Southwood Academy of the Arts
May 1st - 5th
Congratulations to the April Students of the Month!
6th grade flower dissection
Poetry Awards
2023-2024 Yearbook Staff
Mackenzie Burdette, Bailey Burgess, Lillian Chapman, Makeria Dennis, Allena Garland, Sadie Haren, Kinsley Hetzel, Jaiden Horton, Logan Maeger, Meghan Martin, Amiley McLay, Grayson Mulkey, Sally Myers, M’Kenzie Saylors, Alex Seawright, John David Smalley
HS Students Play in Carnegie Hall
Recently, five A5 high school students traveled to Carnegie Hall to play in the top orchestra of the Carolina Youth Symphony which rehearses at Furman each week. In the first photo pictured L to R are Kira Follo (violin), Director Dr. Hicken, Ethan Lee (cello), former A5 student Caroline Norris (viola), Ben Sanders (bass), and seated is Christa Lee (percussion). What a phenomenal experience this was for them all, and we are grateful for the influence of their experience and time studying at Southwood Academy of the Arts with Celeste Griffith, Kathy Perry, and Alan Clark.
SAA Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week May 1st-5th!
Very Important Reminders from Ms. Doolittle
*Interims will go home with students on May 4th during homeroom.
*State testing is about to begin. ELA Writing is on May 10th, ELA Reading is on May 11th, and Math is on May 17th. Additionally, the 6th grade science SC Ready is May 18th, and the Algebra 1 EOC is on May 23rd.
*Parents, please reschedule any doctor’s appointments if they coincide with testing.
*Students, if you are not present for one of the tests, you will be required to take a makeup test. Ms. Doolittle can make you retest on ANY day up until the end of the school year. MAKE SURE your Chromebooks are charged before test days. If your Chromebook dies mid-test, you may have to complete a makeup test.
*Additionally, the state is going to be enforcing new requirements regarding cell phone usage. If ANY electronic device, outside of medical equipment, is caught being used during the test, the State Department of Education may require it to be taken from you by the proper authorities and subject to a search. If your device is taken, it will not be returned until much later.
*Pencils will be provided, but it would be greatly appreciated if you could bring your own.
We look forward to all students finishing their tests with flying colors!
Chorus Solo & Ensemble Results
Several Southwood Academy Chorus students participated in the Solo and Ensemble event. Soloists Zanaya Alexander, Alondra Chimal, and Mackenzie Burdette earned superiors, and Mallory Knowlton earned an excellent. The ensemble of Mackenzie and Alondra earned an excellent, and the ensemble of Aubrey Forgnoni, Kaleigh Gray, Bailey Jerolamon, David McDowell, Nolan Rose, Alana Steele, and Julia Yates earned a superior. Congratulations to Mr. Benitez and his students!
Band Solo & Ensemble Results
Southwood Academy Band students participated in Solo & Ensemble and received a total of 24 superior and 4 excellent ratings. Superior soloists were Ryker Erwin, Ben Baker, Clayton Alexander, Maggie Hunsinger, Aiden Webb, Aubreigh Hill, Brooklyn French, and Jaimeson House; and excellent soloists were Jordan Rice and Olivia Brown. The many superior and excellent ensembles are listed below. Congratulations to Mr. Wade, Mr. Faulkenberry, and all of the band students!
Anderson Area Arts Consortium
Date: June 19-23rd, 2023 (Monday-Friday)
Time: 9:00am-3:30pm (early drop-off 8:00am)
Location: Southwood Academy of the Arts
Cost: $100 invoice will be emailed after registration
Transportation: Parents must provide transportation
Westside High School Walk for Autism
Palmetto's Finest!
Visual Art Students Paint Faces
Order Your Yearbook
* If you are not sure if you ordered a yearbook, check this list of students who will get a yearbook in the spring when they arrive!
