This Week in Florence 1 Schools
September 29th, 2023
Dr. Haley Taylor is the Florence 1 Schools Teacher of the Year
Get to Know Dr. Taylor Better
When selected the John W. Moore Middle School Teacher of the Year, Haley Taylor said, “I have the honor to serve as teacher of the year at John W. Moore Middle School----to stand on the shoulders of the giants of education in that building. At the 23rd Annual School Foundation Gala, Dr. Richard O’Malley, Superintendent of Florence 1 Schools announced that Taylor had been named the 2023-2024 Florence 1 Schools Teacher of the Year.
“I absolutely love what I do every day, and I wake up happy to do it,” said Taylor. “I love where I work, and I love the people I work with each day.”
Taylor currently serves as the STEAM Coach and as a STEM teacher at Moore. “I enjoy this job more than any other career I could think of. It is all I have wanted to do since I was in the first grade. But, there are days that are WORK, work that is hard, work that is unseen, and work that is thankless,” said Taylor. “The kicker is that I get to choose my attitude toward the work and the people each day. I am in the business of educating children. It is, by far, the best business to be in and a job that pays me back tenfold when I see that light bulb turn on in a child’s mind.” Read more here.
Photo: Dr. Richard O'Malley congratulates Dr. Haley Taylor, Florence 1 Schools Teacher of the Year
Support Employees Recognized at the School Foundation Gala
Carrie Connor
Michael Furman
Ebony German
James Dupree is the Support Employee of the Year
Learn More About James Dupree through Remarks from the Principal
Mr. Dupree is an absolute ray of sunshine at South Florence High School! While his primary job responsibility is to promote career development for students, Mr. Dupree is much much more than a career facilitator.
Mr. Dupree starts his morning in the main campus cafeteria where he greets almost every student by name, asks about their latest test grade, compliments them on their performance on the athletic field, and reminds them to register for the upcoming SAT.
Mr. Dupree is invested in the success of every student at SFHS and routinely seeks students out, encouraging them to apply for scholarships and informing them of upcoming opportunities the counseling department has to offer. Read more here.
Photo: Assistant Superintendent Michelle Wynn congratulates James Dupree, Florence 1 Schools Support Employee of the Year.
STEM Program Highlight Video: Top Ten Reasons
Click the white arrow to view the video highlighting STEM education in Florence 1 Schools.
What Students Can Do During Intersession
Science and Exploration Camp offered During Intersession
Florence 1 Schools Extended Day Academy will offer a Science and Exploration Intersession Camp, October 2-6, 2023. The Camp will run Monday through Friday during Intersession from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
The cost is $60 per child for the week. Breakfast and lunch are included. The locations for the Science and Exploration Intersession Camp are: Dewey L. Carter, Theodore Lester, and Woods Road Child Development Center. (The camp location at Lucy T. Davis Elementary has already been filled.) For more information visit f1s.org or call 843-758-6426.
Friday Night Fall Football & Upcoming Alumni Homecoming Schedules
In football action this Friday night, September 29th, our teams are in Region VI AAAA battles. The Bruins will host Hartsville; the Knights take on Myrtle Beach for *homecoming, and the Tigers will travel to North Myrtle Beach.
*West Florence High School Homecoming Festivities
- Thursday, September 28: Jersey Day
- Friday, September 29: Green & Gold Friday
- Friday, September 29: 5:00 pm - Tailgate, WF Back Parking Lot
- Friday September 29: 6:00 pm - Faculty/Staff Tailgate, Knight Stadium Friday,
- 7:30 p.m. - Homecoming Game
View the Wilson High School Alumni Association's Schedule of Homecoming Events (October 1-8) here. View the South Florence High Alumni Association's Schedule of Homecoming Events (October 11-October 15) here.
Looking Ahead
October 2-6 Fall Intersession
October 9 - Teacher Workday
October 17- Report Cards Issued to Students
Induction Introduction
Each issue of This Week introduces new and induction teaching staff at each school. Florence 1 Schools acknowledges with pride these new staff members, and are glad that they have chosen to make our local schools the place of their professional employment. This week’s induction teacher is from Royall Elementary: Caroline Grantham. Learn more about her here.
Photos of the Week
Florence 1 Schools Distinguished Graduate Rocky Pearce (solid red tie) and family members stand outside the SIMT Building prior to his recognition as outstanding graduate at The School Foundation Gala.
North Vista Elementary School held goat yoga after school this week. Principal Sharon Dixon welcomed this new trend in yoga which promotes relaxation and laughter therapy. The school also held a Motorcyles for Mathematics parade. Below, Ms. Dixon is riding with the Tiger.
Let's Visit Our Teacher of the Year's STEM Classroom
Delmae Students Had Breakfast with Someone Grand
A reminder from Kirby Jordan, school nurse at Theodore Lester Elementary.
Credits: Steve Camlin and David Yeazell, photography; David Taylor, videography.