Gilbert Elementary School is helping all students develop the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by applying our mission and vision to every aspect of our teaching and learning processes.
GES’s mission is to cultivate a caring community where ALL learners are extraordinary communicators, collaborators, creators and critical thinkers. Our vision is to prepare each child to design the future. To fulfill our mission and embody our vision, we commit to the following: All students, regardless of circumstances, leave GES with the skills they need to succeed in middle school and beyond. Teaching and learning develop power skills in all students. GES is a service-oriented center of learning, committed to family and community partnerships. Every adult at GES will be equipped with the skills, resources and support necessary to empower every child to be a successful learner.
Our school theme this year was “Lights, Camera, Learn: It’s Showtime at GES!” In preparing students to be globally minded, all students participate in the world language of Spanish. Utilizing our Learning Commons, we continue to support and integrate student research and project-based learning. These individual and group projects foster critical-thinking and problem-solving skills for collaboration and teamwork.
GES is a Title I school. In an effort to foster growth in mathematics and reading achievement, we continue to utilize the services of mathematics and reading interventionists. We enlist a parent liaison to establish and provide support in encouraging parental engagement and improved school attendance, as well as to perform home visits to foster and encourage parental engagement.
Teacher teams meet weekly in intensive extended planning and assessment sessions to ensure critical content standards are taught and assessed with fidelity. Teachers use data from STAR 360, common assessments, SC READY testing, and a variety of other formative and summative assessments to measure and monitor student growth and progress. Students collaborate with their teachers to set goals and measure their own growth throughout the year.
GES launched Humanities and STEM-based Learning Clubs during the school day on Thursdays. Nine STEM-based Learning Clubs focused on LEGO 2.0, Little Bits and computer coding. Nine Humanities-based clubs were hosted for sign language, leadership, outdoor adventure, journalism, music, art, drama, community service and an international club. Students experienced the eight Power Skills (accountability, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, integrity, interpersonal skills, perseverance, willingness to take risks) during club time, as well as in each classroom throughout the year.
GES supported Relay For Life and the American Heart Association with a combined fundraising total of more than $10,000. Our school also sponsored “The Green Team” for recycling and caring for natural resources. GES also works with our local faith-based organizations to provide students in our community with a backpack food program and school supplies needed to begin school.
Our School Improvement Council, in collaboration with the PTO, launched several successful parent and student initiatives this year. They included a Daddy-Daughter dance, a Mother-Son kickball game and an end of the year “Hello Summer” dance. All of the events had high attendance and participation.
P. Heath Branham, Principal
Tim Willis, SIC Chair