Opportunities to participate in both STEM and STEAM focused learning opportunities
Our highly qualified staff consists of National Board Certified Teachers, District Honor Roll Teachers, teachers with advanced degrees and teachers involved in continuous learning and growth opportunities. Our staff engages in on-going professional development provided by “in house experts” and outside consultants that focuses on rigor in the classroom, student engagement, project and problem- based learning, high expectations for students and the use of data to change and focus instruction.
Delmae is an AdvancED STEM certified school. We continue to incorporate science, technology, engineering and math across the curriculum integrating all subjects. Our school wide instructional focus is standards and data driven. Our teachers work collaboratively to plan for instruction. The instructional program includes differentiated instruction using district adopted reading and math programs, tiered instruction based on student needs, enhanced learning programs, and research-based supplemental programs (Ortin-Gillingham, Accelerated Reading and Math, Thinking Maps, Literacy Work Stations, Cooperative Learning, Science Foss Kits, and Engineering is Elementary Units). In addition, through our participation in Verizon’s Project Lead the Way Grant, Discovery Learning Digital Pathfinders program and the district’s Technology Imagine Forward program students are provided with opportunities for collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.
. Project Lead the Way which provides lessons for STEM curriculum designed to prepare students for the global economy through 21st Century Skills and Objectives. Students are engaged in hands on learning experiences that involve collaboration and problem-solving.
Engineering is Elementary is an annual school-wide event that provides students with an opportunity to showcase their STEM learning with an emphasis on problem-solving and the design element.
Think Tank Thursday allows students to get away from the traditional daily classroom experience involving paper and pencil tasks and engage in a full day of lessons and activities immersed in collaboration, discovery, technology and project and/or problem-based learning.
Compass Learning is individualized learning at its best. Lessons are student specific based on MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) data. In addition they are interactive and students have access at school and home.
Mathematics Design Collaborative (MDC) engages students in a productive struggle that builds fluency with their procedural skills, and deepens mathematical reasoning and understanding. Rather than following predetermined steps to find an answer, students are supported to deepen their math reasoning to solve problems.
STEAM, Science and Technology Labs at Delmae are facilitated by certified teachers. Our science lab teacher is National Board Certified and the technology lab teacher has a master in technology degree. These teachers provide students with STEM learning that is engaging and that supports learning in the classroom.
Discovery Education has also increased student engagement. The increased use of technology in the classroom is appealing to students and lends itself to creativity, inquiry, collaboration and increased problem-solving skills. Lessons and resources are designed with 21st Century Learning in mind.
Error Analysis is a central part of math instruction and learning at Delmae. Students have learned that when they look at their work using this process they increase their knowledge and problem-solving skills.
Science Note-Booking takes place in the classroom and in the science lab. Students have learned that there is a focus to their learning for the day (the focus question) and that they have an opportunity to show what they have learned (line of learning) in their own words and/or pictures.
Field Trips provide opportunities for our students to experience STEM learning beyond the walls of the school. Students look forward to these opportunities to experience activities and have learning experiences that are both fun and educational.
The addition of two STEAM Labs, a Maker Space , the 1:1 initiative and the addition of a STEAM Coach allows for the most effective use of these new initiatives and supports teachers in their use of them.
Early intervention is key to student academic success. Through our Kindergarten Literacy Lab, our Reading Recovery Program and First Grade Literacy Lab, we are able to provide early literacy support to our students. Our Academic Assistance Team which includes our administrative leadership team, our school counselors, reading and math coaches, reading interventionist and our classroom teachers provide guidance and support to insure that we address the needs of all students providing both remediation and enrichment.
Excellence is our goal at Delmae. This is evident in our school being the recipient of the state’s Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards for excellence in academic performance and consecutive NNPS (National Network of Partnership School) Awards.
Instruction goes beyond the school day at Delmae through after school tutorial programs, extended day after school program, extra-curricular activities (chorus, drama, science, technology, and fitness clubs), Lego Robotics Team, Step Team and a 4-H Club.
The school home connection is essential to student school success. We provide numerous opportunities for families for home school communication and collaboration. Throughout the year families participate in activities and programs geared toward family involvement. Back to School Blast, Celebrating Our Diversity and Spring Fling in addition to parent academies designed to help parents support student learning (Title One Parent Nights) are sponsored yearly. Grade levels also provide grade level specific programs that provide opportunities for the home school connection (Kindergarten’s Famous American’s program, Second Grade’s Women in History program and Third Grade’s South Carolina Wax Museum).
Service projects are also a way to develop world class skills in our students. Our students are engaged in several service projects throughout the school year. These include Harvest Hope Food Drives, Jump Rope for Heart, Pennies for Patients, and Operation Christmas Child.
While we are doing a great job we believe there is room for improvement. Through our self-study, we have determined that there is a need to provide additional support and assistance to our historically lower achieving students. Our focus for the upcoming year will be on this because we believe "we all can and will excel".
We will prepare our students to develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.
