Our school is committed to helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by maintaining high academic standards, supporting a rigorous learning environment, and providing foundational skills that will foster success beyond the classroom. Spartanburg District 2 has experienced tremendous growth in the last few years and a new elementary school was needed to accommodate our students. Sugar Ridge Elementary School opened its doors as a Pre-K to 5th grade school in August of 2021.
Our administration, staff and teachers embraced the change and our parents and students were excited to be a part of the new school. We had positive feedback from all stakeholders from the first day we opened our doors as Sugar Ridge Elementary School. Our school theme of Laugh, Learn, and Grow continued to be our focus throughout the year. We are dedicated and equipped to meet the needs of our student population in a safe, innovative learning environment where educating the whole child for tomorrow's world is our main emphasis. Sugar Ridge Elementary School values uniqueness, creativity,and the leadership ability of all students.
At SRE we maintain a focused instructional program by creating a community of collaborators. Teachers participate in continuous professional development at the school and district levels to assist in implementing effective strategies which challenge students to push them to the next level of success. Teachers are able to partner together weekly during TLT meetings, department planning with math and literacy coaches, and individual planning to create instruction that is relevant and includes best practices. Collaboratively, teachers work together to unpack standards and create lessons that meet student needs while increasing rigor in their classrooms. SRE participates in a school-wide data conference twice during the year. At this conference, each teacher analyzes the achievement of his/her students based on their iReady and SCReady data. Collaboration is also vital for our students in every aspect of their life at SRE. We offer many engaging activities that promote student success and help to instill positive values in our students. These include: Terrific Kids, GT Art, Panda Partners, Positive Pandas and many other opportunities for our students.
To increase student readiness and to develop world class skills, the staff of SRE continually emphasizes authentic learning opportunities for students. We want our students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders through leadership activities. Our students complete monthly STEM activities that allow students to communicate and work as a team. Technology is an important part of our students’ academic success as well. All students in grades 5K to 5th grade are issued an iPad at the beginning of the year for independent work, collaborative assignments, and for research projects. Our students work daily in iReady to target skills and standards that will help them grow as a learner. iReady lessons are assigned based on students’ abilities, by providing them with a learning path to ensure that their individual needs are being met. The classroom teacher also assigns lessons as needed to supplement classroom lessons or other data the teacher has gathered on students during small group time. Professional Development sessions with iReady consultants are provided throughout the year to ensure teachers are increasing their effectiveness in implementing and analyzing iReady. Our school continues to offer a variety of interventions for reading and math, as well as enrichment opportunities for all students. Enrichment programs are offered before, during, and after school. Response to Intervention and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports are both implemented to help students reach academic success.
In order to help increase our students’ love for reading and increase the number of students reading on grade-level, teachers create individualized guided reading lessons for students. Teachers select one student each month to be recognized as a Reader Leader. These students are recognized and are able to select a book of their choice. At SRE we participated in “One Book, One School, One District.” During this time the entire school, district and our community engaged in the reading of the book The Mouse and the Motorcycle. All students were provided with a copy of the book to take home. Throughout the read aloud, students participated in various learning activities to enhance their reading experience. As a final activity, we integrated a virtual STEAM family night that allowed students to build their own creations that assisted the main character with one of the problems that arose in the book.
Constant communication among all stakeholders is vitally important for a positive, vibrant sense of community among all. Communication is consistently updated to keep all stakeholders well-informed through weekly school messages, weekly school newsletters, call-outs by administration, weekly staff update, SeeSaw, social media, and the school message board. Another vital way we communicate with stakeholders is by involving them in school events. We continually look for opportunities to include students, families, and community members to participate in school events such as Veterans Day Parade, Pastries with Pandas, etc.
At Sugar Ridge Elementary School, we continually strive to work together to provide a 21st century learning environment for our students. The results of assessments (i.e. Fountas and Pinnell, iReady, common formative assessments, etc.) are being used to drive our instructional practices toward a more rigorous approach of curriculum and assessments. We understand the challenges we may face and are thankful for continual support of our school and community as we embrace our journey and celebrate our successes.
Amanda Ehlich - Principal
Meredith Wall - SIC Chair
