Independence Elementary School is dedicated to the district’s goal of preparing modern learners, aligning closely with our school’s mission: We believe that nothing is more important than our children. We are fully committed to the social, emotional, and academic growth of every student. Our school fosters a safe, challenging, caring, and supportive environment where teachers, parents, students, and community members collaborate to ensure all Independence students build a solid foundation for life. We strive to make learning experiences at Independence both fun and engaging, while holding everyone accountable for reaching their highest potential.
This year, we continued to highlight student leadership by providing numerous opportunities for growth. To further support student achievement, we expanded our staff to include Interventionists and district internal substitute teachers. Additionally, we offered professional development opportunities such as Leader In Me and LLI Training.
To support our parents and families, we hosted several events through our Lighthouse Family Engagement team, including our monthly Seven Habits ceremonies, which provided valuable opportunities for families to connect with the school community. Our network of volunteers and partnerships has grown significantly, with local churches such as Catawba Baptist, First Baptist, Friendship Methodist, and Harvest Ministries serving as sponsors and providing various donations to our school.
We believe in the power of collaboration with our district colleagues to enhance teaching and learning. Rock Hill High School students volunteered in various capacities to mentor and tutor our students, while Northwestern High School football players read to classes throughout the year. We also partner with Winthrop University, hosting many aspiring teachers in our classrooms. Several of our teacher leaders were selected to lead breakout sessions at the district’s PLC Conference, further supporting professional learning.
Our students are given numerous opportunities to develop their leadership skills through participation in clubs and organizations throughout the year. These include Girls and Pearls, Basketball and Bowties, The Junior Lighthouse Team, Patriots Council, Beta Club, Girls on the Run, Let Me Run, Chess Club, Recycling Club, and Safety Patrol. Additionally, our students excelled in competitive academic activities, such as the Oratorical Contest. Notably, one of our fifth-grade students and one fourth-grade student represented our school and district in the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee.
As we look forward to the 2024-2025 school year, we are excited to continue our Leader in Me journey. We will work closely with stakeholders to build on the successes we have experienced this year.
Jamie Austin, SIC Chairperson
Kimberly Odom, Principal
