Music is an integral part of our children's education. The Hajjar music teacher goes into each classroom (except kindergarten) once a week for approximately 45 minutes of instruction. Each grade level receives skill appropriate activities.
First and second graders concentrate on singing, tone and some music reading skills.
Third graders are able to learn to play a wind instrument called the recorder that parents either buy or rent at a minimal expense.
Musical instrument lessons are available to each student in the fourth and fifth grades. Lessons are also given during the school day and band practice takes place after school.
Demonstration lessons are presented for both students and parents at the beginning of the school year.
Fourth graders learn to play an instrument like the xylophone, metallophone or the glockenspiel during class. This enables all children who may not otherwise learn to play an instrument the opportunity to play something.
All fifth graders participate in an annual musical in some capacity. Auditions are held for those fifth graders wishing to participate in the production. Parents are welcome to volunteer to help with the concerts.
The music teacher will confer with the parents of children whose skills exceed those of their classmates and encourage further study for those who desire it.
The Hajjar School art teacher, Mrs. Davis, wheels the cart of art supplies to and from each classroom (except kindergarten) for a 45 minute class each week. Art classes often correspond with a current topic being studied in the classroom. Stitching, printing, painting and drawing are some techniques taught. Each child is encouraged to show their creativity.
For the fourth or fifth grader who shows exceptional ability an art enrichment program is offered after school hours. Parents are always welcome to help stock the school with art supplies.
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Once a week the children in grades 1 - 5 are brought by their teacher to the gymnasium for a 45 minute gym class. Weather permitting, some classes are taught outside in the Hajjar playground. The class usually starts with 10 - 15 minutes of motor activities or exercise. The rest of the time if spent learning a particular sport or skill. Some of the skills taught are gymnastics, floor hockey, basketball, and soccer. The students are encouraged to participate and positive reinforcement and social interaction are emphasized.
The Hajjar school is very fortunate to have a Computer Resource Room (called the Computer Lab). Every other week children in grades 1 to 5 are brought to the Lab for a 45 minute instruction given by our Computer Resource Teacher. Alternate weeks, classroom teacher provide instruction in the lab.
Since each child has his/her own computer, everyone can learn at their own pace. The lab currently has 24 Mac computers and three printers with access to the Internet.
Several educational software programs are used emphasizing academic skills and word processing. In addition grade 4 and 5 classrooms are wired for the Internet.
The Kindergarten classes do not use the lab. There is a computer in each classroom.
The Hajjar School Library has a part-time Librarian and a wonderful parent volunteer program. Each week, students in grades 1 through 5 are brought to the Library for a 45 minute period. Parent volunteers, the Librarian, or their teacher read to the students. At this time, the students may take out a book for personal pleasure reading. The book is to be returned the next week when another book may be taken out.
(a Parent volunteer reading to a grade 1 class in the library)
The Library is also used to teach students library skills and as a resource center for class projects. Two Macs are available with access to the Internet. Research materials available to these students include encyclopedias and other reference materials.
Volunteers for the Library are always needed and the sign-up sheets are available to parents at the beginning of each school year.
A highlight of your child's educational training at the Hajjar School is the opportunity to participate in a class field trip. Each year the students, kindergarten through grade 5, enjoy a fun-filled learning experience visiting various educational and entertainment locations, such as a museum and/or a theater.
Permission slips must be signed and returned in order for your child to attend.
Transportation costs are defrayed by the Hajjar Parents Association's fund-raising activities. Parents are encouraged to volunteer as chaperones and accompany their child's class on the field trip.
The Hajjar school lunch program will provide a nutritious lunch at minimal cost. Each student may sign up for the "School Lunch Bunch" meal in advance.
Parties will be allowed only at the following times:
Halloween
kindergarten and grade 1 only - costume parade
Christmas Holiday
all grades - the next to last day of school prior to Christmas vacation
Valentine's Day
all grades - afternoon only
No parties are to be held at the end of the school year.
The Hajjar School has a full service cafeteria where nutritional hot meals are served daily at a minimal cost to students. In addition, students who bring their own lunches may purchase milk, juice, ice cream and water.
Should a student forget to bring lunch money or a bag lunch, a lunch will be provided to the child and they may repay the fee on the following day.
The monthly school lunch menu is sent home with each child and a menu is published in the newspaper and cable access television on a weekly basis.
Children will be assigned specific tables and may not leave their seats without permission of the cafeteria aides. Children will be told by the aides when to return their trays and clean off their tables prior to leaving their cafeteria.
Cafeteria Rules of Conduct
1.When an adult speaks, listen carefully and respectfully.
2.Keep your hands to yourself and stay in one place.
3.Talk quietly and politely
4.Eat your lunch properly, don't litter or throw food.
5.Treat people the way you want to be treated. Remember, words can hurt too.
Appropriate behavior is expected of all children. Overhead lights are turned off indicating that the cafeteria aides are requesting silence, usually to give directions. Students who fail to follow the cafeteria rules may be ordered to stand against the wall by the cafeteria aides or may be sent to the principal's office for discipline.
Birthday Club: One day each month the cafeteria provides a small ice cream to all children celebrating birthdays for that month. Names are announced by the cafeteria aides. July birthdays are celebrated in June; August birthdays are celebrated in September.
Grades 4 and 5
The Hajjar School participates in the Billerica School Department Enrichment Program. This is a specially-funded after-school program for fourth through eighth grade students. The purpose of this program is to give encouragement to students who exhibit exceptional abilities and motivation. The idea is to encourage individualism and create
personal challenge by capitalizing on the students' interests.
The program begins in late late October/early November and runs to the end of April. It is divided into two different components: academic and art. Students may only participate in one area each year. They will meet for up to two hours per week with a teacher advisor. The criteria for admission into the program are high academic achievement, teacher recommendation (past teachers as well as present), and examples of high motivation. In the past, standardized testing has been used for screening and may be used in the future.
Through self-direction, the students use authentic learning experiences (e.g., creating a newspaper) to achieve a specific goal. In each area they work towards a culminating special event that parents may attend.
This year the Fourth Grade Enrichment Program has been involved in a unit called "Math Magic". They have been exploring structures, sequences, topology, tessellations, polyhedrons and other related mathematical activities. The Fifth Grade Enrichment Program was also involved in the Math Magic unit, but is currently working on a BATV presentation.
Awards Day is held at the Hajjar School Cafeteria at the end of the school year for grades 4 and 5. Teachers are asked to select students from their rooms in the following areas:
1.Academic Achievement
5 students are chosen for academic excellence
2.Most Improved
1 student
3.Merit
2 students who strive to do their best
4.Perfect Attendance - Any child who is present all school days (A child is considered absent unless they are present for more than half of the day.)
Awards are also given to the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in the areas of art, physical education and music. These special area teachers choose two students from each room who have achieved success by improving skills, being self motivated, being cooperative, exhibiting willingness to contribute and showing citizenship skills in group activities.
Since 1987 the Hajjar School has offered at least two $500.00 scholarships to graduating seniors who have attended the Hajjar School for any period of time. This scholarship is based on academic performance. Interested students will need to provide their transcript, a personal letter and two letters of recommendation. The Scholarship Committee will then review the applications and choose two recipients. Students wishing to apply for this scholarship should contact the Hajjar School office or the guidance offices at Billerica Memorial High School or Shawsheen Valley Technical High School.
