Willow Drive Elementary School, where we make Champions that SOAR High with Purpose and Pride, is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, caring, and academically challenging learning environment. In implementing our school vision, we work diligently to purposefully create an environment where all scholars will receive the respect, encouragement and opportunities they need to build the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to be successful, contributing members of a global society. Under new leadership, Vision 2020, has been created and implemented with the input of stakeholders which seeks to transition our school into a STEAM school, with the ultimate goal of obtaining AdvancED STEM certification. Together, we have worked hard to improve our school by focusing on the following five areas: increasing scholar and staff recognition, increasing safety and efficiency at student drop-off & pick-up areas, increasing teacher leadership opportunities, increasing parent & community engagement, and implementing a PBIS program.
Vision 2020 seeks to engage scholars in all grade levels a rigorous, integrated, and relevant STEAM-based education. We have worked hard this year to lay a new foundation in building a culture of collaboration, global connections, and STEM-related partnerships to prepare students to be middle school ready. In the coming school year, we will provide additional opportunities intended to advance STEAM education for every student. During our annual strategic planning process, our faculty and staff continues to embrace the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by adding expectations for young learners with the goal of creating highly productive students prepared for the rigor of middle school. In 2020 - 2021, We have three goals to increase student achievement at our school:
-
Increase student and community interest, participation, and achievement in STEM.
-
Provide high quality instruction for every student based on their individual needs according to data.
-
Expand our family and community partnerships to provide all students access to an excellent education throughout their year.
Throughout this year, students have become motivated by an environment filled with new knowledge and evolving technologies, are self-directed learners, and are equipped to solve problems and think in non-traditional ways about the challenges surrounding their lives and the world as a whole. We have refined our school’s implementation of the One to One chrome book initiative this year with 100% of all scholars utilizing chrome books to strengthen their instruction.
In so many ways, WDE operates from a position of strength. Pride reverberates throughout our learning community for many of our accomplishments:
-
Our staff members continue to be recognized for their teaching talents across the district: Mrs. Patterson-2020 WDE Campus Teacher of the Year and Ms. Vaughn - 2021 WDE Campus Teacher of the Year.
-
Our school supported all students through the COVID-19 pandemic by providing reading kits to 400 families, safely implementing synchronized in-person and virtual instruction, and implementing trauma-informed practices school-wide.
-
Our school moved to a Level 2 of Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports. An analysis of discipline data over the last two years show a significant decrease in the number of office referrals.
-
Raised $10,000 for various Passion Projects including United Ministries, Relay for Life, Heart Walk, American Red Cross Hurricane Relief, Coins for Camp, and March of Dimes
Through these opportunities and a strong partnership & outreach program totaling over 22 community partners (Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Golden Chick, Fire Ants Baseball Team, Evening Optimist Club of Sumter, AmeriCorps, Heart of Sumter, Poinsett Garden Club of Sumter, YMCA, Midlands Fatherhood Coalition, Golden Corral, Bullock Funeral Home, CA Harler, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Central Carolina Technical College, and USC Sumter among others), our teachers are able to bring excitement, discovery, exploratory learning, and problem-solving to enhance the curriculum.
More teachers are collaboratively planning interdisciplinary units together. The use of MasteryConnect has allowed teachers to efficiently use the data to enhance educational opportunities in the classroom. Through the use of an Instructional Coach, Reading Coach, and Tech Thursdays with the Technology Innovation Specialist, our teachers continue to engage in ongoing, customized professional development to produce learning opportunities that align with the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Our school’s Response to Intervention plan meets the academic and social needs of all students through intervention and acceleration classes.
As we continue to meet the challenges of improving student achievement, teachers and administrators recognize the need to emphasize student engagement, academic rigor, and high expectations. Data analysis has particularly allowed us to focus on offering our students enrichment and intervention assistance classes during the school day.
In addition to our STEM school-wide strategic goals, we will continue to provide opportunities for parent and community involvement. As a community, we have the will & skill to deliver excellence for all and we will look forward to soaring to greater heights in the new school year.
Preston Spratt; Principal Rachel Johnston, SIC Chairperson
