Schultz reflects . “ Now we are seeing that what we are doing is really helping , and that our interventions are working .” Results clearly speak volumes , and within just three quarters individual academic growth has become apparent , with many students performing well ahead of their grade level .
According to English , the local 4H has also remained involved in the project , and has created lesson plans with the garden in mind for teacher use during science instruction . “ The classroom and the garden will really make learning relevant for the children ,” Henderson says . “ We are all very excited about it .”
In addition to academic leaps , the school has also implemented Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports ( PBIS ) as part of the RTI program . By adopting a set of consistent rules , defining expectations with child-appropriate lesson plans , and rewarding positive behaviors , Henderson has also seen a decline in disciplinary issues .
A PTA THAT WORKS WONDERS Jena English is Berewick ’ s PTA president , and in this capacity has led this high achieving group to achieve great things . In addition to earning a PTA award for increasing membership by 100 members , English has applied former grant writing experience to secure several grants that have greatly benefitted the school .
The greatest coupe thus far has been the $ 5,000 Lowe ’ s Toolbox Grant , which together with incredible support from the neighborhood have helped the school go above and beyond throughout the construction process . The result was the creation of an outdoor classroom and a Friendship Garden .
Plans are underway for children to plant and nurture herbs and vegetables in the garden , and to return a portion of their bounty to groups like Meals for Wheels and Friendship Trays .
English was also instrumental in securing a $ 500 IKEA grant for classroom supplies that together with additional funds allowed the school to build cost-effective document cameras as well as provide additional lighting , book containers , and the like .
Henderson notes that the PTA also funded Time for Kids , provided starter money for classroom libraries , and even earned a safety grant to supply walkie talkies as part of an increased safety initiative .
CURB APPEAL The Outdoor Classroom and Friendship Garden , complete with a 16x16 patio bricked with the names of school supporters , will surely go a long way to improving the school ’ s curb appeal .
However Henderson and English believed more could be done to beautify the exterior of the school where the limited trees and sparse grounds announce its newness . To this end , the school is poised to receive 150 trees courtesy of Trees Charlotte in conjunction with Hands On Charlotte .
TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER From dinners donated by local restaurants like Nothing from Noodles ; Panera Bread , and Zios , to donated hams and turkeys that provided holiday meals to teachers and families in need courtesy of Bilo , Harris Teeter , Lowes Foods , and Food Lion , it is clear that Berewick ’ s community takes care of the school and vice versa .
“ I am proud of our school ’ s partnerships ,” Henderson says . Judah Church sends volunteers on a weekly basis , and is installing a sound system for use during Sunday services that the school will be able to use .
Newer partnerships include a relationship with the Queen City Futbol Club that will begin offering weekend soccer clinics as well as providing character education in the classroom , and one with Peaceful Dragon Martial Arts , which has held classes at school and donated proceeds back to the PTA .
ON THE PATH TO GREATNESS Berewick Elementary School may be young , but its approach to academic excellence , strong family ties , and community partnerships are noteworthy — with results that speak for themselves .
Berewick Elementary
5910 Dixie River Rd , Charlotte , NC 28278
PH : 980-344-1010
http :// schools . cms . k12 . nc . us / berewickES / Pages / Default . aspx
Principal : Mojdeh Henderson
My School Rocks ! – 29