Charles Pinckney Elementary School provides students with opportunities to develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics that are outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. By fostering creativity, innovation, and communication, teachers increase students’ engagement and success.
It is the belief of Charles Pinckney Elementary that ensuring opportunities for creativity and innovation lead to students being more actively engaged in learning. Recent staff professional development focused on increasing student engagement through more innovative teaching practices. The staff also participated in a book study of The Wild Card that led to a creative breakthrough in our teaching approaches. As an example, our entire school now participates in room transformations where the learning is centralized around a specific theme. Some of our room transformations are: Jurassic Park, Surgery Center, Candy Land, Glow, and Starbucks. In addition, our school participated in “National Rock Your School” day where the entire school was transformed into a football game, with local high school players and cheerleaders participating in student arrival, staff members dressing as football players or referees, and teachers incorporating innovative football themed lessons in classrooms. Student engagement and motivation for learning has increased due to our emphasis on creativity and innovation.
We also strive to develop our students’ skills in communication, information, media, and technology. A generous assortment of activities offered at our school supports the development of strong communication skills. Participation in Chess Club, Beta Club, sports teams, Drama Club, Talent Show, and musical groups promote collaboration and communication among students. Student Ambassadors lead prospective parents on tours, Student Council members advocate and communicate on behalf of their classmates, and students involved in the arts perform before a variety of audiences; all of these roles allow students to practice and refine their communication skills.
Our staff also integrates digital resources into teaching, learning, and daily operations to improve effectiveness and student performance. We are a one-to-one iPad school, which allows each student access to their own device throughout the school day. Through their Google accounts, Pinckney students have access to an abundance of information and are taught to prioritize and collaborate with others. Technology plays a major role in the instruction of students at Pinckney.
Charles Pinckney Elementary School’s persistent pledge to excellence has and will continue to create students with World Class Knowledge, World Class Skills, and admirable Life and Career Characteristics.
Leanne Sheppard, Principal
Shelley Ward, SIC Chair