College and Career News

Florence County Adult Education * May 2023

May Calendar

May Calendar

May is here! See the attached calendar for opportunities and events, including HIV testing, a chance to donate blood, an end of year celebration in Lake City, a prom in Florence, Lake City High School graduation, and more!
May Calendar
McClenaghan/SC Works Job Fair on Thursday, May 11

McClenaghan/SC Works Job Fair on Thursday, May 11

Over 35 employers will attend the job fair at McClenaghan on Thursday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome-- adult education students, graduates, F1S seniors, and members of the general public. Be sure to dress professionally on that day. If you would like help with your resume, contact your CCN as soon as possible.
McClenaghan/SC Works Job Fair on Thursday, May 11
Adult Education Prom on Friday, May 19, 8-10 p.m.

Adult Education Prom on Friday, May 19, 8-10 p.m.

For the first time, Florence County Adult Education students are invited to "Some Enchanted Evening", a prom, to be held on Friday, May 19 from 8-10 p.m. at McClenaghan in room 301. Students may bring one guest; a picture ID must be provided to enter. Dress is flexible and there is no charge.
Adult Education Prom on Friday, May 19, 8-10 p.m.

Mental Health Month

May is Mental Health Month. Throughout this month, NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, invites the public to share "why you are more than enough" by tagging @NamiCommunicate and using the hashtag #MoreThanEnough. For some examples, see https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month . NAMI HelpLine is available M-F 10 am – 10 pm, ET. Connect by phone 800-950-6264 or text "Helpline" to 62640, to chat. In a crisis, call or text 988.*


On May 4, students engaged in a Zoom session with Ms. Lakeida Alford of Pee Dee Mental Health Center. She shared some of her career journey, information about PDMH services, and information about mental illness and how to help oneself, a family member, or a friend.


Pee Dee Mental Health has several special events scheduled this month (see flyers below).

GED by 23 Updates

GED by 23 Updates

Because you are earning your GED or diploma through Florence County Adult Ed, you will qualify for a GED by 23 scholarship. GED scholarship money will be available at any technical school in SC through the cutoff date of September 30, 2024. Additionally, the SC Tech system and SC Dept. of Adult Education have recently approved the following changes, which means you can pursue ANY degree, no matter how long it takes (previously it had to take a year or less):


  • Funds can now cover course-related materials.
  • Program eligibility criteria of one year or less has been removed. All programs, including associate degrees, are now eligible. As a reminder, these funds can be used for both credit and non-credit/continuing education programs.
  • Childcare and transportation expenses can be covered. Note, colleges should follow their local processes for determining allowable childcare and transportation costs.
  • Eligibility timeline for GED graduates has been extended to June 30, 2024.


When you apply for admission to an SC technical school, please contact us so that we can send over your transcript (if needed) and confirmation that you have earned a GED by 23 Scholarship.

GED by 23 Updates

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events in Florence and Lake City also include an opportunity for HIV/HCV testing, an end of year celebration, and a chance to donate blood.


  • Hope Health will offer HIV/HCV testing at McClenaghan on Wednesday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. The opportunity is free and confidential.
  • The Lake City Lifelong Learning Center campus will have an end -of-year celebration on Wednesday, May 24, from 10 a.m.-noon. Details will be shared soon.
  • McClenaghan will host a blood drive on Thursday, May 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Register at https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/sponsor_code using the code 10ADU, or by contacting your CCN. For more details, see the flyer below.

Artfields Artist Jamil Burton Visits Lake City AE

Artfields Artist Jamil Burton Visits Lake City AE

During the week of Artfields in Lake City, artist Jamil Burton came to the Lake City Lifelong Learning Center to share his professional journey as an artist with interested students. Florence students joined via Zoom. Students and teachers enjoyed hearing Mr. Burton's story and seeing his artwork.

Artfields Artist Jamil Burton Visits Lake City AE
Adult Education Students Tour Local Campuses

Adult Education Students Tour Local Campuses

Can you picture yourself in college? During the month of April, adult education students were able to tour nearby college campuses.


Lake City LLLC students visited Continuum campus on Wednesday, April 19. The campus hosts classes for FDTC and FMU. Students who attended toured the chemistry lab, CNA class, HVAC, and electrical classrooms. They also viewed some of the art from Artfields which is on display in different venues throughout Lake City. Mr. Jason Newsome was their host.


McClenaghan students traveled to FDTC on Thursday, April 27 from 9 a.m.-noon. During the field trip, students saw the SiMT, Auto/HVAC, CAT, Welding, CNA/Pharmacy Tech, and Cosmetology. Ms. Allie Smith, interim director of admissions, was the host.


Since the tour, several students have expressed interest, applied, and received acceptances to college.

Adult Education Students Tour Local Campuses

Ongoing Services and Events

Community Resources

JOB POSTINGS

Click this link to see a "virtual bulletin board" with links to job postings and applications.

Pee Dee Mental Health Center RV Visits Lake City Campus

Pee Dee Mental Health Center RV Visits Lake City Campus

On April 25, Pee Dee Mental Health Center representatives Ms. Michiko Williamson, Mr. Bernard McIntosh, and Ms. Holliday visited the Lake City Lifelong Learning Center to share information about mental health and related supports. After the presentation, students toured the mental health RV which travels around the Pee Dee to serve those who have transportation barriers. Students received personal calculators and cups.
Pee Dee Mental Health Center RV Visits Lake City Campus
Generational Family Services Events

Generational Family Services Events

Generational Family Services has been busy! In addition to daily child care, families have engaged in several special events including Earth Day, a trip to the Florence County Library Resource Fair, and other craft activities. We love our Florence Adult Education families!
Generational Family Services Events
ESL Field Trips and Presentations

ESL Field Trips and Presentations

Members of the ESL class take turns presenting information about their home countries. This month, students have learned about Ecuador, Peru, and Mexico. Presenters often share photos, customs, and foods from their culture.


ESL students also traveled to Lake City to attend Artfields, a regional art exposition. While there, they also visited the Ron McNair Memorial. Ron McNair, born in Lake City, was an astronaut who was killed when the US Space Shuttle Challenger exploaded at the beginning of a mission in 1986. On another date, the group also traveled to Lula's Coffee Shop to practice ordering in English and to the War Between the States Museum. Photos of these field trips appear below.

ESL Field Trips and Presentations

Eylen Atacho, LACES Specialist, Publishes Article in COABE

Eylen Atacho, LACES Data Specialist for Florence County Adult Education, wrote and submitted an article for the COABE (Coalition on Adult Basic Education) Journal, and her article was selected for publication. The theme for the spring issue is, "Programs Succeed When Learners Lead." To read her article, which chronicles her journey as an English Language Learner who has become an employee-leader at her adult ed site, click on the link below and scroll to page 89.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yF7YazN3UB-1ArGQwYJucm_1Ljh4D9uu/view?usp=sharing
Florence County Adult Education

Florence County Adult Education

Florence County Adult Education
Supporting Adult Learners for College and Career Readiness...
500 South Dargan Street, Florence, SC, USA cchill@fsd1.org 843.758.6411 f1s.org/adulted