This Week

Annually, the cohort of Florence 1 Schools Teachers of the Year are invited to tour the South Carolina State Capitol Building and have lunch with the South Carolina Senator and some members of our legislative delegation. The program is sponsored by Florence 1 Schools and the Hatfield-Temple Law Firm. The Teachers of the Year toured the state capitol, received recognition from Senator Mike Reichenbach, and had lunch at the Summit Club with the Senator, Attorney Hood Temple, and Dr. Richard O'Malley Superintendent of Schools.

After returning, Tamika Bacchus of North Vista Elementary said, "Today was fantastic! We were treated like royalty by Dr. O'Malley, Mr. Temple, Senator Reichenbach and Mrs. Reichenbach, and the state of South Carolina today!"

Likewise, Krystal Fuentes of John W. Moore said, "It was a wonderful day! I was honored to represent Moore Middle School and have a day to be celebrated. Attorney Hood Temple and Dr. O’Malley made sure we were treated like royalty with a tour, lunch, and meetings where we felt like our voices were heard. Such a great experience!"

This week the Florence 1 Schools Leadership Institute held its first meeting with certified teachers who are seeking an increase in school leadership capacity. The Institute, which garnered a very high interest level, will consists of 7 sessions as well as field-based assignments for observation and application. Participants will receive 30 recertification credits upon successful completion of the institute. The Institute is designed to incorporate practical application of leadership behaviors for effective school administration. Subsequent training sessions are scheduled for later this year.

Pictured: Standing Far left, Dr. Gregory McCord. Participants are: Ansley N. Goar, Erin Figueras, Julian Zumudio Arenas, Mykeha Davis, Dr. Carson Klienknecht, Candice Heyward, Ashley Barrett, Karen Goodman, Alisha Spears, Kristy Hicks, Lakeshia Durant, Holly Hill, Lillian West Patty Nunnally, Nichole Scipio, Kayla Iseman, Hunter Deas, Bill Volk and Mike Lloyd. Not pictured is Titus Echols.

This story is printed with permission of the editor of the Morning News. Story by Taylor Ford.

Eight middle school students from Florence 1 Schools participated in the 2025 South Carolina All-State Orchestra event held this past weekend at Boiling Springs High School.

First row, left to right: Madeline Tilton (horn), 7th grade Moore band; Gavin Li (viola), 7th grade Williams orchestra; Kate Freeman (viola), 6th grade Moore orchestra; Kathryn Huang (violin), 6th Grade Moore orchestra; and Vivian Jao (violin), 6th Grade Moore orchestra. Second row, left to right: Jackson March (Trombone), 8th grade Moore band; Liyang Ye (Cello), 8th grade Williams orchestra; Abigail Huang (violin), 8th Grade Williams orchestra. Sponsors are Mark Jackson (Moore Orchestra Director at left), John Roe (Williams Orchestra Director at right.) Not Pictured is Richard Hyman (Moore MS Band Director).

World Water Day will be celebrated on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Francis Marion University Freshwater Ecology Center. This event is endorsed by the Florence 1 Schools STEM division.

The Family friendly event will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. It will highlight the importance of fresh water and is used to establish the sustainable management of freshwater resources. It will feature

• STEAM Activities for kids
• Fishing Demos by the SC Department of Natural Resources
• Live Animals from Black Creek Wildlife Center
• Paddling Demos by Naturally Outdoors
• Information Sources
• Food Trucks

For more information contact Dr. Jeff Steinmetz: jsteinmetz@fmarion.edu

Wilson High School's Megerlyn Davis recently served as guest clinician at Coker University’s Southern Singing Festival, and she worked with the talented students of the Richland One High School Honors Chorus as their clinician. Wilson High School's Tiger Production's spring performance, The Greatest High School Homecoming on Earth, will be held on Friday, March 28th at 7:00 p.m.

