Plain Elementary is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by preparing students to become lifelong learners and responsible, productive citizens. Children engage in a rigorous, standards based instructional program in a climate fostering tolerance and diversity. Our many accomplishments this year reflect the school’s identity and vision statement: “A School Family – Positively Committed to Excellence!”
Students and teachers set individual academic achievement goals and measure results using a data driven process for student growth and continuous improvement. School-
wide data analysis reflects solid growth in all academic areas with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving skills. Grade level teachers continue to work collaboratively to create common assessments and analyze results for the purpose of increased student achievement. We provide a morning enrichment program to support students needing remediation in math and reading.
We were recognized with a Safe School Award by Upstate Safe Kids for our strong focus on school safety. Our School Improvement Council was integral in completing a safety assessment involving community members. The SIC also orchestrated our third annual Pacers 5k community run in addition to our Hands On Plain Elementary (HOPE) Beautification Day. This focus group organized our first Middle School Panel Discussion and Information Night. We solidified a school communication plan to broaden support and enhance shared information through the use of weekly phone messages, school and teacher web-sites, weekly classroom newsletters, articles in the local newspaper, and publication of a weekly electronic school news bulletin. Technology enhancement continued to be a focus with all classrooms receiving additional computers and iPads to actively engage children in daily lessons. Through our personalized learning initiative, all students in grades 2 - 5 received a school issued Chromebook to utilize various digital learning tools in the instructional setting.
Parental and community involvement is integral to our success. We were honored by being named a National PTA School of Excellence. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and School Improvement Council (SIC) are involved in decision making opportunities. Over 28,000 volunteer hours were logged this year with parents and community members serving as mentors, tutors, guest speakers, and classroom support resources. We hosted Family Bingo Night, Internet Safety Education, Family Dance Night, and monthly Lunch and Learn Programs for our families. Our Backpack Buddy Program provides backpacks filled with food for our neediest students to eat on the weekends. Our business partner, TreesGreenville, awarded grants to fund the purchase of a variety of fruit and nut trees that were planted on our campus. We also maintained our organic garden which permitted students to plant, harvest, and eat fresh vegetables.
We are proud of our accomplishments and continue to make decisions in the best interest of all children. Our identity statement speaks for itself: “A School Family – Positively Committed to Excellence!
Debbie Mihalic, Principal Melanie Callahan, SIC Chairperson