Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by continuing our focus on substantial development of math and reading skills in kindergarten through second grade. The objective is to have all students enter third grade on grade level, ready to focus more on core content with a full depth of understanding than on basic reading and math skills.
Midway Elementary continued the RISE reading intervention program during the 2023-24 school year with a certified teacher and two paraprofessionals working with small groups of students to raise their reading skills to their corresponding grade levels, funded by federal Title One monies. Letterland phonics continued in kindergarten through third grade to boost students' foundational reading skills.
A full-time math paraprofessional met with small groups of students to enhance their understanding of mathematical principles. Some groups were pulled out of the classroom for math intervention, and some were assisted within the classroom.
Our school's Multi-Tiered Systems of Support team (MTSS) met monthly to monitor the needs of students performing below grade level. The team analyzed a variety of student assessment data and determined next steps for each learner as appropriate. Every student's progress was monitored either weekly or bi-weekly as necessary, and teaching strategies were refined to continually improve academic performance in relevant areas.
The school continued our yearly book fairs to pique student enjoyment of reading. In addition, the school library was updated again to remove outdated books and add new titles. Nonfiction books were replaced with newer ones that have current information presented in thought-provoking ways, and fiction books were replaced with titles of greater excitement to our learners.
Students continued to have access to 1:1 technology devices. Devices and wireless internet allowed students to read electronically and record their book titles digitally, utilize them in learning centers, and take academic assessments on them.
All 5K-fifth grade teachers received nine days of professional development in Project Read: Written Expression, a nationally recognized program for raising students' writing skills. The Project Read specialist also modeled use of the techniques while students were in classrooms so teachers could see it being taught to the students in an authentic environment. The program's implementation in classrooms had an immediate positive effect on students' writing.
Teachers also began professional development in LETRS, Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling. It is very intense training based on the science of reading, including how students learn to read and how teachers can assess and address every student's needs with specific strategies. As a requirement of the SC Department of Education, all teachers in South Carolina will be trained in LETRS.
The school year brought increased parent interaction within the school building, especially at the fall festival "trunk or treat" and the student performances. The faculty and staff look forward to even more parent involvement in the coming school year as we all work together to benefit our students academically, physically, socially, and emotionally.
Julie Strange, School Improvement Council Chair
Elizabeth Stehle, Principal
