Socastee Elementary School is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, nurturing, high –quality teaching and learning environment. At Socastee Elementary School, we frame our work around a strong conviction to “do what is right for children” every day. The Socastee Elementary vision is to put service to students above all else, believing that all children can learn and all children have the right to learn. We believe it is our responsibility to foster an environment where children feel safe and nurtured academically, physically and emotionally. We demonstrate this vision by setting high expectations and providing students with a challenging and supportive learning environment based on best practices in order for students to reach their full potential and by adopting a culture of continuous improvement for our teachers by providing on-going professional development. This school year’s theme was “Home”. SES wants our students and staff to feel comfortable, safe, and loved.
Our teachers and administration continue to research and utilize the most current and best practices in teaching such as: Imagine it!, Everyday Math, science kits, Achieve 3000, ALEKs Math, small group instruction, and reading interventions. Professional development days are scheduled prior to the start of school to provide time for the analysis of assessment data and curriculum understanding and development. Teachers meet individually and by grade levels with the principal and the data team to determine patterns and trends of student strengths and weaknesses and to reflect on their teaching. Teachers need time to grow and learn from one another. Teachers meet twice a week by grade-level for common planning and Professional Learning Communities. During Professional Learning Communities teachers and instructional coaches continuously monitor student achievement and discuss instructional strategies that produce high yield results.
At Socastee Elementary, we work to foster the development of the whole child by embedding and promoting life skills throughout our school community. We have high expectations for our students to be good citizens and emphasize quality citizenship in our community and school. We firmly believe that our students should be prepared to be successful adults who are prepared to contribute to the world with passion and integrity. This past year, we implemented school-wide expectations in conjunction with our life skills program. Our Shark Pride Award program recognized students for displaying positive behavior and life skills throughout our school. Classes set goals for earning Shark Pride Tickets. When classes meet their goal, classes choose a celebration activity. Classes also choose a service project to complete. SES wants out students to learn the joy and power of giving back to others.
At Socastee Elementary, we passionately believe in the importance of building strong, positive relationships with our students, staff, parents and community by working together through on-going collaboration between home and school in order to promote the highest level of success for each student. Thank you for sharing your children with us as we, together, continue to grow hearts and minds!
Mrs. Elisabeth Funderburk, Chair of the School Improvement Council
Mrs. Krista Finklea, Principal
