The Social Studies Department offers a curriculum designed to prepare students for their future as citizens in a democratic society and for the challenges they will face as members of an increasingly interconnected global community. Students will master the requisite content, skills, and character for effective citizenship, and value the active participation and civic virtue upon which the future depends.

The elementary curriculum expands student awareness of their community and the surrounding environment in Kindergarten through Grade Three. Grade Four provides students with an opportunity to explore the differing regions of the united states, introducing them to four key social studies disciplinary concepts (civics, geography, economics, and history) while utilizing the central role of New Jersey in our nation’s development. Grade Five introduces students to the history of the United States spanning the features of indigenous cultures prior to European exploration through to the outcome of the American Revolution. Grade Six picks up where students left off at the end of Grade Five, tracing US History from the development of American government through to the outcome of the Civil War.  Students consider larger trends in American history during this period while paying particular attention to the development of American ideals and the extent to which the nation lived up to those ideals by the end of the Civil War. 

Students at the John H. Walker Middle School are engaged in the study of civics and the ancient and medieval world. Appropriate issues in civics, geography, and economics are infused throughout the curriculum. Grade Seven is dedicated to Civic competency is the primary focus of Grade Six. Students will utilize a wide range of resources to develop their knowledge and experience of constitutional government and how government theory has been applied throughout the American experience. Embedded throughout the Grade Seven curriculum is also a systematic approach to the development of historical thinking and literacy skills as students transition into secondary level instruction.  Grade Eight students will commence their study of world history, beginning with early civilizations and progressing to the medieval global connections that laid the foundations for the modern world. This study will segue into the first year of social studies at the high school.  Elements of financial literacy are infused throughout the units that comprise social studies in Grade Seven and Eight.

Nutley High School offers a varied social studies curriculum. The freshman year continues the study of global society, building on the foundation established in the middle school while emphasizing the origins and dynamics of the modern world. Sophomore and junior years complete the state-mandated two-year study of United States history, tracing the legacy of the founding and its impact on modern America. In addition, the department offers several electives, enabling students to explore the fields of archaeology, sociology, macroeconomics, and global history. Advanced Placement courses are offered in United States History, American Government and Politics, Macroeconomics, and Human Geography.

Students are encouraged to be actively engaged in the social studies, and will be provided with opportunities to use digital geographic information, conduct simulations, conduct mock archaeological excavations, construct sociological experiments, as well as other activities. Students will also participate in the New Jersey Mock Election, which is hosted and facilitated by the Nutley Public Schools.

The faculty of the social studies department is dedicated to the mission of civic education, and members pursue professional development to enhance the materials, technology, and instructional strategies available to enrich the experience of students. The department welcomes communication with parents via email and the web site, and encourages parents to continue the discussion of political and economic issues beyond the classroom.

Faculty:

John H. Walker Middle School

Mr. Guariglia - Grade Seven
Mrs. Kozyra - Grade Eight
Mr. Rovetto - Grade Seven
Ms. Parness - Grade Eight
Mr. Stoffers - Grade Seven
Mr. Tuorto - Grade Seven, Grade Eight
Mr. Vance - Grade Eight
Mrs. Grant - Grade Seven, Grade Eight
Mrs. Walsh - Grade Eight

Mr. Gabriele - Grade Seven, Grade Eight

Nutley High School

Mr. Coppola - World history, US History II, US History I
Mr. Ritacco - US History I, Race in America
Mrs. Michalek - US History II, AP US History, US History I Honors, NJ and Local History
Mr. Porrino -  US History II, History Through Film, Introduction to Criminal Justice, AP US History
Mr Gramata - US History I, US History II, World History
Mr. Rosati - Archaeology, World History
Mr. Ryan - US History II, US History II Honors
Mr. Abbio - US History I, US History II, AP Government & Politics
Mrs. David - World History, AP Human Geography
Mrs. Feraco - US History I,
Ms. Gewecke - Global Human Rights Studies, Modern European History, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, World History Honors
Mrs. Stine - Sociology, US History II
Mr. Bradley - US History I, AP Macroeconomics

Ms. Scimeca - World History, World History Honors