Palmetto Elementary School 1 Roberts Boulevard Williamston, SC 29697 864-847-5442 Anderson School District One 801 N. Hamilton Street Williamston, SC 29697
MISSION: Anderson School District One is committed to providing an academically challenging, communitydriven, and diverse educational experience based on the individual needs of each student. We believe: Individuals can learn, be successful, and make a valuable contribution to society. Each individual has different needs and deserves equal opportunities to achieve at his/her greatest potential. Students learn best in a safe and secure environment where they are valued and treated with fairness and respect. A diversified education that enriches individuals and society is the responsibility of stakeholders. Learning is a lifelong process MISSION: P-Promoting Curiosity E-Educating Minds S-Securing Futures We believe: All children, regardless of differences, should be presented with high expectations and have equal learning opportunities Children are unique and achieve their fullest potential when engaged in a variety of challenging educational experiences Education is a life-long process that when applied to everyday experiences will lead to a love of learning All children should be instructed and encouraged to set goals, complete tasks, and become knowledgeable, responsible, community members MISSION AND BELIEFS
ASD1 Quality Assurance Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) K-10 High School Assessment Program (HSAP) End of Course exams (EOC) Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) American College Testing (ACT) Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) Master schedule for each school SAFE-T and Goals Based Evaluation Instructional and administrative meetings Highly qualified staff Palmetto Elementary School Quality Assurance Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) Tests Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Formative and summative assessments Quarterly data analysis meetings Grade level and faculty Meetings All lesson plans are turned into administration SAFE-T and Goals Based Evaluations for all certified teachers Peer Observations Administration conducts teacher observations Schedules of minutes of time taught DISTRICT/SCHOOL-WIDE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ACADEMIC ASSURANCES
ASD1 Challenges/Limitations Providing student needs while experiencing reduced state, local and federal funding Increasing class sizes Meeting the needs of a diverse population Differentiating instruction to meet the needs of individual students Overcoming the language barrier of non English speakers. Improving graduation rate Meeting the ongoing needs of at risk/special needs students Palmetto Elementary School Decreasing the number of students in selfcontained special education classes Closing the achievement gap for our increased at-risk population Accommodating and challenging all students Improving student behavior Increasing stakeholder involvement Increasing exemplary scores on the state PASS assessment Increase students that met target RIT score on MAP Decreasing tardies and absences Increasing community/business partnerships CHALLENGES/LIMITATIONS/PRIORITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
District One Initiatives Response to Intervention program at K-8 grade levels Implementation of Read 180/System 44 at two middle and two secondary schools 21 st Century After School Grant Awards Teaching American History Grant (4-5) (6-12) Anderson One K-5 Literacy Initiative Professional Learning Communities Training and placement of mentors Upgrading and revising existing technologies to increase instructional effectiveness Continual funding for K3 and K4 programs Creation of Smartboard lessons in the implementation of new math series Curriculum mapping for core subject areas (K-5) Implementation of the Power of I program in middle and high schools Data analysis to improve instruction Comprehensive training in Stewards of Children - Darkness to Light Palmetto Elementary School School-wide focused reading time (SOAR) Providing academic assistance and intervention to all students needing help in reading for grades K-5. Summer Reading Program Providing academic assistance to all students needing help in math for grades 1-5. Reduced the pull out time by having the resource teacher go into the classroom during math instruction. Early Risers-students practice keyboarding skills, play educational games, and surf the World Wide Web in the computer lab Accelerated Reading Program Morning and Afternoon activities i.e. Art Club, Palmetto Singers, Recorder Choir, Drama Club Early Risers- media center opens every morning at 7:30 for students to read and take AR test. All teachers in grades K-2, 4, and 5 are teaching ELA through the guided reading model. Family Reading Night ANDERSON DISTRICT ONE/SCHOOL INITIATIVES
