Our goal at Latta Elementary School is to help all students develop world class knowledge, world class skills, and life and career characteristics based on the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, in an effort to prepare all children to be college and career ready. Latta Elementary School provides the foundation to ensure that this goal is realized. Based on data from the 2022-23 school year, Latta Elementary School received an Excellent rating on the SC School Report Card. The excellent category ranges from 61-100, and the combined score of all areas was a 69 for our school. All teachers in grades K-3, special education teachers, and administrators are involved in LETRS training for the next year and a half. LETRS trains staff in the Science of Reading and research based instructional strategies. Through staff development and improved instructional strategies, we will continue to move forward.
Latta Elementary School is part of a state consortium for Pyramid implementation. The Pyramid Model is an approach for supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral development of young children. The goal of the Pyramid Model is to create a preschool environment where every child feels good about coming to school. This is accomplished by guiding classrooms to use practices that promote children’s engagement in learning and by building positive relationships with children, families, and staff. In our use of the Pyramid Model, classroom staff will work together to ensure that all children understand behavior expectations and receive instruction in critical social skills, such as understanding and recognizing emotions, friendship skills, and social problem solving. Classroom staff will also provide individual support to children who have social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. The program leadership team is responsible for guiding and monitoring the implementation of the Pyramid Model throughout our program. Our team is comprised of a program administrator, teachers, an individual who can provide coaching and support to teachers, an individual who serves as a behavior specialist, and family members who can bring perspectives of families in the program. We are currently in our second year of a five-year implementation plan.
The Montessori approach to learning is available to students to extend their abilities to think critically and problem solve. This multi-age learning approach is operational for all students, 4K – Gr. 3, and provides for complete student differentiation through individualized learning settings. Since subjects are fully integrated, content learning is layered, allowing for stronger and more meaningful content coverage. In addition, we have five grade four traditional classes. Both Montessori and fourth grade classes are focusing on problem based learning, real world applications, research, and independent learning.
Becoming a positive, contributing member of our school, community, country, and world is the operating basis of our student development. All of our students, along with participation from community supporters, have the opportunity to engage in projects and programs to improve our community such as our Happy Feet project sponsored by the Latta Rotary Club and Latta Elementary School. Our students and staff also assisted in outreach programs by providing food and clothing to local families in need.
Every classroom in our facility provides for both an indoor and outdoor learning space. Learning subject area content through the environment of classroom gardens has become a reality, and Latta Elementary School currently has 64 classroom gardens as well as an outdoor classroom. In addition, the outdoor Nature Play Park provides a positive, natural play environment that gives children the opportunity to exercise their brains and bodies. The district has also created the Viking Greenway Trail on the Latta Elementary School property, which is a 1.5 mile walking/nature trail accessible to all students and community members. An observation deck overlooking a natural pond and a Labyrinth were also added to enhance the instructional arena.
At Latta Elementary, the ELA and Math curriculum are both based on the South Carolina College and Career state standards and are now paced and measured in grades one through four by benchmark assessments. The grade 4 classes continue to use enVision by Savvas as the thinking approach to mathematics. Reading instruction is guided by a state supported Reading Coach where both learning to read and reading to learn strategies are supported and implemented. These include progress monitoring through the use of iReady and Fountas and Pinnell. Technology is available in our lab, all classrooms, and library with the media center serving as the research and instructional support hub. Chromebooks are provided to all students to assist and enhance instruction in the classroom and at home.
Our goal for this school year is to provide opportunities for parents to visit the school to observe in classrooms and participate in PTO and parent meetings. Musical and choral programs, Fall Festival, Bridging Ceremonies, Book Fairs, Parade of Nations, Dr. Seuss Parade and career activities are some of the events and activities added back to the schedule of events this year.
Latta Elementary School continues to strive to fulfill its mission of preparing children for the world of the future. Learning opportunities provided for our children in the context of real life will promote a community of lifelong learners and ensure a positive future for our children and our community.
