Eastminster Day School Mission: To live out our baptismal vows by providing high quality Christian-based education, development, and care for young children of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and the community
Accomplishments in 2020: • Revised the school calendar to balance the needs of full time & part time families, time off for staff, time to clean facilities, and for professional development. • Kept EDS up and running during a pandemic by putting the health and safety of all children and staff first while continuing to provide the care and education that EDS is known for around the community. • Created a staff schedule that coincides with best practices (primary caregivers). • Grew the enrollment of the After School program to reach 20 -25 children. And Developed an e-learning opportunity for Richland One students. • Hired, and continue to hire, committed staff that will develop deeper relationships with the children. • Built each classroom library with additional books for the children. • Built and will continue to build staff morale. Our retention rate has increased significantly, we have almost 75% returning staff. • Continue working with First Steps to encourage best practices within the Nursery, Toddler, and Two classrooms. • Evaluated current pay structure of staff and adjust salaries as necessary to ensure EDS is competitive with other day schools in our area. • Research and explore the need and possibility of public relations and/or advertisement for EDS tailored for teacher recruitment. • Installed new flooring for all classrooms. • Painted all classrooms.
Goals for 2021: • Allow teachers to observe and visit other learning centers utilizing Creative Curriculum. • Install “phase 2” of playground structures, specifically in regard to a soft surface for the younger kids’ playground and a large shaded area for older kids’ playground. • Update the EDS curriculum and associated professional development goals. • Continue to replenish reserve fund by adding $225,000 to the fund in 2021. • Update the strategic plan developed in 2016. • Build deeper relationships with the families through improved communications. • Implement a new emailing system (Constant Contact) for improved communication. • Add an EDS Kindergarten for currently enrolled children, and community members. • Update rooms for the School Age Classroom. • Update countertops and cabinets in all classrooms. • Offer a retirement option for all employees. • Increase staff pay, for qualified staff members. • Continue to find opportunities for EPC staff and EDS staff to interact with one another and build relationships. • Begin exploring and implementing action items for the Dreaming and Discerning Report. Want to know more?
EDS Chair: Becky Smythe (2021) - Becksmythe@aol.com Eastminster Staff Support: Dr. Douglass Key, Jenny Smith & Leslie Snell Eastminster Annual Review - Page 37
