Nestled in the
rolling hills of Fairview Township at the geographic center of West
Shore School District, Fairview Elementary provides educational
services for approximately 275 students in kindergarten through fifth
grade. The average class size is 23 students. The
majority of professional staff holds advanced degrees or are currently
enrolled in graduate programs, and each staff member attends a minimum
of 30 hours per year of staff development activities. The
West Shore School District provides our teachers and support staff
with an excellent and on-going staff development program, ensuring
professional growth and training in new methods and materials.
Students at Fairview receive a strong foundation in basic skills,
with an integrated language arts program including reading, spelling,
grammar, and writing. Our mathematics program is rich with number
concepts, open-ended assessments, and problem-solving skills. We use an
actively involved integrated approach to understanding social studies
and science concepts. We set high standards that are met by our
students. Our curriculum incorporates the Pennsylvania state and
national standards.
Students
attend specialized art, music, library, and physical education
classes. Fairview offers a recorder program in third grade, band, and
orchestra opportunities for fourth and fifth graders. We also have a fifth grade “choral bell” specialty group. The
students benefit from participation in annual events such as musical
performances, Academic Bowl, and a variety of family-oriented
activities sponsored by the PTO.
In keeping
with our philosophy of community service at Fairview, our Student
Council chooses projects that benefit the school as well as the
surrounding communities. Last year, they successfully raised money for
the Four Diamonds Fund, American Heart Association, Central
Pennsylvania Food Bank, Harrisburg Humane Society, and the Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society.
At Fairview we demonstrate “Panther Pride”.
Students meet regularly to celebrate birthdays, academic
accomplishments, and recognize achievements and special events outside
of school. Each Panther Pride meeting has a different theme designated
to strengthen the “community” of learners at Fairview. The Panther
Pride meetings are used in conjunction with the Hurt Free School
initiative that teaches children about positive school behaviors that
help to create a welcoming school climate.
Parent participation is encouraged and welcomed at Fairview. Parents
work in our classrooms with students needing some extra one-on-one
time. They help in our library and are an integral part of our Junior
Achievement and Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program. Our Parent
Teacher Organization provides resources for field trips, assemblies, and
programs like our Fall Festival and Mayfair. All of these energetic
and vibrant volunteers make a significant contribution to the total
school experience of our children.
Your child’s safety and security are a number one concern to us at Fairview. We
have all access doors locked throughout the school day. Admittance to
the building is achieved through a buzz-in system involving a monitor
and verification through the office. All visitors must sign in at the
office and wear a visitor’s badge at all times. For everyone’s
protection, all volunteers will be screened prior to having contact with
our children. Fairview has a latch key program to assist parents in
caring for their children before and after school. Housed in the all
purpose room, and run by an outside agency, this program has proven
successful for many of our working parents.