Next week is March Madness Championship Week....

Playing for 3rd place is Career Magnet Team 7 vs 7th Grade Team A

Playing for the Championship we have Career Magnet Team 8 vs 7th Grade Team B

All-Star Teams will be announced on Monday.

Who will take home the all-star title this year! Will it be Team O'Neal or Team Payne?

MARCH:

• 26 - Mastery View Predictive Assessment in Reading

• 27 - Mastery View Predictive Assessment in Math

• 31 - April 4 - MVPA Make up Testing

APRIL:

• 1 - Mastery View Predictive Assessment in Science (6th grade) and Alg 1 EOC

• 2 - 4 - MVPA Make up Testing

• 7 - STAR Reading

• 8 - STAR Math

• 9 - 11 -STAR Make up Testing

MAY:

• 1 - SC Ready - Writing

• 8 - SC Ready - Reading Section A

• 9 - SC Ready - Reading Section B

• 14 - SC Ready - Math

• 16 - SC Ready - 6th Grade Science

• 20 - EOC - Algebra 1

Darla Moore is the founder and chair of the Palmetto Institute, a nonprofit think tank aimed at bolstering per capita income in South Carolina, and the founder and chair of The Charleston Parks Conservancy, a foundation focused on enhancing the parks and public spaces of the City of Charleston. She is the first woman to be profiled on the cover of Fortune magazine and named to the list of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in American Business. She has served on numerous corporate boards, including Hospital Corporation of America, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, The South Financial Group and MPS Group. Moore currently serves on the National Teach for America Board of Directors and The Culture Shed Board.

Modjeska Monteith Simkins was an important leader of African-American public health reform, social reform and the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina. Modjeska Monteith was born on December 5, 1899, in Columbia, South Carolina. Her father, Henry Clarence Monteith, worked as a brick mason, and her mother was Rachel Evelyn Hall. Modjeska lived on a farm near Columbia and attended elementary school, high school and Benedict College, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in 1921. The same year, she began teaching at Booker T. Washington High School. Because public schools in Columbia did not allow married women to teach, she was asked to resign when she married Andrew Whitfield Simkins in December 1929.

In 1931, Simkins entered the field of public health as the Director of Negro Work for the South Carolina Tuberculosis Association and became the state's only full-time, statewide African-American public health worker. By creating alliances with influential white and African-American groups and raising funds, Simkins made a substantial impact on the health of African Americans in South Carolina.

Dear Parents,

As the weather warms up, we kindly remind all students to adhere to our school dress code. Please ensure that your child dresses appropriately for the school day, with attention to modesty and comfort, while also following our guidelines. This helps maintain a focused learning environment for everyone.

Thank you for your cooperation!

• 7th grade will conduct parent conferences within the next few weeks
• A trip to the zoo has been planned
• Possible End of the Year Trip: Wonderworks in Myrtle Beach to experience STEM

Please find the schedule for the 25-26 class selection for W G Sanders rising 7th and 8th grade students. The scheduling process will begin March 17, 2025, and conclude March 31, 2025. Counselors will schedule through the Social Studies classes.

Rising 7th graders will select their 25-26 related arts classes on March 17, 2025.

Rising 8th graders will select their 25-26 related arts classes on March 18, 2025.

Montessori

Rising 7th and 8th grade will select their 25-26 related arts classes on March 19, 2025 during Solo Time.

Rising 6th graders will select classes accordingly:

Bradley Elementary March 17, 2025

Burton Pack Elementary March 19, 2025

Greenview Elementary March 27, 2025

Satchel Ford Elementary TBA

Next week we will have laptop checks:

2nd Period: Career Magnet

3rd Period: 6th Grade Traditional

4th Period: 8th Grade/7th Grade

Effective February 17, 2025, all middle and high schools will be required to use one of two methods for obtaining breakfast, lunch, or other meals: 1. Use of their school/district issued ID Badge or 2. Use of the meal PIN.

Interims will be available on February 6th. If your child has a 60 or lower in an ELA, Math, Science, or Social Studies class, contact that teacher via email or call the school right away. You need to attend a mandatory parent-teacher conference to develop a plan to prevent your child from repeating the grade level. Contact the school at 803-738-7575 to request to speak to guidance, the teacher, or an administrator to schedule the conference prior to the end of February 2025.

Tiger Families,

We are excited to participate in the Fireflies Baseball Reading Program. Each Sanders student who participates in the Superintendent's Book Club and reaches the goal of reading 1.500 minutes by March 17th will get a free Fireflies ticket. Reading will be logged in Beanstack at school.

Our game is scheduled for Friday, April 25th at 7:05 pm. In addition to their free ticket, students will get a free hot dog and soda voucher by visiting the kiosk inside the stadium.

Friends and family can also order discounted tickets to attend with their student. The discounted tickets are not available for April 25th, but you can select another date to attend.

Once your student has completed the challenge, and logged their 1,500 minutes of reading in Beanstack, a link to order tickets (along with a free ticket code) will be sent to your email address.

If you have any questions, please contact: cimber.gillam@richlandone.org.

