Sanders-Clyde Elementary is a Title I School with a poverty index of over 95%. Sanders-Clyde serves three public housing developments located on the eastside of the city where families face many challenges on a regular basis. Our goal is to provide the tools and support systems needed to develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate for all of our scholars. With an emphasis on the SC College and Career Readiness Standards, we place a huge part of our efforts into literacy to ensure all scholars are reading on grade level by the end of fifth grade. To effectively meet this goal, incorporating culturally responsive, literacy-based experiences with a focus on integrating the Arts across the curriculum, provides opportunities for our young scholars to engage and grow in so many ways. To support our efforts in Literacy, K-3 teachers participate in professional development such as LETRS to better understand the science of teaching reading. The Mastery Teaching Model, which includes Explicit Direct Instruction is important as young teachers must know how to effectively deliver quality instruction. In addition, professional development sessions include rigorous instruction using Webb’s Depth of Knowledge, implementing the Arts across the curriculum, and utilizing data to inform instruction.
High student engagement is the key. Integrating listening, speaking, reading, writing, and math skills in meaningful ways enhance the multiple intelligences that are dormant in our scholars due to the lack of equity and access. Through intentional staffing and planning, specialized teachers reinforce SC standards and content through an arts-integrated approach. The goal is to highly engage our scholars in ways that tap into their natural talents to reinforce academic and social skills.
Thinking more critically is needed to increase students’ understanding of how to successfully access resources and problem solve in today’s society. To increase students’ ability to do this, family and community support is critical. We will continue our collaboration with our stakeholders to provide the wrap around services needed to sustain the progress of our scholars and their families. “Practice Makes Permanent” is our mantra until every scholar succeeds. Together, we must continue to ensure that students remain the ‘heart of our work’.
Janice Malone, Principal
Ardmease Cunningham, SIC Chair
