After collaborating with many stakeholders in the summer, Burgess Elementary opened its doors in the fall of 2007 and welcomed students with a mission statement that reflected an expectation to develop the whole child: The mission of Burgess Elementary School, in partnership with our community, is to provide a safe and nurturing learning habitat that develops lifelong leaders and learners as responsible members of society. In the twelve years since our inception, this mission statement has permeated every aspect of our school. Continued attention to developing the whole child has led to rigorous lessons, cutting edge professional development, unprecedented community involvement, and true service learning at every grade level. Further extensions of our mission have led teachers to sponsor many before and after school clubs that include Drums Alive, Student Council, Healthy Food Choices, art, music, drama, archery, walking, gardening, robotics, technology, yearbook, and digital content. These clubs provide a relaxed setting which strengthens student and teacher relationships that lead to more engaged classroom learning.
By modeling life skills, using lifelong guidelines, displaying a respect for the earth, creating a real purpose for service learning and setting high academic expectations, our staff ensures that all students develop world class life and career skills that fit the profile of a South Carolina graduate. A walk through our halls and classrooms provides ready evidence that we make academic, civic, personal, and social responsibility a priority. We honor these characteristics in classrooms, in guidance lessons, in recognition of best practice, in assemblies and in lunch with leaders. This environment has led Burgess to be named a National School of Character, Palmetto's Finest, a SC Whole Child Recipient, Riley Award for School Improvement Excellence, and a Green Steps School.
At the heart of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement is our active School Improvement Council (SIC). Since Burgess opened twelve years ago, SIC has strategically selected four initiatives to support, develop, assess, then turn over to students and staff when an initiative shows that it can be sustained independent of SIC. These initiatives include before and after school clubs focused on developing student leadership, competitive groups such as First Lego League Robotics, community nights such as our Burgess Elementary Science and Technology Night, personal initiatives that focus on health such as Healthy Food Choices, school beautification projects such as our raised garden beds. For the last three years, we partnered with Coastal Waccamaw Watershed Education Program, Burroughs and Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies and the School of Coastal Environment at Coastal Carolina University as a pilot school to further our green initiatives and lessen our environmental footprint. This collaboration sparked our Be WELL (Water, Emissions, Litter and Learning) program in which students became actively involved in monitoring and improving the WELL on our campus. These initiatives have become so ingrained in our culture that sustaining them has become second nature.
Another partner that is committed to continuous improvement is our PTO. Their ongoing support is vital to the success of our school. Funds raised by PTO through an upbeat, energizing character education program supported multiple events which enhanced student success. Volunteers, including parents, grandparents, and community members have served selflessly as mentors, tutors, chaperones, and assistants for school activities. Business partners are also vital to the success of BES as they provide incentives and appreciations for students and staff, volunteer countless hours and limitless talent, and offer financial and hands-on support.
With our mission as our guide for over a decade, Burgess has offered students engaging, challenging and differentiated instruction focused on meeting the needs of the whole child. For the past three years, we have partnered with Ed Elements as a pilot school for personalized learning. Our master schedule, explicit expectations for quality instruction, consistent professional development plan, ongoing progress monitoring, weekly staff development, side-by-side coaching and learning walks ensure that we are providing comprehensive instruction in all content areas. We have focused deeply on engagement structures, rigor within standards, and writing to ensure that all students move towards becoming college and career ready. Real world experiences requiring critical thinking skills are embedded throughout our curriculum maps and are the focus of all that we do at Burgess Elementary. All learners in our building, children and adults, are focused on engaging in deep thinking processes in order to be prepared for participation in a global environment. Burgess is truly a vital, working community of leaders and learners.
Samantha Coy, Principal
Rene Shore, School Improvement Chair
