Archbishop Bergan Elementary School commits to recognizing the individual learning styles and abilities of each child. As a result the school strives to provide a program that extends beyond the State and Archdiocesan standards. A differentiated curriculum that promotes creative and critical thinking skills, increases student self-esteem, and enhances a sense of personal competence and Catholic responsibility. The core curriculum includes: Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Religion.

Extended Curriculum
Library
Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools Library procedures are as follows:
1. A library time will be assigned to each class and will be the same each week.
2. Students will return and checkout books during their library time.
3. Students are required to bring back their library books by their due date.
4. Students may renew books if needed for a longer period of time. Students must bring books for renewal during their regular library time.
5. Kindergarten through 1st grade may check out one book.
6. Books are due two weeks after check out. Students will not be allowed to check out a book when they have an overdue book
7. The library will hand out reminders to the students to return overdue books. Students are to be responsible for returning their books on time. If a book is two weeks past due a reminder will be sent home to the parents. If the book is one month overdue, a note will be sent home listing the replacement cost for the book. Please feel free to contact Kate Hurst, Library Media Teacher, with questions.

Physical Education
Students are scheduled to have PE class times each week. Students will be expected to fully participate in these classes. On P.E. Days, students should wear appropriate shoes (tennis shoes). If a child is unable to participate in P.E., a doctor’s written note must be provided to excuse them from class.

Spanish
Spanish instruction begins in kindergarten. Direct Spanish instruction occurs once a week in each grade. In addition to direct instruction, Spanish is integrated with core curriculum daily through prayers, songs, calendar time, and basic vocabulary.

Vocal and Instrumental Music
Students receive music lessons four times a week. These lessons are a combination of vocal and instrumental. Our instrumental program exposes children to keyboards, Orff instruments, recorders and hand bells. Students begin playing the Orff instruments in kindergarten. Students are introduced to keyboards in grades 2-5 and learn to play recorders in 4^th grade. Hand bells are taught to grades 3-5.

Technology
Students receive direct instruction in technology weekly. Students are taught keyboarding skills, how to navigate the internet, internet safety, technological vocabulary and various computer programs, such as Power Point, Publisher, Web Design, and Microsoft Word. Students also learn to operate technology tools such as Smart Boards, lap tops, projectors, and video cameras.

Special Needs/ Student Assistance Team
The Student Assistance Team (SAT) is comprised of the Principal, the special needs teacher, and the classroom teacher. The focus of the SAT team is on the learning style of each individual student. While working with the parents/guardians, the Archbishop Bergan Elementary SAT team strives to offer the best possible instructional program for all students with special needs. The team meets as often as necessary to review and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of students with special academic and/or behavioral needs. The team offers suggestions and strategies for classroom implementation, recommends support if needed or when necessary, and may suggest further testing by the school district the child resides in. If SAT team strategies/accommodations do not result in significant progress within a specific time, the principal will assist the parents/guardians in locating a more helpful educational situation. Archbishop Bergan Catholic Elementary School may not have the appropriate resources/personnel to provide the necessary help for a child with special learning needs.

Learning Enhancement Program
Students often have intellectual, artistic, or interests needs which cannot be fully pursued within the elementary curriculum. For students such as these, Bergan Elementary offers a program called Learning Enhancement.

Learning Enhancement is offered daily for most students who qualify.  Children's needs are directly assessed by the classroom teacher and the Learning Enhancement teacher.  Parents of students who qualify are contacted by the classroom teacher.  Students are monitored quarterly for progress.
 

Multiple Intelligences