SCWS News
A Monthly Newsletter - January 2022
Congratulations SC Whitmore School! We have officially been named 2022 Irmo Chapin Life Best Charter School!
We deeply appreciate the support across South Carolina! SC Whitmore School is looking forward to continuing to help educate the youth in our state with innovative, personal, virtual education!
A message from our school leaders.
"Welcome Back! I hope you had an amazing learning break. Make sure you read the entire newsletter so you stay up to date on all events."
"Happy New Year! You all made it halfway through the school year. Congratulations to our winter graduates! YOU MADE IT! We wish you the best for the bright future that lies ahead of you! Thank you for choosing SC Whitmore School! You will be missed!”
Student Enrollment 2021-2022
Course Announcement!
Counselor's Corner
Mrs. Goff
Mr. Disbrow
Counselor Tips for Success
Plan Ahead
It’s time to be sure you have met with your counselor to plan out your courses for the remainder of the school year. Remember, you are expected to earn at least 6 credits per school year. These are the credits you need to be on track for graduation. A successful journey starts with taking steps each day towards the goal. You’ve got this!
2021-22 cohort (Class of 2025): mid-January = 3, end of May = 6
2020-21 cohort (Class of 2024): mid-January = 9, end of May = 12
2019-20 cohort (Class of 2023): mid-January = 15, end of May = 18
2018-19 cohort (Class of 2022): mid-January = 21, end of May = 24
If you are behind on credits, plan to work extra time each day or over the weekends to make up time.
Grade Level Meetings
Join Mrs. Goff on January 13th at 1pm for the 5th Senior Meeting of the year. Click here to join.
Groups
Join Mrs. Gilbert for Lit Lunch on the 1st and 3rd Thursday each month from 1-2 pm. Come and share/get feedback on your latest creative projects, meet new friends, and chat about your favorite Netflix binge worthy shows. Bookmark our meeting link here.
Recordings
Group recordings can be found here.
Events
Always check the calendar linked to your school email. Many events will be added there as well.
Seniors
Attend monthly 12th grade meetings and/or watch the recordings
Schedule and attend your IGP with your counselor (see below)
Order your cap and gown here by January 15th for guaranteed delivery
IGPs
Attention all juniors and seniors: Please book your IGPs with your counselor ASAP.
Students with last names beginning with A-F Click Here Mr. Disbrow
Students with last names beginning with G-M Click Here Mrs. DeLong
Students with last names beginning with N-Z Click Here Mrs. Gilbert
Scholarships
Remember, many scholarships allow students to apply before they are seniors.
Terry Crews “Creative Courage” Scholarship: $20,000. Must be 16 or older and in good academic standing. Deadline is January 12, 2022. Check out more information here.
The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest. Prizes ranging from $100 to $10,000! Deadline for submission is January 14, 2022. Click here for more information.
Darla Moore Scholarship: Have you applied to Francis Marion University? Have you filled out your FAFSA? You may be eligible for the Darla Moore Scholarship. Let your counselor know no later than 12th so you can meet the deadline.
Play Scholars Helping Collars Scholarship: $1500. Must be a graduating senior and submit a story describing the impact they made in the life of a rescue animal or other animal welfare cause. Click here for more information.
KnowBe4 Women’s Scholarship: $10,000. Must be a female pursuing cybersecurity with a GPA of 3.3 or higher. Deadline is February 28, 2022. Check out more information here.
Learn about more scholarships by clicking here.
Dual Enrollment
Are you an 11th or 12th grader looking to earn college credit while in high school? Limestone University is offering virtual dual enrollment courses! Check it out here and let your counselor know if you are interested.
Opportunities
Game On! With the help of ITology, a non-profit company working to grow the number of IT professionals in South Carolina, students will create their own simple gaming app using text-based JavaScript coding and commands. Bitsbox is an exciting way for students to build and share their very own, personalized gaming app. The cost of this virtual workshop is $20 and is the responsibility of the student. Register for this event here.
Class of 2022!
You can begin ordering your cap and gown package online, click here. *The last guaranteed shipment date is January 15th, 2022.Graduation is Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the https://www.columbiaconventioncenter.com/. We want to ensure graduates have a safe and memorable graduation. We will provide more details about this event (guests, attire, honor cords) in the early Spring.
