Blacksburg Elementary School is committed to preparing students wilth College and Career Readiness skills through a school-wide AVID program, and providing students with a learning environment that meets their unique physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs. The staff of BES is committed to the belief that all students can experience success, and we strive for this in the areas of academics, citizenship, service and the arts. BES offers opportunities to students through classroom instructional time along with enrichment activities that include National Junior Beta Club, Student Council, SEL/Character Education, Robotics Team, and the Boys and Girls Club afterschool program.
To ensure that we remain current as educators, staff members participate in various learning opportunities throughout the year to help better prepare them for the ever-changing needs of their students. A staff focus on state standards, differentiation, student engagement, rigor, data analysis, and AVID strategies occurred throughout the year. The Profile of the South Carolina Graduate guides us in our endeavors to cultivate students that can be successful. Technology has played a vital role in the ability to differentiate instruction, support colloboration and inquiry, and implement eLearning to deliver instruction remotely as needed. Teachers have remained current on technology use through staff development opportunities provided by a district technology instructor. All of our teachers are highly qualified with current South Carolina certification.
Our theme for the upcoming school year will be "Exlpore and Transform" . Our goal this year was to increase Student Engagement and Organization. This summer staff members will participate in AVID training, which will ensure that 100% of certified staff have been AVID trained. Students have participated in Community Service Learning projects that help others as they have gathered items and monies that are donated to Relay for Life, Jump Rope for Heart, Iron City Ministries, Cherokee County Humane Society, and summer feeding program.
We will vary our parent opportunities for involvement in hopes to reach more students families. TWe would like to host parent workshops in the future centered around technology integration and SEL. We understand that families have struggled with understanding the basic tech skills to help their students at home if they need support and assistance. BES strongly encourages all parents to join and participate in not only in school sponsored activities, but in giving feedback in school decision making to ensure that we have active lines of communication between home and school. Our staff development this year will be focused on Student Conferencing, Literacy, Analyzing Data, SEL, and Growth Mindset. We will continue to look at ways to offer school enrichment activities for students during and after school hours that reach the whole child and encourage a deepened interest at being a life-long learning.
Shelton Clinton
