Southwest Elementary takes on new theme
The staff of Southwest Elementary Global Academy celebrates their new chapter with a balloon release. {Kasey Wilkie/Contributed photo}
Southwest Elementary School in Lexington is undergoing a major change for the upcoming school year. With the incorporation of a global theme, the school is now known as Southwest Elementary Global Academy (SWGA) which will still serve grades first through fifth. All teachers will participate in this initiative.
The school’s new principal, Princess Pressley, was interviewed by Davidson Local about what the community should expect from SWGA.
What is the Southwest Elementary Global Academy? We’ll have a theme focused on global studies. Utilizing 21st century skills, we’re working to develop our students as global citizens capable of situating themselves in a smaller world. Students will learn to communicate, compete and collaborate through their studies of world cultures, traditions, and languages. They’ll develop cultural self-awareness, and perspective taking. Students will think globally and act locally.
What is the purpose of SWGA? The purpose is to expose our scholars to other cultures, world events and expand their knowledge base.
How will the Global Academy theme be incorporated into the curriculum? As a global school, we strive to infuse global connections, activities, and projects into the curriculum in as many creative and exciting ways as possible.
What will students be learning under this theme? They will learn about the culture, history, traditions, and study current events for the continents below.
1st- Asia
2nd- Europe
3rd- South America
4th- North America
5th- Africa
What can parents expect from SWGA as you all transition? Parents can expect to see students creating learning products from the country their child will be studying this school year. They’ll also see their child become more globally aware of what's happening around our world. The daily schedule will remain the same and the same classes will be offered. We’re still on the traditional school calendar. Parents and the community will see our building transformed into a multicultural building. They’ll see murals on our sidewalks, murals and paintings in the building, world clocks, international flags hanging in the gym and a few more surprises this year.
Why was the Global Academy deemed necessary for Southwest? All the elementary schools in Lexington City Schools have a theme and SW staff believed that the Global Academy would be a great way to celebrate the diversity of its scholars.
As principal, how do you foresee your role in leading the Global Academy? My role as the principal is to help staff, parents, scholars and all other stakeholders see the vision of this theme which is to provide all students with an equitable educational experience whereby students embrace diversity and become global citizens who can effectively communicate, collaborate, think critically and creatively in a multicultural world.
Pressley added, “We’ll celebrate our new school name and theme on September 23 (time to be determined). This celebration will unveil some of the outdoor projects that are happening now. We will have light snacks as city officials and board members will join us. We’ll also be having our annual Title 1 Meeting for parents. They will also have an opportunity to tour classrooms, learn what their child will be learning this year, find out about field trips and expectations in the classroom. This is going to be an epic day for Southwest Elementary Global Academy. I’m honored to be apart of this shift from the ground up and my hope is this all the foundational work we’re laying now will be a cherished legacy for many years to come.”
