PSES and PSMS "Iron Horses" set to blaze new trail
Construction crews scurried in and out of the building, bulldozers pushed dirt into place, and landscaping equipment buzzed as those tasked with putting the finishing touches on the new Philip Simmons Elementary School (PSES) and Philip Simmons Middle School (PSMS) worked in a whirl of activity last week to get ready for the first day of school.
On Monday, August 15, more than 500 students and 90 staff members are expected to walk through the front doors of the gleaming, state-of-the-art building for the much-anticipated start of the new school year.
The 172,000 square foot, $35.9 million facility houses both schools and boasts an interior decor inspired by the forest and wetlands surrounding the site, as well as design touches reminiscent of the work of the schools’ namesake, the late Master Blacksmith Philip Simmons. Each school will have a separate entrances and administrations, but will share commons areas such as the gymnasium and cafeteria/multi-purpose room.
Philip Simmons Elementary School
Dr. Karen Whitley, PSES Principal, has spent the last several weeks getting all of the resources in place for her new charges, as well as making sure teachers and parents have all the information they need to get off to a great start.
“We’re just whirling!” she said, when The Daniel Island News stopped in to visit the sprawling new campus off Clements Ferry Road on August 4. “There is so much excitement with the families, with the businesses, and with the community. Our PTA and parents have been gathering materials and resources for the school for months now!”
In fact, she added, so much has been collected or donated that the PTA has had to stash supplies in two storage units.
“It’s had a tremendous impact,” said Whitley, of the manpower put forth by the PTA since it was formed last year. “…Anything we need, they are right there to get. They’re just always there ready to help. They are certainly on standby for any kind of support that we need during the opening.”
Whitley has also spent a considerable amount of time recruiting new teachers and staff members for the school. All total, she has spoken with over 200 individuals in search of those who would best meet PSES standards in serving students in grades 4K - 4th grade. The extra effort has paid off, she said.
“From the very beginning, I set the bar high,” Whitley continued. “…I have a real diverse group. And they all have their unique strengths. A lot of them are nationally board certified, and a lot of them were ‘Teachers of the Year.’ So we have the cream of the crop. And they all wanted to be here.”
Both schools will feature a STEAM curriculum - which utilizes science, technology, engineering, art and math for instruction. Although several Berkeley County campuses currently use various STEAM components, PSES and PSMS will be the first to utilize the full program throughout the entire instructional day. Additionally, five teachers have already applied for grants totaling some $93,000 to help fund various STEAM initiatives, said Whitley, including a new “Maker Space” in the Media Center where students could come together to learn, build and explore using a 3-D printer and other tech-friendly tools.
Whitley, who previously served as principal at Berkeley Elementary School and then spent 12 years as a district administrator, is looking forward to bringing some of the “best practices” she has observed throughout her career to PSES.
“It’s really an exciting time that I am able to take all of the things that I have learned from all of the great principals that we have in Berkeley County and put them to use!”
Philip Simmons Middle School
Down the road from the PSES/PSMS campus, in a replica of the 1920s era Keith School on Clements Ferry Road, PSMS Principal Anthony Dixon met with his new team on August 4 for a staff retreat. In between sessions, he explained the purpose for the gathering.
“It’s an opportunity to build our collaborative culture,” noted Dixon, who will oversee students in grades 5-8. “We’re trying to get to know the community, so we’ve invited some community members to drop in and people who are affiliated with our school in some way… Also, we’re doing instructional planning for the year and taking care of some check list, to-do items that we do at the beginning of the year.”
Dixon said he is expecting anywhere from 237 to 245 students on the first day of school.
“Our main goal is to build a family, a family of learning, where students feel comfortable critically thinking, asking questions, making mistakes and learning from those mistakes,” he added. “…And introducing them to all of the new, exciting aspects of STEAM that we’ve learned!”
In addition to STEAM, another plus for students is that kids in both schools will also participate in the Berkeley County School District’s “One to One” technology program, which provides every student in grades 1-8 with a Chromebook to use in school and at home.
“I think having that ‘One to One’ approach, every student having a Chromebook, the teachers having their initial content training from Clemson University, getting that context of what STEAM is and problem-based learning, we think that’s really going to set us apart,” said Dixon.
“This school is on the cutting edge with ‘One to One,’ with the Smart TVs, the whole STEAM concept,” added Whitley. “It so supports the profile of the 21st century learner.”
For Dixon, who formerly served as principal at Cainhoy Elementary Middle School and assistant principal at Daniel Island School, being able to witness the evolution of PSES and PSMS has been a thrilling process.
“It’s been exciting because of the learning experience and the opportunities,” he added. “And just watching it go from brick and mortar to what it looks like now, and being part of the training and initiatives behind it, and working with staff. I think what’s been great is we’ve been able to collaborate with staff the entire time instead of force feeding a ‘this is what we’re doing’ (message). So the buy-in has been different…We may not get it right the first time, but it’s all gonna happen. We’re learning from each other and there is no judgement. It’s just all of us working together.”
Although there may be few bumps on opening day, typical for any new school, Dixon is hopeful that all will go smoothly.
“There is just lots of excitement,” he added. “We’ve worked hard behind the scenes to make sure that students have their schedules, that teachers know we’re moving in, and just planning that first day out so it can be a structured, organized chaos! We’re foreseeing a lot of us introducing students to our expectations, getting to know students, and jumping right into learning that first day. We want to hit the ground running!”
New PSMS teacher Suzette Coors, of Memphis, Tennessee, is eager to meet her new students and get started.
“I just have been so overwhelmed by the amount of support and just really the family that this is,” said Coors, who will teach language arts and social studies. “It feels so fortunate to start out as a first year teacher in this type of environment because it’s just so rare for first year teachers to be in such a great position, and I’m so lucky to have experienced teachers around me that can help me out and show me the ropes!”
“It’s brand new…and as a school community we get to put our footprint on this school,” added PSMS english/language arts teacher Dylan Hudson. “We get to determine the culture of the school and that’s very exciting - because it doesn’t happen very often. I’m definitely looking forward to it!”
Several months ago, the PTAs for PSEM and PSMS worked with the district and community to help choose a mascot to represent both schools. In a nod to the acclaimed Mr. Simmons, the “Iron Horses” were selected. From all accounts, it appears they are well positioned to forge a promising new future.
“I am over the top excited!” added Whitley. “…This is going to be a year to establish a lot of traditions!”\
PHILIP SIMMONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PHILIP SIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony & Back to School Celebration
Sunday, August 14, 2016
1-3 p.m.
2095 Seven Sticks Drive
Wando, SC