Sanders-Clyde Creative Arts Elementary School, a neighborhood Title I School with a 94.7% poverty rate, strives to provide the tools and support systems needed to develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate for all of our scholars. An emphasis on the SC College and Career Readiness Standards allows us to more definitively meet the needs of our scholars through a laser-like focus on integrating the Arts and experiences that are culturally relevant and provide opportunities to engage more rigorously at higher levels. All staff actively participate in professional development needed to ensure success such as Explicit Direct Instruction, differentiation, and data-based planning with the inclusion of technology.
It has been a challenging year due to Covid-19. Several steps were taken to minimize disruptions and student learning such as reduced class sizes, installation of Plexiglas in every classroom, and minimal movement of students. Regularly scheduled automated phone calls were conducted to inform parents of updates and other protocols. To mitigate learning loss issues, the school provided targeted interventions utilizing support staff and curriculum materials focused on accelerating learning.
Creativity is a skill that we will continue to develop and nurture in the coming years. High student engagement in various art forms that integrate listening, speaking, reading, writing, and math skills are used to enhance the multiple intelligences that are dormant in our scholars due to the lack of equity and access. Through intentional staffing and planning, specialized teachers reinforce SC standards and content through an arts-integrated approach. The goal is to highly engage our scholars in ways that tap into their natural talents to reinforce academic and social skills.
Critical Thinking is needed in order to increase students’ understanding of how to successfully solve problems in today’s world. Our students are challenged with best practices in Literacy, Mathematical Thinking, research-based digital content, and interdisciplinary units of study to promote text to world connections in order to become independent thinkers and global citizens. “Practice Makes Permanent” is our mantra until every scholar succeeds. Together, we must continue to ensure that “Students are the heart of our work.”
Janice Malone, Principal
Danielle Daniels, SIC Chair