6th Graders Need to Get Tdap Vaccines
Parents of 6th graders, if your student has received his or her Tdap vaccine, please turn in that documentation to Mrs. Rosa, the school nurse. At this time, there are nearly 120 students who are missing this documentation. **YOU MAY NOT ATTEND 7th GRADE ANYWHERE IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA WITHOUT THIS VACCINE!** If your student needs to get this vaccine, please call your doctor and make an appointment immediately. If you cannot get in with your doctor, please contact the Minute Clinics, Urgent Care, or the Health Department and make an appointment with them. Southwood Academy’s main office would like to have these by the end of this school year so we can run your child’s schedule over the summer.
Poetry Slam
April is National Poetry month and it would be a crime not to announce the annual Southwood Academy Poetry Slam. Miss Paradis’ students will start their poetry unit after spring break and will work up to the date. Seventh grade students who are not in Miss Paradis’ class and want to participate in the Poetry Slam should email Ms. Paradis. The Poetry Slam will happen on May 24th in the PAC at 10:30 and the winners from last year will help host the event. Those individuals are Sally Ray Yon, Raegan Smith, Annabelle Morey, and Adair Seemuller.
Anderson University Summer Camps
Athletic Camps & Clinics Throughout the Summer
Choir & Vocal Camp July 9th - 14th
Repertory Theatre July 10th - 29th
Engineering Summer Institute July 10th - 14th
Next Engineers Summer Program
Applications for the 2023 Next Engineers Greenville Summer Camps are now open for eighth graders! This camp provides an immersive engineering experience where students get to interact with Clemson’s engineering faculty and staff. Students will develop creative solutions to problems, as well as complete hands-on activities and learn team cooperation. They will also have the opportunity to meet practicing, professional engineers. It is a free camp, and meals and transportation will be provided. It takes place at Clemson University, and you can sign up here, create an account and click apply. The application is due on Sunday, April 30th at 11:59 p.m.
Camp Dates:
Monday, June 12 to Friday, June 16
Monday, June 19 to Friday, June 23
Monday, July 10 to Friday, July 14
Monday, July 17 to Friday, June 21
SC Governor's School of Science & Mathematics
This summer, the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, located in Hartsville, SC, will be having a summer camp for all who are interested. There are many programs for students to choose from. All applications must be submitted by May 15th, and financial assistance requests must be completed by April 15th. To apply or find more information, please visit the GSSM website.
* Go SciTech includes astrophysics, photography, pre-med, and more for rising 8th, 9th and 10th graders. This program is located on the GSSM campus, and there are three weeks that students can attend (June 11-16, June 18-23, and June 25-30).
* iTeamsXtreme focuses on all things technology. This program offers courses based on robotics, game design, and 3D animation to rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. This will take place at Green Upstate High School (June 19-22).
* Summer Stem, which is online. It is for rising 6th-10th graders. To attend, students must have a working computer with access to Zoom and Canvas. There are two weeks available (June 19-23 and June 26-30).
Summer 2024 trip to Europe for Current 7th & 8th Grade Students!
Work It Out Wednesdays
Student IDs
Clear Bag Policy for Anderson 5
As part of our ongoing effort to provide a safe and secure school environment for our students and staff, Anderson School District Five will be implementing a clear bag policy for high school and middle school football games. Further adjustments to this policy may be enacted prior to the beginning of winter sports. Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to:
Purses - larger than a clutch bag
Camera cases
Briefcases
Backpacks
Cinch bags
Tinted/printed pattern plastic bags
Diaper bags
Mesh bags
Diapers and other baby supplies can be carried into the stadium in a clear bag. Infant formula, milk, or medicine needing refrigeration is allowed in a small soft-side cooler, and is subject to search at the gate. For additional information, please check out the image below.
