CENTER SQUARE SCHOOL

Center Square School welcomes approximately 225 Prekindergarten, Kindergarten and First Grade students daily from Logan Township.  The school was originally opened at its present location in 2001.  Our Prekindergarten program is half day with an AM and PM session.  The program is tuition- based, however for students who qualify for our free and reduced program, tuition is free.  Our preschool uses the state-approved High Scope Curriculum.  We also have a Preschool Disabled Program (PSD) for students who are classified under special education.  The PSD program is half day as well.

The Kindergarten program at Center Square School is full day.  Each Kindergarten class has a classroom aide or a co-teacher who assists the students and teachers.  The Kindergarteners’ and First Graders’ academic day is highlighted by our Language Arts Balanced Literacy program.  The Literacy program includes:  Guided Reading, Shared Reading, Reader’s Workshop and Writer’s Workshop.  We use the Kid Writing Program in Kindergarten.  The Units of Study from the author Lucy Calkins is utilized in First Grade.  We recently adopted a new English Language Arts Curriculum for Kindergarten and First Grade which is aligned to the new Common Core Standards.

The mathematics instruction at Center Square School is provided by the Everyday Math Program.  Everyday Mathematics is part of an elementary school mathematics curriculum which was developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP).  The Everyday Mathematics Program is used for grade Kindergarten through Grade Six in our district.  The program gives students the opportunity to have concrete experiences, many of which are hands on activities.  We recently adopted a new Mathematics Curriculum for Kindergarten and First Grade which is aligned to the new Common Core Standards.

At Center Square School we utilize Positive Behavior Support.  Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a systems approach to effective and positive behavior support for all students.  PBS utilizes a broad range of systemic and individualized strategies for achieving important social and learning outcomes while preventing problem behaviors.  PBS includes a continuum of strategies for achieving desired social, behavioral and learning outcomes.  The program strives to prevent challenging behaviors and teaches alternatives to those behaviors.  PBS is an effective method for enhancing students’ social-behavioral skills and creating a more positive school climate.

Logan Township School District’s Positive Behavior Support Team collaborated to create district-wide behavior expectations which are:

            We “PAWS” to be…Safe, Kind, Respectful and Responsible.

The expectations are further expanded on in the following environments:

·         Classroom

·         Hallway

·         Bathroom

·         Cafeteria

·         Playground/Recess

·         Arrival/Dismissal

·         Bus

·         Everywhere/All the Time

Students are recognized for meeting the expectations in the environments through receiving verbal praise, a “PAWS” ticket, selecting a prize from the treasure box and school wide activities.

Students can receive a “PAWS” ticket from a teacher, staff member and/or bus driver.

Center Square School recognizes the importance of diversity.  Our students in Kindergarten and First Grade are exposed to the Spanish Language weekly.  The students learn about the culture and customs of Spanish speaking countries.

In addition to Spanish, all of our students are exposed to the special areas consisting of:  Art, Music, Technology and Physical Education.

Logan Township School District’s Board of Education has given a tremendous amount of support to Center Square School.  All of our classrooms are equipped with Smartboards.  In addition to the Smartboard, each classroom has 6 computers.  Some programs the students have access to include:  Everyday Math On-line Games, Print Shop, Microsoft Word and Compass Odyssey.

Finally, at Center Square School, we are extremely fortunate to have Parent Volunteers in our school.  Our Parent Volunteers assist in our classrooms by providing our students and teachers with support.  Also, our Home and School League provides financial support for assemblies and special projects for students.  The Center Square School community which includes students, parents, teachers, administration and township citizens, proudly share in the achievement and development of all of our students.