The needs of the academically talented students, grades K-12, are met through a variety of programs and services. These programs stress the development of self. They provide advanced learning experiences related to mathematics, science, English/literature and social sciences and provide advanced skill development and learning experiences related to critical thinking, problem solving, communication, logic, decision making and leadership training.

The Board provides comprehensive guidance services for each pupil (K-12). The components of a comprehensive guidance program are those which: (1) provide service directly to each pupil for use in coping with developmental demands; (2) help each pupil acquire skills needed for effective independent functioning and; (3) help to maintain a supportive and productive learning environment for each pupil.

A comprehensive health service is provided in accordance with the state law and Board of Education policy. The school health staff consists of the school physicians and school nurses.

Physical examinations are required for kindergarten and new entrants. Physical exams are recommended for 4^th, 7^th, and 11^th grades. Although Bloomfield does not require a yearly physical or dental examination, both are strongly encouraged. Students wishing to participate in the interscholastic sports program must undergo a special physical examination by the school doctor or private physician. Physical examinations must be dated after July 1.

The Bloomfield Board of Education provides individual instruction to students confined to home or to a hospital due to temporary illness or injury or when it is determined as necessary within a student’s Individualized Education Plan. For confinement due to temporary illness or injury, the parent/guardian shall submit a written determination from a physician documenting the need for the confinement for at least a two-week period of time and the anticipated date of the student’s return to school. Parental consent is required before home instruction services may be implemented. Requests for home instruction are subject to a review by the district’s Director of Special Education and/or medical inspector. A signed doctor’s note is required for readmission into school.

Home Instruction is viewed as a temporary educational service which requires written determination from a physician for each sixty calendar day period. The Bloomfield Board of Education reserves the right to withhold home instruction services when the instructor’s presence in the place of the student’s confinement presents a hazard to the safety of the teacher, or if the parent or other adult in authority is not at home with the student during the hours of instruction.

Home Instruction will be provided in all of the major subject areas by teacher(s) certified in the required subject area(s) and the student’s grade and special needs, whenever possible

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a proactive approach for assessing and maximizing the “opportunity to learn” of students who are struggling in content learning. By identifying struggling students early, and matching them to appropriate interventions, students can achieve grade-level benchmarks. This is accomplished through high quality, responsive classroom instruction, ongoing screening, progress monitoring and assessment, instruction matched to student need, collaboration and problem-solving among instructional staff, written parent notification when a student requires an intervention beyond that provided to all students in the general education classroom, and fidelity of implementation.

Bloomfield Public School’s Response to Intervention (RtI) was put in place to provide for the individual needs of our diverse learners. The three tiers of intervention are:

• Tier 1 – Universal Interventions in the classroom
• Tier 2- Targeted intervention in small groups
• Tier 3- Intensive Intervention in smaller groups and with additional time than that provided for Tier 2 students.

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are provided to all Bloomfield students k-12 who are English Language Learners.. The ESL program offered in our Bloomfield Schools is designed to support the students whose native language is not English, to become proficient in speaking, reading, listening and writing. ESL is a program that uses only English as the instructional language for eligible students. In addition, the district provides Bilingual support to all native Spanish-speaking ELL students. This support provides Spanish resources and instructions in order to develop academic skills while acquiring English language skills. As mandated by the NJDOE, students entering our schools complete a home language survey that is used to identify those who will be screened for placement into the ELL program. Parents are notified each year of the student’s eligibility into the program and their right to decline services. The district receives ESEA Title III funding to assist in providing supplement support for our English Language Learners. Parents are encouraged to reach out to the Bilingual/ESL teacher in their school for additional information about our programs.

The Board of Education recognizes that in order to assure optimum conditions for learning, the school and students must be drug and alcohol free. The Bloomfield Public Schools will make every effort to prevent student involvement with drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances by providing age appropriate education, prevention programs, and supportive counseling. The Bloomfield High School Crisis Counselor offers direct assistance, support, or confidential referral services to those students whose lives are negatively affected by their own substance abuse, or the abuse of a family member.