This Week
A Florence 1 Schools Weekly Publication
The Florence 1 Schools 2025-2026 Calendar received approval at the December meeting of the Board of Trustees. Next year's calendar begins with the first day of school July 28, 2025. It includes Intersessions October 6-10, 2025, and February 16-20, 2026. Thanksgiving holidays are scheduled for the week of November 24-28, 2025; winter break is December 17-31, 2025, extending into the January 1-2, 2026.
Commencement Ceremonies are scheduled for May 27, 2026, for Wilson High (am) and South Florence (pm); and for Florence 1 Adult Education on May 28, 2026, (am) and West Florence High (pm).
The final day of school for students is May 28, 2026.
View the entire calendar at this link: Florence 1 Schools 2025-2026 Calendar.
A Florence 1 educator, Abby Sullivan of West Florence High School, has achieved National Board Certification (NBC) status. She joins other educators in our state and nation representing various school districts who recently achieved this honor. Sullivan, who serves as a mathematics teacher, has been teaching at West Florence since 2013.
According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, National Board Certified educators teach to the profession’s highest standards, significantly improve learning outcomes for their students, and positively impact their schools and communities. The organization maintains that NBCT teachers have shown their deep commitment to student learning and the teaching profession through the Board Certification process.
Florence 1 Schools also acknowledges the National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT's) who reaffirmed their commitment to their practice and students through Maintenance of Certification (MOC). These teachers are celebrated on this accomplishment as they continue leading the teaching profession. View the names of the F1S NBCT's who have gone through the process of MOC this year.
National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. For more information visit the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: nbpts.org
Sneed Middle School Principal Jeffery A. Gaines recently completed the requirements for the receipt of the Educational Doctorate in Curriculum and Assessment from Southern Wesleyan University.
His dissertation is titled: Implications of the South Carolina Improvement Framework: A Correlational Study of Student Achievement and School Climate.
Findings of Dr. Gaines' Research: There is a statistical significant relationship between school climate and student achievement. As the climate score increases in a school, one would expect student achievement scores to increase as well. Non-CSI middle schools had higher climate and achievement scores suggesting CSI schools would benefit from cultivating a climate that breeds high student success.
Said Dr. Gaines, "All of my educational experiences have been rooted in school improvement from my days as a classroom teacher to now instructional leader," said Dr. Gaines. "Conducting this study solidified my personal beliefs that climate is vital to the academic success of a school. I hope my research will impact building leaders and leadership teams to prioritize school climate to create change and raise student achievement." Read more about Dr. Jeffery A. Gaines.
Clemson University Prepares Program
The CU-PREPARES program at Clemson University is a US Department of Education Teacher Quality Partnership grant through Clemson University.
CU-PREPARES is a teacher residency initiative designed to prepare future educators while they earn their master’s degree. Teacher residents are paired with a mentor teacher and placed in a classroom for the entire school year, starting on the first day and continuing through the last.
This immersive experience allows residents to learn alongside an experienced educator while gaining hands-on teaching practice. In addition to earning their master’s degree, residents receive a living stipend of $40,000, helping to support them as they grow into confident and well-prepared teachers.
Anna Hyman is the coordinator of the program in Florence 1 Schools.
Professional Practices Conference Scheduled in January 2025
Florence 1 Schools will hold a Professional Practice Conference on Monday January 6th, 2025. According to the Office of Professional Development, this conference will provide valuable insights and opportunities for professional growth for all F1S educators who are expected to participate, and it promises to be an informative and engaging day that will benefit all attendees.
All F1S educators must have registered for three (3) sessions or at least three (3) hours of professional learning in advance by December 18th.
For more information contact Calandra Davis (calandra.davis@f1s.org), Executive Director of Professional Development (843.799.6103).
Swords up, Sneed Middle School Squires! Your renovated media center is a great place to find that perfect book. New logos have been installed, along with new bookshelves and a variety of gold and green seating options to accommodate students at the Fortress. Enter the interior of the Sneed Middle School Media center to view improvements at Sneed Middle School Media Center.
The new tennis center at Wilson High is ready for season to begin. The tennis center sits next to the tennis courts and features restroom facilities, lockers and seating for players to use during match day.
The outdoor seating area at the front of the school also has new signage, proudly letting everyone driving down Old Marion Highway know that Wilson is "Home of the Tigers." Check out Wilson High School Tennis Center and Outdoor Seating.
IB - The application period for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB/MYP) for Williams Middle School (grades 6 - 8) and Wilson High School (grades 9 - 10) is now open. This application is for the 2025-2026 school year. Apply at f1s.org/IB. For more information call Brian Howell: bhowell@fsd1.org.
STEM - The West Florence 2025 - 2026 STEM Magnet Application will open on Friday, January 10, 2025, and it will close on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 4 pm.STEM Magnet info night will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 6:30 pm in the West Florence Auditorium during Knight of STEM. For more information visit westflorence.f1s.org/STEM or contact Rahsaan Perry: rperry@fsd1.org.
Southside Middle Fine Arts Academy - At the Fine Arts Academy at Southside Middle School, students can specialize in band, chorus, dance, digital/media arts, orchestra, piano, theater and visual art. Applications opened on Sunday, November 17, 2024, and will close January 10, 2025. Visit the Southside website for more details: https://southside.f1s.org.
The Florence One Center for the Arts (F1CA), an integrated arts magnet program at South Florence High School, offers an integrated experience for students who have a passion for the arts and a desire to express themselves. The Florence One Center for the Arts (F1CA) highlights opportunities for students to excel in Visual Arts, Instrumental and Vocal Music, Studio Production and Film Design, Dance, and Theater. The application deadline is January 16, 2025. Find out more or apply at southflorence.f1s.org/fine-arts.
