What Matters as Eagles RISE to Take FLIGHT! Inclusivity, diversity, equity, and positivity are the cornerstone attributes of the culture we embrace. Our school is helping all students develop the world-class skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, nurturing, and diverse community that maximizes student potential through intentional relationships and student-centered instruction. Our eagle-like focus cultivates student success as they “RISE to take FLIGHT”: Focus, Leadership, Imagination, Grit, Heart, and Teamwork. Our goals are to have students physically and socially make healthy choices for themselves and their environment (Focus), empower themselves to serve and act responsibly (Leadership), apply technological innovations to cultivate 21st century soft skills (Imagine), develop and apply a “growth mindset” through motivation and goal setting (Grit), value themselves and the diversity of others in their community (Heart), and work together to create and build connections to the community and world around them (Teamwork).
World-class knowledge for every child is What Matters at every level at Eagle Nest Elementary. Rigorous curriculum standards are explicitly taught using high quality instructional materials through literacy and math frameworks that ensure quality, differentiated instruction, and success for all. Universal screeners, formative assessments, data analysis used to inform instruction, and a systemic Response to Intervention process allow us to determine and meet the needs of our extremely diverse population. Structured Literacy Instruction, Foundational Skills Survey (FSS), Heggerty and targeted literacy intervention are examples of our efforts to meet the needs of learners in grades K-2. READ 180, MATH 180, and Engaging Creative Minds are examples of programs used in grades 3-5. UFLI, Bridges in Math, ZEARN Math, Edmentum, multilingual learner instruction, and Gifted and Talented Education are opportunities offered school-wide for remediation and enrichment.
Parents and stakeholders are What Matters at Eagle Nest and are also encouraged to get involved. Monthly, we host School Improvement Council (SIC) and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings and Dads/Moms/Grandparents on Duty where family members and members of the community serve as mentors. Our campus is home to a parent and family engagement center staffed by a full-time teacher. Preschool-aged children are involved in story time and activities while parents can check out and take home a wide variety of award-winning, engaging and exciting materials and games to use with their children. Parents who do not speak English may also take advantage of the Rosetta Stone program and multilingual language opportunities. To enhance cultural educational experiences where inclusivity and diversity were the focus, we partnered with Charleston Gaillard Center's Education Program. We collaborated with the Lowcountry Cares and Lowcountry Food Bank to sponsor Fresh For All food distribution events where a variety of food options are distributed to our families and community. We partnered with community organizations for a Family Community Resource Fair to provide our families with resources for housing, employment, health care, nutrition, and multilingual/English learning. Title 1 offerings include math, literacy, STEAM, and multicultural student and family events and Parent Power Hour sessions that focus on school readiness, comprehension strategies, math/science, and multicultural experiences.
World-class skills are What Matters at Eagle Nest. Teachers challenge students to work together to hone their leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking skills through instilling confidence, personal responsibility, empowerment, and community service. Our school safety patrol, chorus, ENES News Crew, Library Leaders, Early Bird Brew, Gardening Club, Dance Club, Ladies of Exceptional Abilities and Determination (LEAD), Men of Distinction (MOD) Squad, fitness and well-being clubs, fine arts clubs, and Story and STEM club work together to build relationships and complete service-learning projects. Students worked together to compile supplies for Backpack Buddies, assisted with food distribution during our community events, and mentor and serve as reading buddies for our younger Eagle Nest students.
As Life and Career Characteristics are What Matters, they are taught through college and career events, character education, RISE (Respect, Integrity, Safety, Effort) expectations, Positive Behavior Supports (PBIS) and Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH). We partner with the local businesses and community members to highlight college and career education with spotlights on the news show for students. Students play an active role in establishing and maintaining a positive school culture where everyone feels valued and appreciated. Morning Meetings, Good Things, affirmation stations, universal symbols, and social contracts have become who we are rather than what we do. Our efforts to maintain a positive culture include CKH Lead Worthy Character Word of the Month, Patriot Partners, expectation assemblies, Dads/Moms/Grandparents on Duty, small group counseling, awards programs, Rock Star Reader celebrations, Terrific Kid, Pastries for Positivity for positive referrals, and RISE student and staff shout-outs. What Matters at Eagle Nest Elementary is the people, choices, and actions that help our students learn, grow, and care for one another. The combined efforts of community, parents, students, faculty, and staff to ensure that we are Capturing Hearts. Like the bald eagle, our students RISE to Take FLIGHT to a lifetime of learning at Eagle Nest Elementary School.
