Mrs. Kristin Digman
BM Philadelphia Biblical University
4 years TKCS; 5 years total
Music
Teacher: Jennifer Tait
Rutgers University
First year teaching at TKCS; 3 years total
General music at the King’s Christian School is focused on learning to make music for the glory of God. Because singing is an essential element of worshipping God, we train our students to develop strong singing voices. In the process of learning to sing, the students develop valuable music skills such as matching pitch, phrasing, music reading, improvisation, composition, aural skills, breath support and performance. As a culmination of these skills, the students participate in the elementary choir and sing in the Christmas and spring concerts. In third grade students are given the opportunity to learn the recorder, transferring singing skills to an instrument. In fourth and fifth grade students are invited to choose an instrument in order to participate in elementary band. We also expose our students to some of the greatest compositions in global and western repertoire. Our foundational belief is that we are created in the image of God. The attributes of God as creator are revealed through the creativity of man. Ultimately, we encourage our students to strive for excellence, presenting their music as an offering to God, knowing that he will accept nothing less than their best efforts.
Computers
Teacher: Mr. Matthew McKinnon
Gordon College
2 years TKCS; 9 years total
With the elementary classes the two main goals are to:
Have the students develop a good understanding of the computer's basic
functions.
Allow the student to become familiar with the computer by a hands on use.
In the early grades, kindergarten to 2nd grade, we are looking to have the students become familiar with the basic computer design and word processing programs that will help the student understand the computer. While becoming versed in these areas students are encouraged to learn the proper names and parts while understanding their functions. Second grade is given the opportunity to learn some basic powerpoint programing skills using a program called Kid Pix, which will help them to develop a few presentations skills.
For grades 3rd through 5th, students will concentrate on basic word processing and keyboarding. From formatting text and simple writing skills to becoming proficient on the keyboard, the students will be taught and trained to work on a computer with standard skills. A number of typing programs will be used to train and assess the students skills and to improve their keyboarding abilities.
