Cherry Park Elementary School of Language Immersion is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe and secure environment, recruiting and retaining the best teachers, improving student achievement, fostering an effective school culture and communicating with all stakeholders. Our school family did a wonderful job of following all safety protocols to reduce the spread of COVID 19. Students and staff wore face masks. Classes were kept in cohorts and teachers switched between the groups. Desks were arranged to provide appropriate social distancing. Transitions were limited between classroom areas. Our cleaning staff worked hard to provide a safe environment for our children. Parents supported quarantine guidelines when a student was identified as a positive contact. Everyone kept each other healthy in order to maximize teaching and learning. Last year, we recruited so many great staff members. Kelly Watson led our Unique Pathways 3 class with assistants LaCrisha Pauling, Michaela Maloney and Lateasha Gause. In first grade, we hired Erika Griffin to teach our French students. Kelsey George joined our second grade French team as the English language arts teacher. Annette Tull was a new Spanish teacher in fourth grade. Mimi Goodner was a new English teacher for our fourth and fifth grade French students. Clydia Gullion and Tomas Urrestta teamed together for the first time as a new English and Spanish team in fifth grade. We were so blessed to have Blair Austin as a media specialist, Matthew Bratton as a music teacher and Trey Moore as an art teacher. We were so blessed to have Miranda Baskin begin with us as a school counselor. Emily Walker made a big difference in our students as an Academic Interventionist. Shyan Fortuna began the year as a new receptionist and Michelle Milslage was our new technology assistant. Carlotta Canteli transitioned to become a Spanish kindergarten assistant and Sonia Crandall became a floater assistant this year as well. Each of these teachers contributed in such important ways to our students. This year we completed the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence evaluation and we were awarded the Lighthouse School designation. This recognition was determined by our students’ high academic achievement and quality school learning environment. Based on input from parents, students and staff, we met the criteria for each of the following areas: Student Focus and Support, Active Teaching and Learning, Leadership and Educational Vitality, School Organization and Culture, Technology Integration, School/Family/Community Partnerships, Challenging Standards and Curriculum, Professional Community and Indicators of Success. (Each of these areas of focus is based on effective schools research.) One reason why we were so successful was because of the supportive and positive culture at Cherry Park. Throughout the course of the year, parents, businesses and the Parent Teacher Organization appreciated teachers by providing goodies and gifts. Their generosity, love and care were incredible sources of support for teachers. Staff members also encouraged each other daily and asked, "How are you doing?" and "How are you really doing?" Then they listened. They shared duties and responsibilities. They covered classes when needed. They understood the safety protocols and worked through them to keep themselves and others safe. They showed up every day and cared about children's hearts as much as what was in their heads. They chose to celebrate the small things. They danced and cheered and laughed with children despite masks and social distancing. They embodied the idea that "It is not about me." In addition, they communicated well with everyone. Our plans changed week to week and month to month. Staff members let the children know what to do when and kept parents informed. Emails and phone calls were abundant. Administration sent a weekly BobChat Newsletter. Teachers and parents navigated virtual conferencing and found it very beneficial. At Cherry Park Elementary, we are changing the lives of children so they can go and change the world. We are so proud of our students, parents, staff and school family for coming together this year to ensure that teaching and learning were meaningful and relevant despite difficult circumstances. We are grateful and humbled by all our school family who worked together to help our children succeed.
