Our school is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by offering a variety of academic opportunities with a blend of both community outreach projects and opportunities in the arts.
This year, our teachers participated in numerous professional development opportunities to increase academic achievement and enhance character development. After completing a book study on Ron Clark’s The Essential 55 and visiting the Ron Clark Academy, BSE faculty and staff developed the Puppy Code. The Puppy Code is used as a character focus to remind students to PAWS and do the right thing as part of our PBIS initiative. Each morning, teachers meet with students to discuss those character expectations during morning meeting. PAWSING and doing the right thing means that you are following our Puppy Code. Staff members recognize students throughout the school day for making good choices. We recognize these students for their excellent character each week with a weekly drawing, a 12 days of Peace Concert for those with no referrals, and the whole school celebrates at the end of the year, with a PTA sponsored, PAWS celebration.
BSE faculty and staff kicked off the 2017-2018 school year with professional development on Rubric 4.0 and technology tools for the classroom. Throughout the year, teachers experimented with three personally selected tech tools to offer innovative and cutting edge approaches to learning. As administrators visited classrooms teachers were given feedback using the guidelines of Rubric 4.0 as a way to become more proficient with this new evaluation tool. In monthly Teacher and Learning Teams, teachers reviewed assessments and data to determine areas of weakness. We have continued to address areas of concern to ensure that we are giving our students the very best. Using the data from the SC Ready test and MAP, we have made adjustments to our curriculum to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our students. We continue to offer intervention opportunities for students identified as needing more academic support. Such programs include Response to Intervention, LLI instruction, and Early 5K reading intervention. These intervention programs offer students the supports they need to be successful and are monitored to ensure academic gaps are being reduced. The SLO process assisted teachers in targeting areas of weakness at each grade level. From those weaknesses, teachers wrote goals and submitted a plan to target those areas that need improvement.
In response to our Read to Succeed reflection tool results, teachers participated in book studies. Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers utilized Jennifer Jacobson’s No More I’m Done to enhance writer’s workshop practices. Second through 4th grade teachers studied Burkins and Yaris’ Who’s Doing the Work to strengthen practices within literacy components. Parents were invited to Literacy Night in the Fall, where they gained insight on the importance of literacy and how they can help at home. In the Spring, parents were invited to a guided reading workshop called Literacy Snapshot. Parents and students participated together in a typical literacy block. These programs add additional instructional supports to assist in meeting the needs of our students.
A scheduled, common planning time offers teachers the opportunity to sit down with our instructional coaches twice a week. These planning sessions allow time to develop standards based lessons from the South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards, create assessments, and analyze test data.
Throughout the year, we offer many club opportunities. To ensure that all students are able to participate in our clubs, we offer clubs the last Friday of each month. Our Running Club participates in community runs. This year, the Running Club sponsored the third annual BSE Color Run. We had students from six other elementary schools participate, which gave us over 150 running club members. Our Gentlemen's Society completed community outreach projects. They spent time visiting residents at a local retirement facility. They also help to welcome and guide guests during school functions. The MUSE visits our school three times a year providing our students with art based programs. Students enjoy everything from drama to ballet. Our fine arts teachers host programs throughout the year to celebrate the student accomplishments in the arts. Our music teacher produces grade level performances showcasing the musical talents of our students throughout the year. While, our art teacher, showcases artwork from each student at the annual art show.
Boiling Springs Elementary is continuing to grow each year. With continued growth, we as a faculty and staff, will continue to work to meet the needs of all of our students to prepare them to be tomorrow's leaders.
Michelle Kimbrell, Principal
William Crawford, SIC Chair