Sandy Run K-8 School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by implementing the framework developed by Partnerships for 21st Century Skills. According to this framework, student readiness is increased through the utilization of the four Cs - critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Sandy Run K-8 School’s goal is to focus on the four C's to prepare our students for the future. As a TransformSC school, this preparation includes increasing the percentage of students who are college-, career- and citizenship-ready. As we recover from the pandemic and return to in person instruction, Sandy Run K-8 students participate personalized learning opportunities with engaging learning experiences, facilitating growth, academic achievement, and skills that empower our students to compete and succeed.
According to the Partnerships for 21st Century Skills, critical thinking requires the students to reason effectively, use systems thinking, make judgments, and solve problems. Professional development focused on instructional technologies like Canvas, Safari Montage, and Dream Box and reading instruction through LETRS training. Partnering with our State Department of Education, the Sandy Run faculty delved into personalized learning strategies to create student-centered learning environments. This year the focus was on growth as measured by STAR. Students in first through third grade saw double digit gains in math and reading while grades four through 8 experienced single digit gains. Students also continue to use various types of reasoning to solve real world problems in the mathematics and science classes. These are essential skills that foster the abilities of our students to make judgments and decisions based on the evidence provided and conclusions drawn through the analysis of varying points of view. The math interventionist position provided the opportunity for students to receive additional support in areas of concern. Fifth grade students were asked to make positive judgements relating to being alcohol and drug free in our Define, Access, Respond, and Evaluate Program (D.A.R.E.).
In today’s world, there are more forms of communication than ever. Students must be able to articulate thoughts and ideas through various forms, listen effectively, communicate for multiple purposes, utilize differing media and technologies, and communicate in diverse environments, as stated by the Partnerships of 21st Century Skills. At Sandy Run K-8 School, communication continues to be a key component in increasing student readiness. Our ESOL program, which provides professional development for teachers, promotes inclusion of multicultural and multilingual students and instruction. With Calhoun County Public Schools providing one-to-one technology in kindergarten through eighth grade, students have the opportunity to utilize multiple media and technologies to communicate with their teachers and conduct research. Teachers continued to provide lessons through Google classroom promoting virtual communication preparing our students to be successful in an ever-changing global society.
According to the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, global perspective and interpersonal skills are two of the six life and career characteristics for college and career readiness. These characteristics require the ability to effectively collaborate with others through respect, flexibility, and shared responsibility. Sandy Run K-8 School is fortunate to have a diverse population throughout all grade levels. This requires everyone to be respectful towards one another to promote a positive learning environment for all students. Students are asked to complete collaborative projects as assessments throughout the school year. Students must prove that they can work together to achieve a common goal, while sharing responsibilities. Students participated in collaborative through play during recess, as well as in our physical education program. Students competed on the junior varsity level in athletics, thus promoting their ability to communicate effectively with others. Based on usage for the 2021-2022 school year by our child development students, Sandy Run K-8 and St. Matthews K-8 Schools were recognized as the top two South Carolina schools utilizing the online instructional program, Waterford UPSTART. At Sandy Run K-8 School, constant collaboration and positive interpersonal skill enhancement created dynamic learning opportunities.
Lastly, our students demonstrate the ability to think and work creatively with others while implementing innovations. Sandy Run K-8 is a rural school competing on a global level, therefore, creativity is a skill we demonstrate on a daily basis. According to the Framework for 21st Century Learning, students must use a wide range of idea creation techniques. Since we are a one-to-one district, the students continue to excel by completing multiple forms of assessments through the use of projects, performances, and presentations. Our STEM class, Primary Montessori, Lower Montessori, and Upper Montessori programs definitely support creativity and innovation. Students consistently elaborate, refine, analyze, and evaluate their work to improve upon their efforts. The students must be able to demonstrate originality and inventiveness in work. To enhance student learning, four Sandy Run teachers received Dick Horne Foundation Education Grants which funds creative and unique learning opportunities which promote academic excellence.
The home-to-school connection is vital to the success of our students. Our arts program fully implements the entire aspect of creativity and innovation. The Garden Club of South Carolina encouraged an awareness of the environment and protection of our natural resources by awarding eight Sandy Run art students in the Woodsy Owl contest. In the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition South Carolina Ducks Unlimited contest, five Sandy Run students were recognized for their outstanding artwork and conservation messages. In partnership with the Ruritan’s, five students attended Liberty Day at the South Carolina State House where they were recognized from the house floor. Our summer programs, Summer Reading Camp, Summer Enrichment Program, Extended School Year, and CERDEP, foster creativity and active engagement with quality teaching and learning. Each of these accomplishments display the level of commitment to creativity at Sandy Run K-8.
All stakeholders of Sandy Run K-8 School family enhance the school, family and community relationships. Our vision to strive for excellence is accomplished through ensuring that we remain the epicenter for transforming learning. This continuous transformation is a result of the Four Cs, teacher dedication, best practices, professionalism, a strong commitment to continuous growth, analysis of data, blended learning, a strong School Improvement Council, and public support of Calhoun County Public Schools.
