This Week
October 5, 2018
Going Blue for First Responders
Williams Middle Students Collect Items for Hurricane Relief
Local Leaders to Get a Close Look at School Operations
Through a three-way partnership among Florence One, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and The School Foundation, a program designed for business and community leaders to spend time getting a unique, behind-the-scenes look into schools in Florence One continues in its fourth year. The program, known as the Fellows in Education Program, began with an orientation today for its members.
“We are extremely excited about having members of our business community visiting our schools again this year, “said Dr. Richard O’Malley, Superintendent of Florence One Schools. “The commitment on the part of each of these individuals is greatly appreciated. During these visitations, the Fellows in Education will gain knowledge of the many outstanding school initiatives, as well as the needs and the resources in our schools. Through their in-depth understanding of these outstanding programs, the needs and resources, we believe that they will be better able to serve as advocates for students in Florence One Schools,” he added.
The first of eight sessions began on Tuesday, October 2nd with a visit to Wallace-Gregg Elementary, and sessions will be held thereafter on the first Tuesday of each month through the month of May at different Florence One schools. (See schedule.)
Pictured are 2018-19 Fellows in Education: (bottom row, left to right) Barbara Merrill, Teresa Myers-Ervin, Mike Miller, Kent Caudle, Debbie Hyler, Philip Maenza, Yulaundra Heyward, Gregg Parsons and Tiffany Straus.
(Second row: left to right): Jessica Jordan, Tania Patel, Lauren Vause, Derrick Cattenhead, John Strickland and Maggie Glover.
(Top Row: left to right) Dr. Richard O'Malley, Kevin Goodwin, Joe Edict, Jerry Keith, Jr., Brandon Lyles, Tyron Jones, Aaron Robinson, Bailey Dabney and Nick Foong.
Not pictured are Bryant Moses, Ryan Conner, Doris Lockhart, Gloria Cooper, Annie Ham, Mindy Taylor, and Tommy Pruitt.
Fellows in Education 2018-19 Schedule
October 2 – Wallace-Gregg Elementary
November 13 – Southside Middle
December 4 – West Florence High
January 8 – Savannah Grove Elementary
February 5 – Theodore Lester Elementary
March 5 – Wilson High
April 2 – Dewey L. Carter Elementary
May 7 – South Florence High
Mid May – (Date TBA) Fellows Graduation at Duke Energy
Motivational Speaker/Author Visits Florence Career Center
Open Enrollment
Employee insurance benefits open enrollment is October 1 - 31. This is the best time to sit down with a benefits counselor coming to your location and review your benefits. You can schedule an appointment via a location specific link provided by your principal/supervisor. This year, incentives will be offered to each qualifying school with the highest number of employees attending their personalized meeting with our Colonial Life benefits counselors. Also, each employee attending their personalized meeting with the Colonial Life benefits counselor, at their school/location, will have their name entered into a drawing for a $25.00 gift card. We will have drawings at each location at the end of Open Enrollment. Employees are encouraged to schedule appointments during this open enrollment period.
Note: Open enrollment coverage changes will become effective January 1, 2019. No dental coverage changes are allowed this year. For more information, call Renee Prosser in the Office of Human Resources at 843-662-3306.
Florence One Teacher Chosen to Present at State Conference
“I chose to present Minecraft Education Edition at the PSAE annual conference this year because I believe that it is a great example of this year’s theme of INNOVATE,” Smith said. “Minecraft Education is an innovative way to integrate STEAM into your curriculum.”
Smith said that by using a game her students like and already play, she is getting them excited about learning.
“It is a relevant and a real-world alternative to a final project,” Smith said. “In my classroom, students use elements of geometry to design a new city and then build that city in Minecraft. My students absolutely love it. Many of them enjoy playing Minecraft at home and it’s a great way for me to meet my 4th graders on their level.”
Ten projects, including Smith’s, were chosen as "a top example of addressing innovation." Her project is also recognized as "best addressing the theme of innovation." Smith will present on October 15th in Charleston.
“I am honored to be showcased as a top example of addressing innovation at the conference,” she said. “I am excited to show the teachers of South Carolina what innovative things we are doing in Florence 1 Schools.”