During the 2021-2022 school, we welcomed 339 new students due to the decommissioning of three elementary schools in our district. Our school grew from 270 students during the year of COVID and hybrid schedules to a bustling 570 students. What an exciting time it was as we learned about our new students and their families! We spent a great deal of time getting to know our students and working with students to address their social-emotional learning as well as their academic needs.
Our school also became a Title I school which afforded our students and school with different opportunities. We were able to host a winter and spring family night. Ten parent sessions were held on various topics to support students and parents. Additionally, various programs such as FastBridge, Words Their Way, and Reading A-Z were purchased to support students. Teachers participated in professional development opportunities, reading materials were purchased, as well as summer learning packets were used to support our students' continuous learning. We were also able to hold our Trojan Trendsetters Summer program for the second year.
Sunset Park experienced many successes during the school year. We received the 2021-2022 Van Robotics Lighthouse Award and the SC NSPRA Golden Achievement– Best in Show for 2021. We were fortunate to have the District Beginning Teacher of the Year 2020-2021 on our staff. One of our teachers was the recipient of 2022 Dr. Elizabeth Gressette Professional Development Scholarships. Sunset Park was awarded several Rock Hill Schools Education Foundation Grants. We also had a 5th grade student to become the 1st place winner for the district holiday card contest.
Our School Improvement Council (SIC) had several annual goals focused on parent engagement and school support that were accomplished throughout the year and continue to be addressed. The SIC developed a survey to gain feedback for continuous school improvement. In collaboration with school goals, the SIC worked to increase knowledge of high poverty, high performing schools, the use of acceleration materials for instruction, and diversity training. Members of the SIC met with our new Superintendent to share goals, achievements and concerns about our school. We worked to increase parent and community involvement through the beautification of our school campus. The SIC hosted annual beautification workdays for our outdoor classroom October 2021 and April 2022. The SIC wrote and was awarded a Keep York County Beautiful grant to purchase picnic tables and umbrellas for our outdoor classroom. The SIC served the school in various volunteering opportunities this year. In collaboration with the PTO, the SIC stocked the teacher’s lounge with snacks and drinks to show support to our teachers and staff in December 2021. In May, the SIC celebrated the successes of the year at SPCAS by volunteering at Field Day. The SIC will collaborate with the school to move towards becoming a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
We had a successful year of teaching and learning to support our students and our families. Our theme for the year was “Be the Change”…and we certainly had the opportunity to do just that!!!!
Dr. Nakia H. Barnes
Principal
Mr. Eric Johnson
SIC Chair
