Brennen Elementary School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the South Carolina Graduate. Our school does this by providing students with a dynamic learning environment. Our staff continues to persevere and, to the greatest extent possible, address our students' teaching and learning needs. Since our students were in school, we could handle the various academic needs but, most importantly, the Social-Emotional ones. These experiences optimize student achievement and develop life-long learners. We provided social-emotional opportunities for our Brennen Families, who needed assistance dealing with life-changing events. We expanded the Ron Clark House System to now six Houses. Our motto changed from "Three Houses-One School" to "Six Houses-One School." Our SEL Committee developed our Brennen Commitments of "Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, Be Kind." Along with the Brennen Commitments, we continue our work around what it takes for a student to be a visible learner. We do this by focusing on teacher clarity and success criteria for students.
We are the largest and most diverse school in Richland County School District One. While in classrooms, our students participate in Balanced Literacy, critical thinking, math stations, hands-on science, and rich social studies lessons. Our students are well prepared for middle school and, while in high school, will choose the correct path to prepare them for college or a career in the workforce.
Brennen students continue to demonstrate high academic performance. Universal screeners and common formative assessments are analyzed continuously to match instruction to the needs of learners, which will foster growth. Our students who need extra help have access to a literacy interventionist and a math interventionist, in addition to a faculty who believes in progress, not perfection.
Our programs support skill-building Internet-based software by incorporating the latest technologies and one-to-one laptops for students in grades PK-5. In addition, all classrooms have SmartPanels and document cameras. Our school's access to this technology allows our teachers to employ highly motivated, individualized learning activities during their workshop model instruction. The ability for students to log in to their programs at home has also allowed for more strategic parent involvement.
As our school continues to grow, we will strive to fulfill our mission of academically and socially growing students so they fit the profile of a South Carolina Graduate. Brennen's administration, teachers, parents, PTO, and SIC are committed to continuing our tradition of providing a solid foundation for all students through high academic standards, diverse and collaborative learning experiences, and special programs to meet the needs of all learners.
Mark D. Shea, Principal
Kerri Ness, SIC Chair
