Kenneth Gardner Elementary School is committed to helping all students develop World Class Skills of the South Carolina Graduate by providing our students with an innovative curriculum in a positive school environment, through maintaining high expectations for student learning and achievement, supporting our teachers, and establishing positive parent and community relationships. We are ensuring that our students are college and career ready by infusing researched-based best practices, skills, and strategies that promotes collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and leadership. Our faculty and staff members epitomize the talents and skills of 21st century educators, who are dedicated to increasing student achievement and developing well-rounded, lifelong learners and great leaders.
Although we faced challenges this school year as we navigated COVID-19 return to school protocols, student learning still remained a top priority. These challenges pushed our students and teachers beyond traditional classroom practices. Therefore, the challenges confirmed that we are resilient and committed to achieving our school-wide goals and objectives while addressing the academic, behavior, social and emotional needs of our students. We are proud of the resilience and efforts demonstrated towards success of our students and staff during this challenging school year.
During the 2021-2022 school year, our staff used data to facilitate informed decisions that drove instruction and implemented a more rigorous curriculum across the content areas. A multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) was implemented to provide targeted support for struggling students and to decrease behavioral issues. Weekly Professional Learning Communities (PLC), planning and cluster meetings were provided for our teachers and administrators. They participated in meaningful, ongoing data-driven, collaborative, and researched-based professional development for curriculum and assessment alignment, data analysis, lesson planning, special education, gifted instruction, student engagement and instructional delivery. Additionally, our students participated in school and community-based activities, clubs, sporting events and community service projects.
We believe in positive interactions among students, staff, parents and community members and have worked to create a climate that supports that belief. Students are recognized for attendance, improved grades, academic achievement and positive character. We are thankful for the support provided from our parents, community partners, local businesses, churches and civic organizations were instrumental in helping to provide incentives, services, and resources for our students and staff.
Kenneth Gardner Elementary School is committed to reaching our goals, and look forward to continued partnerships with our PTA, School Improvement Council, parents and community partners.
Working together to develop great leaders one student at a time, continues to be our mission.
Berlinda N. Mack, Principal
LeAndrea Montgomery, School Improvement Council Chairman
