Rocky Creek Elementary School is helping all students develop the World-Class Skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by creating a safe, nurturing, learning culture of excellence. Our students acquire learning experiences in academics, arts, leadership and global citizenship. Through collaboration with our families and community members, RCES faculty and staff members strive to ensure that all of our Rangers grow to become self-directed learners, caring citizens and positive world-changers.
RCES, in partnership with Code To The Future, is one of South Carolina’s first Computer Science Immersion schools. Through this partnership, our students learn the fundamentals of computer coding as part of their daily curriculum. Our kindergarten through fifth grade students engage in innovative block-based programming languages, robotics and text-based programming environments. Critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration are developed in all our students, and they are able to apply problem-solving and presentation skills through the experience of coding immersion. Throughout the school year, three EPIC Build showcases were held for students to showcase their learning and coding projects for all stakeholders.
Our students receive world-class knowledge from dedicated teachers who provide a rich curriculum based on the South Carolina state standards. In collaboration with their teachers, our Rangers create a positive vision of what they would like to accomplish academically, then purposefully drive to achieve their goals. We developed a comprehensive reading plan that immerses our students in a literacy-rich environment. Students are explicitly taught skills from Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study, and engage in authentic reading and writing activities to increase their proficiency. World-class knowledge of math is taught using the spiraling curriculum of Everyday Mathematics, which continually reinforces math concepts through concrete real-world examples. Our student-centered learning experiences require students to use critical thinking and problem-solving strategies in all academic areas. These educational experiences are designed to foster collaborative intellectual dialogue among students and teachers, as well as engage students in the meaningful practice of knowing how to learn.
We continually grow the positive school culture RCES has in place and develop student leaders through the Energy Bus for Schools Leadership Journey. This journey affords all stakeholders an opportunity to have a voice and choice through a shared leadership approach that incorporates seven common principles. It is through these principles that students learn about responsibility, initiative, self direction, perseverance, work ethic, and taking care of others and self.
At RCES, we realize that the meaningful integration of technology will prepare our students to become active, successful contributors to our 21st century society. Students are provided with a variety of digital tools which are integrated throughout the curriculum, affording students the opportunity to gather information, collaborate with others and creatively communicate their understanding of the content. Additionally, these digital tools allow students to receive individualized and differentiated instruction at a pace that suits the needs of each learner.
Beyond the core academic areas, we are committed to providing students with a variety of opportunities that develop the whole child. Students enhance their global perspective through their participation in our world language and related arts classes. These classes allow students to grow their proficiency in Spanish, and develop an appreciation for art and music, as well as the artists and musicians who create. Our physical education classes and after-school running clubs allow students to focus on improving personal health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These physical activities also allow students to improve their interpersonal skills by being part of a team, and help students learn the value of perseverance and a strong work ethic as they strive to achieve various athletic goals. This spring, we celebrated the arts by holding our first Related Arts Showcase for all students. This provided an opportunity for all students to share their learning and final projects with our stakeholders.
At RCES, each student is a leader. Students learn and demonstrate leadership skills throughout every aspect of their experience. Each student maintains a cumulative Driver’s Manual to set goals, record their progress and celebrate successes across their years at RCES. Students share their Driver’s Manuals with families during Student-Led Conferences each year. In addition, a group of fifth graders known as our Ready Rangers use their leadership skills to welcome our students each morning in car line, assist with our youngest Rangers and greet special visitors.
Our students and staff also serve our community by participating in a variety of individual and class service projects. Students participate in The Great Kindness Challenge each year. This year, we contributed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as Relay For Life and Pennies for Patients. We held a canned food drive for Harvest Hope Food Bank and collected clothing items for Mission Lexington.
In collaboration with our PTA, SIC, families and community, RCES continues to provide our students with the academic knowledge and skills as well as the character traits necessary to meet the demands of the 21st century. Possession of these skills and traits will propel our students forward, toward a future with limitless opportunities.
Brenda Nichols, Principal
John Gagan, SIC Chair