National publication honors family engagement initiative from North Charleston Elementary

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – North Charleston Elementary School is the first school from Charleston County School District to be featured in the annual National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) Promising Partnership Practices handbook. The Dolphins are in the 2020 edition thanks to their initiative, Painting on Purpose with Parents.

The handbook is a collection of programs, events, and initiatives from schools across the country and the world. Forty entries from 14 districts in nine different states, as well as schools from Ireland and Scotland, are in this year’s edition.

The publication provides other schools with quality examples of community engagement from schools, which create better educational atmospheres and opportunities for students and their families.CCSD has been part of NNPS (sponsored by Johns Hopkins University) since 20 17; 40 of the district’s Title I schools are involved with this network.

North Charleston Elementary School’s (NCES) Painting on Purpose with Parents, which was held at the school in February 2020, linked artwork with behavioral goals of the school’s PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) program. An art activity reinforced the underlying goal of PBIS to support students’ positive behaviors and positive emotions about their own skills and talents.

With a parent/guardian partner, students also gained immediate family support and encouragement during a fun experience. Margaret Balcer (artist and Reading Interventionist at A.C. CorcoranElementary School), Sylvia Weeks (NCES P.E. teacher), and Tyra Johnson (NCES Parent Advocate) took the lead for the activity. Balcer gave step-by-step directions to students and parents on how to plan for a painting. Students showed parents skills that they learned in art class, as they paid attention to lines, shapes, colors, and blending techniques.

The experience helped students practice PBIS-related behaviors such as taking turns waiting for supplies, developing patience as the paint dried, and completing their paintings. Most importantly, the students practiced persistence. They did not North Charleston Elementary School_give up even if their painting did not turn out exactly as expected. Some students even encouraged their parents and friends to demonstrate this kind of dedication and patience.

“The project was important because painting is therapeutic and we wanted to offer families a wonderful experience and reward students,” said Johnson. “The school community is grateful because applying for an award or recognition is uncertain. However, we are overwhelmed with excitement to see our program highlighted in the Promising Partnership Practices handbook and to know we are the first school in our district to be recognized in this publication. We hope this will help other schools in CCSD pursue this kind of honor, and more importantly, increase their level of engagement with families.”

You can see the online edition of the Promising Partnership Practices handbook by clicking on this link; North Charleston Elementary is featured on page 26 of the document.

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About the Charleston County School District

Charleston County School District (CCSD) is a nationally-accredited school district that is committed to providing equitable and quality educational opportunities for all of its students. CCSD is the second-largest school system inSouth Carolina and represents a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools spanning 1,300 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 87 schools and specialized programs.CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), Montessori, and charter schools. Options include programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military.4921 Durant Avenue● North Charleston, SC 29405● tel. (843) 745-7107● fax. (843) 554-5716● ccsdschools.com/nces