This Week
October 11, 2019
Florence 1 Schools Recognized for Palmetto Gold & Silver Awards
This week the South Carolina Department of Education announced that 249 schools across South Carolina have received the recently revised Palmetto Gold and Silver awards for their performance during the 2018-2019 school year.
Palmetto Gold and Silver award-winning schools received recognition at Thursday's Board of Trustees Meeting: Royall Elementary, Gold; (top photo above) Carver Elemenary, Silver; (center photo above) and Timrod Elementary, Silver (third photo above)
For elementary and middle schools, the criteria focused on two report card indicators: Academic Achievement and Student Progress. To be eligible to receive a Palmetto Gold or Silver designation, an elementary or middle school must receive a rating for the indicators of Academic Achievement and Student Progress as defined below:
Palmetto Gold Designation for Elementary Schools
1) Excellent Academic Achievement and Excellent Student Progress, or
2) Excellent Academic Achievement and Good Student Progress, or
3) Good Academic Achievement and Excellent Student Progress.
Palmetto Silver Designation for Elementary Schools
1) Average Academic Achievement and Excellent Student Progress, or
2) Good Academic Achievement and Good Student Progress, or
3) Excellent Academic Achievement and Average Student Progress.
Florence 1 Schools in Search of Vocal Star
A search has begun in Florence 1 Schools for 2020 Vocal Star Talent. Students are invited to audition for Florence 1’s Vocal Star through a district-wide competition for student singers in grades 4-12.
Students interested in applying for this event should complete an application and return it to the school music teacher by Friday, November 1, 2019.
The first round of auditions for “Florence 1’s Vocal Star” will be held at South Florence High School on Monday, January 13, 2020.
The final competition will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at the SiMT Building on the campus of Florence-Darlington Technical College.
The top winner of each division (elementary, middle and high) will receive a $250 cash prize. Runners-up for each division will receive a $50 cash prize. Applicants must be enrolled in a Florence 1 school to be eligible for the competition.
Applications may be found on the Florence 1 Schools website: https://www.f1s.org/Page/10805 and must include the $5 application fee when submitted to the school’s music teacher.
Applications may also be mailed to the Director of Arts and Innovative Programs, Jeffery Gaines, at 319 South Dargan Street, Florence, SC 29506.
Additional information about the program, along with an audition time-line, will be sent to those whose applications are received.
For more information, visit the Florence One Schools Vocal Star website at or call 843-673-1134.
The Great Shakeout Comes to Florence 1 Schools
School have been encourged to participate in the observance of Earthquake Preparedness Week, scheduled for October 13 through 19, 2019. The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill will take place on the morning of Thursday, October 17, 2019, at 10:17 a.m.
By taking part in the Great ShakeOut, awareness is raised about the simple, life-saving steps that people should take if an earthquake occurs: Drop, Cover and Hold On.
On October 17 at 10:17 a.m. The test will include information about the Great ShakeOut and will serve as the signal for schools to begin the earthquake drill. For more information, visit the link below.
Wilson Student Recognized by SCCTM
Briana Mendez, a student at Wilson High School, (pictured left) had her artwork selected as the first place winner in the grade 9-12 category of the South Carolina Teachers of Mathematics (SCCTM) art contest. She will receive $50 from the SCCTM and be recognized at its upcoming conference.
Briana's winning artwork, based on this year's conference theme, "Building Your Math Superpower: Taking Action," also entitles her mathematics instructor, Dr. Machelle Sprauve, a one year SCCTM membership.
In addition, the artwork will be displayed at the SCCTM conference and afterwards at the EdVenture Children's Museum in Columbia. The artwork will also be showcased in the SCCTM Conference program book which can be accessed from the SCCTM.org website.
It's Gala Season
Tickets are available to employees in Florence 1 Schools for $75. The general reception and dinner will take place from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The program begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. For more information call The School Foundation office at 843-662-9996.
Did you know that October is National Bullying Prevention Month?
National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. The campaign is held during the month of October and unites communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.
Initially held the first week in October, the event was expanded in 2010 to the entire month. PACER developed the initial campaign, National Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week, to raise awareness about bullying.” ("History of National Bullying Prevention Month," n.d.)
- More than one out of every five (20.8%) students report being bullied (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2016).
- 33% of students who reported being bullied at school indicated that they were bullied at least once or twice a month during the school year (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2016).
- Of those students who reported being bullied, 13% were made fun of, called names, or insulted; 12% were the subject of rumors; 5% were pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on; and 5% were excluded from activities on purpose (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2016).
Make-Up Day in Florence 1 Schools Announced
Monday, January 6, 2020, has been changed from a Professional Development Day to a regular school day. All students and staff will report to school and to work on Monday, January 6, 2020.
Choraliers Perform at Opening of the New Andrew Griffin Park
Mayor Stephen Wukela invited the South Florence Choraliers to perform this week for the dedication of Andrew Griffin Park located downtown in the courtyard.
Photo: Mayor Wukela (front, center) and the South Florence High School Choraliers.
City of Florence The South Florence Choraliers performance of Big City Swing with a Florence spin was a hit at the dedication ceremony! We are so appreciative of their participation in the dedication ceremony of the Andrew H. Griffin Plaza! "Celebration . . . Florence After Five! Griffin Park, After Dark - Florence is coming Alive!" Thank you all so much for sharing your talents with the community!
Understanding your Child's IEP
School Board Connection
At its October 10th meeting, the Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees approved the use of Evolv Express, a system which delivers high-speed firearm and bomb detection. The system, which will be installed in the three high schools, screens over 3600 people per hour (60 people per minute). Evolv Express also keeps high volume entrances flowing by reliably detecting guns and other weapons as visitors walk through. Organizations such as Lincoln Center, Oakland Airport, Gillette Stadium and LL Bean use Evolv Express to prevent active shooters and bombers from entering venues while providing a non-intrusive experience.