Whittaker Elementary School, in partnership with the parents and community of Orangeburg County School District, is dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing environment conducive to learning for all of our students. Through the application of standards-based, data-informed instruction, students will achieve the South Carolina State Standards through opportunities to develop independent learning skills, creative problem-solving strategies, and a sense of responsibility while respecting the diversity of others.
Whittaker Elementary School is a Pre-kindergarten-fifth grade school campus with approximately 400 students located within the rural sector of Orangeburg County. Our school vision, "Impacting the future…One student at Time," can be seen daily as our teachers collaborate in Professional Learning Communities, work together to plan lessons, review data to identify the needs of our students, and utilize best instructional practices to optimize student learning outcomes. The school has implemented a daily intervention period at each grade level, as well built in a system of progress monitoring to meet the needs of the students that we serve. This intervention allows all students to receive data-driven assistance daily, during the school day. Through the use of the district’s diagnostic screener, iReady, students and teachers are able to dive into learning that is based on the needs of each individual student.
Through the use of our district identified curriculum, Wit & Wisdom, coupled with Waterford for our Pre-K thru second graders, our students are encouraged and taught to wonder, develop reading strategies, and progress into strong writers.
In the area of mathematics, our curriculum, Eureka Math is delivered during an uninterrupted 90-minutes or more block of instruction for grades Pre-K thru 5th with a focus on the individual and diverse needs of our students.
Throughout the school year, students have the opportunity to participate in our various enrichment and academic campus programs that include participation in the Intramural Basketball Team, Just Say No Drill Team, The WES Cheer Squad, and Jr. Beta Club. Whittaker Elementary School also provides after school programs such as Family Literacy Night, Family Fun Night, and various family workshops that are geared towards school and family-related topics to promote a school-home connection to encourage ongoing-working relationships that both impact and benefit our students and school community.
To assure that our students feel safe, our faculty has taken a proactive approach to ensure that bullying is not tolerated. Our school counselor has ongoing classroom lessons at all grade levels to teach students the procedures to identify, report and prevent Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying. This information is also shared with staff and parents through meetings and workshops. Our students also participate in school assemblies to reinforce Anti-Bullying and Character Education.
In addition to our outstanding staff of highly qualified teachers, we have specialists and other support staff. A strong team of specialists including parent liaison, school level technologist, Behavior Modification Coach (BMC), guidance counselor, a reading coach, instructional coaches, music teacher, nurse, Speech, English as a Second Language (ESOL) teacher, a home-school liaison, physical education teachers, and highly qualified and supportive paraprofessionals that all contribute to the success of our school.
To celebrate the successes of the school, the administrative team highlights school, teacher, and student achievements. Teacher of the Year Award, student recognition for Academic Achievement, Perfect Attendance, and Most Improved Student. Furthermore, we have implemented many outstanding programs: Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant from the Department of Agriculture (students sample fresh fruit or vegetables twice a week delivered to their class) Food Baskets for the Needy, (community service project of our Jr. Beta Club), the Giving Tree during the Christmas Holiday season, Family Nights, Book-It Program, School Spirit Activities, and Townhall School Assemblies.
As a school community we are dedicated and committed to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn while developing into their own person preparing to build a better global society.
