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.
