Forts Pond Elementary School is helping each student develop the world-class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a rigorous and engaging curriculum and nurturing learning environment that focuses on leadership and the development of self-directed learners. FPES’s motto, “Fulfill the Potential of Every Student,” is the foundation for both school culture and learning environment. As a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, our goals focused on reading and writing proficiency, mathematics fluency and leadership development. A highlight of this school year was putting our district and school strategic plan into action. Through our school’s Title I Planning Committee meetings, surveys and data, all of our stakeholders had an opportunity to identify our areas of strength and areas for improvement. The success of our strategic plan requires the support of the local community, an active PTO, an involved School Improvement Council, a committed Leader in Me Parent Lighthouse Team and dedicated students. We are privileged to have each one as part of our FPES community. This collaborative work allowed us to refocus our work to make FPES a stronger learning environment for all students.

FPES works diligently to ensure students, regardless of their circumstances, advance on time, are prepared to graduate and ready to enter college, the military or industry with certification. A system of advocacy has been designed for each student in order to create a focused effort on developing the potential of each student, while building a foundation for exemplifying a competent 21st-century graduate who is prepared for college and career. We empower each student to design their own future through their ability to lead and learn.

Our students are developing their abilities to know how to learn and what to do if they are not learning. As a school, we set schoolwide goals in writing and math proficiency. In order to achieve schoolwide goals, each grade level, each class and each individual worked to achieve these goals. Students set individual goals in writing and math, tracked these goals for progress and celebrated when they met their goals. Students also learned setting and persevering through challenging goals increased their learning.

Rigorous standards are taught in language arts through Units of Study — Reading and Writing. Teachers had a unique opportunity to work with staff developers from the University of Columbia’s Reading and Writing project for the second year. This work proves to be essential in providing students with rigorous learning opportunities. This year a new math curriculum was implemented. Ready Math curriculum focuses on learning through problem-solving and student-to-student conversations about mathematical thinking. Our blended learning model across all subject areas allows us to use differentiated instruction that provides opportunities for critical thinking, problem-solving and collaborating, while providing rigorous learning for all students. This instructional model allows all students to receive individual instruction and learning experiences that use a combination of digital learning, small-group instruction and collaboration to engage students as they achieve excellence in learning.

FPES is a Leader in Me Lighthouse Schools across the globe. Leader in Me is a whole-school transformation model that equips students with the self-confidence and skills needed to develop the life and career characteristics of the 21st-century South Carolina Graduate. While developing leadership skills, we are also developing citizenship skills. Our students strive to be leaders by serving in schoolwide roles and leading community service projects to make a difference in the world. These projects include Relay For Life, Jump Rope For Heart, Pawmetto Lifeline pet supply drive, Thanksgiving food drive and Crayola recycling.

We believe all students have the potential to be great leaders and it is our job to help each one develop effective leadership skills and find their own greatness. Every child’s development in elementary school creates a strong foundation for future academic abilities, leading to college and career readiness, engaged citizenship and lifelong learning. At FPES, we are committed to developing academic, leadership and power skills to build a strong foundation for every child.

FPES’s vision is for all students to become self-directed, collaborative, creative and caring learners who flourish in the global, competitive 21st century. FPES strives to inspire and prepare all students to become productive and successful leaders who excel in all areas of the profile of a South Carolina Graduate. We are very proud of our Mighty Mallards and, as a team, will continue to push all students to achieve personal greatness.

This year brought many challenges to our school community. FPES sends a sincere message of appreciation to our students, staff and families. Their patience and ability to adapt to whatever challenges came our way brought us together to serve our students in ways that will set the bar high for many years to come.

Michelle Smith, Principal
Jimmy Wren, SIC Chair