Blacksburg Elementary School is committed to preparing students wilth College and Career Readiness skills through a school-wide AVID program, and providing students with a learning environment that meets their unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs. The staff of BES is committed to the belief that all students can experience success, and we strive for this in the areas of academics, citizenship, service, and the arts. BES offers opportunities to students through classroom instructional time along with enrichment activities that include National Junior Beta Club, Student Council, SEL/Character Education, a Lego Robotics Team, the SC School Gardening Grant, Honors Choir, and the Kids Club afterschool program.
To ensure that we remain current as educators, staff members participate in various learning opportunities throughout the year to help better prepare them for the ever-changing needs of their students. A staff focus on state standards, teacher clarity, student engagement, data analysis, and AVID strategies occurred throughout the year. The Profile of the South Carolina Graduate guides us in our endeavors to cultivate students that can be successful. Technology has played a vital role in the ability to differentiate instruction, support collaboration and inquiry, and implement eLearning to deliver instruction remotely as needed. All of our teachers are highly qualified with current South Carolina certification.
Our goal this year was to increase student engagement and owndership of learning, as well as teacher clarity. During the school year, teachers participated in PLC's as well as professional developement related to these areas. This summer, staff members will have access to continued professional development. Teachers at BES also participated in book studies related to student engagement and ownsership, increasing student accountability in classrooms. Students explored modules and surveys through Sown to Grow, a new SEL initiative that promotes student engagement and owership of learning.
We will vary our parent opportunities for involvement in hopes to reach more students' families. We will host parent workshops in fall of 2025 as part of a family engagement grant we recently received. BES strongly encourages all parents to join and participate not only in school-sponsored activities but in giving feedback in school decision-making to ensure that we have active lines of communication between home and school. Our staff development this year will continue to be focused on building and improving professional learning communities, student engagement, and family engagement. We will continue to look at ways to offer enrichment activities for students during and after school hours that reach the whole child and encourage a deepened interest in being a life-long learner.
Julie Foster, Principal
