The staff at River Oaks Elementary School works hard to ensure that all students will become lifelong learners, community leaders, and responsible members of society by fostering an atmosphere based on respect, opportunity, excellence, and service. Our students are provided with rigorous instruction that is aligned with the skills and characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Our staff is engaged in ongoing professional development to enhance their skills as educators and learn innovative strategies to increase student achievement.
Our schoolwide theme, Mission Possible, focused on serving our students by building strong relationships with our school community. This was especially important as we opened the 2023-2024 school year with more than fourteen hundred students. We developed our communication with families through the River Oaks webpage and social media platforms to inform parents of upcoming events and help families stay connected. Instruction focused on student engagement and differentiated small group learning to accelerate student achievement.
Throughout the year, we continued to emphasize the acceleration of student achievement and reducing academic gaps. Our staff participated in professional development centered around English language arts, math, and strategies to support multilingual learners. Staff used the knowledge gained from these sessions to develop targeted, standards-based instruction for both small and whole groups. Further, teachers worked collaboratively to analyze student data and monitor student progress.
River Oaks Elementary School held various family events throughout the year. These included a Multicultural Night, STEAM Night, Literacy Night, as well as grade level musical performances, and monthly PTO Events. Our students were recognized for their achievements during quarterly award ceremonies. Students were honored in class for their reading progress; each teacher selected a “Most Improved Reader of the Month.” Students who received this honor were awarded with a book to add to their reading collection. Student projects were displayed in celebration of national holidays and cultural diversity. The students were recognized for their positive behavior through the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS). Our school received exemplary support from our School Improvement Council, PTO, ROE families, and local community organizations.
We are proud to report that River Oaks' students made tremendous gains this year. At the beginning of the year, the Dibels reading assessment revealed that 27% of kindergarten students, 67% of first grade students, and 61% of second grade students were meeting or exceeding their grade level benchmarks. We set high expectations, provided rigorous instruction, interventions, as well as small group instruction throughout the year. After-school tutoring in reading and math was provided for students in first through fifth grade. On the end of the year Dibels assessment, 83% of kindergarten students, 83% of first grade students, and 70% of second grade students met or exceeded their grade level goals. We are also excited to report that our third through fifth grade students made positive Lexile growth using Achieve 3000. The success of our students can be attributed to the targeted instruction provided by River Oaks Elementary Staff.
Our River Oaks’ staff is committed to develop their professional skills so that they can provide the most effective instruction in a safe and respectful environment. We will continue to develop relationships with all stakeholders and reflect our school values through our daily practices so that we can provide the best instructional practices for all students. Most of all, we thank our families for their partnership this year as they have supported our staff and their children so that they reach their full potential.
Mrs. Rene Cazier, Principal
