P.S. 81 Vision

PS 81, The Robert J. Christen School is a school of excellence. Our vision is to maintain a safe and nurturing child-centered learning atmosphere. We focus on implementing educational programs that promote high standards, a love of learning and contribute to the growth and social development of our children.

We treat children as individuals and provide every child with a supportive and appropriately challenging learning environment.

We celebrate our cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to create an atmosphere of tolerance that will be the foundation of our children’s lives. Our educational program prepares our children to be productive, literate members of their community and our democratic society.

Mission Statement

In partnership with home and community, our school,

The Robert J. Christen School, is committed to

promoting a culture of civic and personal responsibility,

a love of learning, and sense of family

within a safe and nurturing environment.

Principal's Focus

PRINCIPAL’S FOCUS

Social and emotional growth is the foundation with which we nurture our children and it constitutes the essential groundwork for academic success. I examine the individual needs of the whole child based on initial assessment data, evaluative tools and strategies, and the integration of the designated six pillars of character in creating my focus. When our school wide goals are successfully met, children are prepared for progressive educational milestones and life challenges.

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

My instructional focus is driven by my vision of creating a nurturing and child centered learning environment. Social and emotional learning is embedded in all subject areas. We immerse children in reading a variety of genres for the purpose of making connections, formulating questions, making interpretations, and reading critically. Paralleling this process, the Writing Program is designed to encourage expressive formats including research based non-fiction writing as well as personal responses to literature. Our mathematical goals go way beyond computational experiences. Math talk, problem solving, and “literacy in Math” are built into mathematical instruction in order to deepen understanding and emphasize mathematical thought processes. Scientific inquiry is the basis of our instruction in this area and encourages curiosity and the use of the scientific method. Community values are taught inclusively within our Social Studies program. Technology is used to support all areas of the curriculum. Currently we are putting emphasis on digital sophistication and coding experiences.