Dear Students and Parents,

We are in halftime now, halfway through the year. It's crucial that students check their grades to ensure they are on track for promotion. Students should review their current grades and take action, if needed, to make sure they meet all requirements for moving forward to the next grade level.

Parents, please take a moment to review your child’s 1st semester report card to confirm that they are passing all their classes. Report cards were made visible on January 16, 2025. If you notice any areas of concern, we encourage you to schedule a teacher conference to discuss how to support your child’s progress and success. Conferences can be scheduled through guidance, 803-738-7857 ext 43125 or email Trevisha Mickens, Guidance Chair, at trevisha.mickens@richlandone.org

Additionally, 6th and 7th grade registration for the 2025-26 school year begins in March, so students should be prepared for course selections for the upcoming school year.

Together, we can ensure that all students finish the year strong and are ready for the next step in their educational journey!

Policy JICJ: Prohibition of Personal Electronic Devices During the School Day

Policy Aims:

• Minimize distractions and improve focus during instruction.
• Promote face-to-face interactions and social skill development.
• Reduce cyberbullying and inappropriate phone use during school hours.

Expectations to be discussed:

1. To provide a positive learning experience free from electronic distractions students are prohibited from using personal electronic devices during the school day.

2. Electronic devices must be silenced and stored out of sight during the entire school day, from bell to bell.
3. Electronic devices are strictly prohibited in locker rooms and restrooms.
4. Electronic devices may not be used or seen at any time during the school day.

Parent/Guardian support:

1. Parents are asked to refrain from calling or texting students during the school day.
2. Contact the school office for emergencies or urgent messages. Office: 803-738-7575.

Liability:

• The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal devices brought on campus.

Consequences:

• Warning
• Parent Conference
• ISS
• OSS

Monday, August 11 will be the first day of the 2025-2026 school year for Richland One students.

The Richland One Board of School Commissioners approved the district’s 2025-2026 academic calendar at its December 10 meeting. The Board gave its initial approval of the 2025-2026 calendar at the November 12 board meeting.

Other key calendar dates include:

• Thanksgiving Break – November 24-28, 2025
• Winter Break – December 22, 2025-January 2, 2026
• Spring Break – April 3-10, 2026
• Last Day of School for Students – May 27, 2026 (early dismissal day)
• Makeup Days (if needed) – November 24, 2025; November 25, 2025; April 3, 2026

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all students, all students are required to wear their school-issued ID badges every day while on campus and to all school-sponsored events.

Wearing IDs helps us identify students quickly and easily, and it plays a key role in maintaining a safe and organized environment for everyone.

Please help us by reminding your child to wear their ID each day before heading to school. If your child has misplaced their ID, please have them visit the main office to arrange for a replacement. There is a cost for each replacement.

We appreciate your cooperation and partnership in keeping our school a safe and positive place for learning. Should you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact the school office.

Thank you for your continued support!

Greetings Tiger Family!

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the unique challenges and achievements of our student athletes. Balancing academics with athletic commitments requires exceptional dedication and time management skills. As we continue to support these students, I wanted to share a few key points that might help in fostering their success in both areas:

1. Understanding Scheduling Conflicts: Student athletes often have rigorous training and competition schedules. Your flexibility and understanding when they need to catch up on assignments or make up tests can make a significant difference in their ability to manage both their academic and athletic responsibilities.
2. Encouraging Open Communication: Encouraging these students to communicate proactively about their schedules and any challenges they might be facing can help us support them better. A little empathy and proactive communication can go a long way in helping them balance their commitments.
3. Recognizing Achievements: Celebrating their achievements in both academics and athletics can boost their morale and motivation. Recognizing their hard work and dedication in both fields reinforces their efforts and encourages them to continue striving for excellence.

4. Providing Support Resources: If you notice a student athlete struggling, please don't hesitate to connect them with available resources such as tutoring or counseling. Our goal is to ensure they have the support they need to succeed.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding. Together, we can help our student athletes thrive both in the classroom and on the court/field. I have listed the coaches for each spring sport if you need to get in contact with them.

Girls Basketball: Coach Segars, Coach Gee Gee

Boys Basketball: Coach Crawford, Coach Bain

Cheer: Coach Everlena Isaac and Coach Brittany Carter

Wrestling: Coach B. Brown

Nakesha Jones M.Ed.

Middle Level Montessori

Athletic Coordinator

WG Sanders Middle

3455 Pinebelt Rd.

(803) 738-7575

nakesha.jones@richlandone.org

Attached is a helpful guide to provide students with assistance when emailing their teachers.

The Tdap vaccine is required for all seventh graders in South Carolina. The Tdap vaccine protects against three serious diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). All preteens should get Tdap at age 11 or 12.

See Nurse Scipio if support is needed (angela.scipio@richlandone.org).

Dates

March

25th: EXCEL Interview with Mr. Richie 9am Media Center

27th: Track Meet 7th/8th Grade at Bolden 5:45pm

28th: Early Dismissal 12:30 pm/Scheduled and walk in parent conferences 1pm - 4pm

April

14th - 18th: Spring Break

21st: eLearning Day

We are WG Sanders Middle School, a leader in transforming lives through education, empowering all students to achieve their full potential and dreams.