ASD1 Strengths/Accomplishments State test rankings in top 5% in all core areas Gold/Silver Awards for student achievement Increased emphasis on data analysis and monthly instructional meetings Improvement in instructional technology Fiscal responsibility,unqualified opinion audit report Emphasis on fine arts Partnership with North West Evaluation Association Referendum building program Effective and responsive maintenance staff 15% of teachers are Nationally Board Certified National Blue Ribbon School winner AFJROTC Distinguished Unit Award NJROTC Distinguished Service Award Title I Distinguished School semi-finalist Palmetto s Finest finalist Exemplary Writing School National Spelling Bee Finalist Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) Award Met AYP Palmetto Elementary Strengths/Accomplishments 21 st Century Grant 3 computer labs Horizons Enrichment Classes in music, dance, Karate, Guitar, Arts and Crafts, Piano, technology, cooking, and basketball. A school- wide focus on reading with a SOAR time (Students Overcoming and Achieving in Reading) each morning. SMART Boards in each classroom, Senteo Assessment System available for classroom use, ALEKS computer based instruction in Math Parent friendly website 12 National Board Certified Teachers- 100% Attendance of parents at Parent Conferences Active PTO 2 teacher resource rooms Service Learning: SuperBowl Food Drives, Pennies for Patients, Holiday Cards for VA hospital patients Department of Natural Resources School (DNR) Response to Intervention Highly successful Student Nutrition Program Career & Technology Center Gold Readiness Award Special Education Recognition for Compliance Closing the Gap recognition 100% HQ staff STRENGTHS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ASD1 Stakeholder Communication/Involvement PES Stakeholder Communication/Involvement Opportunities for Stakeholder Involvement Partnerships with local churches/social agencies Board meetings District SIC Referendum committee Adult education Family literacy District ESOL Opportunities for Information Parent contact at each school Key communicators at each school Edulink phone system District/school based websites Office of Public Information Parent Portal Partnerships with local media: Powdersville Post Anderson Independent Greenville News Opportunities for Growth Substitute training for non certified substitutes Professional Development activities and courses offered for certified/non certified staff Family/Parent nights at all elementary schools GED/Adult Ed Program Partnership with colleges/ universities Teacher of Year forum Offerings in fine arts Active PTSO at all schools Business partnerships Athletic events Committee for new Powdersville High School Williamston Journal Opportunities for Stakeholder Involvement School Improvement Council End of Year Student Award Ceremonies Parent-Teacher Nights Parent-Teacher-Student Organization Parent-Teacher Conferences Opportunities for Information Edulink Phone System Key Communicator The Williamston Journal ASD1 website, school websites, and teacher websites Email Parent Portal to access student grades Recognitions Teacher of the Year Volunteer Breakfast and Dinner Opportunities for Growth All employees have growth opportunities through district classes Professional development opportunities at the school and district level STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT
ASD1 Staff Quality Comprehensive program to assist teachers in the certificate renewal process through the use of Coursewhere Maintenance of a very effective system of monitoring certification and highly qualified status for each teacher and staff member Annual review and placement of teachers on the basis of highly qualified and certification status Recruitment of teachers using a variety of techniques at the local, state and national level Cooperation with higher education institutes in the surrounding area by the placement of practicum and student teachers Intense support given to first year teachers through an Induction class and assignment of a mentor trained in a nationally recognized model Retention of teachers through a comprehensive network of support from local and district level Evaluation of principals using the state principal evaluation model. All first year principals participate in the Principal Induction Program. Comprehensive system of evaluation for all professional staff through the state ADEPT (Assisting, Developing and Evaluation Teachers) system Evaluation of classified employees and training in areas needing improvement Annual review of school surveys and testing data with principals to discuss strengths and weaknesses and set goals for the overall school program Comprehensive training for substitutes to better equip them in classroom management and instruction Palmetto Elementary School Staff Quality To ensure quality certified and highly qualified teachers in every classroom Assign teachers based on certification, highly qualified status, and past experiences First year teachers receive support through the Induction and Mentoring Programs Second year teachers are evaluated through SAFE-T All teachers are evaluated by the principal and instructional assistant principal on a regular basis Certified teachers and support staff are provided with opportunities for training throughout the year All teachers with 3 or more years of experience create yearly goals using the Goal- Based Evaluation tool SACS accredited HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF (Professional and Classified)