Mayo Elementary School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by creating a safe and enriched learning environment that allows our students to “SOAR” by promoting self-control, organization, attentiveness, and respect in order to be college and career ready.
At MES, we maintain a focused instructional program by creating an environment of collaboration. Teachers receive continuous, targeted, professional development at the school and district level which assists them in implementing effective instructional strategies to challenge students. Teachers also collaborate weekly during TLT meetings, department planning with math and literacy coaches, and individual planning to create instruction that is relevant and grounded in best practices. Our 2021-22 iReady spring data proves that this collaboration has been successful. Students in both reading and math showed strong gains between the fall and spring administrations of iReady. Fifty-three percent of students in grades K-5 scored Tier 1 (on grade level) in reading (up from 28% in the fall) and fifty-six percent of students scored Tier 1 in math (up from 18% in the fall).
The family-oriented culture of MES strives to provide a challenging, safe, and loving environment where students can be their very best. MES staff members continue their implementation of tools and best practices learned through training provided by the SC Resilient Schools Initiative (formerly Compassionate Schools) which focuses on fostering resilience in children. We continued our partnership with John Mansville to provide weekend food bags for students in need. We also continued our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Upstate, providing students with a safe place to learn and grow after school. MES offers many engaging activities that promote student success and instill positive values in our students. These include Terrific Kids, PBIS, Falcon Patrol, Gifted Art, MES Cares, and many other opportunities and recognitions for our students during the school day.
To increase student readiness and to develop world-class skills, the staff of MES continually emphasizes authentic learning opportunities for students. Our students become critical thinkers and problem solvers through STEAM activities, guided reading, guided math, STEM Club, and classroom projects that allow collaboration among peers to enhance and challenge their thinking. Technology is an important part of our student's academic success. We are one-to-one (iPads) in grades two through five and one device (iPads) for every two students in kindergarten and first grade. Our students work daily in iReady, Reading Eggs, and Math Seeds during guided math and guided reading. Enrichment opportunities are also offered before, during, and after school. Students participating in Morning Math Club, led by our math coach, work on individual learning paths while 3rd - 5th grade students participating in Falcon Reading Club, led by our reading interventionist, work to strengthen comprehension strategies. Other strategies utilized to ensure our students’ success include Read to Succeed, Leveled Literacy Instruction, Response to Intervention, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
Constant communication among all stakeholders is vitally important to a positive, vibrant sense of community. Communication through our monthly school newsletter (The Falcon Flyer), teacher and school web pages, and social media outlets including Facebook and Instagram are routinely updated to keep all stakeholders well informed of events and happenings at the school. The use of the SeeSaw app, a communication and student-driven digital portfolio, allows for a deeper connection between home and school.
At Mayo Elementary, we believe that the educational success of our students is the result of a strong collaboration between school, family, and community. We are grateful for the support of all our stakeholders as we strive to provide the very best learning environment available for our students so that they can become tomorrow’s leaders.
Mrs. Cassandra Davis, Principal
Mrs. Crystal Barrs, SIC Chair
