Jackson Creek Elementary is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing learning opportunities designed to help students achieve creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem-solving, collaboration and teamwork, communication, information, media, and technology, and knowing how to learn through curriculum, character development, and an instructional framework focused on student learning.
At Jackson Creek Elementary, we work collaboratively and innovatively to ensure our students receive quality education academically, emotionally, and socially. We were fortunate to have the Midlands Reading Consortium to support our third-grade students. They read and worked with some of our students who needed the extra support each week.
Our reading coaches and technology support person helped our teachers create hands-on lessons for students to explore and develop their creativity and innovation. Students had access to one-to-one devices that allowed them to work both at home and at school. In many ways, our former eLearning experiences exemplified the importance of 21st-century learning skills. The need to communicate and collaborate brought about creative engagements and opportunities that drew on technology in new ways that we continue to use to date. Parents have access to technology platforms that can be accessed from home to continue learning at home.
Our Media Specialist collaborates with teachers throughout the building to create lessons for our students that allow them to interact with technology and media. Our media specialist is available to work with all grade-level teachers and/or students and can work with classes beyond assisting with utilizing our one-to-one devices, but also model ways to use new technology provided by the district and how to create projects and presentations in new and creative ways to further engage the students. Our students conduct the JCE News Show, working in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes- yet another way to empower our students to be leaders.
This year, we started our first student council, giving students a voice in our school’s improvement. Students learned how to run for office and present themselves to their peers. They created posters and platforms, and our student body voted for president, vice president, secretary, and both 5th and 4th-grade representatives. We look forward to developing and enhancing this organization in the future.
As part of our character development at Jackson Creek Elementary, we utilize the 7Mindsets curriculum, which reinforces communication, teamwork, and problem-solving beyond the areas of academics. We understand these skills are critical outside of the classroom for students to develop World Class Skills as a South Carolina Graduate. This model looks at the whole child and develops their profile as a critical thinker and problem solver, collaborator, and communicator in and outside of the classroom. We also engaged in Conscious Discipline professional learning. Conscious Discipline provided understanding of the Brain States and how adults' understanding of them can help to reduce behavioral issues in the classroom.
In addition to the opportunities throughout the school day this year, our school was able to offer opportunities beyond the school day through our 21st Century program, as well as events that provide our students and families opportunities to learn more about each other and the curriculum - building both relational capacity as well as a better understanding of how we are teaching and learning at Jackson Creek. Some of those events included: Open House, Literacy Night, Literacy Cafe’, Math Night, and Night of the Arts. We ventured out into the communities of our Spanish-speaking families, bringing information regarding flu vaccines, literacy development, and technology use. We held our 4th annual Creekfest where students and families gathered together at JCE for Food and Fun- all proceeds went to our school store for incentives for our scholars. Scholars earn Creek Cash for demonstrating the 7 Mindsets and following the Jackson Creek Way (Be responsible for your learning, Respect all People and Property, Behave appropriately at all times and in all places, and Solve Problems Peacefully). They can shop in our Creek Store with their well-earned Creek Cash.
We offered extended learning opportunities in after-school clubs. We offered the Makers-Gonna-Make STEM club, where students were involved in STEM and maker-space activities. Our Spanish Literacy Afterschool Club immersed students in both English and Spanish literacy engagements, and our Reader’s Theater Afterschool Club provided students with an opportunity to create and recite poetry and act out improvisational skits they wrote. These after-school club opportunities provided students with an opportunity to explore their many talents. All three clubs offered a parent event where parents were able to view performances or activities carried out by these clubs.
We have built strong relationships with our community, as evidenced by our partnership with the University of South Carolina and the student teachers who are placed at our school. Additionally, USC professors teach courses on the Jackson Creek campus, allowing one-to-one opportunities for both college students and Jackson Creek students. This reciprocity allows us to impact the future of teaching as well as provide additional educational support to our students through college reading and writing buddies. Community members volunteer or visit Jackson Creek as readers through events such as our African American Read-In, Women Read-In, and college and career day events. Our Career Fair brought in a variety of community people who shared their careers with our students. This whole-day event was one of the highlights of the school year. We are fortunate to be supported by our faith-based community, as both Shandon Baptist Church and Trenholm Road Baptist Church support our students and teachers throughout the year.
Jackson Creek is committed to our district’s mission of creating an environment where students feel connected, engaged, and supported so that they experience academic and personal achievement. We do this by holding high expectations and standards for student learning. Teachers participate in sustained year-long professional development in all areas and translate this knowledge into meaningful learning engagements that honor students' lived experiences and help them navigate the academic and social world. Several of our Jackson Creek Elementary teachers have been featured in many publications - books and articles- and have presented locally and nationally, sharing their work and success working with students and families.
We believe our students are college and career-bound and employ an AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination- framework to provide the necessary structures to ensure our students' academic achievement. Through the use of WICORized lessons (writing to learn, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to learn), we provide students with systematic instruction on how to engage in an academic setting using 21st-century skills. Teachers are provided with AVID training throughout the school year and during the summer. We are an AVID Certified School!
Our school is making its mark by providing a world-class education for our students. Our mission is to connect hearts and minds to reach the highest level of student achievement. Everything we do is designed to ensure that students develop socially, emotionally, and academically, and we recognize the importance of all our stakeholders in that effort.
We extend an open invitation to all who would like to visit or volunteer at Jackson Creek Elementary- Home of the Investigators!
Sabina Mosso-Taylor, Principal
Ashley Allen, SIC Chair