A5 Transportation News
Parents, A5 Transportation is excited to promote a new opportunity for you to get in contact with the Transportation Department. You can now text CONCERN to 98127 and gain quick access to:
Submit a new bus stop request
Submit a question, comment, or concern
Learn about the new Traversa Ride 360 parent app (this app is how parents get notification of late buses)
Anderson 5 Needs Bus Drivers
Anderson School District Five is in immediate need of bus drivers. The current salary is $17.43 for new drivers and up to $25.82 for equivalence drivers. On-site paid training is offered at a rate of $16.43 per hour. This includes, but is not limited to, classroom training and behind-the-wheel training. Certified bus drivers are guaranteed 30 hours per week and could work up to 40 hours per week. Full-time drivers qualify for state benefits and participation in the South Carolina Retirement System. If you are only interested in driving a morning or afternoon route, part-time positions are available. Please check out the interest form below.
Club News
Beta Club Reminders
Newsletter Club
Creative Writing Club
Creative Writing students meet every Tuesday morning in Miss Paradis's classroom! Students who attended worked on a short piece of literature about something that happened to them that morning. There were no guidelines, so everyone has the freedom to write in any form or style.
Southwood Academy's YCI
YCI is starting back up at Southwood Academy of the Arts! YCI, Youth Commission International, is a Christian organization that talks about God and fellowship. YCI is 7:30 am every Thursday in the Performance Arts Center, and Mr. Pendergrass (the 8th grade science teacher) is the supervisor. There will be games and snacks. All are welcome!
Games Club
Cafeteria Online Payments
Students may purchase meals and extra sales items with cash, checks deposited onto their account, or funds deposited into their account online. Students cannot purchase extra sales if their account balance is negative. To view your child’s balance or make payments on their account, visit this site. You will need your child’s student account number to create an account/log in and view their meal account.
SAA is an ABC Grant Recipient through the South Carolina Arts Commission!
PowerSchool for Students & Parents
A5's District Code is GWJZ
Bus Information
*The Robert Anderson Sports Bus is now available after school!
Early Dismissal / Appointment Policies
- When you arrive at school, please call the office: 864-260-5205 to let us know you are here to pick up a student for dismissal.
- Make sure to have your license ready and press the buzzer for entrance.
- Once the door is unlocked, be prepared to show your license through the window while you will remain in the foyer. Please DO NOT enter the office area.
- We will have a sign-out sheet in the foyer. Please know that we will get your student to you as quickly as we can.
A5 COVID Guidelines
Media Center Schedule
Monday, May 1st - Media Center closed - Mrs. Spencer is unavailable
Tuesday, May 2nd - Boswell circulation
Wednesday, May 3rd- Games Club AM, Newsletter 3rd block
Thursday, May 4th - Liles circulation
Friday, May 5th - Mrs. Spencer working in MC (adding new books)
McCants Volleyball Information
Rising 7th or 8th grade girls who are zoned for McCants and want to play on the girls volleyball team in the fall need to get their physical done before the season starts. Parents and students will want to download SportsYou as it is the ONLY way of communication, once you join you will see information about the summer and spring practices. The code to join is D526-W3BZ. If you have any further questions, email Coach Elrod or Coach Dot .
TL Hanna Cheer
TLH Competition and Football Spirit Cheer auditions will be held May 9th-12th in the auxiliary gym for those that complete the required Google Form. The form is found on the school website and cheer social media. For additional information, contact the Head Coach Kelly Jones via her email: kellyjones@anderson5.net.
TLH Volleyball Information
Early Dismissal Days
Anderson Five will utilize three early dismissal days during the 2022-23 school year to support staff development, teacher conferences or end-of-semester exams. When utilizing early dismissal, lunch will be offered to students. Elementary students will be dismissed at 11:00 AM and Southwood Academy students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM.
Early dismissal will be implemented on the following dates:
May 31, 2023
June 1, 2023
Please add these dates to your calendar!
2022-2023 Academic Calendar
Southwood Academy of the Arts
Eric Chamblee, Associate Principal & Instructional Facilitator
Paula Doolittle, Guidance
Joshua Powell, Arts Lead Teacher
Cheri Gilbert, Secretary
Email: jamiesmith@anderson5.net
Website: http://www.anderson5.net/southwood
Location: 1110 Southwood Street, Anderson, SC, United States
Phone: 864-260-5205