This Week
September 27, 2019
School Administrators of the Year Named in Florence 1 Schools
Dr. Richard O’Malley, Superintendent of Florence 1 Schools, announced this week that Ginger Baggette, Assistant Principal of Delmae Elementary School, has been named the Florence 1 Schools 2019-20 Assistant Principal of the Year. Nominated for this recognition by a group of her peers, including fellow assistant principals and school administrators in Florence One, Assistant Principal Baggette has served at Delmae since the year 2001.
“I have worked with Ginger for 19 years at Delmae,” said Delmae Elementary School Principal Roy Ann Jolley. “She is always a teacher first, a coach, a curriculum resource, and the ultimate professional. Her knowledge and willingness to do whatever it takes has reached beyond the walls of Delmae throughout our district and across the state. I call her ‘the architect to my visions, my friend.’”
Baggette’s colleagues at Delmae have mentioned that the students are always excited to see her in the hallways or in her office because she always has a smile, a kind word, and a hug for them.
On Thursday morning amidst Delmae Elementary students and staff, Dr. O’Malley congratulated Baggette for receipt of this honor. He also announced that Assistant Principal Baggette will now vie for the title of South Carolina Assistant Principal of the Year through the South Carolina School Administrators’ Principal of the Year awards program. Dr. O'Malley also presented the Delmae Elementary with a $5,000 check in recognition of today's announcement.
Photo above: Ginger Baggette, Assistant Principal at Delmae Elementary and Florence 1 Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard O’Malley
Dr. Richard O’Malley, Superintendent of Florence 1 Schools, announced this week that Michelle McBride, Principal of Henry Timrod Elementary School, has been named the Florence 1 Schools 2019-20 Principal of the Year.
Nominated for this recognition by a group of her peers, including fellow principals and school administrators in Florence 1 Schools, Principal McBride has served at Timrod since 2009 when she became the school’s curriculum coordinator. During the 2012-13 school year, McBride became principal of the school. In recent years, Timrod Elementary has recently garnered local, state and national recognition.
Under McBride’s leadership, Timrod Elementary is the only school in Florence 1 which is operated year-round with four intercessions during the year. Educators say that this unique schedule is designed to optimize instructional time, engage students in more meaningful activities, and inspire the development of world-class skills.
Said one of the Timrod Elementary faculty members, “Ms. McBride is both confident and comfortable in her role as leader of Timrod Elementary School. These attributes make it easy for us to assume our roles and responsibilities as well. Timrod Elementary is a very loving place, and I am glad to be a part of the staff at this school,” she added.
For the past few years Timrod Elementary has embraced the concept of blended learning, which combines online learning with face-to-face instruction. Use of the school’s blended learning concept has sparked interest from educators local and statewide, some of whom have visited the school to see the concept in action.
Other accolades received at Timrod Elementary under McBride’s tenure include the National Beta School of Merit Award and a notable improved student achievement distinction which is expected to be announced early next month.
On Thursday afternoon amidst Timrod Elementary students and staff, Dr. O’Malley congratulated McBride for receipt of this honor. He also announced that Principal McBride will now vie for the title of South Carolina Principal of the Year through the South Carolina School Administrators’ Principal of the Year awards program. He presented a check to the school in the amount of $10,000 in recognition of today's announcement.
Photo above: Dr. Richard O'Malley (left) and Timrod Elementary Principal Michelle McBride (right).
Two Florence 1 Schools Recognized Nationally for School and Family Partnership Activities
Two Florence 1 Schools have been recognized for innovating and exciting way of implementing programs of school family and community partnerships that impact academic success.
Both Delmae Elementary and Greenwood Elementary have school activities highlighted in the 2019 edition of the National Network of Partnership Schools’ (NNPS) Promising Partnership Practices 2019. The Delmae and Greenwood activities are among 65 activities representing 11 states, 18 districts and Scotland accepted this year in the new edition of the NNPS publication.
Featured this week is the Greenwood practice. Greenwood has an annual Chili/Cookie Contest in the fall where Dads bring in their best chili in crock pots and Moms bring in their best cookie recipes for judging. As twelve teachers begin the judging of chili and cookies based on certain judging criteria, the families participate in STEAM activities. (Photo below.)
Delmae’s award-winning partnership entry will be featured next week.
Photo: Taste testers at the Greenwood Elementary Chili/Cookie Contest sample the chili.
Wilson Celebrates College Application Month
Wilson High School is pleased to announce its participation in South Carolina Commission on Higher Education in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Education October’s College Application Month event.
The goal of College Application Month is to provide a forum for all South Carolina seniors to complete and file college applications. While the focus is helping all students, special attention is given to first-generation students, minority students, and students who may not apply to college on their own. Wilson will host its event on Thursday, October 3, from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The school welcomes representatives from businesses or organizations to visit the school during this time.
Volunteers are asked to give 30 minutes of their time assisting students with the completion of online college applications or distributing information about financial aid opportunities.
For more information, contact Kenyatta Jackson at 843-758-6601 or email:kjackson@fsd1.org.
Employee Giving Campaign Extended Through September 27
Last year, Florence 1 Schools employees donated over $36,000 to these organizations that help provide a number of services and resources within the community. Completed forms should be turned over to the school/department bookkeeper to returned to the district office. A minimum of $1 can be deducted from a check, and there is no maximum deduction.