Belvedere Elementary School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate providing a safe, caring, and academically challenging learning environment. During the 2018-2019 school year, our school focused on the following specific characteristics of the Profile: World Class Knowledge – rigorous standards in language arts and math for career and college readiness; World Class Skills – critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and teamwork, and knowing how to learn; and Life and Career Characteristics – work ethic, and interpersonal skills.
To ensure our students are developing World Class Knowledge – rigorous standards in language arts and math for career and college readiness, we have implemented data meetings in which grade levels analyze benchmark assessment outcomes, Waterford, Fountas & Pinnell, and behavioral data, then developed action plans for students to target improvement in the identified area. This has facilitated deep and meaningful professional conversations that have improved classroom instruction and collegiality. Professional development was targeted from classroom observation data and the Literacy Plan. In addition, all classroom teachers were provided three instructional planning days in which structured conversations and planning were conducted with the literacy coach and district content interventionist to deepen teacher understanding of reading and math standards as well as highly effective instructional strategies to incorporate into unit planning. An outcome of the instructional planning were increased intentional opportunities for students to develop their World Class Skills – critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and teamwork, and knowing how to learn. Students were provided significantly more opportunities to enhance their problem solving skills while working collaboratively with their classmates.
We are proud of our strong history of academic success. At Belvedere Elementary we also have various programs designed to focus on Life and Career Characteristics – work ethic, and interpersonal skills. Examples of how we have embedded opportunities to enhance a strong work ethic and to develop mature interpersonal skills include service clubs such as student council, safety patrol, and guidance programs, including mentoring program and Tie Tuesday. For instance, our guidance counselor taught character lessons in every grade level during classroom guidance, she worked with peer conflict resolution groups, and conducted student interest groups. In addition, we provided social development clubs for students including a mentoring group comprised of community volunteers and North Augusta High School students, a running club, student council, safety patrol, and Cub Cadets, a group of fifth grade students who read to students in the early childhood grades. To further develop students’ interpersonal skills, many classes in the elementary grades paired with early childhood classes to share their learning throughout the school year. Students were expected to be able to articulate their learning to school mates, receive feedback and give feedback.
At Belvedere Elementary School, we believe all stakeholders share in creating our future South Carolina Graduates. We appreciate your support as we work together to leave a positive legacy. Dr. Salvatore A. Minolfo, Principal Mrs. Michelle Fowler, Chair of the School Improvement Council