From the Desk of... Dante Poole
Over the past three-and-a-half years, I have had the privilege of serving the students and families of Aberdeen Elementary School. A lot of good things have occurred over that time, such as winning the districtwide “Battle of the Books” competition, placing second in the robotics competition, visits from dignitaries from as far away as the country of Jordan and as close as the Mayor of Aberdeen, Robbie Farrell. We have worked hard to improve our achievement outcomes and built a purpose-driven positive school culture.
And now, students and staff at both the Aberdeen Primary and Aberdeen Elementary Schools are brimming with excitement as the doors of the new Aberdeen Elementary School are set to open in August of 2020.
Located at 525 Farrell Parkway off Rt. 5 across from Pit Link Lane, the new school will accommodate up to 800 students from kindergarten through the 5th grade. The school is structured to provide opportunities for self-guided learning and team-teaching strategies. The building layout utilizes a "main street" and compact "finger plan" organization to adapt to topography of the site. The energy efficient design includes modern technologies such as geothermal air conditioning systems, use of natural light, and wireless technology throughout.
With a nod to the railroads that facilitated growth in the Aberdeen area and surrounding communities, the new school has architectural features that resemble a rail station including exposed wood beams and train-station-style exterior lighting. Inside the building there are project rooms for collaborative work spaces, a STEM lab, and a kiln in the art room. As I watch our students make their own investment in their education, I get excited knowing that they will get to make an even greater investment in their brand-new school.
In an effort to provide specialized programming, Aberdeen Elementary has been accepted into the A+ Schools of North Carolina program with a full scholarship for its first year. Established in North Carolina in 1995, A+ Schools is a signature program of the North Carolina Arts Council and is the longest-running, arts-based whole-school reform model in the nation. A+ Schools is a whole-school transformation model that views the arts as fundamental to teaching and learning. Schools in the program develop a creative culture in which curriculum is taught through collaboration and multi-discipline integration, with the arts continuously woven into every child’s learning experience.
Students will have the opportunity to integrate science, technology, engineering, art and math across disciplines, allowing them to be better prepared to create a future for themselves that does not yet exist. Teachers are participating in training opportunities that will support their growth and development in this new environment, and various community organizations are joining the cause of providing our students with the social-emotional, academic and mental health supports they need to become successful citizens.
Consolidating Aberdeen Primary and Aberdeen Elementary schools into one building will make the new Aberdeen Elementary a viable pre-k to 5th grade school with a diverse population of students and committed, competent and caring staff of professional educators.
In honor of the history of the Aberdeen schools and in celebration of the new school, we will host an Aberdeen Schools Homecoming on Saturday, May 16, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All alumni of Aberdeen Primary and Aberdeen Elementary schools are invited to come visit the schools one last time before we ceremonially close the doors in June.
Serving the children and families of the Aberdeen school community remains one of the most rewarding and fulfilling work I have engaged in my professional career. I offer others the opportunity to join with us as we continue to make Every Child, Every Day the Tiger way!
Dante Poole
Proud Principal
Aberdeen Elementary School