Seniors, have you filled out your exit ticket? Click here to complete the form.
Dialogue Virtual Mental Health Counseling
SC Whitmore School has partnered with Dialogue, a virtual mental health counseling program that is FREE to students. They offer help with anxiety, depression, grief, and much more. If you have more questions click here to learn more about Dialogue, and how to sign up.
Free Tutoring
Tutor.com offers real-time tutoring to K-12 students in Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies, etc. The South Carolina State Library provides the service for free. The student can quickly connect with a tutor using the “Connect with a tutor now” option, or they can create a free tutor.com account to drop off a math question, submit a paper for review, or connect with their favorite tutor. Creating an account is optional and is not needed if using the “Connect with a tutor now” option.https://lhh-tutor-com.scsl.idm.oclc.org/Landing.aspx
Username: discus2021
Password: think1!
Scholarships
Do you love poetry and art? Check out this contest to see how you can win some awesome awards for your writing or artwork!
Study in Wales: Every Wednesday until 15 December join the USA admissions reps from the Welsh universities for a drop in cafe! Bring a panad (cup of tea/coffee) and any questions you have about studying in the UK! When: Every Wednesday (4pm BST, 11am EDT, 8am PDT) Where: HERE This will be the same link every week!
Voorhees College invites you to their Annual Spring High School Visitation Day on March 18, 2022. Click here to learn more https://bit.ly/SCWSVoorheesCollege2022
Free Bereavement Camp
Did you know that Camp Hands of Hope, is a weekend-long bereavement camp for youth and their loved ones who have experienced the loss of a loved one in the past three years?
This camp will take place online on February 18 - 20, 2022, and will involve a mix of independent family activities facilitated by clinical bereavement professionals.
Click this link to register: www.camphandsofhope.org
January Test Updates
January EOC
Mark your calendars for the upcoming EOC (End-of-Course Exam). December 13th starts review week. Information has been sent out.
January 10-14 are EOC dates
Monday: Conway
Tuesday: Charleston
Wednesday: Spartanburg
Thursday: Columbia
3rd Year Students
If you are planning to take the ACT or SAT, you will be assigned the corresponding prep course very soon (ACT Prep or SAT Prep). Look out for the emails.
MAP Testing
9th Grade students and parents, please be on the lookout for testing dates soon. MAP Testing will be done online at your home. (Jan 19-20 and Jan 26-27)
December 2021 Student All - Stars
How do you become a Student All-Star?
Each month the SC Whitmore School Faculty and Staff identifies 4 students that really stand out. The student All-Stars will receive a $100 reward. These students are: most improved, best all-around, monthly standout, and the SCWS All-Star.
Most Improved - Laila Tate
A student who has shown an increased effort in their course(s).
SCWS All-Star - Jochebed Ollennu
A student who has done well in their courses and engages with the teachers.
Best All-Around - Isabella Burnett
A student who has consistently demonstrated their ability to earn great grades and stays on pace. this student is also engaged, reaches out for help, and shows up to one-to-one meetings.
Monthly Standout - David Sales
A student who has shown tremendous efforts this month overall.
Learn more about our All-Star Students here.
Staff Spotlight
Amber Goff, Director of School Counseling
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to be outdoors: walking, running, hiking, and playing with my kids. I love to read, travel, cook, bake and learn new things.
Tell a little bit about your background.
I am originally from Ohio, but have been in the south since the end of 2006. I have been an educator since 1999 when I graduated from Miami University! It is a great passion of mine to help others to achieve their best and wildest dreams. My husband and I have 2 young boys who also love to learn new things and are very active. We moved to Asheville, NC in August of 2020 and thoroughly enjoy the weather and scenery.
What do you do at SCWS and what do you enjoy most about your role?
My role at SCWS is the Director of School Counseling. Having served as one of the counselors for the past 5yrs, it is my passion to help my team serve our students. We work together to ensure every student sees the immense potential and opportunity ahead of them after earning a high school diploma.
What do you want the students to know about you?
I want students to know I genuinely care about them and believe in the strength within them to achieve their wildest dreams. A high school diploma has proven power to aide in the next steps towards a bright future no matter what path is chosen. You've got this! We are here to support you :)
Hiking and camping with my boys.
