Principal's Message

Welcome to Nathan Hale Elementary School!

I am incredibly proud to serve as the principal of Nathan Hale Elementary School, where we are committed to developing Resilient, Aspiring, Motivated, Bold Leaders who are Educated and Ready for Success – our Junior RAMBLER values that guide everything we do.

Our school celebrates the beautiful diversity represented by our student and staff population. Our talented educators are dedicated to nurturing the whole child, helping each student embody the resilience needed to overcome challenges and the motivation to reach their full potential. In today's rapidly changing world, students, families, and teachers face unprecedented challenges, yet our community demonstrates unwavering perseverance. We believe deeply in the daily work of building relationships, supporting social-emotional growth, and fostering the bold leadership qualities that will prepare our students for lifelong success.

Building Strong Foundations

We recognize that early childhood education is crucial for developing resilient learners. Our full-day preschool program features the Tools of the Mind Curriculum, designed to help our youngest students develop the foundational skills they need to become aspiring learners. Both preschool and kindergarten students enhance their instructional experience through hands on learning and the development of self-regulation. 

As students transition to first grade, we provide a comprehensive academic program rooted in hands-on inquiry that nurtures knowledge while building the confidence of motivated learners. Our students develop strong literacy skills through personalized programming via Being a Reader and Being a Writer models, supported by our new mClass DIBELS screeners to track progress and ensure every child is developing to their fullest potential. We also utilize Math Workshop and Innovamat to support mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills that bold leaders need.

Educating the Whole Child

Nathan Hale School understands that developing well-rounded Junior RAMBLERs means educating the whole child. Each year brings new opportunities for growth, which is why our teachers deliver a comprehensive Social Emotional Learning curriculum, including Character Strong, Responsive Classroom practices, and mindfulness techniques. These programs help students develop the resilience to navigate challenges and the emotional intelligence that aspiring leaders require.

We believe all students can learn and succeed. To support this belief, we provide multi-tiered systems of support, Response to Intervention, and Math Intervention programs. These ensure that every student receives the individualized attention they need to become educated, confident learners ready for success.

Enriching Experiences

Beyond academics, our school offers numerous opportunities for students to develop their leadership potential. Our Student Council, Safety Patrols Program, Choir, Band, and other enrichment activities allow students to explore their interests while building the bold leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives. These experiences help students discover their passions and develop the motivation to pursue their aspirations.

Partnership in Education

We believe in having parents and families as true partners in developing resilient, successful students. I encourage you to be an active participant in our school community. Open communication is vital to student success, and we are committed to strengthening the relationships between home and school.  Together, we can ensure that every child develops into the educated, motivated leader they are meant to become. We also encourage you to join our PTO, which is a wonderful way to be part of our community, meet other families, and spend quality time with your child at meaningful and exciting events! 

Our Commitment to Excellence

Our goal remains constant: maintaining the health, safety, and well-being of your children and our staff while providing high-level academic instruction that targets essential standards, bridges learning gaps, and improves student achievement. We are dedicated to equity and accessibility, working tirelessly to meet the individual needs of each student so they can become ready for success in all areas of their lives.

Please ensure your child attends school consistently so they can take full advantage of all the amazing programming we offer. Regular attendance is essential for developing the resilience and motivation that characterize our Junior RAMBLERs. We model a growth mindset and never stop learning – just as we teach our students to be lifelong learners who aspire to greatness.

Our destination is always success for your children, and we will achieve it together through our shared commitment to developing resilient, aspiring, motivated, bold leaders who are educated and ready for success. No matter what challenges we face, we will persevere as a community.

If you have questions about our school or programming, please call (732) 541-8960 x 5002. I look forward to working with you to make this a successful and rewarding school year for every Junior RAMBLER.

Your partner in education,
Ms. Erika Barrett
Principal, Nathan Hale Elementary School