Flemington-Raritan Regional School District

Passages Program

The Language Arts/Literacy Program utilizes a comprehensive approach to language arts instruction and incorporates a variety of instructional strategies, structures, and content for all of the language arts strands. The balance in structures and strategies allows for a wide range of content and differentiation of instruction to help students become independent readers, writers, and learners.

The curriculum is aligned to the National Council of Teachers of English/International Reading Association Standards for the Language Arts, the New Jersey Learning Standards for Language Arts Literacy (2016), which are rooted in the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts (2010), and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. Many of the essential questions and enduring understandings were taken from the New Jersey Standards Clarification Project (NJDOE, 2008). The learning experiences that are included in the curriculum are suggested and teachers may do some or all of these experiences or substitute appropriate experiences to meet the needs of their students.

The Language Arts Passages Schoolwide Enrichment Program (SEM) provides the opportunity for students to engage in challenging and engaging literacy experiences. Units of study align with the grade-level language arts/literacy program.  Passages SEM encourages students to use their creative and linguistic talents in authentic and meaningful ways.  Our District’s mission statement speaks to our core belief that our programs are designed to meet the needs of all children in order to prepare them for a globally-connected world.  Therefore, the Passages SEM outcomes are aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and are designed to harness the powers of reading, writing, speaking, and listening to guide the positive energy of learners to make change possible. The Sustainable Development Goals call upon citizens of the world to use knowledge, critical reflection, and media literacy to take action and make changes for themselves and others around the world.  During the Passages SEM time, the gifted specialist nurtures students’ curiosity and provides them with the tools and resources to inquire, understand, engage, and communicate the importance of sustainability. This understanding can empower an individual to take collective action at the local, national, and international levels.

Passages Schoolwide Enrichment (SEM) welcomes any student who is interested in engaging in this enrichment experience.  The Gifted and Talented Specialist at JP Case Middle School, Mr. Vita, advertises opportunities for students to join the Passages Program each year.  If you are interested, check the Tiger's Den for sign-up information or contact Mr. Vita directly at Matthew.Vita@frsd.us.

For more information about the Passages program or entrance criteria, please contact Mr. Matt Vita, the Passages teacher, or Michelle Cook, the Supervisor of Language Arts.