Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by focusing on teacher professional development and evidence-based teaching aligned with the South Carolina Curriculum Standards.
After a combination of virtual schooling and face-to-face schooling due to COVID-19, it was exciting to begin the 2021-2022 year with classrooms full of students and teachers interacting face-to-face! Our school has worked diligently to overcome the students' academic losses caused by the pandemic.
One certified teacher and two paraprofessionals were utilized full-time for teaching the RISE Intervention Program with small groups of students to raise their reading skills to their corresponding grade levels, all funded by federal Title One monies. Letterland phonics continued in kindergarten through third grade to boost students' foundational reading skills. Also, a full-time math paraprofessional met daily with small groups of students to enhance their understanding of mathematical principles.
Professional development in the Lucy Calkins Units of Reading and Writing allowed teachers to sustain the school's systemic, organized lessons in English Language Arts combined with teaching strategies based on the expertise of Jennifer Seravallo. Teachers also received professional development in teaching guided math groups in the classroom.
Our school's Multi-Tiered Systems of Support team (MTSS) met monthly to monitor the needs of students performing below grade level, analyzing their assessment data and determining the next steps as appropriate. The team also monitored the students' progress and refined those steps as needed; to continually improve their performance in the relevant areas.
To promote interest in reading, we had our second annual One Book, One School event and our yearly book fair. The school library was updated, as well, in our ongoing quest to purchase more books that appeal to a variety of students' interests and to replace outdated books.
We continued emphasis on technology for students and faculty with 1:1 devices school-wide. Just a few of the software programs we used were Math Seeds, Reading Eggs, Khan Academy, and Sora.
With the lessening of the COVID-19 restrictions by health officials, Midway Elementary School faculty and staff look forward to increased parent interaction within the school building during the new school year as we all work together to benefit our students academically, physically, socially, and emotionally.
Shonda Johnston, School Improvement Council Chair
Elizabeth Stehle, Principal
