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 cultivating students who are problem-solvers, effective communicators, and lifelong learners. Strong instructional practices by means of rigorous standards are recognized by means of our accreditation process. In 2017-2018, Lexington District Two was granted ongoing accreditation through AdvancED and will continue to hold this distinction.
As we returned to our newly renovated building, Springdale Elementary School completed a very successful school year by providing a quality education to over 460 students in child development to fifth grade. Our school motto, "Transform Springdale...Think Differently!" has become a reality. Through strategic planning, intentional instruction, and high student engagement, our teachers strived to ensure that each and every student we served was moving toward the world-class skills and life and career characteristics that are part of the Profile. We made this possible through providing a family-friendly environment, collaborating with stakeholders, and continuation of "digging deep" in data analysis for continuous improvement of instruction. These efforts will increase all students' proficiency. The use of Renaissance STAR 360, Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA), classroom pulse checks, benchmark writings, SCREADY, and SCPASS data have been instrumental in addressing the specific needs of our students and charting their growth. Our Response to Intervention (RTI) team was able to continue to match tiered interventions to students in grades 5K through fifth this year. Throughout the school year, there were 102 students reading below grade level who received RTI tiered interventions. Fifty-three of these RTI students are back on grade level and no longer receiving RTI interventions. Fifteen of the RTI students qualified for special education services. Also, Springdale Elementary had an enrichment math class in grades 3, 4, and 5. A student was considered for enrichment math placement if he/she met two of the three district criteria. In addition, wireless technology, including Activ Panels and iPads, was an integral part of our curriculum. We are excited to have an iPad for every student to use in support of learning, creating original works, and uncovering the world in which we live. During the 2019-2020 school year, teachers will receive additional training on the use of technology in order to use it more effectively to engage students and enhance learning opportunities. Employers have indicated the need for students to be able to think at higher levels upon graduation. To that regard, we have concentrated on building world-class skills within children by promoting critical thinking skills, regardless of diverse needs.
Our school focused on instilling life and career characteristics in our students, such as integrity, self-direction, perseverance, and interpersonal skills, by implementing the Dolphins D.I.V.E. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) philosophy. Students were D.I.V.E. -ing into learning by showing Dignity, Interacting well with others, Valuing their education, and Encouraging self and others. We believe if we teach each child to D.I.V.E., they will have prosperous lives and careers. We continued to implement Dolphin P.O.D.S. (Positive Outreach for Dolphin Students). Each child in our building had someone with whom they met monthly to discuss positive choices, practice interpersonal skills, and complete STEM activities. Lastly, we worked to develop soft skills needed to work with others through problem-based and cooperative learning.
Springdale Baptist Church continued their support of our school this year, providing school supplies for our students, as well as hosting an afternoon program at the church. Holland Avenue Baptist Church, through the Hearts 4 Schools program, sent a team of adults each week to serve as reading buddies with select first graders. The Town of Springdale continued to support our school this year through partnering to provide a full-time SRO. The town's Public Works helped to construct and plant a garden at our school. The Town of Springdale has been a vital part in our efforts to implement the D.A.R.E. program. Springdale Elementary School is the only school in Lexington District Two to offer the D.A.R.E. program to our fifth graders.
Our celebrations would not be complete without special recognition for the support and dedication from our faculty, staff, students, parents, and community. Our PTO and SIC continued to be an essential part of our school by supporting our Dolphin Splash Awards Ceremonies, as well as a Buy-A-Brick Campaign. The Buy-A-Brick Campaign (ongoing through 4-15-19) is a brick fundraiser to build a Little Free Library in front of our newly-renovated school. By purchasing a personalized, engraved brick for placement in the structure/sidewalk, this will fund new literacy material for our school's media center and help construct a Little Free Library. Also, through collaboration among our PTO, SIC, and PE teacher, we continued a health and fitness focus with the incorporation of a Fund Run and daily "Morning Moves" on the Springdale Live morning show. We were able to teach and promote healthy lifestyles, as well as continue to add to the visionary master plan of the Healthy Fitness Zone, otherwise known as Cindy's Place. We celebrated our 19th year of Celebration of the Arts. This program allows us to study various cultures across the globe and explore various forms of art, music, and dance.
Thank you for your support as we continue to strive toward "excellence" at Springdale Elementary! We remain committed to building world-class knowledge and skills, as well as life and career characteristics, for our future graduates. It is with eager anticipation and celebration that we look forward to even greater happenings in the 2019-2020 school year.
Hope Vrana, Principal
Lee Ann Murray, SIC Chair