Forest Hills Elementary School is enabling all students to successfully develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing an environment where positive attitudes are working together for success. We provide this environment through the implementation of our school vision: nurturing learning among all members of the FHE community. We demonstrate this each day by the rigorous and challenging curriculum our teachers use.
Our teachers are committed to meeting the individual needs of each student on a daily basis. Strategies such as small group instruction in reading and math, differentiated instruction in all subject areas are used by our teachers to increase the academic performance of our students. ClassWorks, Accelerated Reader, Mastery Connect, focused writing prompts, math and reading interventionists, and science kits are examples of programs used by our teacher on a daily basis. The staff continued to use The Daily 5 and we have implemented writers’ workshop in all grades.
To help in the development of the whole child, we have programs outside of academics. The Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) program is used at Forest Hills Elementary. Through the use of this program our students are rewarded for displaying positive behaviors and they work daily to earn paws and meet a set goal in order to attend our PAW parties. Our yearly average was over 80% for participation at our PAW parties. Officers with the Walterboro Police Department worked with our fifth grade students on DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. Officers worked each week for an entire semester with our fifth grade students. At the end of the program, the fifth grade students were recognized for completing the program and received certificates. The Walterboro Police Department also worked with our staff and students to ensure that all students and staff are prepared in case of emergency situations. The Friends of the Colleton County Animal Shelter (FOCCAS) worked with our fourth grade students on pet responsibilities. All of our fourth grade students completed this program and received their certificates. Ms. Sheila from the Colleton County Library also worked with all of our students to participate in the programs and activities that our County Library offers. A district wide Literacy day was held and many of our community leaders and organizations participated in this with us. Forest Hills Elementary also partnered with the March of Dimes Walk for Babies, Jump Rope for Heart, Pennies for Patients, Walterboro City Police Department, and the Angel Tree with our local Rotary Club.
The Forest Hills Elementary PTO granted grade level teams with money to enhance their students’ knowledge in science. Some grades chose to take students on field trips and others developed areas around the school to be used for science. For example, a rock garden was put into place for the study of rocks in first and third grades.
At Forest Hills Elementary, we have a dedicated staff, hardworking students, and parents who support us in our endeavor to nurture, inspire, and guide our students so they are successful in tomorrow’s world. We believe our students are on the right path in becoming our future South Carolina graduates and world leaders!
Amy Liebenrood, Principal
Sharon Witkin, Chair of the School Improvement Council