School Narrative 2019-20
Kensington Elementary School
Kensington Elementary School houses 572 students in grades Prek-5. We have 41 general education and special education teachers who work daily to support school wide initiatives and goals. Kensington continues to support students in becoming college and career ready individuals who are ready to lead the world and contribute much to society. Kensington provides each child support in developing world class skills and life and career characteristics that are etched in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.
Our curriculum helps to support students’ academic and behavioral success. Kensington employs structures and programs such as Everyday Math, My World in Social Studies, Daily 5 in literacy, and digital programs such as Imagine learning and Reflex Math to support students as they work to become proficient learners.
Kensington is helping all students develop the World Class Skills thorough the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by employing a project based teacher who instructs and provides engaging lessons that are designed to enrich and support math and science in the general education setting. Project based teacher assist in shaping students who are ready and prepared to compete on a global level. Such preparation is focused much on the criteria and description of the profile of the SC Graduate.
A few of the World Class Skills taught at Kensington are collaboration, communication, and creativity. All three of these components are taught in general education classrooms and in the project base environment as well. Teachers plan engaging lesson that fosters strong world class skills in our students as we know the classrooms should mirror the real world setting.
Additionally, many students of Kensington Elementary are members of the Student Leadership Team (SLT). As SLT members, students are taught how to become stronger leaders. They are given the opportunity to show forth their skills in many different settings over the course of the school year. SLT members also engage in meaningful service learning projects and partake in activities that develop and demonstrate their leadership skills as growing adults.
Students at Kensington also continue to strive to become technologically inclined. The school, along with the district continues to work toward meeting the 1:1 initiative with technology. All students in grades 3-5 have access to their own chrome books. Grades K-2 have access to their own Carts on Wheels (COWS). All technological devices, including I-PADS are used to increase research base learning within the classroom. Also, Kensington students participate vigorously in the district’s annual Technology Fair. Last year, Kensington placed in numerous categories. Students also participated in the County Academic Fair where they placed in multiple categories. Our wonderful Wakey Wakey Koala morning show also provides our students an opportunity to work with technology and to get hands on experience working with T.V production. Various students are given the opportunity to participate on the morning show. Participation helps to build social and team building skills and invigorate creativity. Again, World Class Skills and Knowledge are fostered through these activities and opportunities provided to our students.
Kensington Elementary is also a Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports school (PBIS). PBIS and our initiative called HOUSE, provides an environment where students can be successful behaviorally. House has built camaraderie and competition while creating a sense of belonging and promoting leadership skills in our students. As a school, we work with our students to build social and soft skills necessary for success in the real world. Each HOUSE has a class from each grade level, and these students learn to support and encourage each other throughout the year. The older students are also given the opportunity to mentor younger students within their HOUSE. It is a great structure and component of our PBIS system.
Also, our SIC committee members are in the planning phase for improvement projects for our school. This committee continues to assess any and all safety needs of our building. Currently, our SIC is focused on planning the construction of a playground for our special needs population. It has been determined that the current playground is inadequate for the use of all special needs students. It is a process/project that all members of SIC are excited to begin for the 2020-21SY.
Kensington continues to strive to build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, especially our parents. Kensington provides many opportunities for parents to be actively involved. We strongly encourage all our parents to join us as educational partners. We will also continue to promote our three Koala Expectations of being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready-to-Learn. Go Koalas!
Maurice L. Cobb, Principal
Amanda Scogin, SIC President