Fairfield Elementary School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by ensuring that we exemplify our theme of “Doing the HEART Work!” For the 2018-2019 school year, we focused on high expectations, exemplary lessons, activating strategies, rigorous content, and teaching with intention.
Through the implementation of Houses at Fairfield Elementary for the 2018-2019 school year, students were able to collaborate and rally together for academic success. Students worked collaboratively academically and socially in activities such as spelling bee competitions, a March Madness basketball tournament, quiz bowl, and other activities throughout the year. The FES houses are as follows: House of Cuore, House of Sashakt, House of Verdad, and House of Odvaha. All of the distinct names come from various languages meaning heart. The House model was adapted from a professional development session that our teachers attended at the Ron Clark Academy. All of the Houses were able to bank their points until the end of the year where tiered incentives were awarded. Students were eager to earn points for their houses and our learning environment and culture was positively impacted by this initiative.
Stellar Stingrays possess World-Class Knowledge by actively participating in intentional classroom projects, field experiences and partnerships with agencies. Other examples of Fairfield Elementary students and teachers using World-Class Knowledge through collaboration are listed below:
- Implementation of Read 180 and System 44 for struggling readers
- House Day Celebrations
- MLK Oratorical and Art Contest Winners
- 1st Place and 2nd Place MLK Service Award (Jr. Beta and Girls in PEARLS)
- 3rd Place in State Beta Club Convention for Jewelry Elementary Division
- 4th Place in State Beta Club Convention for Jewelry Junior Division
- 4th Place Language Arts for 6th Grade in State Beta Club Convention
- 4th Place in Math for 4th Grade in State Beta Club Convention
- Being There Field Trip Experiences at the State Museum focusing on STEM
- Being There Field Trip Experience to Boeing with a focus on Engineering
- Junior Achievement In A Day Program School Visits
- Variety of Student Clubs to include Robo Rays, Reading Rays, Radiant Rays, Girls in PEARLS and Extra Mile Club
- Read Across America Day
- 2 Duke Tip Scholars
- Classroom Libraries with a Variety of Genres
- Fairfield County Read-In, State Read-In, Reading Counts, Reading Incentives
- National Beta School of Distinction
- National Beta School of Merit Award Winner
- Focus on Small Group Best Practices and Print Rich Environments
- Partnership with Chameleon Inspirations Learning Center
Stellar Stingrays obtain World-Class Skills by using their creative talents and skills to think critically and solve real-life problems. Through the use of the arts, students have opportunities to collaborate with their peers and use real-life skills to be creative. Students also have multiple opportunities to communicate, research information, and use technology to learn, which fosters student engagement. Listed below are other ways that our students use their creative skills to solve problems and think critically.
- Snow White Musical
- District Artworks Off-Site Program
- American Education Week
- 100th Day of School Celebrations
- WFES Student Produced News Show
- 100 Books Before Kindergarten Program
- Countdown to Kindergarten
- Books and Breakfast Parent Literacy Showcase
- Student Data Conferences
- Google 1:1 Digital Learning Initiative in Grades 1-6
- Reading Incentives
- Science and Math Day Celebrations using Innovative Project Based Learning
- May Day Celebration
- Robo Rays Exposition
- Multiplication Challenge
- Miss FES Pageant
- Use of FOSS Science Kits
Stellar Stingrays utilize Life and Career Characteristics on a daily basis to transform our learning environment. Life skills and Lifelong Guidelines are used throughout the school to enhance character and help students make better decisions. Examples of year-long contributions are listed below:
- Friendship Bench Donated by Winnsboro Rotary Club
- Pink Out Day to Support Breast Cancer Awareness
- Radiant Rays Candy Grams for Valentine’s Day
- Awards Day Ceremonies
- National Walk to School Day Celebration
- Community Helper Day
- Embedded Tutoring within the School Day
- Learning Clubs
- Stellar Stingray Menu of Incentives to include Awards Day, Discipline-Free Celebration, and Quarterly and Weekly Perfect Attendance Recognitions
- Professional Learning Communities
- Real Men and Women Read Program with over 40 Volunteers
- Red Ribbon Week
- Service Learning Projects (Nursing Homes, Council on Aging, Local Food Bank)
- Stellar Stingray of the Month Recognition
- Student Town Hall Meetings and Pulse Checks
- Stingray Chronicles Newsletter for Parents and Families
- College Tours
- First Friday Celebrations
Dr. Tammy F. Martin, Principal
Mrs. Melyssa Shepard, SIC Chairperson