Students at McKissick Academy of Science and Technology seek to better themselves by engaging in multiple learning facets that promote World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. These skills have and will continue to improve student achievement in the classroom while maintaining a broad perspective for creating real world solutions. In addition, our culture has been designed to tailor to each student’s needs within a school setting and their home environment. We strive to empower solution seekers with world- class knowledge and skills to construct their own future while instilling positive character to become a productive community member.
Within each classroom, students are able to use technology devices to explore their creativity, challenge their critical thinking skills, and allow students to collaborate with their peers. Teachers utilize the technology in the classroom, and are able to do so seamlessly because of our 1:1 approach for every student in K-5 grades. These technology devices complement our instructional programs such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) within our regular classrooms as well as our Shark Tank. These activities allow our students to research, create, and collaborate to share presentations with their peers and various audiences. Our fifth grade students are able to create our very own SHARK News Show. This is streamed through our own YouTube Channel using a green screen and monitor. Students are able to be digitally creative when producing the show for the student body. Within the Shark Tank, we also have a certified computer science teacher that incorporates Project Lead the Way Curriculum along with our state science standards using the three pillars: Biomedical Science, Computer Science, and Engineering Design. This allows our students to be actively engage when learning. In Math, we use the Daily 3 framework, which allows teachers to work with groups of different sizes while other students work independently on personal math goals. In reading, we use the Daily 5 and CAFÉ framework and philosophy. This allows teachers to work with students on their levels in small guided reading groups while other students work in stations focusing on word work, writing, and reading comprehension. We use several strategies in order to develop our students’ communication skills. RACE (Restate, Answer, Cite, and Explain), Say Mean Matter, and 6 + 1 Trait Writing are all programs used by our teachers to help our students become fluent in the written word. To encompass all of the subjects and standards, teachers are incorporating Project Based Learning into their daily classroom lessons. PBL allows students to critically think and problem solve while learning the state standards. McKissick teachers also value professional development on all levels. Throughout the year, teachers attended professional learning communities each Friday. During those professional learning communities, teachers receive hands on instruction with our district master teacher, Amanda Wylie, analyzes data with our instructional leadership team, and works collaboratively with their grade level teams. Along with school level professional development, teachers also participated in Code.org training, Project Lead the Way training, Project Based Learning through Furman University, and visited other STEM accredited schools. These professional learning opportunities help assist teachers to steer instructional practices so that students value their own critical thinking and solve problems for themselves.
Our SHARKS positive behavior matrix is the foundation to our character education program. Within the classroom, hallway, lunchroom, bathrooms, bus, and playground; students are expected to act like “SHARKS”. The students know that they need to be successful, honest, active listeners, respectful, kind, and solution seekers. Certain students are rewarded for demonstrating these skills daily; through selection of Student of the Month and Behavior Celebrations each nine weeks. Students are also recognized through our Honor Roll Calls that are held each nine weeks to recognize those students who have earned Honor Roll and/or Perfect Attendance. For the fourth and final nine weeks, students are recognized at an awards evening for these honors as well.
Partnering with our community and businesses impacts our school in various ways. Our partnerships consist of United Way of Pickens County, Home Depot, Wendy’s, Chick Fil A, Pickens County YMCA, Dodge’s Convenience Store, Young Chiropractic Group, The Dream Center, Walmart of Easley, Black’s Seafood Restaurant, Easley Skate Center, Easley Pediatric Associates, Baptist Easley Hospital, and local churches help to foster student achievement. The YMCA provides free-swimming lessons to all of our second grade students, and provides mentors for many students within our school. The Dream Center awards parents attending workshops held at school with vouchers that are optional for in their Santa Shoppe. They also allow the school to use their facilities for various fundraisers and school events.
McKissick Academy of Science and Technology provides a variety of opportunities for the community to be involved and support the school. This year MAST offered a Literacy Night, STEM Night, and Sweet Heart Dance for parents and students to attend. These are themed based to excite and engage the students along with involving our parents. Each month, parenting workshops are offered with various topics to assist students and parents. These workshops are targeted for certain grade levels in order to meet the needs of all of our students and families. Other events that happen throughout the year are Real Men Read, All Pro Dad, and Read Across America. Conference nights are held twice a year to help parents have a one on one session with their child’s teacher. Title 1 Planning Meetings, PTO Meetings, School Improvement Council Sessions, and Volunteer Programs are other avenues McKissick works to build relationships with family and community members. This allows our students to grow in and out of the classroom so they can be equipped with World Class Skills of a South Carolina Graduate.
Heather Touchberry
Principal
