Developing a Community School - P.S.#29

Gladys Cannon Nunery School, P.S. #29, is located in the Bergen-Lafayette section of town. The neighborhood has been an integral part of Jersey City’s history. Demographics in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood are changing in a manner that parallels other sections of Jersey City. Identified by the New Jersey Department of Education as a ’high poverty” school, all of our students receive free and reduced lunch. Our school consists of approximately 3% White, 63% Hispanic, 32% African American 1% Asian and naïve American and Pacific Islander, Public School Number 29 provides educational opportunities for more than 300 students in pre-kindergarten through grade five. The school’s curriculum includes math, science, language arts, English, reading, writing, music and physical education. It offers guidance counseling and nursing service. The school focuses on the physical, cultural and intellectual development of children. It provides special education classes for gifted and talented students. he school is a part of the Jersey City Board of Education. As a school, approximately 30% of our students are functioning on grade level. As we focus on educating the whole child, social and emotional education is a priority in our community. By addressing the need for equity amongst our students and their families, opportunities to support basic needs like housing, nutrition, employment and mental wellness are a must if we expect our children to succeed educationally in our efforts to close the achievement gap. The vision of Public School #29, The Gladys Nunery School, is to be a nurturing learning community that acknowledges and celebrates the uniqueness of each child, creates a safe and trusting learning environment, and engages in rigorous practices that support students on their journey toward college, careers, and futures as critically thinking, active members of society. Our goal at the Gladys PS #29 School is to provide all who enter our doors with a warm, nurturing, and rigorous learning environment. As a team, we will reinforce the importance of excellence both academically and socially; building future leaders that will actively contribute to society. Our staff will collaborate to support the whole child and maintain a safe and joyful school environment. The Jersey City Public Schools seeks to implement the Community School Model at the Glady Cannon Nunery School. PS 29 in partnership with an organization that has years of success in supporting and implementing the community model to serve the needs of all students and implement specific prevention and intervention solutions. This approach is based on evidence that an integrated focus on academics, health and mental health services, social services, afterschool and summer enrichment activities, expanded learning opportunities, positive youth development, and family and community supports are critical to improving student success. We seek to foster the School as a Community, the School in the Community and the Community in the School for the children and families of Glady Cannon School PS 29.