The 2020-2021 school year was very exciting for River Trail Elementary. We opened our brand new, beautiful school building in January 2021. Our staff developed our mission statement stating, “We will prepare all students with the skills and mindset to thrive and impact the world,” to coincide with the Fort Mill School District’s mission of putting Children First… Every Day. This year presented many challenges such as being split between two school buildings and keeping students and staff safe during a global pandemic. Teachers had to navigate the world of virtual teaching and learning and learn how to reach students through plexiglass barriers and face masks or shields. Our district worked tirelessly to ensure that students and staff were able to return to school safely and quickly during the crisis of COVID-19. Fort Mill School District offered two methods of attendance during the school year. Approximately one-third of our students elected to attend school virtually. We had one teacher per grade level who taught virtually. All teachers participated in extensive professional development to increase their knowledge of technology. Our staff was able to unite and bond through the unique circumstances that were presented. Classrooms became closer than ever by remaining in family models to protect students’ health. By the end of the year, the feeling of pride and togetherness was palpable when you walked through the front doors of our school.
Culture and relationship building was a huge focus for RTES this year. Students from kindergarten to 5th grade began their day by participating in a morning meeting intended to increase classroom community. We launched our online school news program that all students were able to engage with each day. We developed our Otter Code - “Work hard and take care of each Otter” to center our building around core values. The social-emotional wellbeing of students and staff was a critical area as we returned to learning from the pandemic. Teachers were given Otter-O-Meters for students to check-in with their feelings. Our guidance counselor ran small groups, individual counseling sessions, and whole class lessons.
Our Lead Teacher and Specialists launched our school’s Multi-Tiered Support System to target the needs of indicated students. They served the needs of our students by spending time working with small groups of students and pushing into classrooms. Throughout the course of the school year, teachers participated in professional development on professional learning communities, morning meetings, balanced literacy, independent reading, and creating a math culture.
Our school worked to lay the foundation of being a Professional Learning Communities by setting norms, identifying roles, beginning to set common summative assessments, and receiving professional development about PLCS. We are excited to continue this work next year.
Opening River Trail Elementary during a pandemic and delayed construction schedule was nothing short of an adventure. Our staff and students have become closer than imagined due to the challenges. We are so grateful to our amazing PTO and District Office for the support and encouragement. We are excited to continue our journey to thrive and impact the world.
Savannah Steger, Principal
