This Week
March 8, 2019
Wilson High Students Excel on National German Examination
Students in the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) at Wilson High School excelled on the National German Examination sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG).
The students received the gold award, 90th percentile or higher; silver award, 80th to 89th percentile; bronze award, 70th to 79 percentile, and achievement level award (above the national average).
Two students received the gold medal award and special recognition on the Presidential Honor Roll for outstanding performance on the 2019 National German examination for high school students. They are Luke Guerreso (ranked number 1 in South Carolina); and Sophie Watson (ranked number 2 in South Carolina).
Silver award winners are Jacob Floyd (ranked number 3 in South Carolina); Kelsey Braswell, Hannah Collins and Dylan Abbott.
Bronze award winners are Francisco Flores Valle, Jaden Gamble, Matthew Kistner and Dannett Vargas-Sanchez.
Achievement level winners (above the national average) are Christa Young, Gerome Vergara, Jocelyn Franks, Payton Townsend, Mary Aldridge, Tanis Caltrider, Gracie Floyd, and Watson Snowden.
All are students of Dr. Lucia Huang.
For more information on Wilson High School’s IB Program, contact Brian Howell bhowell@fsd1.org.
Montessori Program Receives Extended Accrediation Status
At its recent meeting, the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) announced that it has extended the status of full accreditation renewal for a term of seven years (through 2026) to the Florence 1 Schools Montessori Program also known as the Palmetto Montessori Institute.
MACTE is the international stand-setting and accrediting body for Montessori teacher education. MACTE received initial recognition by the U.S. Department of Education in 1995.
“The extended accreditation status is a validation of the effective preparation that our teachers undergo in order to maintain the standard set by the Montessori Accreditation Council,” said Dr. Floyd Creech, Director of School Readiness for Florence 1 Schools and the Program Director of the Palmetto Montessori Institute. “Moreover, the certification serves as a criteria that parents can use in order to ensure that Montessori students in Florence 1 Schools are taught by fully certified teachers,” he added.
Montessori program in Florence 1 Schools are located at McLaurin Elementary, North Vista Elementary, and the Child Development Center at Woods Road.
According to its website, MACTE accredits certification programs based on (1) the evidence they have that they prepare competent, caring, and qualified professional Montessori educators and (2) their capacity to monitor and improve the program’s quality. MACTE believes this is the soundest way to assure the public about the quality of these programs. The Montessori teacher education program, not the college, school, department, or other administrative unit of the institution, receives MACTE accreditation.
For more information about Florence 1 Schools Montessori Program (Palmetto Montessori Institute) call Dr. Floyd Creech (fcreech@fsd1.org) at 843-799-6006.
Council on International Exchange Seeks Host Families
The Council on International Educational Exchange is a non-profit organization promoting international education and exchange.
Audra Murray, CIEE Regional Director for South and North Carolina, is reaching out to educators in the community in the hopes of finding host families for some high school exchange students.
Murray said students are excited to be connected to host families for two semesters of high school. “Although they don’t arrive until August, the council is seeking the students’ placement with families this month to secure their spot at school, as spaces are limited. The students will attend the high school closest to their host family so they can take school transportation. They have their own medical insurance and their own spending money to cover personal expenses," she added.
According to Murray, a person can choose to host for a few months or the school year. “A family simply puts another plate on the table and welcomes the student as one of their own!” Murray said.
For more information, go to www.ciee.org/host or e-mail amurray@ciee.org or call 1.207.553.4000 or 1.207.210.3573. (Photo: CIEE host family)
Middle School Teams Compete This Weekend
What: The Pee Dee Regional Academic Challenge Tournament
When: Saturday, March 9th beginning at 8 a.m.
Where: Francis Marion University, Chapman Auditorium
Participating Teams: Sneed Middle, Southside Middle, Williams Middle
Teacher Forum Renews Commitment
The Florence 1 Schools Teacher Forum renewed its commitment and purpose this week at a kick-off held at Poynor. Recent district Teachers of the Year and Teacher Forum Board members Sharri Duncan (18-19), Megerlyn Davis,17-18; Mary Woodward (16-17); as well as this year's honor roll teachers Lynn Perkins, Kim Cimney and Lenora Rivers-Davis held the forum for all school teachers of the year 2017-18 and 2018-19. The event included Jeff Maxey, (front row, third from left) the 2019 South Carolina Teacher of the Year who served as speaker.
The purpose of the Teacher Forum is to have teachers join together for developing new skills, exercising leadership and self-direction, and collaboratively exploring educational issues. The group plans to meet monthly. Florence 1 Teacher of the Year Sharri Duncan is organizing the events.
Did You Know?
The Florence RedWolves is an amateur baseball team that plays at Francis Marion University’s Cormell Field. The team plays in the Coastal Plain League. The team has some of the state's top players on its roster from many highly ranked colleges, such as Clemson, Duke, University of North Carolina, University of South Carolina, and Florida. Over 30 of the RedWolves former players now play on a professional level.