This Week in Florence 1 Schools
October 18, 2024
October is National Principals Month and F1S is Celebrating!
A Day in the Life of a Middle School Principal
Talia Dukes arrived on campus ready for the day in professional attire (including heels and a jacket.) Heels were exchanged for flats and the jacket was removed as she began the morning monitoring the movement of middle school students. During the monitoring she seems to notice everything about the students correcting and disciplining on-the-spot where needed with both her stature and her body language playing a role in the process.
She’s cool, calm and collected as she makes her way around the campus of Williams Middle School. Complements are exchanged with staff and students alike. Open and frank communication are a part of her style.
Upon returning from the F1S Intersession this week, Principal Dukes handled many of the routine duties of the day at Williams: meetings, conferences, car-line duty, discipline, and parental concerns. In addition, there were interviews, hearings as well as a volleyball game to attend at the end of the day.
“My goal is to create a culture where everyone is valued and can be seen as well as heard,” said Dukes. During lunch, a middle school student presented a proposal for a specific school activity. “I will consider it, and get back with you,” she replied. Her sentiments (valuing everyone) are reflected in the opinions of both induction and veteran educators.
Veteran mathematics educator Jackie Weaver said, “Ms. Dukes has set high expectations for Williams Middle School. She is a fair, open-minded listener who readily responds to concerns. She does not micro-manage the staff members, but is a professional leader who allows us to do our jobs.
“Ms. Dukes is straightforward leader. We know where she stands because she provides a clear understanding of what is expected and it is absolutely a blessing to work with her,” said induction teacher Bryant Gardner.
Talia Dukes has over 15 years of education experience, most recently serving as assistant principal at Southside Middle School and Sneed Middle School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Francis Marion University, a Master of Arts degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix, and a Master of Education: Education Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Photos: Talia Dukes (upper right) and (bottom right) In recognition of National Principals Month, Principal Dukes received special recognition from the faculty and staff for her leadership at the school. Here's a reflection of he Monday of this week at a glance: A Day in the Life of a Middle School Principal.
Next week: A Day in the Life of a High School Principal
Sixty Seconds of Quick Facts About School Principals
School Report Card Data Released This Week
Florence 1 Schools garnered a total of 60 percent of Good and Excellent ratings on this year's school report cards with the remaining 40 percent receiving a rating of average. View the F1S rating chart here: https://bit.ly/4eQYQ4k.
For more information about school report card data, visit these links:Data Summary for 2024 SC School Report Cards and 2024 SC School Report Cards Fact Sheet.
Wilson High to Host State Marching Band Championship
Wilson High School will host the South Carolina Band Directors Association Traditional/High-Step State Marching Band Championship on October 19th, at Tiger Stadium from 11:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Participating bands include: Darlington High, Manning High, Keenan High, Lamar High, Dillon High, Lower Richland High, Richland Northeast High, Marlboro County High, Crestwood High, Lakewood High, and Woodland High and Wilson High.
The Marching Tigers will host 12 high-stepping bands from South Carolina High Schools which will compete for the state championship and the Outstanding Performance Award. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/highstepatwilson.
For more information, call Wilson High School at 843-664-8440.
SC ETV Launches Community Forum on Education Tour At Southside Middle
With a goal of bridging gaps and amplifying diverse voices, this tour provides a unique opportunity for everyone who cares about education to come together for open, solution-oriented discussions.
The format of each forum is designed for maximum impact. The first half of the event will focus on key predetermined topics that resonate with the educational needs of our communities. From student success to mental health support, and from curriculum innovation to family engagement, these topics will be led by a dynamic panel featuring state and local education leaders, education thought leaders, students, and community voices. Their insights will lay the groundwork for deeper conversations.
The second half of each forum will feature audience-led discussions which will allow participants to share experiences, ideas, and solutions in real time. Whether you're a parent, teacher, student, or community leader, this is your chance to be heard, ask questions, and explore how we can all work together to create better educational outcomes.
Dr. Renard Harris, host of South Carolina Public Radio’s Teachable Moments, will guide these lively and thoughtful discussions, ensuring that each forum is a welcoming and engaging space for everyone.
- First Forum Event: The “Cellular” Level: On Cell Phone Policies, Student Behavior, and Parent Teacher Engagement
- Date: October 24, 2024
- Location: Southside Middle School, 290 W. John Paul Jones Road, Effingham, SC 29541
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
All tour stops will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube at South Carolina ETV.
Mark your calendar and invite your friends, neighbors, and colleagues to join this important conversation! Stay tuned and follow us on social media for panelist announcements, plus 2025 event dates and topics.
Together, we can shape the future of education—one conversation at a time.
Friday Night Football and This Week's Homecoming Festivities at West
In football action on Friday, October 18th, South Florence will host Wilson, and it is homecoming weekend for the Knights of West Florence.
Here are some of the homecoming festivities taking place at West:
- Friday, Oct. 18: Homecoming Tailgate, 5:30 pm - Knight Stadium
- Friday, Oct. 18: Homecoming Game vs. Ridgeview Blazers and Royalty Crowning, 7:30 pm - Knight Stadium
- Saturday, Oct. 19: Community Tailgate (back parking lot)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: Homecoming Dance, 7 - 10 pm - Gym
Take a Sneak Peek at next week's Bruins Homecoming Schedule: Bruins Homecoming Schedule 2024.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Take the time to review these facts and beneficial information provided by McLeod Health: :https://www.mcleodhealth.org/services/care/cancer-center/breast-health-center/
Report Cards Emailed This Week
All Florence 1 Quarter 1 report cards were emailed October 15th to the address of parents/guardians listed as the primary contact on their registration form.
Be sure you have checked the academic progress of your students.
Williams Middle School Induction Introductions
Get to know these educators at Williams Middle.
A Spooktacular Dance Showcase is in Season
You're invited to join the South Florence Dancers in the Florence One Center for the Arts at the Spooktacular Showcase on Thursday, October 24th at 6:30 pm in the South Florence High School Auditorium.
The show will feature special performances from the Southside Middle School Dance Academy. Entrance is free, and donations are appreciated at the door.
The Middle Years Program at Williams
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at Williams Middle School is taking applications for enrollment beginning Friday, October 18, 2024. Apply at this link: https://bit.ly/F1SMYP.
For more information contact Katherine Hardee (kehardee@fsd1.org) or Brian Howell (bhowell@fsd1.org).
Photo of the Week
Orchestra students from Wilson and Williams met award-winning violinist Njioma Grevious (https://www.njiomagrevious.com/). Ms. Grevious visited Wilson High School where she performed for students and answered questions about being a professional musician. Students also attended the Florence Symphony Orchestra concert that evening where Ms. Grevious was a soloist.
Spida Bifida Awareness
October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month—a time to celebrate the hundreds of thousands of people living with Spina Bifida. Every October, community stories that challenge us to raise more awareness and support for those living with Spina Bifida are highlighted.
As a community, we can do this by raising awareness about Spina Bifida either in our own circles or larger networks. It’s also a great time for us to challenge ourselves to find new ways to get involved in raising awareness and advocacy activities.
Nurse Jordan Kirby of Theodore Lester Elementary School is encouraging everyone to wear yellow on Friday, October 25th in support of students with spina bifida.