The 2019-2020 school year began with our theme “Let's Have Fun, Cover Your Bases.” This theme focused on the fact that everyone involved in the school community plays an important part in the educational environment being positive, caring, innovative, and productive for the children we serve. It is imperative that we cover all the bases to assure students are learning and having fun enjoying their learning experience through engaging, innovative and rigorous practices.
Administrators, faculty, and staff ensure that we focus on the whole child to assure our students are well-rounded and successful. We continue to focus on assisting our students in developing the world-class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing an education that allows them to be critical thinkers, communicators, collaborators and creative through rigorous, engaging, and innovative activities. All the components of STEAM give our students a well-rounded academic experience by integrating the arts into the curriculum being taught. Our ultimate goal is to be a major contributor to our students being high school and college graduates as well as being productive citizens.
The STEAM focus at Fairfield Magnet School for Math and Science provides a focused curriculum for all students that allow them to be creative, critical thinkers, work as a team, collaborate with each other on problem-solving, and develop interpersonal skills. This year, we focused on various project-based learning opportunities that aid students in solving complex problems. We incorporated several innovative programs this year, such as Arts Extravaganza, Snow White play, STEAM Days, March Math Madness Day, OMA Nights (Opening Minds Through the Academics and the Arts), blending learning with the arts’ classes, and Math Bowl for analytical problem-solving.
The students gave back to the community and state through our arts and service-learning projects in varies ways such as performances at Rock Around the Clock, events hosted by the District's Elite Ladies group such as the Angel Tree donation, performing at local nursing homes and for our Veterans, providing art for the public library and awards recognizing the Honors Arts group for their winnings, such as the 2020 SC State Palmetto Pride Art Contest 1st place winner “Litter Trashes Everyone”, 2020 SC Marine Debris State Art Contest, 2020 SC State Bookmark contest 1st place winner and 2020 SC Department of Education State School Bus Safety Poster Contest. The Beta Club and Junior National Honor Society completed service-learning projects for children in our local hospital, care packages for soldiers, and Jump Rope for Heart.
Technology enhancement provided by our district allows access to a Chromebook that gives all the students the opportunity to work in cooperative groups and be advocates for their own learning while the teacher serves as the facilitator. This has also allowed teachers and other faculty members to collaborate on other ways to prepare students for college and careers. Assessments created through online programs aligned with the South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards assisted teachers in analyzing the results so daily intervention and enhancement can be planned for students.
Academic recognitions received by our students this year are 2020 National Beta Club School of Merit for student achievement, national and several state art winners. The National Junior Honor Society students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements.
Our Parent Liaison, SIC, and PTO met their goal of continuing to improve parent and community involvement in the school. Several opportunities for parents and community members to be involved in the academics, arts, volunteering, and performances took place this year.
We are looking forward to the 2020-2021 school year as we continue to create success in our students as we make sure all bases are covered, while our students' faculty and staff have fun. The FMSMS family will always instill in our students that each of them is brilliant and will succeed at anything they encounter in life.
Dr. Shayera L. Whitfield, Principal
Kimberly Tidwell, SIC Chair