J.C. Lynch Elementary is helping all students develop the world class knowledge, skills, and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing an environment that supports the development of students’ academic and social-emotional skills. We demonstrate this purpose by challenging our students with a rigorous and relevant curriculum and by the continuous professional development of our teachers and staff members.
This past year, we have been “gearing up for change”—cultivating good habits and attitudes, nurturing greatness and excellence. Teaching good character, leadership, and the development of habits for success in life have been a central component of our instructional program in addition to the academic knowledge and skills taught through our core instruction. JCLE also received recognition for becoming a Project Lead the Way Distinguished Launch School and a 2019 National Beta School of Merit.
The growth and success of our school community as learners, leaders, and caring citizens guides the professional practice and programming offered at JCLE. Our teachers and administrators continually collaborate and participate in professional learning opportunities to enhance their content knowledge and instructional practice in order to more effectively meet the needs of our students. Several of our teachers completed Masters programs. Additionally, teachers have participated in a number of conferences and/or professional learning opportunities, including but not limited to the following: The Leader in Me Symposium; SCIRA (South Carolina International Reading Association) conference; ELA writing workshops; STEM education and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Launch/Gateway to Technology training; the Early Childhood Education Conference; Montessori training; Center of Excellence for Teachers of Children of Poverty training; social studies standards training, the South Carolina Consortium for Gifted Education conference; the South Carolina Music Educators conference, and Creating Culture and Launching Leadership Leader in Me training. Administrators participated in professional training to include the following: Safe Schools; the ELEOT classroom observation tool; Montessori training for school administrators, the Leader in Me Symposium; Creating Culture and Launching Leadership Leader in Me training, and the AdvancEd STEM accreditation workshop.
Students took on numerous leadership roles throughout the school. They provided leadership during awards day celebration programs, delivering morning announcements, raising and lowering the flags properly each day, performing in the Christmas musical production of A Christmas Carol, organizing and overseeing a recycling program, and participating in service project activities such as the Jr. Beta club’s charoling trip to a local nursing home. A number of extracurricular activities likewise allowed students to further explore their interests and talents through participation in a book club, a student-led Bible Club, a STEM girls club, GT and school chorus, and the Jr. Beta Club.
Improvements in technology resulting from a School Improvement grant continued to expand the technological opportunities at JCLE. Students and teachers continued to benefit from greater access to personal computing devices, an improved wireless infrastructure, and upgraded classroom interactive whiteboards. This environment promoted greater collaboration, teamwork, communication, and creativity among our students and teachers.
Community partnerships remained strong as an integral component of the school culture. Through the contributions of a very active and engaged Parent Teacher Organization, several community churches, and the Lake City High School Alumni association, academic and extracurricular opportunities were afforded to our students as they participated in a variety of off-site field trips and academic extension activities. Our PTO also generously contributed time and resources to improving the overall climate of the school through appreciation events and recognition, fund-raising efforts, and student/parent involvement activities. A fall carnival, photos with Santa, Grandparents Day, a spring dance, and monthly PTO meetings were a few of the activities that improved parental involvement and promoted a collaborative relationship between the school and community.
J. C. Lynch Elementary School looks forward to heading in “New Directions” in the 2019-2020 school year offering new programs to expand our learning pathways and increase our leadership opportunities for students. JCLE will be introducing the Montessori learning pathway by opening the first 3K-5k classrooms in Florence School District Three. We will also officially become a Leader in Me school. With the ongoing support and commitment of our faculty, students, and parents, and community, the intentional development of world class skills and knowledge of the Profile of the South Carolina graduate will become a reality for our students.
Angela A. Tanner, Principal
April Lynch, SIC Chair
