As students learn like Champions at Chesnee Elementary School, the school goal is to develop world-class skills while molding life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. The faculty, staff, and administration strive to provide a safe, caring, and academically challenging learning environment for all students.
Seeking to build the optimal environment in all aspects, the focus centers around working together and the development of strong citizenship. Team>Me emphasizes the importance of being a part of something bigger and utilizing one’s strengths to be productive. Team building is a strong component embedded in the curriculum and school activities. As we model the thrill of life-long learning, our faculty and staff strive to be innovative, to be heavily involved in professional development, and to implement best practices in our classrooms.
Teachers at CES work to transform learning by guiding students in research, thinking on a deeper and more critical level, reading for details, using technology in innovative ways, and writing to explain thinking. In the past year alone, CES teachers have served as a model Impact Team for Spartanburg District Two, made school visits throughout the state, and participated in a number of professional development sessions focusing on using the most Impactful Strategies in classrooms. Chesnee Elementary School teachers continue to utilize various instructional strategies, such as, Lucy Calkins (Writing), Guided Reading, Guided Math, LLI (Reading Intervention), PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports), and Rubric 4.0 (a tool in increasing teacher effectiveness). Lead teachers continue to implement STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) lessons and help to expand similar research based initiatives throughout the school. Teachers recognize the importance of professional growth with the goal of increasing student performance.
Students routinely collaborate when researching in order to gather information regarding problems, work together to formulate solutions, and use presentation tools via technology to share work. iHub is a blended learning approach used at CES. Students visit the media center for three-week integrated units of instruction incorporating science, social studies, technology, and literature. Instructional coaches, the media specialist, and grade level teachers work together on the units to provide students with an engaging problem to solve and allow students flexibility to choose from a variety of delivery methods when presenting their conclusion.
To increase a love for reading and to reach the school goal of having all third graders reading on grade level, CES starts every day with school-wide reading and individual student conferencing to support effective comprehension strategies. To better assist reluctant readers, the addition of a reading interventionist allows extra attention in small groups for students who need more time to develop fundamental reading skills. To enhance reading engagement, CES implements “One Book, One School,” where the entire school and community engages in reading the same book. Activities throughout the year are centered around “One Book, One School” to promote literacy among students and their families. Title I parent surveys indicate that parents are excited to have the opportunity to read or listen to the book with their children and be an active participant in their child’s reading engagement. Students have opportunities for after school tutoring in reading, called Champ Camp and Boost (with transportation provided by the school). With a balanced literacy approach, individual needs are addressed to enhance achievement in all content areas. In addition, technology instruction continues to enhance student learning to prepare students for their futures in college and careers. With the continued implementation of one to one devices, students are exposed to a more personalized approach of learning. Many times, throughout the day, students are also working in stations to reinforce their individual learning while the teacher is leading guided instruction.
To cultivate well-rounded students, CES offers a variety of experiences outside of the classroom setting. Students participate in annual drama productions funded partially by a partnership with the Spartanburg Arts Council. Students also participate in student-led and organized service projects such as: local canned food drives, donations to the Children’s Hospital, and contributions to The American Heart Association and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Organization. The school also continues its partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Upstate to provide an extensive variety of after-school and summer opportunities. WCES News airs every morning with students responsible for all the operational duties. There are eleven different clubs opportunities in the morning and afternoon for students. Some examples of student clubs are Literacy Club, Girls on the Run, Smart Clicks, STEM Club, CES Singers, and Good News Club. Our second year of STEM club invited third, fourth, and fifth graders to learn about the engineering process along with CAD coding software and how to design and 3D print products. Several students from the club had the opportunity to present their projects at family events. Our STEM initiative is growing and grade levels are implementing STEM lessons within their instruction.
Six PTO programs, each beginning with singing and/or dancing by our students, are conducted every year. In 2018-19 over 340 participants attended each of three family nights designed to help parents know how to academically assist their children, exceeding school attendance expectations. In addition, CES also held our annual career fair and Veterans Day program which both invited and highlighted community members. Students also participated in a school-wide science fair and spelling bee.
While academics continue to be the main focus for the “Champs” of Chesnee Elementary School, forming strong bonds with young people helps to create the nurturing, hometown feel that is so important in developing a love for learning and a happy environment for children.
Cody Turner, SIC Chairperson
Deana S. Watson, Principal
