Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by focusing on critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Planning meetings were held to support the implementation of the 2024 SC College- and Career- Ready Standards. Instructional staff members successfully completed LETRS training. Uninterrupted reading instructional blocks were built into schedules, which included Science of Reading components and strategies. Teachers provided numerous reading experiences for students to improve fluency and comprehension, guided problem-solving activities that involved real-life situations, and utilized Promethea Boards and electronic tablets to enhance lessons and to motivate students through active engagement. Early Intervention Support Services (K-3) were provided via use of i-Ready and Amira technologies during classroom instructional small groups, which targeted reading and math assistance based upon data sources. DreamBox was utilized to support and enhance students' problem-solving skills in mathematics.
Parents were offered learning opportunities regarding technology use in the school and educational sites/resources to utilize in the home, the use of federal programs to improve academic achievement, promotion of reading engagement and problem-solving strategies, and positive behavior and intervention supports. Parents were invited to participate throughout the school year in events such as School Improvement Council, Parent Surveys, Parent Conferences, Title I Meetings, Awards Recognition, Book Character Parade, Read Across America, Red Ribbon Week, Student Performances, Field Day, and fundraisers. School and classroom newsletters were published to inform parents and community members of students' learning, school activities, character education life skills, positive behavior recognition, and students' creative writings.
Certified staff members earned professional development technology hours and participated in professional development trainings such as Science of Reading, My IGDI's, Amira, Dot It, LetterLand, MTSS and data-based decision making, DreamBox, i-Ready, Instructional Small Groups, Crisis Management, Restorative Practices, and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.
Community involvement activities and partnership supports included Save the Children, Love Feeds, Community Readers, Read Across America, Red Ribbon Week, Pee Dee Baptist Association Community Missions, Junior Charity League, Dillon Police Department Family Christmas Adoption, Dillon Rotary Club Shoe Program, Dillon Fire Department Fire Prevention, Dillon County Sheriff Department Boys to Men/Girls with Purpose, Dillon Smiles Student Dental Transport, Health Learners Student Physical/Emotional Transport, CareSouth Telehealth Services, and Kiwanis Terrific Kid Quarterly Awards.
Our mission is to offer authentic learning environments that will develop our students' abilities to critically approach their world and learn to connect, collaborate, create, and communicate their ideas, by instilling 21st Century skills and inspiring lifelong learning in every student.
Stewart Heights Elementary School
Jan Powers-Penuel, Principal
Melissa Rowell, SIC Chairperson
Candace Bohachic, Title I Facilitator
