Principal's Welcome Page

My philosophy is that school should be fun!  I believe if students enjoy school and want to come; then they will learn more.  Therefore, it is my responsibility to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for the children to learn.   
 

First, Cheraw Intermediate School is an Arts in Basic Curriculum site.  The goal of our arts vision is to enhance student achievement by utilizing arts integration activities to promote engagement, motivation, creative thinking, and problem-solving.  Through arts integration our students participate in arts related educational field trips, create and display art work in the art gallery, and perform in plays, chorus, and dance.  The Follies and West African drumming and dancing residency are two events of special interest and culminate with student performances. Our students love the extra art opportunities available to them.  
 

However, we cannot just have fun; we have to learn as well.  We have an extraordinary staff of caring, dedicated teachers.  One hundred percent are fully certified and considered highly qualified by NCLB.  As a result, our students receive the best instruction and excel in academics.  This year, the PACT results indicated gains in many areas.  When our PACT scores were compared to the state averages, we surpassed the percentage of students who met grade level standards in most areas.  Third grade had 42 different sub-groups of student scores in English Language Arts, math, science, and social studies, and they exceed the state average in 36 of the 42.  (All ELA and math sub-group scores were higher.)  The fourth grade students had an even higher percentage of sub-groups exceeding the state average; 88% or 38 out of the 43 fourth grade sub-groups were higher than the state average.  (All ELA sub-group scores)  In fifth grade, 32 of the 44 sub-groups scored higher that the state average.  Even more amazing, when we compared the percentage of third students scoring advanced in ELA and math to the state average, we discovered that 19 of the 21 sub-groups performed better than the state average.  I am so proud of all our students and their academic accomplishments this year. 
 

Our students also excelled in athletics.  Once again, CIS was identified as the State Champion of the Presidential Fitness Challenge for all elementary schools in SC with an enrollment of over 500 students.  To earn this distinction the students were required to meet or exceed rigorous standards for physical activity that measure strength, agility, flexibility, speed, and endurance.  CIS was honored to receive a letter of recognition from the governor, Mr. Mark Sanford, for this achievement. 
 

CIS encourages citizenship by recognizing students who demonstrated good character.  The students participate in mock elections and vote for local, state, and national candidates.  Student representatives formed a student government and conduct service projects like assisting with school beautification and Red Ribbon Week activities.  The student body also participates in raising money to support various charities; the students raised over $17,000 for Relay for Life and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital last year. 
 

As we celebrate our accomplishments, we acknowledge the dedication and contributions of our staff, parents, community members, and business partners and look forward to continued success in the 2008/2009 school year. 
 

Scott Eddins, Principal   

Email Scott Eddins