Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by implementing a quality STEAM choice program in a positive and caring environment. We continued our school-wide implementation of Class Dojo as a part of our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Students earned points for meeting our SOAR expectations. These expectations emphasize being Safe, taking Ownership, being Accepting, and being Respectful in all areas of the school. We opened an online “Amazon-style” SOAR Store for students to order items using their Dojo points. The store was open monthly, and items were delivered to students’ classrooms.
Additionally, as a school, we continued our focus on supporting the social and emotional learning (SEL) needs of our students. Oakdale was among the Title I schools who participated in the district’s partnership with the Hayden Hurst Foundation Grant. Initially, only six teachers were piloting the implementation of the SEL curriculum, In Focus: Improving Social and Emotional Intelligence One Day at a Time by Tom McSheehy, which was provided by the grant. However, as a school, we decided to implement the curriculum across all grades based on the positive feedback from the teachers in the pilot program. Oakdale’s collaboration with the Hayden Hurst Foundation deepened throughout the year. Mr. McSheehy met with our staff to share background on SEL’s connection to brain research. Additionally, Standrick Rhodes, Oakdale’s Teacher of the Year and Rock Hill Schools' District Teacher of the Year, used the ABii Robot created by Van Robotics during classroom SEL instruction with his students. Our school counselor and her intern created the Oakie Connects SEL video series that was posted on our FaceBook page and other social media monthly starting in the spring.
The Oakdale SIC members reviewed the 2020-2021 School Renewal Plan and decided to increase families’ understanding of SEL and share practical strategies, which would strengthen the home-school connection. All families were provided parent access codes, so they could use the In Focus curriculum’s "At Home" activities. SEL topics were shared during the monthly SIC and PTO meetings, and an “SEL Segment” with tips was included in the Weekly Reminders email newsletter for families. The SIC and school staff also worked with Mr. McSheehy to design and offer a virtual family workshop titled “Oakie Connects: Social and Emotional Learning at Home.” One of our SIC parents took the initiative to raise funds to provide every family with an SEL emoji refrigerator magnet to support discussions as parent’s checked in with their children at home. Finally, the SIC created and administered a survey to help determine needs and next steps with SEL for the 2021-2022 school year.
Oakdale’s PTO remained active during the year, as well. They continued to meet virtually and plan various COVID-friendly fundraisers. They raised $1,875 through the Green Dragon Donors Club to support projects. For example, the PTO gave each grade level teacher a Wal-mart gift card to purchase recess equipment and class supplies.
Additional virtual family engagement sessions for the year included Fall into Reading, Breakfast with the Principal, Nifty Numbers, and Lunch and Learn. We also continued our Sunday Read Aloud program on Facebook featuring staff and community readers.
Our students' academic success is important at Oakdale. This year, 2021 MAP testing results indicated growth across all grade levels in math and reading. Our Dragon Time was used to provide enrichment and intervention for students, and five tutors were hired to support students during the school day. State funds were also used to provide after school tutoring for selected third grade students and summer school for selected rising second and third grade students. To create additional enthusiasm for reading, we implemented “100 Books Challenge.” All grade level classes had at least two celebrations. Due to COVID-related school closures, schools did not have report card ratings for the 2019-2020 school year.
We held our Annual STEAM Fair for 4K-5th grade students. We were very proud to have students who compete in Piedmont Region 3 Science Fair, and five of them placed. Other academic activities included student participation in the Kids’ Lab/You Be the Chemist event, a Virtual Career Fair featuring community members at their job locations, the launch of Oakdale’s YouTube Channel to feature school-created content, and the DNN Writers Club for student reporters. Their work was featured on our morning news program each week. We kicked off the summer with our STEAM Camp!
At Oakdale, we continued our involvement in the Winthrop University-School Partnership Network as a Partner School. Interns were placed in music and first, third, and fifth grade classes. Oakdale also participated in the ASPIRE grant with Winthrop University to provide intensive hands on experience for aspiring teachers.
Finally, all our students received Scholastic summer learning packets for math and reading, and Rock Hill Schools committed funds to allow all elementary students to select ten books of interest from Scholastic to add to their home libraries.
Although we continued to experience the effects of the pandemic, our staff, students, and families persevered. We are thankful for their continued support this school year. We are definitely stronger together! Watch us SOAR!
Mniokhi Sims-Brewton, SIC Chairperson
Denise Khaalid, Principal
