Whitesides Elementary School is providing all students with rich, rigorous opportunities to develop world class skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, which are creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.
With the continuation of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiatives at Whitesides, students are engaged in learning activities that incorporate elements of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math that allow for collaboration with other students. While activities and projects had to be modified due to restrictions related to Covid-19, students were still presented with opportunities to collaborate with classmates as appropriate without sharing materials and following safety protocols. Through these collaborative projects, students are able to demonstrate effective communication skills as they work together to solve problems and make revisions for successful outcomes. STEAM activities promote critical thinking and creativity for all students, allowing for trial and error learning. They also enhance skill development in learning self-regulation and managing how to learn.
In addition to weekly participation in our STEAM lab for students in Child Development through 5th grade, a partnership with ECM (Engaging Creative Minds) brings opportunities from the outside world to our classrooms for innovation and creative expression in grades 3-5. Two of the three partnership learning opportunities with ECM were virtual this year, and one was in-person. Our students look forward to continuing the traditions of classroom partnering next year with activities such as reading buddies, STEAM projects, and working in the garden. These partnerships allow for much communication, collaboration, and critical thinking as the older students act as mentors for the younger students.
We are proud of the school-wide implementation of the Olweus Bully Prevention program. Weekly lessons to support students in the development of communicative and collaborative skills are presented each Monday to all students. This allows for continuity and consistency across all grade levels as students work together to keep our school bully-free and to appropriately resolve peer conflicts. In recognizing the added social and emotional needs of our students due to the pandemic this year, we increased our classroom guidance lessons to focus on self-care and managing anxiety. Our focus continues to be the implementation of programs and strategies that help develop academic, social, and emotional growth in all of our students.
Cynthia Perez, Principal
Margaret Carter, SIC Chair
