West Pelzer Elementary School - Anderson School District One

West Pelzer Elementary School
10 W Stewart St
West Pelzer, SC 29669
864-947-6424
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:
The mission of West Pelzer Elementary School is to
R.E.A.C.H. every child, parent, teacher, and community
member by respecting others, educating all, achieving
goals, communicating well, and setting high
expectations while molding today’s learner into
tomorrow’s creative and innovative thinker.
We believe:
All students can learn to their maximum
potential when provided with valuable learning
experiences.
All students are valued individuals with unique
qualities.
In the importance of instilling a desire in
students to become responsible and productive
citizens.
That assessment results should be used to drive
daily instruction and create a challenging
learning environment.
All students have a right to a safe, secure, and
welcoming environment.
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
West Pelzer Elementary School’s Quality
Assurance
Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS)
Tests
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Tests
Data studies of all standardized tests
Fountas and Pinnell reading assessments
Assignments posted on teacher websites
SAFE-T and Goals Based Evaluations for all
certified teachers
Team, grade level and faculty meetings
Teacher observations by administration
Response to Intervention team meetings
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
West Pelzer Elementary School
Accommodating and challenging all students
Increasing stakeholder involvement
Increasing scores on the state PASS assessment
Meeting the needs of an increasing number of
students in poverty
Implementing the best practices of teaching in
all subject areas
Differentiating instruction in all areas of
instruction
Improving school cleanliness
Professional development for Reading and
Writing Workshops
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
West Pelzer Elementary School
Response to Intervention program
Providing academic assistance to all students
through tutoring , Early Intervention classes,
and Goal Post after-school program
Ensuring common planning time for grade
levels to increase team planning and unit
development
Implementation of Guided Reading in all grade
levels
Professional development initiative in Writing,
followed by the implementation of the Writing
Workshop in grades 1-5
Use of SmartBoard lessons in all areas of the
curriculum
Curriculum mapping used for long-range
planning
Data analysis of PASS and MAP test scores
School-wide recognition of individual student
achievement in reading and math
Morning news program hosted by students
Comprehensive training in “Stewards of
Children - Darkness to Light”
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
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
West Pelzer Elementary
Strengths/Accomplishments
Closing the Achievement Gap Award for the
previous seven years
Cyber-Bullying Program
American Wildlife Federation’s Schoolyard
Habitat
2 computer labs with new research-focused
software
SmartBoards in every classroom
Parent friendly websites with homework
accessible
Data studies for all PASS and MAP assessments
Early Interventions in Reading
Very active PTO and community support with
the Good News Club
Excellent absolute report card rating with
Average growth
Title I Parent Nights
Piano Keyboarding Lab
Student and teacher performing arts
productions annually
RTI
Goal-Post Afterschool Program
Recycling Program
Closing the Gap recognition
100% HQ staff
STRENGTHS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ASD1 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
WPES Stakeholder Communication/Involvement
Opportunities for Stakeholder Involvement
School Improvement Council
End- of -Year Student Award Ceremonies
Science Bags
Parent-Teacher Organization
Guest Readers
School Yard Habitat Volunteers
Partnership with Local Churches
Title I Parent Meetings
Opportunities for Information
Edulink Phone System
Key Communicator
The Williamston Journal
ASD1 Website, School Website, and Teacher
Websites
Parent Portal
Email
Recognitions
Teacher of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Crowning Behavior Recognitions
Opportunities for Growth
All employees have growth opportunities
through district classes
Site-based book study groups
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
West Pelzer 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
Grade-level and team planning
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
SACS accredited
HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF (Professional and Classified)