Gold Hill Elementary School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by planting the seeds of inspiration and introducing our students to innovation through a focus on the four C’s – critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Fort Mill School District formed a five year STEAM partnership initiative with Discovery Education to provide staff development and resources for teachers to utilize which are designed to enhance scientific thinking, promote creative problem solving, encourage inventiveness, and engage students in working collaboratively. The earlier a student begins to learn, design, imagine, and think critically, the greater the chance that he or she will pursue a career involving innovation. Teachers and administrators participate in high quality professional development and continue to bring best practices into our Professional Learning Community.
Three school administrators, our lead teacher, and four STEAM teacher leaders attended professional development training sessions during the school year with Discovery Education Consultants focusing on STEAM innovation and integration with our rigorous standards in all content areas. The core STEAM teacher leaders were selected to participate in a five year STEAM training program. The teachers participated in training, observation, and coaching cycles with Discovery Education Consultants. A goal of participation with the STEAM teacher leaders was to create model classrooms and have these trained teachers share with colleagues as they continue to learn, develop, and pilot STEAM enhanced curriculum, strategies, and resources. In addition, one teacher attended and presented at the Children’s Engineering Conference in Virginia. A team of teachers and two administrators were selected to participate in the iMAGINE STEAMFest in Rock Hill, SC.
GHES conducted a Family Literacy/STEAM Night to engage families in innovative, design thinking, collaborative family fun opportunities. Teachers at each grade level collaborated to plan STEAM activities in an effort to show parents what it's like to incorporate STEAM principles across the curriculum. Many parents were given tips to use at home as well.
A Read to Succeed goal for this year was to increase student engagement in reading. Teachers collected data during the school year to monitor student engagement in reading. They used the information to plan lessons and strategies to increase student engagement and to monitor progress. Five teachers and our Reading Coach attended workshops at the Teacher's College in New York. Seven teachers learned about increasing student engagement at the Get Your Teach On Conference. Three teachers presented on integrating social studies curriculum at the SC Council for Social Studies conference. Reading Recovery, Multi-Tiered System of Support, Accelerated Reader, and the Academically Gifted Program helped to advance academic skills, differentiate instruction, and provide support and/or enrichment for students. The Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) and STAR assessment programs provided valuable information about the learning strengths and needs of students. CompassLearning Hybridge, a technology based curriculum support and enrichment program, helped meet diverse individual needs, provide intervention, extension, and support for our students. Students engaged in setting and monitoring self-directed academic and personal goals.
Faculty and staff members previously participated in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People training. One of the assistant principals and six teachers are certified as trainers and have led the training. Faculty and staff members worked together to learn and live the 7 Habits principles. Students in grades K-5 participated in clubs such as Jog and Fit, Chorus, Girls on the Run, Boys Let Me Run, Book Clubs, Fishing Club and LEGO Robotics. National Engineering Week brought engineers and students together to engage in activities and to learn about STEM initiatives and careers. More information can be found on the Gold Hill Elementary School website at http://ghes.fortmillschools.org/pd/GHES/index.html
Josh Burris, Principal
Joe Long, School Improvement Council Chairperson
