West Florence Knightly News

Each month we like to stress the importance of mental and physical wellness by engaging in wellness weekends. During the wellness weekend, students are not assigned any work and our faculty/staff are asked to step back from work as well. Rather, we ask the entire West Florence community to take care of their physical and mental health. You can do this by:

• Cleaning the yard
• Reading a book
• Doing exercise
• Having a movie night with friends/family
• Taking a nap
• Meditating

Each month we like to honor students who have displayed excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• Leadership
• Integrity
• Fostering Community
• Service
• Academics
• Athletics
• Arts and
• Responsibility

Students are nominated by their teachers and are referred to as Shining Knights. Congratulations to the following students for being named Shining Knights for the month of November:

Final and End-Of-Course (EOC) exams are coming up! It is important that students are studying, completing missing work, and working on any exam prep their teachers give them. Final and EOC exams count 20% of students' final grade in the course. The final and EOC exam schedule is below.

Please remember that during final exams:

• We will operate on a modified lockdown to maintain a quiet and fair testing environment for all. This means students will have to be escorted to restrooms or offices during exam blocks.
• No sign-outs are allowed during exam blocks (8:30 am - 11:40 am on Tuesday, December 5, and from 8:30 am - 11:40 am on Monday - Thursday, December 11 - 14, 2023).

EOC Exam Reminders:

• End-Of-Course Exams are mandated by the state of South Carolina. The four courses that require an EOC are Intermediate Algebra/Algebra 1, English 2, US History, and Biology 1.
• There is no opt-out option. If a student refuses to take his/her EOC, they will earn a 0 that will count 20% of the student's final grade.
• Students will need to report on time to school if they are taking an EOC. We will begin EOC testing at 8:45 am. Students need to arrive before 8:30 am on their exam day.
• Electronic and photographic devices of any kind (with an exception of the Chromebook students use to test with) are prohibited during EOC testing. This includes cell phones, smart watches, airpods, headphones, tablets, iPads, etc.
• Students must turn off all electronic and photographic devices and store them in their bookbags.
• EOC Exams are not timed, students can use all the time they need.

The holidays are coming up! As we prepare to shed love during the holiday season, the administration at West Florence is looking to give away gift cards to our teachers during our holiday faculty meeting. Our faculty works countless hours to pour into our students and we want to reward them for all they do. If you or your family would like to donate a gift card, please drop it off in the front office before December 8, 2023.

As we prepare for final and end-of-course (EOC) exams, we ask for everyone to join us in spreading some holiday cheer over the next two weeks. Let's end the semester in good spirits, spreading love, cheer, and joy. Dress up for the 10 days of holiday spirit!

The West Florence visual and performing arts department is hosting multiple concerts and shows over the next two weeks to spread some holiday cheer and showcase their talents. Please come out and support our students who have worked so tirelessly in their respective arts.

• Tuesday, December 5 @ 7 pm: Velvet Knights Orchestra Concert
• Thursday, December 7 @ 6 pm: Visual Arts Winter Art Show
• Thursday, December 7 @ 7 pm: Choral Department Winter Concert
• Tuesday, December 12 @ 7 pm: Band Department Winter Concert

All concerts will be held in the West Florence High School Auditorium.

FMU Dual Enrollment Students & Families: For those students taking a course through FMU during the spring 2024 semester, please do not forget to have your Permission form signed in PowerSchool by December 8th. A permission form has to be on file in the Student PowerSchool account as well as the Parent PowerSchool account.

• Step 1 - Log into PowerSchool
• Step 2 - Click on "Forms" on the left menu bar
• Step 3 - Read and submit the form

West Florence Families,

The APTS will host teacher treats on December 14, 2023 for our amazing faculty and staff. We are looking for our West Florence families to bring in home made goodies and treats to show appreciation to our faculty. You can sign up by clicking the button below.

Be sure to monitor your child's grades and attendance by actively using PowerSchool's ParentPortal. Please see the directions below on how to download the app.

Parents/Guardians of Juniors,

All students who are true Juniors will be able to take either the SAT or ACT for free in the Spring through the state of South Carolina. A choice form was emailed to you on December 1 from the Florence 1 Schools Accountability Office. Please be sure to complete the choice form by December 8, 2023, to take the Spring SAT or ACT. Students can only take one of the tests for free.

Monday, December 4, 2023:

• Eastern District Honor Band Auditions - After School

Tuesday, December 5, 2023:

• English 2 Writing EOC, 8:30 am - 11:40 am
• VirtualSC Exams, 1st & 2nd Block - Media Center
• Velvet Knights Orchestra Holiday Concert, 7 pm - Auditorium
• Boys' Basketball vs. Cardinal Newman
• Girls' Basketball Home Game

Wednesday, December 6, 2023:

• VirtualSC Exams, 1st & 2nd Block - Media Center
• Wrestling @ Lexington

Thursday, December 7, 2023:

• Visual Arts Department Winter Arts Show, 6 pm - Mall Area
• Chorus Holiday Concert, 7 pm - Auditorium

Friday, December 8, 2023:

• Boys' Basketball @ AC Flora
• Girls' Basketball @ AC Flora
• Wrestling @ Hartsville

Saturday, December 9, 2023:

• Wrestling @ Hartsville

Sunday, December 10, 2023:

• Fall Athletic Awards Banquet, 2 pm - Auditorium