Carlisle-Foster’s Grove Elementary School’s (C-FG) philosophy is grounded in one principle: children first. This philosophy is what makes our culture the caring and nurturing environment that puts our Children at the core of all our planning and decision making. The core value of ensuring students are the first priority and the instructional vision for accelerating learning allows for development of the world-class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, which enable them to be college, career, and citizenship ready. C-FG meets students where they are and encourages them to learn and grow at high levels, while creating a culture of student and teacher efficacy. Our school community is continually adapting to an ever-changing world while focusing on improving learning and achievement through reflection and collaboration. An innovative, nurturing, creative and collaborative school, Carlisle- Foster’s Grove Elementary is a place where faculty, administrators, district personnel, students, and community work collaboratively to provide a safe learning environment where excellence and success are experienced.
Our Teaching and Learning Teams (TLTs) have a great impact on student achievement as teachers participate in weekly focused, data-driven meetings using common formative assessments. As teachers develop a deep understanding of curriculum standards and focus on learning paths to allow entry points for all students to access the curriculum, differentiated instruction emerges as an essential component of teaching. Analysis of data plays a critical part in planning and differentiating instruction during our Teaching and Learning Teams. Our instruction is focused on personalizing learning using vetted digital tools and adaptive software, coupled with sound pedagogy and practices such as guided instruction, RtI, and PBIS. Analyzing, reflecting, and providing a variety of assessments have been a big focus, as we continue to use the data to provide interventions through individual and small group instruction. Teams develop common assessments to measure student learning and growth. We analyze student work and assessment results to help drive our instruction. Our ultimate desire for our TLT is that it would be characterized by teams who believe that all students can learn at high levels, and that all students are our students. Our use of the CFG digital data wall provides access to student data anytime and from any place. This is important as we create a place that values inviting ALL students to come and learn, to belong, and to invest in their learning. Our school continues to score an Excellent rating on the School Report Card and scored among the highest on the state report card of schools in Spartanburg County.
Technology is a natural part of our day-to-day instruction with the use of one-to-one devices for all students 5K- Fifth grade. Integrating technology into teaching is the framework we utilize to meet individual student needs. We strive to provide an environment of high expectations, a rigorous curriculum, personalized teaching strategies, and a multi-tiered system of support.
Collaboration shows students how to work together to achieve a common goal. This year, our Student Leadership Team and staff led our school in community outreach initiatives, including collecting food to donate to the Upstate Resource Center, Jump Rope for Heart, field day, award celebrations, collecting items for the local shelter, D2 Reads, and Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) celebrations.
Critical thinking through solving real-world problems and incorporating STEM activities and performance tasks regularly into instruction help develop learners who are risk takers and analytical thinkers. Writing continues to be a focus for our CFG students, incorporated into all subject areas. Our staff believes that students are taught to have confidence so that they want to take on challenges, develop respect for themselves and others and have sensitivity to collaborate with others in the pursuit of learning.
We are proud of our faculty, staff, and community as we partner together to continue to provide exemplary learning experiences for students. Our ultimate goal is to help students see something they may not see in themselves and inspire a life-long love for learning.
Cathy Garner, Principal
Chris Carter, SIC Chairperson
