Carolina Springs Elementary School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by creating positive relationships, and providing engaging classroom learning experiences where students are able to think critically, and solve problems collaboratively and creatively. As a Responsive Classroom school, CSES has placed an emphasis on providing students with the opportunity to have daily social-emotional learning activities through a morning meeting and closing circle, where communication between students as well as the teacher and students is fundamental.
A new sense of “normal” entered our building this year, which gave our faculty and staff the opportunity to use the new skills they gained from the pandemic and provided them the opportunity to take more educational risks to meet the needs of ALL of our learners. Our students were resilient in their quest for knowledge as they overcame the challenges of being face to face, and virtual learners in the previous school year.
The Responsive Classroom approach provided much-needed social-emotional support to students and staff after the disruptions to the last few school years. Every classroom teacher began their day with a morning meeting and ended their day with a closing circle. These student-centered activities create strong bonds among classmates and the classroom teacher. Having many new staff members this school year and being provided with the opportunity to get back to face-to-face meetings provided the staff with more collaboration and gatherings across the school. This time was essential for us to grow as a school family in our actions with each other, then provide meaningful experiences for children.
New to Title I last year, CSES benefited from the work of staff developers from Teachers College and the expertise provided in the areas of reading and writing. The ten days of hands-on learning with the staff developers were impactful for our students and staff. Using Title I funds, we have been very fortunate to provide students with books of their choice through a free book fair. This not only provided families with books to have in their homes, but also smiles on students’ faces as they were able to pick “just right” books of their choice.
CSES families continued to support the school through the Boosterthon fundraiser where we raised very close to another record. This annual weeklong event provided our students and staff some “normalcy'' as the students participated in a Fun Run at the beginning of the school year, a highlight for many students and staff for the year. We were very fortunate to also host our annual Variety Show featuring more than 20 student acts displaying their talents on our stage and in front of a live audience. The PTO-sponsored Daddy Daughter Dance and Mother Son Glow Mini Golf event were also special times for families and provided much-needed time for parents to get back into our building.
Other family engagement activities that were great opportunities for families included Curriculum nights and Husky University. STEM Night in particular was a favorite among our families!
The past few school years have taught us many valuable lessons, and we are encouraged by the student learning that happened despite the barrier the pandemic imposed. The 2022–2023 school year was a year for growth as “It’s Grow Time” was our central theme. Growth among staff and students was evident during the year. We cannot wait to use our Super Powers as we rally around a Husky Heroes theme for 2023–2024.
Todd C. Brown, Principal
Brian Rhodes, SIC Chair
