This Week
Februrary 14, 2020
The South Florence High School Academic Team: Undefeated in the Regular Season
The South Florence High School Academic Challenge team went undefeated in the local school academic challenge season which is sponsored by the Pee Dee Education Center.
The team will compete for the title of Pee Dee Regional Academic Champions on Saturday, February 22 at Francis Marion University. Regional champions will go on to compete at the state level in March. Coaches are Jon Gaston (left) and Joel Bibler (right).
Lessons Learned from School Bus Drivers During Bus Driver Appreciation Week
Bus Driver Week: There's Still Time to Thank a Driver
Bus drivers in Florence 1 Schools celebrated Bus Driver Recognition Week with a variety of activities and a recognition breakfast.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, students are 70 times more likely to get to school safely when they take a school bus instead of traveling by car.
Florence 1 Schools employs 78 bus drivers, eight bus monitors and runs 180 different routes daily.
Director of Transportation Cindy Ward explained that bus drivers are up and on the road earlier than anyone else in the district, and talked about their primary focus of getting students to school safely. “Bus drivers are often the first school employees to greet each student for the day, and they are the last to say goodbye to the student each afternoon.”
Ward noted the shortage of school bus drivers in Florence and statewide this year has proven to be a challenge, but not one too difficult for the bus drivers of Florence 1. “Our bus drivers are always willing to go the extra mile to keep the wheels rolling” said Ward. “They are committed to providing the best transportation possible without compromising the safety of the students they transport,” she added.
Here are tips from the transportation department for being safe on the roads:
1. If you approach or are following a school bus, keep an eye on its signal lights and stop arm, and be prepared to come to a stop. If a school bus extends its stop sign, STOP!
2. Do not resume driving until the stop arm is withdrawn and the bus begins to move. Just because a passenger has disembarked does not mean that it is safe to go.
3. Don’t text and drive. Any distraction behind the wheel can be dangerous, but texting and driving seriously impairs your ability to see and respond to important changes on the road—like the lights and stop arm of a school bus.
4. Slow down, especially in residential neighborhoods or around schools and bus stops.
Steve Camlin photo: Bertha Wilson, a Florence 1 bus driver, is one of many drivers who arriving at the transportation department before dawn in order to transport students safely to school.
Elementary Students Selected for All-State Chorus
Three elementary students from Florence 1 Schools auditioned and were selected to perform in the South Carolina Elementary Honor Choir at the state music convention which was held in Columbia last weekend. Left to right are singers Layla Bass, Mattie Priester, Greenwood; and Allyson Tisdale, John W. Moore. Choral music instructors are Chrissy Welch (Greenwood) and Dawn Kirven (John W. Moore).
Invite your friends and neighbors to find out more about PYP. This session will also include applications for all students not currently enrolled, but who would like to attend North Vista Elementary for the 2020-2021 school year. Everyone is welcome!
For more information, please contact Holly Shirey 843-758-6310 or hshirey@fsd1.org
In the News
Beginning Conversational Spanish Classes Offered at Poynor
Ever wanted to better understand one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and our community?
If so, attend seven weeks of conversational Spanish classes. No background in Spanish is required.
The classes will begin February 25, 2020, and will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The classes will be held at the Poynor Building which is located at 301 South Dargan Street.
Maria Perez, who is fluent in both Spanish and English, will teach the classes.
For more information, contact Carol Hill (cchill@fsd1.org) or call 843-758-6411.
Loyal McQueen Makes Carolina Classic Roster
The Carolinas Classic All-Star Basketball Games will be played on Saturday, March 28th at Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC. Since 1998, the North Carolina Coaches Association and the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association have partnered to put on these games which include the best high school basketball players in North and South Carolina. Loyal McQueen of Wilson High School has made the South Carolina Girls Basketball Team Roster.
Schools Closed in Observance of Presidents' Day
School Board Connection
The Board of Trustees also approved Dr. O’Malley’s recommendation to appoint Michelle McBride (Principal, Timrod Elementary) as Assistant Superintendent for K-5 Instruction and Gregory Hall (Principal, Lady’s Island Middle School) as Assistant Superintendent for 6-12 Instruction. Both McBride and Hall will begin their duties on March 2, 2020.
Michelle McBride
Grades K-5
Gregory Hall
Grades 6-12
Year-Round Calendar Approved
Interim Reports Issued on February 14
The HBCU College Fair is Coming: February 20, 2020
Employee of Florence 1 Schools to Appear as a Contestant on Wheel of Fortune
Watch Wheel of Fortune on Friday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. on the CBS Network as these local contestants receive their moments of fame.