New Providence Elementary School is helping all students develop the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by creating a safe, nurturing, high-performance learning, family-oriented, culture of excellence. Our students acquire 21st-century learning experiences in the arts, academics, leadership and global citizenship. Through the efforts of our highly qualified and dedicated staff, our 14-year history of academic excellence is well-established. Our parents have continued to fully support all of our school’s academic and social-emotional needs by participating in fundraisers and events which strengthen the home-school connection. As a team, we have embraced and exemplified the four pillars of our school’s new vision statement: “Be Kind, Be Confident, Be Respectful, Work Hard!”
English language arts is taught to all students through the continued implementation and refinement of Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study, and using the reading and writing workshop model in kindergarten through fifth grade along with phonics in kindergarten through second grade. These units of study ensure vertical alignment and increased rigor as teachers work together to examine student work, reflect on teaching practices and analyze assessment data in order to adjust instructional priorities in their classrooms. Teachers work collaboratively with support staff members and administration to develop personalized instructional strategies and interventions to address individual learning needs. All kindergarten through fifth grade teachers completed Student Learning Objectives in the area of writing to look closely at student data and set student growth targets. We have also continued the implementation of the math workshop model to meet the various needs of our children in mathematics.
Life and career characteristics are exemplified at NPE through a focus on the Lexington District One power skills and integration LIFELONG GUIDELINES and LIFESKILLS. Our staff fosters discussions, and models and celebrates character traits such as humor, common sense, perseverance and organization through this leadership model. We have also continued a weekly Character Compass challenge, giving classes opportunities to earn badges for demonstrating good character and the opportunity for children to earn rewards for demonstrating the weekly trait studied. Life and career characteristics are also taught through lessons provided by our school counselors. Four times during the year, Lion Leadership Rallies were held and children in each homeroom were recognized (with specific examples) for demonstrating the four pillars of our vision. Homeroom teachers also scheduled 20 minutes each morning for focused social-emotional learning time in the form of a morning meeting.
Each year, students at NPE have many opportunities to be leaders in our school and local community. Students had multiple opportunities to give back to the community by participating in fundraisers and service-learning projects such as Linking Lexington (Cancer of Many Colors), Relay For Life and Kozy for a Kause winter clothing and blanket drive.
Beyond building a strong academic foundation and developing student leaders, we provide students with advanced technology instruction. NPE is designated as a computer science immersion school where students have the opportunity to learn and apply the fundamentals of computer coding. Through coding programs, students develop critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration skills. Students have a unique avenue to apply problem-solving, team-building and presentation skills as they collaborate and share their thinking process with peers. This spring, we held a very successful classroom showcase that highlighted the accomplishments of our kindergarten through fifth grade students. Projects showcased multiple projects using Scratch, Minecraft, LEGO robots and much more.
Through the incredible support of our PTA, SIC, parents and community, NPE continues to develop students who will be successful future leaders through a continuous focus on collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking. We are proud of what we have accomplished during this challenging school year, and are excited about the upcoming school year and all that we will accomplish together.
Robert Candillo, Principal
Allison McCutchen, SIC Chair
