Barnwell Primary School is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the Graduate. We do this by empowering children to achieve their fullest potential through challenging and diverse educational opportunities in a safe, student-centered environment that prepares them to be lifelong learners and active, productive members of our community.
We utilize the data from our school’s state testing results, running records, classroom assessments and quarterly benchmark data. We are able to effectively examine our instructional strategies, assessments, and programs. In analyzing this data, it enables us to provide individual instruction in the classroom and differentiate instruction for each student.
Barnwell Primary School implements several programs to meet the educational needs of our students.
- The Response to Intervention (RTI) program continues to meet the needs of students who need additional support that are not performing on grade-level.
- The Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Reading Assessment System, analysis of benchmark testing data, and iStation reports are used to monitor and assess students’ growth.
- The additional use of Raz-Kids, a computer-based program, provides an additional reading comprehension analysis tool.
- An additional program that is provided to our students is through Save the Children (STC). This grant allows us to provide additional reading support for 100 students during the school day. Students are pulled out to work with the STC educators and receive support through small-group and direct instruction.
- The D.I.G. After School program held at our school, offers students the opportunity to receive additional academic support. This program provides activities that will enrich the student academically, focusing on STEM activities.
Following each benchmark testing session, the administrative team, teachers and reading coach conduct grade level data meetings. During this collaboration, individual student data such as benchmark scores, classroom common assessment scores, behavior, and attendance are analyzed. The team develops and/or adjusts student intervention plans to meet the needs of each student academically, socially and behaviorally. Any student that is in need of intensive reading intervention participates in the Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) group. This program provides daily intensive small-group instruction within the classroom using systematically designed lessons. LLI is offered in addition to regular classroom reading instruction.
Mrs. Aerial Baxley, a first grade teacher, was selected as Barnwell Primary School’s Teacher of the Year. Our teachers have been awarded numerous grants this school year to purchase items for student use. All teachers have participated in professional development courses, college courses and/or individual research projects to increase their educational knowledge base.
Due to the pandemic, we had to become creative with our parent meetings and family events. Our students, parents and staff became highly effective with the use of Google Classroom and Google Meet. We were able to meet with our parents to discuss their child’s academic progress and share special moments like Award’s Day and classroom performances. During the school year we sent home family fun boxes for all families to share fun, educational activities. These activities were supported with easily accessible videos to support the learning process.
At Barnwell Primary School, we strive to provide all students with a high-quality education in a positive learning environment that embraces academics, the arts, and physical development to enrich the whole child.
Donna Selvey, Principal
Emily Coble, School Improvement Council Chair