Clara barton included in list of the 31 best elementary schools
By:Vanessa S. Holt
BORDENTOWN CITY Unique community mentoring and character education programs are two reasons the Clara Barton Elementary School found itself on New Jersey Monthly magazine’s recent list of "31 great elementary schools," but school administrators say the kids deserve most of the credit.
Parents, teachers, staff and a supportive community all play a part in making school programs work, said Principal Berenice Blum-Bart, who gave a great deal of credit to the hard-working students.
"The kids here are the best," said Ms. Blum-Bart. "They’re a well-behaved group that reflect their community."
Out of over 1,300 public and private elementary schools in the state, more than 100 districts responded to New Jersey Monthly when it set out to compile a list of outstanding schools earlier this year. The list was published in the magazine’s September issue.
School programs and practices were taken into consideration along with test scores and national and state awards.
The school’s mentor program was singled out as an effective tool in helping kids with social or academic difficulties.
The "Connections" mentoring program provides support from teachers, parents and other volunteers, who work with students on issues like on self-esteem and study and organizational skills.
The program has received several awards, including a state "Best Practice" award for excellence in building a community partnership.
Ms. Blum-Bart said the program’s success can be measured in the reduced number of interventions needed in the school and through increases in library use, independent projects and general academic success.
"Connections" has been used as a model for similar programs throughout the state since its designation as a "Best Practice" by the state Department of Education, she said.
The school’s character education and peacemaking program takes kids’ positive attitudes to the next level, affirming ethical values and promoting conflict resolution and respect, said Ms. Blum-Bart.
Teaching kids about the intrinsic joy in helping others is a key in character development, she said.
The school is proud of its theme, "Ready To Learn … One Family," which begins with an acronym for the concepts that educators and parents wanted to enforce on a daily basis: respect, effort, affirmation, daily cooperation, year-long goals, technology, organization skills, literacy, excellence, achievement, responsibility, and negotiation.
The idea of a school as an extended family means that everyone has to work together, said Ms. Blum-Bart.
This is the first time New Jersey Monthly magazine has compiled a list of outstanding grade schools.
Since 1994, they have ranked public high schools in the state but expanded their coverage because of innovative changes in elementary education, including technological and social programs that are altering the way elementary schools work in this state and throughout the country.

