Saxe Gotha Elementary School is helping all students develop the world-class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by following our school mission which reads: “To live and model the 7 Habits; to intentionally plan and implement strategies to promote student success and achievement; to collaborate and communicate with all stakeholders.” We set high expectations by providing a challenging and supportive learning environment based on best practices and continuous improvement for our teachers and support for our parents.
In order to close the achievement gap, the SGES Response to Intervention program continues to assist students who are not meeting grade-level criteria for academic success. Data is collected and evaluated by the lead interventionist, administration, classroom teachers and interventionists on a regular basis. Based on these discussions, services are adjusted. We completed our fifth year of an Extended Day Response to Intervention program where students in grades three through five are served in reading and/or math after school rather than being pulled from core instruction during the school day. Students are provided with a snack, two 15-minute exercise blocks and two 45-minute academic blocks. For students who do not need intervention in both reading and math, a homework session supervised by certified teachers is provided.
In order to provide teachers with skills needed to support the South Carolina Graduate, professional development was provided through national organizations such as FranklinCovey and Columbia University’s Teachers College. As part of the South Carolina State Reading Plan, Read to Succeed, a schoolwide emphasis has been placed on implementing Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study — Reading and Units of Study — Writing. The school Literacy Leadership team meets on a regular basis to ensure our plan is being effectively implemented.
After each testing window, the administrative team, the Lead Interventionist, academic coaches and school counselors spend a full day with each grade level. During this time, individual student data such as attendance, behavior, classroom performance and test scores are reviewed. The team develops or adjusts individual intervention plans, creates plans for upcoming instruction and discusses the individual developmental, emotional and behavioral needs of each student.
SGES cultivates 21st century skills through our digital initiative. Technology such as iPads and laptops, along with multiple programs including Imagine Learning, Achieve3000 and First In Math, are used to strengthen core academic skills and enhance creativity. We strive to embrace world-class skills through individualized learning, student-led conferences and a continued emphasis on the development of critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in multiple collaborative learning environments. Through collaboration, students are able to have a better understanding of what they are learning and are able to improve their critical-thinking skills.
At SGES, we have high expectations for our students to be good citizens and emphasize life and career characteristics such as integrity, perseverance, work ethic and self-direction on a daily basis through our implementation of The Leader in Me program. We just completed our seventh year of schoolwide implementation of Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits for Highly Effective People” and continue to be recognized as a Leader in Me Lighthouse school. All staff receives three days of 7 Habits training to become certified, and all students continue to maintain a leadership notebook where they write their personal mission statement, track both personal and academic goals, and keep up with their leadership roles.
We work to foster and develop the whole child by embedding and promoting life skills throughout our school and community. We have high expectations for students to be good citizens and emphasize quality citizenship and leadership in our school and community. Our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports team works closely with The Leader in Me team to combine the two initiatives into LEAD (Live respectfully, Engage responsibly, Act safely and Dream big). Students, staff and community members are recognized at a monthly LEAD Rally for displaying LEAD characteristics. Every student within the school holds a leadership role. Students are recognized by earning “star bucks” for displaying positive behavior and life skills throughout our school. SGES’ leadership skills at the administrative level were highlighted when Assistant Principal Janet Ricard was named South Carolina Assistant Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association for School Administrators for the 2016–2017 school year.
We passionately believe in building strong, positive relationships with our students, staff, parents, and our multiple business and community partnerships. Students participated in community outreach programs such as Relay For Life, Jump Rope For Heart and schoolwide food drives which taught students work ethics, perseverance and leadership through service. Our school benefits greatly from the support of community partnerships with businesses such as Michelin, Columbia Martial Arts, Bojangles’, State Farm, our PTA and other stakeholders. Through the SGE MEN initiative, male role models demonstrate being “mentors, encouragers and nice guys” by serving as greeters, lunch buddies, chaperones and volunteers. Male students are encouraged to follow the MEN initiatives to become future role models, often participating in events such as “Guys in Ties” day.
Working together, we are able to enhance our students’ educational experiences and guide them toward a bright future where they can follow our motto: “Through learning and leading, I WILL change our world.”
Elizabeth Houck, Principal
Sharon Barkley, SIC President