This Week

The Florence 1 Schools Marketing Team received 19 awards from the South Carolina Chapter of the National School Public Relations for their work in school communications.

The team received awards in several different categories this year, including twelve (12) Videography; three (3) Marketing; two (2) Website; and two (2) Excellence in Writing awards.

Team winners include Ashley Watson, Executive Director of Marketing and Talent; Michelle Killian, Marketing Coordinator; and Melissa Rollins, Communications Specialist. The group received the recognition at SC/NSPRA's Annual Rewards for Excellence Banquet in Columbia this week.

To view the complete listing of these awards, visit Florence 1 Schools SC/NSPRA Awards 2025.

Here's a must-see Program Highlight which provides information regarding The Blue Zones Initiative which has taken place in Florence 1 Schools. Take the time to familiarize yourself with this movement and what it will mean for all employees in Florence 1 Schools.

Tristan Thompson of Wilson and Aniyah Brunson of South Florence have been named the 2024-2025 Florence 1 Schools Male and Female Athletes of the Year. They both received $750 each from sports partners BSN. Barrett Kleinknecht, a 2006 West Florence Florence 1 Schools Male Athlete of the Year graduate served as the guest speaker for the occasion. Each high school nominated one male and one female athlete, and a committee of local sports editors and directors selected the district winners which were announced at the Florence Country Club this week.

The awards are based on athletic ability, sportsmanship and character away from the playing field. Thompson and Brunson were chosen from a six-person field that included Kaleb Burroughs and Destiny White (West Florence male and female athletes of the year), Lennix Valarie (South Florence male athlete of the year) and Andreya Elya (Wilson female athlete of the year). (Note: Learn more about each athlete by clicking on the links.)

Top Photo: Tristan Thompson of Wilson High School receives the 2025 Florence 1 Schools Male Athlete of the Year Award presented by BSN Sports Representative Alan Johnson (left) and Morning News and SCNow Sports Editor Walter Scott Chancey (right). Photo by David Yeazell

Center Photo: High School Male and Female Athletes of the Year

Photo Above: Aniyah Brunson of South Florence High School receives the 2025 Florence 1 Schools Female Athlete of the Year Award presented by BSN Sports Representative Alan Johnson (left) and Morning News and SCNow Sports Editor Walter Scott Chancey (right). Photo by David Yeazell

Bobby Patterson (pictured right) received The Jerry B. Lee You Gotta Have Heart Award at this Year's Athlete of the Year Recognition Program.

According to Athletic Director at West Florence Gregory Johnson, Bobby Patterson is a fantastic young man that will find success wherever he looks for it.

His character, kindness, and work ethic have made him one of the more memorable student athletes to have ever worn green and gold.

Rahsaan Perry, assistant principal at West Florence High School, has been named the new principal at John W. Moore Middle School. He will begin serving at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

Perry, who received a Bachelor of Science from Winthrop University, (Rock Hill) and a Master of Arts from Queens University (Charlotte) was named the 2025 National Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Schools Principals.

"I am honored to be named the new principal of Moore Middle School. Moore’s outstanding culture and commitment to excellence inspire me, and I am excited to join a team of dedicated educators focused on student success," said Perry.

Students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Wilson High School excelled on the National Spanish Examination sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP).

IB students in Spanish 2,3,4 and 5 recently took the examination in Achievement and Proficiency. receiving Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. Griselda Milligan is the instructor.

Pictured: First row, left to right: Shree Patel, Divya Rustgi, JoAnna Shelton, Aya Chatila, Henrique Andrade, Alefiya Chaiwala, and Dhara Vaghela. Second row, left to right: Isabel Quann, Arfa Rehman, Kevin Zhao, Cadence Morrow, Sophie Robinson, Kennick Oldenkamp, Ethan Engelhardt, and Weston Powers. Not pictured are: Alex Finianos, Eesha Venkannagari, Miruna Vesa, Jayla Kennedy Blue, Jia Lin, Kaitlyn Khoand Madison Weinmann. Learn more about these students and their accomplishments at this link: Students Excel on National Spanish Examination.

For the fourth year in a row Mendel Grayson, SC Director of Benefits for National Teacher Associates (NTA Life a Horace Mann Company), has sponsored a Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year Recognition and Rewards program in Florence 1 Schools.

This year he is again providing every Teacher of the Year with a $100 reward and every Support Employee of the Year with a $50 reward. Mendel and his team hand-deliver these awards and personally thank teachers and staff members for all they do in the education and support of our students. The team plans to finish making presentations by the end of the school year.

In addition, they have funded over $2,370 in Donor’s Choose projects this year, helping provide classrooms with much needed supplies and materials.

Total donations in the 2024-2025 school year to Florence 1 made by Mendel and his team exceed $6,000.You can learn more about NTA Life at: www.ntalife.com;

Photo: Mendel Grayson presents a check to Terrie White, Support Employee at RN Beck Child Development Center. View more photos at this link: Award Presentations by NTA .

In recognition of the Florence 1 Schools Classes of 2025 Baccalaureate Programs will be held at each of the three high schools on Sunday, May18th, and the public is invited to attend.

The Wilson High School program will be held at 8:30 a.m. in the Allie E. Brooks Auditorium. The speaker is Reverend Kippie Brown, Pastor of Maxwell Baptist Church, Florence. At South Florence High School, the program will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the auditorium. The speaker is Reverend Cleve Calcutt, Pastor of Elim Baptist Church, Effingham. The West Florence High School Baccalaureate Program will also be held at 2:00 p.m. in the auditorium where author and Minister of Abundant Harvest Church in Georgetown Dr. Lisa Carter will be the speaker.

Governor Henry McMaster signed the Educator Assistance Act into law during teacher appreciation week.

Starting with the next school year, the law mandates several key changes. School districts will be required to provide a projected minimum salary in annual teacher contracts, reducing uncertainty about future pay. Last month, the Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees approved new and updated contracts: Florence 1 Schools New, Updated Teacher Contracts.

The Educator Assistance Act also simplifies the certification process by introducing automatic certificate renewal for current teachers, and a lifetime certification status for retired educators.

We are quickly approaching the finish line of the school-year marathon. Like runners reaching the end of a race, there are a few helpful mental strategies teachers can utilize to finish strong. To view complete explanations, click on the link: How Teachers Can Finish the School Year Strong.

1. Recognize and accept what is required at the end of the school year.

2. Know Your Triggers and Plan for them.

3. Organize Your To-Do List.

4. Make sure you have the important items covered.

5. Celebrate the success of individual students.

Florence County Parks and Recreation will present the Line Drive Concert at Carolina Bank Field on Saturday, May 17th at 6:00 p.m.

Legends Reimagined is the Ultimate Michael Jackson and Prince Tribute Show. A $10 discount will be extended to the first 200 employees from Florence 1 Schools who register to attend. It has been predicted that concert goers will Adore Rocking with You. The link to purchase tickets is: www.eventbrite.com/e/1127819631879/?discount=F1S.

Smoothie King offer teachers in Florence 1 Schools with a (teacher ID ) two dollars off any size Smoothie, on Tuesdays. Download the Smoothie King app for additional offers.

Smoothie King locations in Florence are at 101 Woody jones Boulevard and 960 Pamplico Highway.

Lester Elementary School will hold a Blood Drive on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the school which is located at 350 East Palmetto Street in Florence. If you are over the age of 18 and have 30 minutes available, your community needs you. Each donor will receive an e-gift card.

For more information visit thebloodconnection.org or contact Nurse Kirby Jordan at the school: (kjordan@fsd1.org) 843-664-8459.