Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduates by creating a safe, caring, and academically challenging learning environment. Our school's mission is to be a safe place where young leaders achieve their personal best and impact the world. A team of teachers and administrators collectively developed our mission to reflect our beliefs. It serves as a compass for all decisions.
To achieve our mission this year, we had to ensure all students are challenged with best practices to reach their full potential and depart with a definite sense of self, love of learning, and skills necessary to continue their life-long development. Our teachers were able to make this happen in various ways. One way our teachers provide the best education is to work in Professional Learning Communities. Teachers narrow their focus to essential standards and concentrate on best delivering this instruction. Through this collaboration, teachers set goals for their students, reflect on data, share strategies, and then plan to ensure all students attain the content. Another way teachers assist in achieving our mission if by working daily being daily with our literacy coach. As they continue to develop their skills in teaching Lucy Caulkins Units of Study in Reading, Writing, and Phonics, this luxury affords teachers to plan, collaborate, and reflect on their craft with meaningful feedback from the literacy coach. Focusing on this sound instruction paves the way for high student success.
The administration, faculty, staff members, parents and students establish and support all instructional goals. There is an integration of skill proficiencies and expectations among all disciplines in the curriculum. Our teachers seek to learn new and effective strategies to use in the classroom. A few examples are the Read to Succeed statewide implementation and requirements, small group guided reading, school-wide reading time, STEM, math, reading interventionists, WIN time for reading reinforcement, and digital innovation. Concerning technology, our students are armed with 1 to 1 iPads in grades K5-5. With these iPads, students can access various academic programs such as Reflex, Lalilo, Freckle, Reading Horizons, Imagine Learning, Seesaw, and Google Classroom, to name a few. Finally, collaboration and teamwork accelerate problem-solving. We have opportunities for students to explore this avenue with competitions with our Lego League, Fitness Olympics, and Battle of the Books. We are proud of our strong history of academic success.
At times our students need specialized support. Our teachers and school counselor are concerned with all students' mental well-being. Special attention is given to classroom incorporation of picture books with positive character traits, and guidance sessions are held with the school counselor for particular issues. Our school boasts a sensory room available to any student who may need it. Furthermore, we have an effective and efficient MTSS team in place. Student needs (behavioral or academic) are addressed, and plans are developed to assist the child with the necessary support.
The educational experiences blend and balance children's creative, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. At Palmetto Elementary, we have various programs that focus on the whole child's development. For example, our music department includes Palmetto Singers in performances, the Recorder Choir, a piano lab, yearly talent shows, and weekly strings instruction. In addition, teachers are currently being trained in The Leader in Me model to cultivate community, citizenship, and leadership in the school. Other leadership opportunities include Student Council and Beta Club. Our school has a robust PTO with parental and teacher support. The PTO plans many events throughout the year along with a successful fundraiser for the school. Students are also offered membership to the Lego League, Good News Club, and the Garden Club.
Palmetto Elementary also collaborated with local churches to provide food for numerous needy students and houses a clothing closet for children. Our district partners with Clemson University with an afterschool program called GoalPOST. A grant from 21st Century Community Learning Centers funds the program. Students in grades 3-5 are allowed academic enrichment and recreational activities. Finally, students with exceptional behavior and character are highlighted quarterly and receive the Mighty Mustang Award.
Palmetto Elementary believes that all children thrive when held to high expectations and have fair learning opportunities that satisfy their individual needs. Children are unique and can achieve their fullest potential in various challenging educational experiences. Thank you for all of your support in helping in the development of our future South Carolina graduates and world leaders!
Michelle Coleman, School Improvement Council Chair
Amy Cothran, Principal
