Pelion Elementary School is helping all students develop the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by focusing on structuring our learning experiences to stimulate creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.
PES is a learning community focused on the development of every aspect of every child in every classroom. The entire staff works as a team to provide a safe and secure learning environment so that our students can develop their talents in a way that will enable them to go as far as their ambitions might carry them. Our goal is that they will be well-equipped as productive citizens and leaders in their community and beyond.
To help our students be motivated and self-directed learners, our teachers and instructional leaders make data-driven decisions concerning the delivery of instruction in literacy and math to bring about growth targeted to identify areas of need. Our math and literacy coaches use a student-centered coaching model to assist teachers in meeting the needs of all their students. Our teachers employ the latest technology along with books and hands-on methods to make learning engaging and meaningful. In addition to our targeted attention to developing core reading and math skills, we provide our students access to a STEM program and computer labs. We promote digital citizenship, and encourage our students and their families to practice safe technology use at school and at home. To enable our students to develop their artistic talents, PES provides excellent programs in music and art. To equip our students as global citizens, we offer Spanish instruction in our related arts rotation. Our physical education classes focus on building strong bodies through physical activity and healthy habits.
Recognizing the fact that all our students have individual needs, our Response to Intervention program, Special Education and ESOL programs provide caring, targeted support to enhance learning experiences for all our students and their families. Beyond those programs, we have other grant-funded programs that are designed to ensure that all our students have equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of income or ethnicity. For example, we provide research-based interventions to students with deficits in reading and math through our grant-funded after-school program for third, fourth and fifth graders. Our Summer Reading Program provides individualized and small-group instruction to students who are at least one grade level behind in reading. In June and July of 2019, this program will be funded through a Summer Reading Community Grant from the South Carolina Department of Education.
PES has been able to maintain its strong connection to the Pelion community because of tremendous support from local businesses and community groups. Partnerships with Shumpert’s IGA, Sweet Magnolias, Pelion Church of the Nazarene, Florence Baptist Church and the Lexington County Public Library have been beneficial to our students and staff. A strong PTO along with local churches and community groups have generously supported our efforts as well. A solid connection to the other schools in our feeder system has provided continuity for our families and a sense of unity for the entire community.
Another key element in our service to the Pelion community is our parenting program. We use groups such as Panther Moms and All Pro Dads to connect with our students’ parents and to enhance the sense of community. Newsletters and other publications keep parents informed and solicit their input concerning our programs. Special events such as Astronomy Night, Books and Bingo, Math March Madness Morning, Winter and Spring student performances, and career information opportunities encourage parents to be part of the PES experience.
At PES, our philosophy is that families, school and community must work in partnership to provide the best possible learning environment for our students. Based on that philosophy, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to strengthening the Pelion community by enabling its children to learn and grow.
Debbie Poole, Principal
Stacey Brown, SIC Chair