New Providence 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 creating a safe, nurturing, high-performance learning culture of excellence. Our students acquire 21st century learning experiences in the arts, academics, leadership and global citizenship. Through the efforts of our highly qualified, dedicated teaching and support staff, our history of academic excellence is well established.
World-class knowledge in language arts is taught to all students through the implementation of Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study — Reading and Writing. These units of study ensure vertical alignment and increased rigor as teachers work together to examine student work, reflect on teaching practices and analyze assessment data in order to adjust instructional priorities in their classrooms. Teachers work collaboratively with our reading coach and interventionists to develop personalized instructional strategies and interventions to address individual learning needs. Professional development for the Units of Study was provided throughout the year to build professional capacity. All grade-level teachers completed Student Learning Objectives in the area of writing to look closely at student data, to set student growth targets and to help understand the importance of being a collaborative, professional learning community.
Life and career characteristics are exemplified at NPE through our leadership model, Lifelong Guidelines and Lifeskills. Our staff teaches, models and celebrates character traits such as humor, common sense, perseverance and organization through this leadership model. Life and career characteristics are also taught through guidance lessons about being responsible, accepting diversity, using perseverance and having a strong work ethic.
Each year, students at NPE have many opportunities to be leaders in our school and local community. Within our school walls, students develop their leadership abilities through various programs such as Project Unify, National Junior Beta Society, the New Providence News Network and our Safety Patrol. We partner with organizations such as Harvest Hope Food Bank, Relay for Life, Keep the Midlands Beautiful, and Lexington Interfaith Community Services (now Mission Lexington) to give back to the community and teach students work ethic, perseverance and leadership through service.
Beyond building a strong academic foundation and developing student leaders, we provide students advanced technology instruction. NPE is one of the first Computer Science Immersion schools in South Carolina through a partnership with Code To The Future, the nation’s leading computer science program for schools. Our students have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of computer coding as part of their daily curriculum. Through this 21st century literacy, students develop critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration skills. The partnership with Code To The Future will allow teachers to engage students through block- and text-based coding activities to enhance their education experiences through computer science. Students have a unique avenue to apply problem-solving, team-building and presentation skills as they collaborate and share their thinking process with peers. In addition, increases in technology resources allow for more differentiated instruction and personalization of student learning within the core content areas. Technology used in Response to Intervention helped students fill gaps in their learning as well as extend learning through our EAGLES program, a class offered to our students identified as Gifted and Talented.
At NPE, we are committed to providing students with a variety of opportunities that develop the whole child. Students enhance their global perspective through their participation in our language and related arts classes. These classes allow students to grow their proficiency in Spanish, and develop an appreciation for art and music, as well as a skill set to create in a variety of media. Our fourth- and fifth-grade students have the opportunity to participate in our NPE Chorus. During the 2017–2018 school year, this group of students performed at both the Governor’s Carolighting and the Festival of Music at Carowinds where they received a Superior rating, the highest rating that can be achieved at this festival. Schoolwide LEAD times, Lions Exploring All Directions, also give students the opportunity to explore areas of interest such as the stock market, photography, gardening, sewing or engineering. Students choose an area of interest, sponsored by various staff members, and participate in cross-grade-level learning experiences five times per school year.
Through the generous support of our PTA, School Improvement Council, parents and community, NPE continues to develop students who will be successful future leaders through a continuous focus on collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking. We are proud of what we have accomplished and are excited for what the future holds for NPE students.
Debbie R. Poole, Principal
Lisa Catalanotto, SIC Chair