Our school is helping all students develop the world-class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by being committed to ensuring our students are successful in both their academic and social endeavors. Varennes Elementary School is a Title One School that serves students in grades 3-5. Our main goal is to increase student achievement by helping students develop critical thinking skills to reach their maximum potential. Our staff is committed to ensuring that each of our students receives the quality education they deserve.
To further ensure our students are receiving appropriate instruction, teachers at every grade level engage in collaborative planning sessions weekly to ensure they are utilizing best practice strategies to instruct students. Teachers and administrators continuously seek new and effective strategies in areas including structured literacy, guided math, blended learning and integration across all subject areas.
This past school year, several initiatives were implemented and continued to improve instruction, student recognition, and family networking:
- All educators were trained and provided materials for the research-based social-emotional learning program, (PATHS) Promoting-Alternative-Thinking-Strategies.
- The school’s Reading Coach facilitated ongoing professional development in the area of depth of knowledge questioning with all teachers as well as facilitated PD for teachers around our new reading curriculum, HMH Into Reading.
- Students received intervention assistance through pull-out in the RISE Program.
- All students received a copy of Stell Diaz Has Something to Say and participated in our “Family Book Club.” The children read the book at home with their parents and were rewarded for their efforts. To celebrate, the students completed activities centered around the book and Hispanic culture.
- Outstanding student behavior was recognized through our PBIS Ram Celebrations. Students were able to participate in classroom, grade level, and school-wide events. If students had outstanding behavior for the nine weeks, they could participate in our school-wide fall carnival, Anderson University basketball game, inflatable day, and more!
Communication and technology remain a distinctive part of our district culture as well as our school culture. Our entire school is 1:1 in our use of Chromebook devices. Due to our variety of technology, our teachers work diligently to incorporate it into instruction in meaningful ways. Students use technology to communicate by creating informational videos, collaborating through Google Docs, Classroom, and Meets. Teachers also engage in frequent professional development that encourages technology use in the classroom as well as best practice strategies in literacy and mathematics.
Through the efforts of all stakeholders, Varennes Elementary will continue its quest to "grow to greatness.". We know the future holds unlimited possibilities for our school. As a school community, we will continue to make continuous efforts to help our staff and students grow to reach their maximum potential.