Knight Edition's Gala will be held Friday, April 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the West Florence Auditorium. Admission is $10. South Florence's main chorus concert is on April 15th, and will feature the entire program and it is scheduled to be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church. The Choraliers will perform on May 9th and 10th at South Florence.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Time: 2:00–4:00 PM (Awards Ceremony at 3:00 PM)
Location: Lula’s Coffee Co., 160 S. Dargan St., Florence, SC

Judging the Art - Dr. Eunjung Chang, a Professor of Art Education at Francis Marion University and recipient of the SC Most Creative Teaching Award and the NAEA SC Higher Art Educator of the Year award.

Students in Wilson High School’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Program achieved outstanding results on the 2025 National German Examination, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG).

Front from left to right:, Jeanie Davison Jaida Gut. Back from left to right: Kaylee Braswell, Hugh Granger, James Ardis, Kennedy Green. To learn more, see the details: Wilson High School National German Award Winners.

The Nemec Abbott Foundation is seeking to award a full 4-year scholarship to one senior from each high school in the Florence One area. This will include tuition and on campus room/board. The foundation also plans award six full 2-year scholarships for seniors who want to pursue an associate degree at a technical college. All colleges selected must be in the state of South Carolina. Download the application: Nemec Abbott Scholarship Foundation Application.

For more information contact Keylier March, Chief Grants Coordinator (kmarch@nemecabbott.org) or your local high school guidance counselor.

The month of March's art therapy and self-care initiative for teachers and staff is scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Florence County Museum.

It allows teachers and staff to practice self-care with a certified art therapist in an off-site environment. Class size for this workshop is limited to 24 slots, but there will be multiple opportunities to participate throughout the school year.

The program is sponsored in partnership with MUSC Arts in Healing and the Florence County Museum. Register at this link: Art Therapy for Teachers and Staff of Florence 1 Schools.

Did you know that there are Florence 1 Schools transportation employees who not only transport students to and from school safely each day, but they sing also? The singers are known as the Voices of Transportation, and they will be in concert at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9th at Saint Beulah Baptist Church, 3015 St. Beulah Road in Florence. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

The Florence 1 Adult Education program will offer two sessions of Community Education courses this spring: Introduction to Sign Language I and II; American Sign Language, I and II; Computer Basics 101 & 102; Introductory & Conversational Spanish. Pre-register by March 3, 2025. All courses will take place in the McClenaghan Building, 500 South Dargan Street.

For more information contact Anna Miller at 843-758-6402.

To register follow this link: Registration for Spring Community Education Courses.

The Wilson Tiger Boys Basketball team will take on North Augusta High School for the Lower-State Championship. The game is scheduled for Monday, March 3rd at 4:30 p.m. at the Florence Center.

Where to Purchase Tickets: Florence Center Box Office or Florence Center website. Children 5 and under are free. Tickets purchased will be for the day only.

Employees, in case you missed the February edition of For My Benefit, here's a reminder to take the time to review it. It offers heart healthy solutions, including how to obtain a free blood-pressure monitor; a special offer to the Legends Reimagined Concert, (a tribute to Prince/Michael Jackson) and info about an employee discount to Fitness World Gym. Don't let this issue pass you by: For My Benefit, February 2025.

• West Florence STEM Magnet Program - For more information visit westflorence.f1s.org/STEM or contact Rahsaan Perry: rperry@fsd1.org. Application deadline is Friday, March 7, 2025.

Results are in for the Florence 1 Schools Black History Month Poetry and Art Contest.

Black History Month Poetry and Art Contest Winners.

Above, Michael James, Jr., a senior at West Florence High School, recently emerged as an oratorical contest winner in a community Black History Program and the recipient of $1,000 scholarship for having expounded on the subject: My Voice, My Choice, My Future. Second place winner Zyon Black, of Wilson High School, received $500; and third place winners West Florence's Jonathan McKnight, Jalen Wallace and South Florence's Addison Pernell all received $250.

Save the Date! Registration will open on March 10, 2025 for the upcoming school year.