Kershaw Elementary is helping all students develop the world-class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate through the collaborative efforts of teachers, support staff, students, families and community members. All stakeholders are committed to creating a safe, student-centered, nurturing academic environment that recognizes the varying learning styles of our diverse population. As the Bulldogs, Kershaw Elementary strives to instill a future-focus as evidenced by our mission statement – “Building Upstanding Life-long Learners. Developing Open-minded Growth-mindset Students.”
The KES vision is to become a globally competitive school that embraces change and risk- taking and promotes high expectations for ALL in order to effectively experience academic, social, and behavioral growth for each of our students as they prepare to meet the challenges, demands, and opportunities of the 21st century. Our school motto is: “Whatever it takes, our kids are worth it.” Kershaw Elementary is committed to a culture of excellence that engages students in rigorous, real-world experiences. KES provides challenging opportunities and positive discipline that allow our children to make mature choices that enhance their learning.
Building World Class Knowledge is an on-going effort for both adults and students of KES. Teachers continue to participate in targeted professional development focused on balanced literacy, math/science inquiry, comprehension and processes through the workshop model, the authentic integration of technology into the classroom, and the creation of student-centered engaging strategies. For our students, we have incorporated 1:1 technology in grades 4K through five, with all grades having access to our computer lab and wi-fi in all classrooms, expanding their learning experiences to escape rooms, virtual reality, virtual tours, technological pen pals, differentiated learning, mystery hangouts with classrooms across the nation and family/community-oriented engineering projects.
Honing World Class Skills is fundamental to the teamwork, communication and creativity promoted at KES. The instructional/administrative leadership team, common planning times, STEAM/FLEX schedule days, professional learning community collaboration and schoolwide procedures, coupled with consistent high expectations in a nurturing environment, reinforce our commitment to working together effectively. This expectation is now extending to our students through small-group instruction, student individualized interventions, the integration of technology and the arts, and a continued move towards becoming a STEAM school. KES continues a partnership with Heath Springs Elementary, Clinton Elementary and the Town of Kershaw.
KES recognizes the importance of family/school partnerships, and we have hosted Parenting Partners, a monthly opportunity for families to engage in positive dialogue with and about their children. KES has created a community mentoring and afterschool program for struggling students through Mt. Calvary Outreach Center, local churches, upper grade level peers, and a 21st Century grant. Our students participated in the community’s “Share the Table” program, a food conservation program that prevented waste at meals, providing over 1000 pounds of food back to our community. FInally, our students received “Backpack Blessings” through a partnership with First Baptist Church of Kershaw.
Kershaw Elementary is committed to a culture of excellence that engages students in rigorous, real-world experiences and provides challenging opportunities that allow our children to make choices that motivate and enhance their learning as well as promote their opportunities within our growing community. Kershaw Elementary is on the move!
Kelli Overcash, Kershaw Elementary School Principal
Tiyona Clyburn, Kershaw Elementary School Improvement Council Chairman
