Foxbank Elementary School opened its doors for the first time in August of 2018. We serve over 800 students in grades K4 through fifth grade. The school is located in Foxbank Plantation in Moncks Corner. Our primary focus areas this year included a school wide management plan, arts integration, project based learning, and professional learning teams. In keeping with the Profile of a SC Graduate, Foxbank Elementary strives to ensure that all students develop world-class knowledge and skills.
Engaging students in their learning and providing an environment where they desire to come to school every day is one of our goals. Our staff worked diligently to provide a variety of opportunities for students to be active participants in their learning. For example, students in fourth grade celebrated African American History Month by conducting research about famous African Americans. They collaborated with each other to create a Living Wax Museum and invited students from other grade levels, parents, and staff members to visit and learn about notable people who have made a difference. Off-campus field trips provided an extension of classroom learning and allowed students to connect with real-life experiences.
During the first year at Foxbank Elementary many extra-curricular activities and special events occurred. Students were able to participate in Band, Chorus, Run Club, Art Club, the FBE News Team, and Shag Club. The school hosted a Winter Fest, a 5k Run and Spring Fling festival. Students also had the opportunity to take part in a Color Run that raised money for the future Moncks Corner Miracle League Field.
Staff development was provided throughout the year to support and train our newly formed staff. We received training from Focus Five to learn about the Actor’s Toolbox, which is a management program that incorporates academics. We also participated in professional development through AAIS in order to help us establish Professional Learning Communities within and across grade levels. In order to ensure our students were making gains in reading, teachers were trained to give the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment, as well as Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention. Students who scored below grade level on the benchmark test were placed into intervention groups of no more than 6 students. Students placed in intervention groups received intensive reading instruction for 30 minutes a day in addition to their regular reading instruction.
Foxbank Elementary is a STEAM school that encourages transdisciplinary units where student ask questions and generate creative solutions to solve problems and issues. Students also participate in STEAM activities across subject areas, and enjoy using the Maker Space Area located next to the media center. With guidance from the school librarian, students also engage in novel engineering.
Community members, businesses, and the PTO contributed to the success of the first year at Foxbank Elementary.
Natalie Lockliear, Principal
Kelly O’Brien Kelly, School Improvement Council Chair