Proof of a fall day run.
Waterfalls on a hike with a friend.
Congratulations Mr. Jackson!
Please help us congratulate one of our SCWS teachers, Ben Jackson as he begins his journey in the Air National Guard! This has been a goal he has worked towards for a few years now! Thank you Mr. Jackson for all you do for our school! Click here to learn more about his journey.
Meet the Student Resource Coordinator
My name is Ms.L’Etoile. I am the school’s Student Resource Coordinator. I am excited to be working with you all this upcoming year!
Experience: I am originally from Massachusetts, and made South Carolina my home in 2017. I received my masters degree in educational counseling from the University of Massachusetts Boston. I previously worked as a graduation coach, school counselor, social worker, case coordinator, crisis counselor, and therapist. I am honored to be able to serve the state of South Carolina in providing social support services to our students and their families. I am here for YOU!
As your Student Resource Coordinator, I will be working alongside students, parents, teachers, administration, school counselors, and other supportive staff to deliver individualized social support services.
Some of the services I provide include:
• Assessing your student’s overall well being, including any potential mental health needs.
• Communication and consultation with you and your family, your student’s teachers, and other supportive services for monitoring your student’s progress.
• Identifying barriers that may be hindering your student’s education and/or connecting you and your family with community resources to ensure basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing are being met.
• Providing trauma informed individual and group counseling services.
• Providing monthly life skills groups.
• Psycho-education for parents and teachers.
Contact: CLETOILE@scwhitmoreschool.org (803) 216-1721 (call or text) CLICK HERE FOR REFERRAL FORM!
Resources: COMMUNITY RESOURCES FIND A COUNSELOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGENCIES
Upcoming Events:
1/11/22 6:30-8p, Time Management Workshop
2/8/22 6:30-8p, Organization Skills Workshop
3/8/22: Discovering Your Student’s Pathway Workshop
4/12/22: Student Self Advocacy Workshop
Click here to watch a video from Ms. L’Etoile.
Clubs
Beta Club is a group of students committed to leading through serving others in their community and state. These students are selected based upon their GPA, attendance and behavior. Students work to complete volunteer hours, as well as come together as a team to complete a service project. Induction Ceremony is held in the fall.
Coding Club
elsif youAreInterestedIn == “Sharing a software or hardware project you are working on.” print “Come to coding club.”
elsif youAreInterestedIn == “Learning about the language this part of the description is written in.” print “Come to coding club.” End
curiousabout = {‘Ruby’ => ‘ComeToCodingClub’, ‘Python’ => ‘ComeToCodingClub’, ‘C++’ => ‘ComeToCodingClub’, ‘BASIC’ => ‘ComeToCodingClub’, ‘JavaScript’ => ‘ComeToCodingClub’, ‘other’ => ‘ComeToCodingClub’}
reasons_for_not_coming_to_coding_club = nil
Lit Lunch is a virtual meet-up for creative students who want to meet new friends and share what latest creative project they’re working on. Whether you’re into cosplay, digital art, drawing by hand, photography, rapping, writing or playing instruments, this is the space for you! We meet on the first Thursday of each month from 1-2 p.m
The SC Whitmore National Honor Society is an organization for students in grades 10-12. Selection is based on four criteria: scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Members complete volunteer hours and work together to complete at least one service project each school year. Membership into the National Honor Society allows students to apply for over 400 college scholarships not available to other students. Members also have access to numerous college planning services.
The SCWS photography club works to improve students’ photography skills beyond point and shoot. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month and look at the pictures that the students took that month. We also explore a photography topic that interests the members of the club. Students get the opportunity to share their photographs with other members and learn how to make their photographs better.
S.C. Whitmore Student Council is an organization of student leaders who are elected by the student body. The Council is led by the Student Body President along with offices of Vice President and Secretary. The Council provides input into how to make student life better at SC Whitmore School. They also plan events and contribute in other areas the administration of the school sees fit. The Council is advised by a faculty sponsor who attends all meetings.
Students are eligible to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities at their local high school. Contact your local high school for more information.
