For the 2023-2024 school year, Chester Park Elementary School of Inquiry helped all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate through the continued implementation of our hiTech 1:1 technology initiative in Grades PreK-12. Students have access to and use technology on a daily basis. The CPE School of Inquiry (CPESI) also provided a strong academic and social environment. Our culture is fulfilled through our Mission Statement which is “At the School of Inquiry, we set high expectations to enable all children to become inquiring, life-long learners.”
As we continue our journey to becoming a Professional Learning Community, teachers continue to study, implement best practices, and participate in other professional development opportunities. Each week Grade Level Data Team/PLC Meetings are held with the principal, assistant principal, literacy coach, and math coach to analyze data and to discuss the implementation of best practices based on data. With the results from the data analysis and targeted professional development, teachers can develop plans and tailor instruction to best meet students’ needs. Teachers also meet in the Professional Learning Teams (PLT) to create lesson plans and assessments. Some of these best practices implemented are STAR Time- a daily 30-minute intervention time for all students for reading and math; DreamBox, Waterford, IXL; Number Talks; Into Math-math curriculum; a math interventionist; Savvas-reading curriculum; a Balanced Literacy program; and a reading interventionist. Teachers in Grades K-3rd, Resource Teachers, Reading Interventionists, the Literacy Coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal participated in and completed the year-long LETRS (Language Essentials for the Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training for Volume 2; new staff members completed Volume 1 and will complete Volume 2 during the 2024-2025 school year.
In addition to academics, we emphasize social development for our students. Each month one STAR Student from each homeroom is selected for demonstrating one of the character words of the month. Students are also recognized every nine weeks for being the “Most Improved”. Students in Grades 3-5 receive weekly lessons from the school counselor on various topics based on the National School Counselor Standards. Each quarter students demonstrating "S.T.A.R. Behavior" participated in All-Star Parties. Fifth Grade girls were able to participate in G.E.M.M.A. (Girls Excelling and Making Many Achievements) and Fifth Grade boys were able to participate in B.O.S.S. (Boys Onward and Striving for Success); both organizations provided team-building activities as well as sessions on personal growth. Students in Grades 3-5 had class representatives as well as officers on Student Council.
Family events were held during each semester where we provided strategies parents could use at home. We also held our Summer Reading & Math Kick-off by allowing students to shop for books to read for the summer and to build their home libraries.
Teachers met with parents/guardians for conferences which included virtual conferences, phone conferences, or curbside conferences. Parenting and family engagement materials were replenished in the Parent & Family Engagement Resource Center. Families could also attend PTO and SIC/Title I Meetings in-person; the option to attend virtually was also provided each month. A newsletter was sent home and additional information is available via the school website, Facebook, and automated phone messages through Blackboard Messenger.
Robin K. Taylor, Principal Brandon K. Jacobs, Interim SIC Chair
