Principal's Message
Welcome to Johnstown Elementary School’s web page! We hope this site provides you with the information that you are looking for whether you are just browsing or you are trying to learn more about our school.
Johnstown Elementary School serves all the Districts' students in Kindergarten through Grade 4. We are located in the Westwood neighborhood of Johnstown, and house approximately 1,100 ready-to-learn children.
At Johnstown Elementary School, we are proud of our positive and proactive approach toward teaching social and emotional skills. By teaching behaviors and expectations, students learn one of the most important skills in life, getting along with others. Utilizing the 7 Mindsets Curriculum aligned to CASEL standards for social-emotional learning, students in grades K-4 are learning how to manage their emotions, empathy and how to respond appropriately to a variety of social situations. JES also employs the use of restorative practices as a proactive approach to behavior management and social-emotional learning.
Our school is very active in our Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Program where students are taught district-wide expectations: Positive Attitude, Respect, Involved, Dependable, Encouraging (P.R.I.D.E.). Students are taught behavior expectations in a variety of settings including the classroom, restrooms, cafeteria, hallways, and the school bus. Our school offers incentives for following these expectations that can range from face-painting to getting to play basketball or board games with their principal.
Our school is dedicated to implementing curriculum that is closely aligned to the PA Common Core Standards and STEELS science standards. Teachers instruct following the Science of Reading as best practice. Students receive direct, explicit phonics instruction for early literacy skill development (K-2) with Enhanced Core Reading Instruction overlay onto the McGraw-Hill Wonders Reading with for Tier I classes. Intervention Reading classes receive instruction with McGraw-Hill Reading Mastery Transformations on their skill level.
Our students enjoy opportunities to learn that include Art, Music education, STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts/Design-Mathematics), staying physically fit and learning healthy habits in physical education, exploring other cultures and ideas through the use of our library, and developing social skills through the 7 Mindsets program.
We feel strongly about service learning and making connections to our community. Students and teachers in our school participate in events that include a gift wrapping during the Christmas season, Breakfast with Santa, Winter music concerts, Quarterly Family Engagement Nights, Fun and Field Days, Field Trips, experiential learning, and other activities.
The staff at Johnstown Elementary School welcomes your child into our building and encourages parent/teacher communication as we continue to improve the opportunities available.
Mr. Kurt Hoffman, Principal