TECH TIP OF THE MONTH Teaching and Tutoring
Statewide access to free real-time tutoring is now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the state digital library known as Discus. Both English and Spanish speaking tutors (in select subjects) are available through the Discus Tutor.com subscription.
Check out this link: Tutor.com from Discus (opens in a new window)
Did you know your teachers host live lessons monthly? During live lessons you can learn more about topics you will encounter in the course and have a chance to ask questions. Check the messages from your teachers to get more information about other specific incentives! These are in addition to the one-to-one help sessions that you can book with your teachers.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Join us for Stretch and Chat, a virtual yoga and check in opportunity for SCWS students! Anish Rajquru, a Yoga and Meditation Teacher in Bali, Indonesia will lead the class on January 12th from 10 AM until 10:45 AM. At the end of the yoga class, we are going to give SCWS students the opportunity to chat with the faculty and staff! We would like this to be an opportunity for students to ask questions about their courses, attendance, testing, technology or anything else. RSVP here.
Join us to take a break from schoolwork, meet new friends, and share any creative projects you're working on. RSVP here and click here to join.
SCWS Baking Stars! - February 16th from 10 AM - 11 AM
Join us to take a break from schoolwork, meet new friends, and share any creative projects you're working on. RSVP here and click here to join.
How to Access the New SCWS Library!
Attention, students! We are proud to announce the launch of the brand new SCWS library! This library is completely free and completely virtual and offers hundreds of e-books, audiobooks, graphic novels, and texts in Spanish.
See this flyer for information on how to download the Sora app and access the SCWS library titles. See also Dr. White's quick video on how to use the app once it's downloaded.
Please contact Dr. White at jwhite@scwhitmoreschool.org with any questions or concerns. Happy reading!
Please help support our school by registering to support SCWS as a Publix Partner. Click here to learn more.
Congratulations, Mrs. Redfearn!
She has been named one of the top creators in our district using Screencastify! Mrs. Redfearn created 218 videos this year! #TopScreencaster
Calling All Artist!
SCWS! Are you an artist that lives in the Midlands? Check out 2022 Art in the Airport Program to how you can get your ar displayed in the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Click here to learn more!
Possible Prom
Hello SCWS! Our Student Council would like to gauge students' interest in having a prom. Please complete this form to let us know how interested you are in attending a Prom in the future.
*Due to timing and planning process SC Whitmore will most like not be able to host the first prom, if approved by school leadership, until the 2022 - 2023 school year.
Who should I contact?
If you have any questions feel free to contact the office directly at 866-476-6416. Or you can contact these individuals for your specific question.
Office: SC Whitmore School
General questions. The office will be able to point you in the right direction.
866-476-6416 - office@scwhitmoreschool.org
SC Whitmore Principal: Ebone' Adams
General student concerns.
803-768-8310 - eadams@scwhitmoreschool.org
Director of Compliance: Michelle Bishop
Questions about compliance, Special Education, 504 or IEP.
803-768-8306 - mbishop@scwhitmoreschool.org
Enrollment Coordinator: Pam Chick
Questions about re-enrollment or enrollment status.
866-476-6416 - pchick@scwhitmoreschool.org
Attendance Coordinators
Questions about attendance.
Troy Crump - A through I - 803-768-8318 - tcrump@scwhitmoreschool.org
Sam Dotson - J through Z - 803-768-8309 - sdotson@scwhitmoreschool.org
Director of School Counseling: Amber Goff
Questions about your courses, graduation requirements, plans after graduation.
Please call or text the numbers below.
Amber Goff - 803-768-8314 - email: agoff@scwhitmoreschool.org
Traylor Disbrow - A through F - 803-768-8302 - email: tdisbrow@scwhitmoreschool.org
Cameron DeLong - G through M - (803) 881-8077 - email: cdelong@scwhitmoreschool.org
JaQuette Gilbert - N through Z - 803-768-8305 - email: jgilbert@scwhitmoreschool.org
Testing Coordinator: Patrick Bowers
Questions about all things testing (SAT, ACT, EOC, WIN, PSAT)
803-786-8313 or email pbowers@scwhitmoreschool.org
Public Relations Manager: Ashten Latta
Questions about social media, newsletter, events, press release or do you have a story to tell?
803-768-8315 or email alatta@scwhitmoreschool.org