During the 2022-2023 school-year, Palmetto Middle School helped all students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, by providing opportunities for student success by: Improving communications using media and technology, teaching students how to learn, engaging in critical thinking and problem solving, and fostering collaboration and teamwork.
For the 2022-2023, we needed to combat teacher shortages. Our goal was to provide our students with standards-based instruction that upheld the integrity of the South Carolina Academic Curriculum Standards. We partnered with ELEVATE K-12, where students received instruction from certified teachers in English Language Arts and Math. ELEVATE is an online instructional platform that allows students to receive interactive, face to face instruction in core content areas. The online platform allowed our students to engage in classroom discussions, chat with their teachers, submitted daily assignments and assessments, and learn technological skills that build the foundation for future learning. This instructional model improved communications using media and technology. An added benefit to our students was the buy-in from our online instructors. Occasionally, our ELEVATE teachers would report on-site to help students with writing and other areas where students benefitted from additional support.
As an extension of the Tier-I Instruction in English Language Arts and mathematics, groups of students received weekly support from our Reading and Math Interventionists. Time was spent to provide remediation and reinforcement on reading and math skills across multiple grade bands. Not only were learning gaps closed, but some students exceeded their stretch growth on district assessments due to the enrichment exercises provided. More importantly, the students were taught how to learn and given strategies that cleared any misconceptions from prior knowledge. Another way we helped all students develop World Class Skills in knowing how to learn, was by sharing and communicating data frequently. Staff members engaged in weekly data dives, and class performance data was displayed as a means for communication to guide the instructional process. Weekly incentives were provided to teachers and students for effective use of instructional technology and improved performance in the content areas.
As teachers and classroom coaches engaged in dialogue regarding student progress, students in turn participated in academic conferences. In the meetings, students discussed formative assessment data, areas of challenge, ways to improve, and areas of strength for them to reinforce. These academic conferences held students accountable in the learning process. Students had a better understanding of test scores, individual academic needs, methods to improve their level of readiness, and ways to access resources. Through the use and innovation of the My Access Writing Tool, all students participated in weekly writing prompts which allowed them to have access to immediate feedback to improve their writing skills. Many contributions were made by the elective team to support all students in reading and writing. Students showed marked growth on writing prompts especially in science and Social studies. Even as students created original pieces in Visual Arts Class, each work of art was preceded by a draft that described the artists’ purpose and meaning for creating the piece.
Students were provided opportunities to engage in collaboration and teamwork, as well as exercising their problem solving skills. The Science Department collaborated on the Haiti Orphanage Project through Learning Blade. Students designed blueprints for a new hospital and orphanage, while others worked to improve the water purification system. The goal was for students to design a plan and prototype to improve the current conditions through innovation. This project aligned with the Civil Engineering Career Cluster. Students are introduced to Career Clusters daily during our morning announcements. Our Computer Business Applications students, worked in teams to create a business to enhance technology and the business sector. The project was comparable to “Shark Tank,” where student groups pitched the concepts to investors with hopes of getting extra revenue to expand their business. Lastly, our Academic Challenge Team had an amazing year of competition. They were able to secure victories over highly competitive schools within the region. Our team ended the year with a record of 6-1.
Additional highlights from the school year are as follows:
- Over sixty students received Tier-II Intervention from our Reading Interventionist. Fifty-six percent of our students overall had improved placement for the year on the I-Ready Assessment. Fifty-seven percent had improved placement in math.
- One eighth grade student was a two time champion in the Palmetto Middle School Spelling Bee and represented our school in the Regional Spelling Bee at Francis Marion University.
- The Palmetto Middle School Academic Challenge Team had an amazing season with a record of 6-1.
- The Boy’s Football Team had an excellent season claiming multiple wins after a period of defeat. The team’s record was 6-2.
- Our Performing Arts Department sponsored a wonderful evening of dinner and entertainment for
- the community by hosting, “A Night of the HeARTS.” Families witnessed our band perform songs from the seventies and eighties while our PMS dancers performed with them.
- Our eighth grade student and talented artist was recognized for Best in Show for Marion County School District in the 2022-2023 Art Show. Other eighth graders won first and third place. Two students received Honorable Mentions.
- Twenty-five students were inducted in the Willie L. Page Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society.
- Two students were named Junior Scholars for 2022-2023 based on meeting the required score on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).
- Our student passage rate for Algebra-I on the EOC was 86% for the year.
- Students, along with their teachers Brian Taylor and Eric Troy are featured on the Teacher Recruitment Billboards along I-95. We want quality teachers to bring their gifts to Marion County.
These are just a few ways that Palmetto Middle School helped all students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. We will still strive to be competitive athletically. All teams performed exceptionally well this year. We will continue to motivate and coach teachers to aspire to perform at their personal best. We will always strive to celebrate small victories as a school community. Moving forward, we will continue to address our students’ academic and social needs; while supporting the needs of staff. Our priority at Palmetto Middle School is to work with students, families, and the community to provide valuable learning experiences. We will execute effective instructional practices to close learning gaps and help students embody the Profile of a South Carolina High School Graduate.
Humbly submitted,
Dr. Regina J. Gilchrist, Principal
Tiffany Gerald, SIC
