STA School’s Technological Advancements are Astounding

St. Thomas the Apostle School in Bloomfield NJ, ensures that all of its students are well prepared for their next levels of education. The educators differentiate instruction, allow for collaborative learning, hands-on learning, and digital learning. The administration and educators of the school understand that in order to retain academic mastery for all students it is imperative to ensure that 21st century techniques are always utilized.

The school over the past several years has incorporated over 30 Mac Desktop Computers in their computer lab which are available to all students of every age in the school as young as 3 and as old as 15. The school holds over 70 iPads, and 60 ChromeBooks, 10 SmartBoards, a 3-D Printer and a SmartTable to go along with their impressive computer lab. These devices are utilized for differentiated instruction, collaborative learning (Google Classroom/Google Drive) and research analysis.

The school is equipped with charging carts for their mobile devices. A charging cart currently resides on every floor, with the addition of a new iPad cart in the 3rd grade classroom on the 1st floor this summer. Google Classroom is utilized by students in grades 5 through 8, not for all assignments or classes but for several. With this wonderful use of technology it is important to ensure that the wireless access in the school is constantly updated and maintained and secure access points are added with multiple security keys.

One of the most interesting aspects of technological utilization in the school is the Synergistics Lab located on the third floor. This lab includes modules which contain topics for; Forensic Science, Engineering, Flight, Audio Recording, and more. This lab is utilized by students in grades 7 & 8. However connected to the Synergistics lab is the Science Lab which is utilized regularly by students in grades 5 through 8, this lab can also be used by educators of all grades to enhance learning in the sciences.

On the third floor next to the Synergistic/Science Lab is the Robotics Lab. The Robotics Lab is utilized by the students in grades 4 through 8 who partake in the after-school activity known as the “First LEGO League/Robotics”. Students in this club utilize knowledge that they have learned from coding in computers, research analysis which they learn in their sciences, and engineering which is taught in STEM to create and program robots to compete against other schools throughout the state.

Within this Robotics Room is the “Trout in the Classroom” tank which is controlled by the 6th grade students of St. Thomas the Apostle School. Students in grade 6 raise the trout from the time they are eggs to fully grown, in the spring they release them at a hatchery in Northern New Jersey. Throughout this process they learn the life cycle of the Trout, and maintaining clean water and filtration.

The educators understand the importance of technological use in the classroom, while maintaining an importance in handwriting and book research as well. It is important to allow students to learn in a multitude of ways. At St. Thomas the Apostle School all involved ensure that the children are prepared to master all of their subjects. Students have gone on to be accepted to some of the most prestigious high-schools (Regis, SHP, IHA, MSDA, PC, IC, BC, PCTI, etc.) in the area and succeed with the skills and background they garner from St. Thomas the Apostle School.

We are always welcoming to new families who would like to join the St. Thomas the Apostle School family. Please feel free to call 973-338-8505 or email our knowledgeable office staff at staoffice@staschoolnj.org to set up a tour, or receive information. As always information is available 24/7 on our website at www.staschoolnj.org. Remember at St. Thomas the Apostle School “When you enroll your child, we enroll your family”.