McDonald Elementary School strives to develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment where students are encouraged to soar to excellence. Through daily practice of Seagull character traits, students use critical thinking and problem solving skills to engage in rigorous paths of learning. Teachers facilitate effective individualized instruction that is research-based and aligned to the South Carolina College and Career-Ready standards. Centered in the McDonald community, our school strives to work collaboratively with parents, students, and the community to foster a positive, safe, and caring learning environment.
McDonald Elementary is diligent in our efforts to ensure that our teachers are supported as they work to create and deliver engaging student-centered lessons. Our teachers participate in professional development sessions focused on the most current research-based strategies including literacy rich classrooms (shared reading, interactive read-aloud, writer’s workshop, guided reading, independent reading, and word study), inquiry-based instruction, and student-centered learning. Teachers meet weekly in Professional Learning Teams to analyze data, unpack standards, and plan lessons. Instructional conferences are held regularly allowing teachers and the administrative staff opportunities to discuss student progress, best practices in education, and to plan for tiered intervention.
At McDonald Elementary, we realize the importance of supporting the whole child. Our guidance program offers individualized and group counseling as well as career awareness. We partner with Georgetown Mental Health to provide on-site support services. Our special area programs encourage students to explore their talents: our P.E. program promotes student health and fitness; our music program encourages students to build their imagination and intellectual curiosity; and our visual arts program encourages students to think creatively and improve their imaginative skills. Through partnerships with AmeriCorps and Teach My People, free mentoring and tutoring services are offered to students during the school day and after school.
Our business/community partners include: Georgetown Kraft Credit Union, Walmart, St. Christopher’s Children, Healthy Learners, Classy Smiles, Pizza Hut Book-It, Box Tops for Education, and Miss Ruby’s Kids. Community/Parent volunteers are involved in family curriculum nights, Book Fair, the Fire Safety Poster Contest, Career Day, Red Ribbon Week, Girl Scouts, and the YMCA. Charity associations are March of Dimes, United Way, Ronald McDonald House, American Heart Association (Jump Rope for Heart), Cancer Awareness, Relay for Life, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, A Father’s Place, food drives for local food banks and Helping Hands. Our PTO and community partners provide support for Success Day, courtyard improvements, and special events for teachers.
We are truly proud of our successes and continued commitment to improvement as we grow both as teachers and learners. Our safe learning environment epitomizes our passion to educate our students and help them SOAR to Excellence!
Mack J. Burgess, Principal
Dedric Bonds, School Improvement Council, President