Palmetto Middle School is a learning institution where we strive to Prepare Minds for Success. As professionals we continuously work on our craft to provide students with valuable learning experiences. In doing so, we are mindful of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Our district/school is helping all students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by fostering creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communications throughout the school environment.
Creativity and innovation for students was fostered in artistic expression, STEM activities, and leadership skills. In 2019, we began an afterschool drawing club for students demonstrating a love for visual arts. This was a way to provide an opportunity for more students to enhance artistic skills in addition to the courses that were offered. Various students honed their performing arts skills in a drama production during the annual winter concert. Palmetto Middle School students participated in the Marion County All-star Step Team. Students, along with their sponsor perform for cultural events on campus and in the community. This year, our students delved into the world of innovation and research during the school-wide science fair. Over two hundred science projects were submitted to compete in the school-wide science fair. Twenty-six students placed on the local level to advance to the Sand Hills Region IV Science Fair at Francis Marion University. It is always great to capture the memories of each school year. Palmetto Middle School supported the initiative of a Student-led Yearbook Committee where students helped with the layout and design of the annual publication.
Teachers at Palmetto Middle School challenged students to think critically and problem solve in and out of the classroom. Our students learned grade level standards to develop an understanding of content while using a variety of ways to access knowledge. During school closure, students were taught how to access information while participating in online learning sessions via Microsoft Teams and/or Google Classroom. Students learned to adapt with teachers as true facilitators of learning. An extension of the classroom was the extra-curricular activities where students exercised critical thinking in competitions. Eighteen students participated in the School-wide Spelling Bee to vie for a spot at the Regional Bee. Interested students were members of the Academic Challenge Team and demonstrated their knowledge of cross-curricular subject matter in structured debates. Palmetto Middle School sponsored its first Chess Club in 2019, and we anticipate greater participation in the future. Our Lady Bulldog Basketball Squad showed excellent teamwork and collaboration as they achieved an undefeated 2019-2020 season.
Palmetto Middle School hosted our annual Career Day. Students conducted panel discussions to learn about jobs in different career fields. Each morning, students hosted the Bulldog Morning Show which highlighted the events for the week and provided short excerpts on career clusters. We used social media pages and Blackboard to showcase our students and inform our parents and the community of upcoming events. During school closure, students were instrumental in helping keep families abreast and connected by sharing academic and safety updates to social media.
At Palmetto Middle School we teach students how to learn. We utilized programs and strategies such as the Practice Makes Perfect Afterschool Program, the Young Writer’s Guild, and taught Webb’s Level Three action verbs to boost conceptual knowledge. Students participated in word studies and analyses across content areas. Students received interventions using instructional technology such as Quill, USA Test Prep, iXL, Edulastic, Read-180, and Pearson Realize.
Socialization skills were enriched with the help of our Guidance Department and Rehabilitative Behavioral Health Services Counselors. They provided students with interpersonal skills to help them cope in the classroom and within the community. Staff members modeled specific communication and social skills by welcoming students daily with a pleasant greeting to make them feel important. They listened to student concerns to help them resolve their issues.
This year we formed partnerships with the Original Six Foundation, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and The Fox 84 Initiative. These partnerships provided opportunities for student groups like, The Distinguished Gentleman, PMP Afterschool participants, and students within our school community. Local churches helped provide financial relief to families during the holidays.
To prepare students for yearly assessments, we committed to teaching students assessment strategies. Our focus this year was on reading for information, writing to Text Dependent Analyses, and strengthening students' conceptual knowledge with Eureka math. As we move forward into a new school year, much time will be spent reteaching and remediating students in all areas to support any learning gaps as a result of school closure. Our priority will be adjusting our teaching styles to provide quality instruction to students despite the learning platform. Our desire for true learning to occur.
Regina J. Gilchrist Janice Ellerbe
Principal SIC
