COZY LAKE SCHOOL

The crucial foundation for learning is established during first and second grades.  It is the mission of Cozy Lake School to afford each student the opportunity to learn, to achieve success and to become a confident and productive member of a global and technological society prepared to face the challenges of the 21^st century.

• We believe that it is important to instill in our students a sense of wonder and joy in the lifelong process of learning.
• We believe that education is most effective when it respects children’s individual learning styles and appreciates that learning is a developmentally appropriate process.
• We believe that the optimal learning environment is one that is physically and emotionally safe, that offers students the opportunities for exploration, interaction and experimentation as well as the freedom to take initiative, be creative and learn from mistakes.
• We believe that students should experience daily success enabling the development of a sense of competence and self-worth.
• We believe that each child needs to develop a sensitivity and respect for the rights and abilities of others.
• We believe that each child needs to grow to be a self-regulating, productive and responsible citizen able to effectively engage in individual and group problem-solving and decision-making.
• We believe that Cozy Lake School is a learning community that is child-centered with an environment that supports the involvement of students, parents and professional staff.

At Cozy Lake School we continue to foster diversity of instruction through insightful planning and teaching which challenges every student to recognize their individual strengths.  We believe that every student should be challenged to reach his/her true potential and the educational experience we afford each of them is reflective of this philosophy.  In an effort to create developmentally and academically responsive classrooms, we design programs and lessons that incorporate the values of equity and excellence.  We focus on meeting the learning needs and modalities of each student.  By utilizing differentiated instruction, our teachers are able to develop multiple avenues for our students with different abilities, interests or learning needs to experience success.  The teaching staff creates and implements activities that are interesting, relevant, and valuable.  We provide support for basic skills and Special Education.  The teachers collaborate to organize Theme Days that connect to the curriculum and that include participation of the parents and community.  Community Outreach activities are adopted as extensions of the Theme Days to promote citizenship and civil responsibility.  

The Cozy Lake curricular program reflects our commitment to an expanded, balanced literacy initiative and implementation of a research-based mathematics program.  Teachers infuse a strong base of phonemic awareness along with a rich variety of literature.  Students learn to read and develop a life-long love of reading.  Students use everyday, real world problems to nurture higher order thinking skills while maintaining their basic math proficiencies.  Social Studies and Science lessons bring meaning and connection to the instruction.  The curricular program is aligned with the New Jersey Core Content Curriculum Standards and is implemented using current resources.  The students also experience instruction in Media, Art, Music, Spanish and Physical Education by certified teachers.  The counselor and nurse collaborate to teach Health and Character Education.  Our teachers continue to update their knowledge base to meet the professional development challenges established by the New Jersey State Department of Education.  We utilize and reference the Standards and Frameworks to ensure that all of our students are prepared to meet these standards to the best of their abilities.  We reflect on the students’ progress and review the effectiveness of the program and instruction annually.

Cozy Lake School enjoys a positive, productive relationship with the parents and community.  An active Parent Teacher Association is the cornerstone of the effective interaction between parents and staff.  Many interesting activities and events are held throughout the year.  Consistent with our goals and objectives, the PTA supports quality enrichment programs that provide our students with a variety of cultural, academic and character development experiences.  The PTA continues to offer grants that support our teachers’ innovative programs.  Parent involvement in committees, fund raising activities, community social action projects and volunteer opportunities is integral to the success of our home and school partnership. 

A child’s education at Cozy Lake School is the result of parents, teachers and administrators working together.  Thanks to the involvement of dedicated teachers and parents, our children will continue to be afforded challenging and enriching opportunities that will allow them to become independent thinkers, responsible citizens, and life-long learners.  At Cozy Lake School we celebrate the joy of childhood and the wonder of learning.  

Tim Plotts
973-697-4777
tplotts@jefftwp.org