Located in Bergen County, New Jersey, Jessie F. George Elementary School is a K-5 school of approximately 270 students in the Westwood Regional School District. Established in 1962, Jessie F. George Elementary School has maintained a tradition of academic excellence.

The JFG staff is made up of dedicated, caring, highly qualified individuals who work tirelessly to ensure that the academic, social, and emotional needs of each child are met. While providing a rigorous academic experience, JFG offers a rich, nurturing environment supported by dedicated teachers and a full-time nurse. Related service providers include speech/language therapists, physical and occupational therapists, Child Study Team (CST) members, and instructional aides who support classified students. The Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) model supports at-risk non-classified students. Our school guidance counselor provides support in the academic, personal, and social needs of students. The gifted and talented program is offered for identified students in a pull-out setting.

JFG continues to offer a well-rounded academic program to help our students develop into effective problem solvers, critical thinkers, and competent users of technology. Our literacy initiatives include ongoing work with an integrated approach to reading and writing. Teachers are utilizing New Jersey Student Learning Standards in order to execute creative, quality, and rigorous lessons for our students. In addition to teaching skills, spelling, and phonics, teachers individually assess each child’s reading fluency and comprehension. Our teachers in grades K-5 continue to build their classroom libraries with many “just right” books to match student ability levels and provide opportunities for our students to flex their muscles. In mathematics, we are using the Envision series, with a curriculum aligned to the NJSLS. Our focus is on basic skills and the application of these skills to build strong problem-solving skills. The program also includes many technology resources for use at school and to support student work at home. We round out our program with physical education, art, and music for all students. Additionally, we offer World Language instruction to students in grades K-5. Academic enrichment programs include enrichment classes for grades 1-3 and a 1:1 technology initiative for students. We infuse problem-solving character education skills into the Core-Curriculum and implement a scientifically based social decision-making/problem-solving model. Our goal is to help students learn these skills at an early age so that they are empowered to be productive, responsible, self-directed individuals who respect and appreciate diversity. We highlight and reward random acts of kindness on a weekly basis to reinforce a caring school community.

Parents are very involved and committed to our school! We are thankful for their wonderful, consistent support, which helps to build school spirit and academic excellence. The Parent-School Organization promotes a close relationship between home and school and provides goods and/or services that benefit the school. Thanks to their efforts, we were able to offer many cultural enrichment programs during the school year. Through fundraising efforts, our PSO has made purchases for classrooms and has worked to help beautify our indoor and outdoor spaces. In the winter, the PSO sponsors an after-school enrichment program, which is staffed by our own teachers. Teachers design and teach courses that include many hands-on activities that expand and enrich our students’ educational experience.

Communication is the key to success in any organization. At JFG, we are committed to keeping parents and community members informed about the great things going on in our classrooms. Our district website offers a great opportunity to share information with the community. Each teacher maintains their own website with classroom information, and the school’s home page contains information about school and district news and projects. Weekly newsletters via “The JFG SCOOP” are released to our entire school community. Our weekly newsletters highlight news, announcements, protocols, and those memorable “teachable moments.” We pride ourselves on showcasing the work that takes place behind the walls of classrooms. Our school website, “The JFG Scoop,” and social media such as Twitter and Facebook are the perfect channels to remain connected with our school. 

The JFG School community of students, parents and teachers all play an important role in making our school an academically rich, safe, and nurturing learning environment that encourages all children to be the best they can be! We are a caring community school that offers the best in elementary education. JFG is the foundation for every child’s educational journey. From the very first day of kindergarten through the last day of 5th grade our students are provided a paved pathway toward academic, social, and meaningful learning experiences!