This Week: September 7, 2018
Florence One Honor Roll Teachers Named
This past summer, each of the school Teachers of the Year completed a Teacher of the Year application packet. This week, a panel of three selection committee members reviewed the packets and rated each one using specific selection criteria. The teachers whose packets received the highest ratings have been named Honor Roll Teachers. Florence One Honor Roll Teachers for 2018-19 include (pictured left to right below): Sharri Duncan, John W. Moore Intermediate; Lynn Perkins, Southside Middle; Kim Cimney, West Florence High; and Lenora Rivers-Davis, Wilson High.
The Selection Committee will visit the teachers' classrooms next week and will also interview the teachers separately at the Florence One Schools Administration Building. Scores will be calculated, and Florence One's Teacher of the Year will be announced by at a later date.
The Florence One Teacher of the Year's name will be submitted to the South Carolina Department of Education, and she will then vie for the title of South Carolina Teacher of the Year, having until December 2018 to complete the State Department of Education's application packet.
Early Childhood Summit Scheduled
As back-to-school season kicks into high gear, Florence 1 Schools and The School Foundation are joining forces to shine a light on early childhood readiness, including school readiness and life readiness.
On Friday, September 7, the duo will host an Early Childhood Champions Summit featuring international early childhood expert Helle Heckmann. Known for her spirited wisdom around what she calls the “Five Golden Keys”, Heckmann will share a message encouraging champions, parents and caregivers to commit to providing young children with adequate sleep, movement, nutrition, routine and love.
The summit will take place at SiMT, 1951 Pisgah Road, Florence, beginning with an 8:00 a.m. breakfast. The program will run from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and serve as the official launch of a five-month Public Awareness Campaign, known as Count 5! There is no charge to attend and reservations are required.
The Count 5! Public Awareness Campaign will run September, October, November, January and February, with each month dedicated to delivering important tips and activities related to the Golden Keys. The campaign will culminate in March with a unique public art project and celebration. Each month, in partnership with Early Childhood Champions supporting Florence 1 Schools and Florence County School District 4, the Count 5! Public Awareness Campaign will release fliers, posters, billboards, digital media content and more.
For more information about the Early Childhood Champions Summit or the Count 5! Public Awareness Campaign, contact Debbie Hyler at dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org.
Florence One Students Encouraged to Read their Way to the Big Game
The South Carolina Department of Education announced the start of the 2018 Read Your Way to the Big Game Contest today. The ReadYour Way to the Big Game Contest is an annual reading event open to students in pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade in public, private, and home schools that encourages reading and literacy proficiency.
A child’s ability to read is a critical predictor of educational and lifelong success. Help establish a strong literacy foundation for your child and support South Carolina & Clemson's championship traditions by participating in the South Carolina Department of Education’s Read Your Way to the Big Game contest.
All pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students who read six books will qualify to win tickets to the Clemson vs. South Carolina game on November 24. Once students have completed their readings, they should turn in the list of books read to their teacher. Winners will receive four tickets and pre-game sideline passes to the Clemson vs. South Carolina game.
Schools with at least 70% student participation will be entered to win one of two $2,000 school library grants. Five participating teachers will be randomly selected to win $500 for their classroom. One teacher and/or school library media specialist who has the best decorated bulletin board, wall or door will win $500 and one teacher and/or media specialist who wins the Read Your Way to the Big Game video contest will be awarded $500.
Visit SCReads.org for the full contest details!
School-Related Community Events
Stop the Bullying Forum & Workshops Scheduled
During this community forum, behavioral health experts, parents, law enforcement officials, and educators will come together in search of solutions for this world-wide problem. Interested parents, students, and overall community members are encouraged to attend and express their concerns about this issue. Parent University radio hosts Sam Fryer and Dr. Irene Reed Singletary will moderate this town meeting. It will broadcast on WFRK 95.3 FM and WPDT 105.1 FM.
Chris Gardner (Inspiration for Pursuit of Happyness) to Speak to Florence One Students
Chris Gardner, the inspiration for the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” will be Florence to speak to a group of aspiring entrepreneurs in Florence One Schools. Gardner, who was portrayed by actor Will Smith in the movie, is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist and single parent whose work has been recognized by many esteemed organizations.
On Friday, Sept. 21, Gardner will speak in Florence as part of the “Igniting Innovation Gala” at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology Center on the Florence-Darlington Technical College campus. The gala will be presented by the Future Entrepreneurs Foundation.
Before the movie appeared on the big screen, Gardner wrote an autobiography titled “The Pursuit of Happyness.” The book became a New York Times and Washington Post No. 1 bestseller and spent more than 20 weeks on the bestseller list and has since been translated into more than 40 languages.
Other special guesta at the event include Florence One Superintendent Dr. Richard O'Malley, West Florence High School's Destin Frontis and Florence City Councilwoman Teresa Ervin.
For more information or for tickets to this event, call 843-245-8048.
Schools Celebrate Grandparents Day
To learn about events recognizing grandparents next week, contact your local school.
Photo: Terry and Betty Isgett enjoyed breakfast with their first grade granddaughter Addisyn this week at Wallace-Gregg Elementary School.
60-Seconds in Florence One Schools: Coming to Your Mobile App
Did You Know?
Established in 1838, McCall Farms canning facility in Effingham processes up to three million lbs. of vegetables daily under the brands of Peanut Patch, Margaret Holmes, Glory Foods, Bruce’s Yams, and Allens.
Download the Florence One App
The Florence One Schools app is available for both iPhone and Android smartphones. The app is free and available for download today.
Download the app in 3 easy steps:
- On your smartphone, go to the iTunes App Store or Google Play.
- Search Florence One Schools.
- Then, select the Florence app for free download.
Using the app, we find school news in the palm of our hands. The Florence One mobile app is just a few taps way.
Everyone is encouraged to download it today!