Get involved in a Comer school

The Comer School Development Program (SDP) was implemented in 2011-12 to support child development at four Hartsville elementary schools.

Developed at Yale University’s Child Study Center by Dr. James P. Comer in the late 1960s, the Comer SDP focuses on improving the academic achievement and personal development of every child. Dr. Comer is the Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry and associate dean of the Yale School of Medicine, and his globally recognized model has proven that combining education and development improves academic and behavioral outcomes.

Since introducing the SDP at Southside Early Childhood Center, Thornwell School for the Arts, Washington Street Elementary and West Hartsville Elementary, the Yale Child Study Center’s Student Development Surveys indicate an increase in self-confidence, getting along with peers and positive school climate as ranked by the students.

Additionally, discipline referrals significantly decreased in the three elementary schools (Southside is 4-5K) from year 2011 to 2014, by as much as 76%. Bus discipline referrals also decreased at Washington Street (64%) and West Hartsville (84%).

During the 2014-15 school year, the Comer Scholars program was created to address low math skills for students who ranked, “Not Met” on the 2014 Fall MAP test. The program met five days a week for 45 minutes prior to school. Of the 27 students attending regularly: n 15% began the program working on grade level n 41% ended the program working on grade level n 18% average growth rate of students

Six pathways to healthy child development and academic success The successful academic and behavioral outcomes are part of the Comer philosophy of promoting healthy child development. The Comer SDP uses six develop- mental pathways to characterize complete development: n Physical n Cognitive n Psychological n Language n Social n Ethical Strong home, school and community links Parents, caregivers and families must be involved in developing the whole child throughout the learning process. To that end, the PULSE mentor program has paired students with caring community volunteers. In 2014-15, 70 students were served by 62 mentors.

The program at Comer schools enhances the precepts of child development. Scoutreach is overseen by the Area Council of the Scoutreach Division of the , which provides special emphasis to urban and rural programs. Enrollment increased 107% from 2012 to 2014.

In Spring 2015, outreach to support families extended to several hundred parents and caregivers at the Spring Fling event focused on summer learning loss.

After 180 Days: Hartsville/A Community Perspective addresses how the Comer SDP is embraced and supported by the schools and community at large. (www.teachfoundation) The original 180 Days video was created to give a voice to those involved in the Comer process and aired on SCETV.

A legacy of parent-teacher collaboration Working together is an important part of the Comer SDP. Comer schools foster an environment where a proactive home- school-community program involves teachers and parents working together. Since collaborative relationships are based on mutual trust and respect, the school’s teachers and staff work closely with parents to support them as they support their children.

Each Comer school has a School Planning and Management Team (SPMT) that develops a comprehensive school plan, sets academic, social and community relations goals, and coordinates all school activities. Members of the team include administrators, teachers, support staff and parents.

In addition to the SPMT, each Comer school has a Parent Team that involves parents and families in the school by developing activities to support the school’s social and academic programs. This team also selects representatives to serve on the SPMT.

Make a difference The Comer SDP promotes at-school family involvement and at-home family involvement. Family involvement in the education process is so important that each Comer school has a Parent Team. Parents support the learning and development of every child, and we hope you will consider becoming a part of your school’s Parent Team today.

We can use your help, your ideas and your time. There are many ways you can become involved: n Attend parent-teacher conferences n Monitor your child’s homework and school progress n Support school events and activities n Volunteer in the school

If you are interested in volunteering at a school or joining a Parent Team, please contact the school principal.

Southside Early Childhood Center Washington Street Elementary Principal – Patricia Toney Principal – Tara King 843 383 3105 843 383 3141 [email protected] [email protected]

Thornwell School for the Arts West Hartsville Elementary Principal – Dr. Lilkenya Jenkins Principal – Julie Mahn 843 383 3127 843 383 3144 [email protected] [email protected]