Eastside Elementary School is helping all students develop the world-class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the Graduate by providing high quality educational opportunities and building capacity for teamwork and perseverance. Our district mission guides us in our efforts to advocate for all students and prepare all students for future learning in a culture that is driven by creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.
Local businesses and industries indicate that critical thinking and problem solving skills in students are crucial to the employability of our graduates. In classrooms across the building students are engaged in work assignments on a daily basis through reading with partners to solving multi-step mathematical problems, working as teams, and learning not only the academic standards, but also the important skills of critical thinking and problem solving. Through the use of one-to-one technology in grades K-5, including multiple Google platforms such as Google Classroom, students are able to collaborate on assignments and use problem solving skills. The increased use of technology also increases our students’ abilities to know how to learn and be able to communicate collaboratively with other students and teachers. .
In an effort to improve students’ world class knowledge, we have also focused on collaboration and communication skills through building resiliency and self-regulation strategies for all students. Eastside Elementary continued its implementation of PBIS ( Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) for the 2021-2022 school year. Teachers and staff worked to help students learn strategies for being safe, organized, accountable, and respectful. Students were rewarded for displaying positive behavior. We also began to offer some targeted Tier II interventions for students who needed additional support. By increasing these positive behaviors, students will become better communicators and be able to more effectively collaborate with others.
Eastside Elementary is completing its fifth year as an AVID Elementary School, using AVID components in our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classrooms. AVID instructional practices support all areas of the world class skills South Carolina students need to succeed: creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and teamwork, communication, information, media and technology, and knowing how to learn. We have also opened our doors to allow our students to collaborate with high school and college students.
In keeping with the vision of Laurens County School District 56, we strive to provide a learning environment where students become ethical and productive citizens by achieving excellence, embracing innovation, and forging new traditions.
Tanya Wilson, Principal
Becca Wham, SIC Chairperson
