Pine Brook School Share

Link

Link copied!

Pine Brook was identified as a Future Ready School. Pine Brook was also instrumental in MERS being named a Google Reference District, as lessons include G Suite for Education, Apps and digital learning daily. Previously, Pine Brook has presented at Techspo and hosted a Summer Technology Institute attended by numerous area districts. Pine Brook's Science Department was also a participant in the NGSS District Partnership Program. Pine Brook has been acknowledged by the NJDOE for our continued efforts in school improvement.

Learn more about Pine Brook School.

We provide a high-quality education by promoting academic, emotional, and cultural development in a nurturing setting that prepares students for an interconnected world. Our motto is Sail to Success by Being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn. Students strive in an active environment that recognizes individual differences, encourages growth and celebrates achievements. High expectations strengthen our students’ content area knowledge, as well as social development. Due to the high effect size research based instructional strategies, our students leave us as global citizens prepared to engage as 21st century learners.

Our curriculum aligns to NGSS and NJSLS. Pine Brook offers three levels of math classes: Pre-Algebra A, Pre-Algebra B, and Mathematics 6. Students also have opportunities for enrichment in Language Arts through our With Distinction program. To support our instruction, Pine Brook utilizes Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Collections (2015) and Achieve 3000 in Language Arts, EnVision 2.0 and IXL for Mathematics, Holt Ancient Civilizations(2006) for Social Studies and Amplify for Science. We also maintain a wide range of District approved online resources to support the implementation of a rigorous sixth grade curriculum.

Students can select a multitude of before or after school clubs and activities including, Student Council, Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Math Club, Garden Club, Homework Club, Talent Show, Pine Brook Television, Young Scientists, Battle of the Books, With Distinction In Language Arts and National History Day. Our Student Council has been honored by CJBC for hosting record-setting annual Blood Drives. The Garden Club donates their crop to area food banks. In recent years, students in National History Day advanced to both State and National levels.

Various academic programs are available before and after school. In Project Achievement, District teachers provide research based, data-driven instruction to students identified as in need of additional support in Language Arts and Mathematics. Additionally, we partner with Fairleigh Dickinson University to offer Orton-Gillingham multisensory reading instruction to students with decoding difficulties. District teachers earn certification while participating in the program. Pine Brook also offers homework support to students who need support while reinforcing daily lesson objectives.

Teachers engage in an array of professional development opportunities. All participate in monthly PLC and department meetings and create individualized professional learning plans. Book clubs, independent studies, lesson studies and peer observations are encouraged. Attendance at conferences, including those hosted by Rutgers Literacy Consortium and Model Schools is common. The Science department has participated in a partnership with the RVCC Science Institute. We also offer online learning opportunities through programs such as Mobile Mind. Numerous teachers have become Google certified, presented with the building or District, as well as to surrounding districts, on topics ranging from their use of technology in the classroom to differentiation. Pine Brook continues to grow in its ability to provide 21st learning opportunities to students through teacher self-motivation, District provided support, and utilizing resources beyond the school to ensure our teachers are well equipped

Pine Brook delivers support programs including ESL and Special Education programs as well as related services including: OT, PT, and Speech. Supplemental support services for students include researched-based, targeted, and tiered interventions through RTI. Weekly team meetings following a problem solving model. PBSIS, Homework Club, Project Achievement, personalized digital learning programs, and counseling services support the various academic, social, and emotional needs of our students.

Pine Brook provides physical education classes to students twice a week and health once a week for the entire year. We deliver informative presentations on wellness including John Halligan’s presentation on bullying and suicide prevention. A partnership with NJSP offers the Top Physical Challenge and provides internet safety education opportunities. Our counselor conducts lessons focusing on esteem building, HIB, stress and time management and runs support groups for students who struggle in these areas.

Pine Brook maintains a positive relationship with families and the community through the PTA, the District SEPAG, Back to School Night, Conferences, Parent University, and Parent Orientations. We host various events to include families in long term learning opportunities, ranging from a STEM Fair to National HIstory Day. Family members are invited to support the financial literacy program available to students through NJ Biztown. Communication regarding student progress is key, so families are encouraged to use Genesis's Parent Portal and to attend team meetings to discuss their child's progress.

53 years young, Pine Brook features lockers for each student, two full-size gymnasiums, two acoustically-insulated music rooms, a state-of-the-art computer lab, two science labs with wireless Smart Technology, a MakerSpace with 3-D Printers, magnetic circuitry, makey-makey, lego construction, engineering, and a video editing lab. Pine Brook also maintains an outdoor garden complete with a greenhouse. SmartBoards and Document Cameras are located in all classrooms. High-speed internet access is provided through our secure network.

Pine Brook collaborates with the Manalapan Police Department, and has a school security officer present each day. Additionally, routine security drills are held, visitor procedures are established, and facility safeguards are in place to ensure the safety of all. Our School Safety Team meets regularly to ensure a safe and positive school climate.

As a Future Ready School, Pine Brook has been acknowledged for its dedication to preparing students for 21st century learning. Pine Brook provides each student with a chromebook and access to G-Suite for Education. Pine Brook offers students daily lessons highlighting various STEM opportunities, ranging from our MakerSpace class, our greenhouse, our virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, art projects, and personalized learning opportunities including interior design models and game programming.

Pine Brook is comprised of about 600 sixth grade students following a modified Middle School schedule. Each student is a member of one of six different teams, each of which follows one of three building schedules. In this unique setting, we bring together students from five community- based elementary schools for the first time. We initiate numerous school-wide programs such as Character Education, a PBSIS kickoff, motivational end of year events, and The Week of Respect, to support team building activities that provide students with various effective means of working out conflicts, overcoming peer pressure, and developing a strong sense of community.