Sandy Run K-8 School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by implementing the framework developed by Partnerships for 21st Century Skills. According to this framework, student readiness can be increased through the utilization of the four Cs - critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Sandy Run K-8 School is focusing on the four Cs to prepare our students for the future.
According to the Partnerships for 21st Century Skills, critical thinking requires the student to reason effectively, use systems thinking, make judgements, and solve problems. This year, professional developments have been specifically geared to raise literacy skills in all subject areas. Students have been asked to use various types of reasoning to solve real world problems in the mathematics classes. Also, the ELA teachers have attended workshops on improving text based analysis and document based questions. These are essential skills that foster students’ ability to make judgements and decisions based on the evidence provided and conclusions drawn through the analysis of varying points of view. Students were required to construct arguments and reflect critically through their participation in the Liberty Day essay contest sponsored by the Ruritan and Rotary Club. Fifth grade students are asked to make positive judgements relating to being alcohol and drug free in our Define, Access, Respond, and Evaluate Program (D.A.R.E.) Another student received the Melba McKenzie and LeAnn Crosby Summer Scholarship, which was awarded based on her writing and academic skills. Lastly, our students participated in the regional science fair which encompasses all aspects of critical thinking and problem solving.
In today’s world, there are more forms of communication than ever. Students must be able to articulate thoughts and ideas through various forms, listen effectively, communicate for multiple purposes, utilize differing media and technologies, and communicate in diverse environments, as stated by the Partnerships of 21st Century Skills. At Sandy Run K-8 School, we use communication to increase student readiness. Our ESOL program, which each teacher received professional development, promotes inclusion of multicultural and multilingual students and instruction. Students participate in the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory contest, which utilizes the students’ ability to articulate thoughts orally. The contest is a great example of using communication to inform, motivate, and persuade. Our one-to-one technology initiative is now fully implemented for kindergarten through eighth grade. This provides students the ability to utilize multiple media and technologies to communicate with their teachers and other students in an effective way. Communication is essential for preparing our students for their future.
According to the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, global perspective and interpersonal skills are two of the six life and career characteristics for college and career readiness. These characteristics require the ability to effectively collaborate with others through respect, flexibility, and shared responsibility. Sandy Run K-8 School is fortunate to have a diverse population throughout all grade levels. This requires everyone to be very respectful of each other to promote a positive learning environment for all students. Students are asked to complete collaborative projects as assessments throughout the school year. These students must prove they can work together to achieve a common goal, while sharing responsibility. Students compete in teams during our annual Field Day, as well as, in our physical education program. Students compete in athletics thus promoting their ability to collaborate effectively with others. Our child development, kindergarten, and first grade students and parents work together in monthly literacy nights. Our Beta Club members work as a team to provide service to others. As John Donne famously wrote, “No man is an island,” and this is evident at Sandy Run K-8 School through our constant collaboration.
Lastly, our students demonstrate the ability to think and work creatively with others while implementing innovations. Sandy Run K-8 is a rural school that competes on a global level, so creativity is a skill we demonstrate on a daily basis. According to the Framework for 21st Century Learning, students must use a wide range of idea creation techniques. Since we are a one-to-one district, the students complete multiple forms of assessments through the use of projects, performances, and presentations. The students must then elaborate, refine, analyze, and evaluate their work to improve upon their efforts. The students must be able to demonstrate originality and inventiveness in work, thus viewing failure as an opportunity to learn, per the Framework for 21st Century Learning. These were utilized by our Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Technology (STEAM) Day and Summer Reading Camp. Our arts program fully implements the entire aspect of creativity and innovation. Our extremely talented band students work diligently to become members of Honors Band and compete in statewide band competitions. Two students were accepted in the prestigious South Carolina Governor’s School of the Arts and two students were accepted into Project Wise at Clemson University. Each of these accomplishments show the level of commitment to creativity here at Sandy Run K-8.
All stakeholders of Sandy Run K-8 School family value the relationship between the school, family, and community. Our vision to strive for excellence is accomplished through ensuring that we remain the epicenter for transforming learning. This continuous transformation is a result of the Four Cs, teacher dedication, best practices, professionalism, a strong commitment to continuous growth, analysis of data, a strong School Improvement Council, and public support of Calhoun County Public Schools.
Brenda Goodwin, Principal
Samantha Crider, SIC Chairperson
