Charles Pinckney Elementary School is helping students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics indicative of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by fostering creativity and communication.
At Pinckney Elementary, we recognize the importance of promoting creativity and innovation in our students. In an effort to support students’ varying interests, our school offers a wide range of opportunities in arts, sports, academia, community service, and leadership. Extracurricular activities such as the drama club, orchestra, chorus, recorder groups, and drums ensemble foster creativity for our students who have a passion for the arts. Students with athletic interests may choose to participate in the girls’ or boys’ basketball team, volleyball, or tennis. For our students who enjoy problem solving and strategizing, our school offers a Chess Team.
Our students’ community service and leadership skills are strengthened through their involvement in the Student Council, Beta Club, and our school’s news team. Students in the Beta Club and Student Council work collaboratively to support our school and community. For example, they coordinate the “Walk to School Day,” Red Cross blood drive, and canned food drive for the local food bank. Additionally, this past year, the Beta Club members joined forces with the Youth Volunteer Corps of Charleston to prepare 70 flood kits for individuals who experience flooding due to storms and extreme tides. Through involvement in these clubs and activities, children learn responsibility, leadership skills, and service to their school and community.
Within the scope of classroom instruction, teachers naturally embed activities that encourage and support creativity and innovation. Special events and instructionally-related theme days such as South Carolina Day, Colonial Day, and Dancing Through the Decades incorporate costumes, foods, and activities that spotlight students’ creativity and innovation.
Our strongest skill set that we develop in our students is that of communication, information, media and technology. According to the AdvancEd Student Inventory, 95% of our students responded that they have “materials, supplies, and technology needed to be successful in school.” Our staff integrates digital resources into teaching, learning, and general day-to-day operations to improve instructional effectiveness and student performance. Because we are a one-to-one iPad school, each student has his own device accessible in every class. High quality online and digital content is used for intervention and to accelerate students in Language Arts and Math. Our teachers are committed to using technology to promote higher order thinking skills such as those that require students to apply, create, and problem solve. All students have access to Google Drive and Gmail which allow them to communicate with their teachers, share resources, and work collaboratively on projects. Technology plays a major role in the instruction of students at Pinckney.
Pinckney Elementary School’s persistent pledge to excellence has and will continue to create students with World Class Knowledge, World Class Skills, and admirable Life and Career Characteristics.
Leanne Sheppard, Principal
Laura Fletcher, SIC Chair