Principal wants students to SHINE

New Alma Elementary Principal Kim Camp wants students in her school to shine in their classes this year.

SHINE refers to the inventive acronym Alma Elementary has chosen as a yearlong learning theme. In this instance, SHINE means: "All- Star Dream Team, Think Deeply, Imagine what can be, Inspire others and Celebrate success."

The theme reflects Camp's belief in encouraging students to exercise their creativity and explore the deeper meaning of academic subjects. She has asked teachers to spend more time this year on reading and hands-on activities in science.

"We want our students to be active learners," Camp said. "It's important for students to become good readers and develop a deeper understanding of the things they learn in class."

Camp was the school's literacy coach for four years before her promotion in March to principal. She replaces Jean Brewington, who has moved across town to become the Gaffney Middle principal.

"This has been an incredible opportunity," Camp said. "The teachers and I have worked together to create a strong, active learning environment. Now we are able to create a blueprint for learning at Alma."

Camp has spent 18 years as an elementary teacher and literacy coach in Cherokee County. Prior to working at Alma, she served as a literacy coach at Mary Bramlett, Draytonville, Blacksburg and B.D. Lee elementary schools.

She did a principal internship at Gaffney High under then-principal and Cherokee County school superintendent Dr. Bill James while she completed a master's degree in administration.

During a principal internship at Gaffney High, Camp helped write an application for GHS to be named a School of Promise. Schools involved in the national program partner with local community organizations to address issues related to the physical, mental and social well-being of students.

Alma Elementary plans to apply for recognition as a School of Promise.

But the school's main focus continues to be on reading and writing.

Alma has started its fifth year in a $600,000 federal Reading First grant program. Grant funds are used for staff development and reading instruction programs to help students become good readers by the end of the third grade.

Alma Elementary received the Literacy Spot Award this spring. The award recognizes outstanding literacy programs in elementary schools in South Carolina.

The award is given by the South Carolina Reading Recovery Advisory Council, the state Department of Education and the University Training Center at Clemson University. Alma Elementary will be honored in December.

"We really feel like our teachers need to be role models for students," Camp said. "If students see their teachers are readers and writers, they will want to do it as well."