The 2017-2018 school year was another successful and exciting time for our Carlisle-Foster Grove Cubbies. An innovative, nurturing, creative and collaborative school, Carlisle- Foster’s Grove Elementary is a place where faculty, administrators, district support, students and community work collaboratively to provide the optimum safe learning environment of excellence and experience success. Our instructional vision and focus provide the leverage for our students to develop the world class skills, life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, which enable them to be college, career, and citizenship ready.
Our Teaching and Learning Teams (TLTs), have the greatest impact on student achievement as teachers participate in weekly focused, data-driven meetings using common formative assessments. Analysis of data plays a critical part in planning and differentiating instruction during our Teaching and Learning Teams. Our instruction is focused on differentiating and personalizing learning using vetted digital tools and adaptive software, coupled with sound pedagogy and practices such as guided instruction, RtI, and PBIS. Analyzing, reflecting and providing a variety of assessments have been a big focus as we continue to use them to provide interventions through individual and small group instruction. Our use of the CFG digital data wall provides access to student data anytime and from anyplace. This is important as we create a place that values inviting ALL students to come and learn, to belong, and to reinvest in their our learning. Our fourth grade students ranked 18th out of 649 schools in South Carolina on SC Ready ELA, 41st out of 649 schools in South Carolina on SC Ready math, 67th out of 649 schools in South Carolina on SC PASS social studies, and 64th out 646 schools in South Carolina on SC PASS science. Our school ranked the highest in our district for SC Ready math and ELA.
Technology is a natural part of our day-to-day instruction with the implementation of one-to-one devices with all 3rd and 4th graders. The SAMR Model for integrating technology into teaching, developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, is the framework we use for integrating technology in and beyond the classroom walls. We strive to provide an environment of high expectations, a rigorous curriculum, personalized teaching strategies, and a multi-tiered system of support.
Collaboration shows students how to work together to achieve a common goal.This year, our Student Leadership Team and staff led our school in a number of community outreach initiatives, including collecting food to donate to the Upstate Resource Center, flood disaster relief, Carton2Garden, STEM activities, STEAMstravaganza, Humane Society Service Project, Need a Book- Take a Book, collecting items to donate to the local shelter, and inviting "Mystery Readers"- as a career focus.
Creativity teaches students to think outside the box. The fine arts and healthy living continues to be a source of pride for Carlisle-Foster’s Grove Elementary as we celebrate and development the whole child. Our students can participate in over 25 different clubs, First Tee golf, Health and Fitness Club, Gifted Art, Cub Singers, the Color Fun Run, the “Beauty and the Beast” production, and the 2018 UIM K-12 Art Contest. Next year, we are excited to be able to offer Suzuki Violin Strings to our students.
Communication lets students learn how to best convey their ideas. Our students are given certain task and have the opportunity to present their projects to a wide variety of audiences. During student led conferences, they are able to communicate their strengths and weakness and set goals for future growth. Students are able to communicate the standards taught and the instructional goal for that standard. They can communicate the learning steps needed to reach each instructional goal and develop the ability to self assess. Our goal is to help our students exceed beyond what they think is their potential. In addition, our goal is to help students see something they may not see in themselves and inspire the love for learning. Our partnership with Hattie’s Leading High Impact Teams model will help ensure that we reach our goals.
Critical thinking is all about solving problems. STEM activities and performance task help develop critical thinkers in our building. Writing continues to be a big focus for our Carlisle students. Our staff believes that students are to be taught to have confidence to want to take on challenges, develop respect for self and others and have sensitivity to collaborate with others in the pursuit of learning. Our instructional coaches continue to provide on-site continuous differentiated professional development, model effective teaching strategies, problem solve, provide resources and support to all teachers and students. We are proud of our faculty and staff as they continue to make and model reasoned judgments that are logical, well-thought out and purposeful in making important decisions for "Our Students."
Cathy Garner, Principal
Caitlin Plumley, SIC Chairperson