Kearny Portuguese School
| Kearny Portuguese School |
|
| Location |
360 Belgrove Drive
Kearny, NJ 07032
Mailing Address:[1]
P.O. Box 373
Kearny, NJ 07032
|
| Information |
| Established |
1979 |
| Principal |
Maria A. Silva |
| Faculty |
6 |
| Grades |
1–9 |
| Enrollment |
98 (as of Nov. 2009) |
| Student to teacher ratio |
17:1 |
| Information |
973-901-0273 |
| Website |
Official Website |
The Kearny Portuguese School, officially known as Escola de Língua e Cultura Portuguesas de Kearny, is a language and culture school dedicated to teaching the Portuguese language in Kearny, New Jersey. The school is part of the local Portuguese club, the Portuguese Cultural Association[2].
History
In the same year that the Portuguese Cultural Association began, so did the school. Right away the club was interested in spreading the language of their native country.
Curriculum
The students at the Portuguese school learn the language, history, and culture of Portugal. Teachers concentrate on different grammar levels depending on the grade. History is slowly introduced to the students usually beginning in the first or second grade. By the ninth grade students usually have a clear understanding of the country's primary historical events. On Portuguese national holidays or important dates in history, the teachers are encouraged by the administration to inform their students about the occurrence in a level adapted the individual grade.
Activities
Throughout the school year the school has a few activities to get the students excited and interested in the Portuguese language and culture.
- Christmas Show Every year in December, towards Christmas, the Kearny Portuguese School puts together a type of Christmas Concert. In the week preceding the show, the students along with their teachers prepare Christmas inspired songs, little plays, and/or poems. Additionally, to raise funds for the school, students are asked to bring in a few items to put into baskets that will be raffled off during the Christmas Show. A few weeks prior to the event, students are asked to buy a small amount of raffles so hopefully they will have new books or other things in the year to come.
- Kids' Day Around the time of Dia da Criança, which translates into Day of the Child, in late May/early June, the Kearny Portuguese School organizes a get together for the students. Any child whose parents are a member of the Portuguese Cultural Association, are welcomed to attend the festivity. Various games are played during the afternoon, some being more modern and simple such as soccer, others being more cultural and more complicated. Towards the end of the day the students are treated to hot dogs, and others foods.
- End of the Year Party On this day students, parents, and teachers come together to enjoy a good meal and celebrate the success of the school year. Raffles are also sold at this event in order to raise more funds for the bettering of the school. Students usually prepare some sort of small performance to show their parents and others in attendance. At the end, the teachers give out to their respective students, their diploma stating that they have completed that specific year of Portuguese school. All proceeds from the event also go to the improvement of the school.
Teachers[3]
- Mrs. Pinto – 1st Grade
- Mrs. Martins – 2nd Grade
- Mrs. Carvalho – 3rd Grade
- Mrs. Rodrigues – 4th Grade and 5th Grade
- Mrs. Silva – 6th Grade and 7th Grade
- Miss Ventura – 8th Grade and 9th Grade
- Mr. Matos – 10th Grade and 11th Grade
References