This Week

A special video presentation (below) is provided in honor of all teachers in Florence 1 Schools.

We never need an excuse to celebrate the amazing educators in our lives, but Teacher Appreciation Week certainly serves as an important reminder that educators rock. Observed between May 5 — 9 Teacher Appreciation Week offers us all the opportunity to recognize outstanding educators by simply saying thank you or giving them a token of our appreciation.

To mark the occasion, restaurants and food brands are inviting teachers to enjoy a free meal or a hefty discount. The best part? Many of the deals are spread throughout the week so teachers can scoop up multiple offers before the week ends! Special Offers for Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week.

Credit: Chrissy Callahan.

Check out the teacher appreciation shout outs honoring specific teachers in Florence 1 Schools this week. Go to the Florence 1 Schools Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Flo1Schools/ to see more posts like the one below.

At the 2025 May meeting of the Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees, two policies received second reading and full approval: Board Policy GCCA, Employee Wellness & Dental Exam Leave as well as Board Policy GCCAA, Community Volunteer Leave.

For a full review and understanding of these polices view: Employee Wellness and Dental Exam Leave and Volunteer Leave Policy. Both policies will become effective during the 2025-2026 school year.

Thirty eighth-grade students Florence 1 Schools have been named 2025 South Carolina Junior Scholars. They received recognition at the May meeting of the Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees.

The South Carolina Department of Education sponsors the South Carolina Junior Scholars program. It identifies students who demonstrated exceptionally high scholastic achievement and intellectual ability based on the students' performance on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).

Each of these students took the PSAT as eighth graders and scored a 550 or above in reading and writing, or a 530 or above in mathematics. View the complete listing of the 2025 Florence 1 Schools Junior Scholars.

Photo: (pictured above on the first row, left to right): Faith Dortman, Diya Bhardwaj, Ella Quan, Chinora Eruchalu, Elise Wilson, Zarah Rivera-Cintron, Levi Munyengwe, Christopher Butler, Eben Dosapati, Lawrence Davis, Presley Jones, Charlotte Wright and Trinity Sellers.

(Second Row left to right): Jacoby Johnson, Austin Boken, Theo Walker, Jaden Chen, Samuel Sisay, Ethan Mejia, Evan Clark, Jackson Powell, Anna Dawson, Selin Aung, and Gabriel Santini.

Not pictured are William Burgess, Camryn Stephens, Cailin Foxworth, Neil George, Abigail Huang, and Liyang Ye. (Photo by Steve Camlin)

Thirty-nine students from all Florence 1 Elementary schools came together this week for the Annual Mathletics of the Pee Dee competition. Teams from each of the elementary schools spent the day at Delmae Elementary demonstrating their math skills while at the same time, working to become Mathletics champions.

The competition featured building-level competition winners who were split into new teams of three with their peers from other schools.

In the finale, the winning team was made up of (pictured left to right) Aiden Grant, Savannah Grove Elementary; Zyheim Eaddy, Brockington Elementary and Caroline White, Carver Elementary.

Statement from the Artist - My photograph was made when I found a puddle with very green water. I thought that this has been here for a while, untouched. I asked my friend to start throwing rocks in the water to show its true green color. I put my shutter speed on a high number to catch the splash in the air and get a very sharp photo. My photo represents life without any hardships which is unhealthy and old. Every life should have struggles because that's how your water will stay healthy and not turn green.

Robin Voss is Caroline O'Dell's Photography Instructor

View the video below to learn why Teresa Cole is deserving of the Hidden Hero Award.

Superintendent of Florence 1 Schools Dr. Richard O’Malley recently received the School Behavioral Health Champion Award, a recognition of outstanding commitment to advancing mental health awareness, advocacy, and support within the Florence community and across the State of South Carolina.

Dr. O'Malley received the award at the Southeastern School Behavioral Health Conference which was held in Myrtle Beach. (Read the entire story at the following link): O'Malley Receives Behavioral Health Champion Award.

The Florence Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has awarded over $5,000 in scholarships to students at Florence 1's three high schools. Scholarship recipients are South Florence's Lyrica Myers; West Florence's Nathaniel Bruce, Wilson's Jaycie Little and Zhane Tmmons. Also, Aria Lewis of Wilson High received the Farrah Turner Leadership Award. In the fall Myers will attend USC; Bruce will attend USC Upstate; Little and Timmons will attend Claflin University; and Lewis will also attend USC.

State testing began in Florence 1 Schools on May 8th and will continue throughout this week. Please ensure your students charge their Chromebook each night and arrive at school on time.

During testing, students may not possess any electronic device that can be used for communicating, timing, or imaging (e.g., cell phone, smart watch), in accordance with South Carolina Department of Education guidelines.

SCREADY is a statewide test for students in grades 3–8 that covers English Language Arts, math, and science. Parent information can be found [here].

Starting May 13th, End-of-Course exams will be given to high school students taking English 2, Algebra 1, Biology 1, and U.S. History. Eighth graders in Algebra 1 will also test. Parent information can be found [here].

Florence 1 Schools’ testing schedule and additional information can be found at f1s.org/testingandpowerschool.

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is currently recruiting cohorts for the 2025 Emerging Leaders Summer Business Institute. This five-session summer program is designed to identify, develop, and empower local “Emerging Leaders”.

The Emerging Leaders Summer Institute is a program designed to generate professional training and development, mentorship, community engagement and recruitment opportunities.

The purpose is to identify, develop and empower “Emerging Leaders”, specifically minorities, small business owners and innovative professionals poised to move into the next level of community and business leadership.

The program kicks off with an orientation and reception on Tuesday, June 3rd. Cost includes lunch and materials for all sessions.

To register and for more information, click here: 2025 Emerging Leaders Summer Institute.

Florence 1 Schools will present the annual All-City Art Show featuring elementary and high school art exhibits at the Yellowjacket Room of the McClenaghan Building.

The elementary *Horizons art display is on Wednesday, May 21st from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Awards will be presented at 6:00 p.m.

The high school and *Horizons art display is on Thursday, May 22nd from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Awards will be presented at 6:00 p.m.

Harvest of the Month brings fresh, South Carolina-grown produce and innovative recipes to our cafeterias every month for students and staff to experience.

As you and your students see Harvest of the Month recipes on the second Thursday of every month on the lunch line, we encourage you to try recipes, discuss them with your students, and complete surveys as you see them.

• Berry Sweet Chicken Salad

• To download recipes or watch videos - https://farm.f1s.org/aboutthefarm

Help us grow this initiative today for a brighter future tomorrow by sharing your optimism with our students. Thank you for being a part of this journey and placing emphasis on how we continue to prove that we are #StudentsFirst

View the video message from the Florence 1 Schools Teacher of the Year

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 this Thriller.

The link to purchase tickets is: www.eventbrite.com/e/1127819631879/?discount=F1S.

The Greenhouse at Advantage Academy will be open this weekend Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.

All shoppers are invited to the greenhouse which accepts cash or checks. As part of their school-based enterprise, students at Advantage Academy have tended to the plants throughout the year. Troy Biddy is the instructor and adviser.

(Above) Members of the Administrative Staff of South Florence High (named a 2025 Palmetto’s Finest School) receive recognition at the May meeting of the Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees. They are flanked by Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees Trisha Caulder (far left) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees S. Porter Stewart (far right). South Florence High staff member pictured are Shand Josey, Dr. Sandy Coward, Kristen Cue, Maureen Moore, Michael Lloyd and Julian Zamudio-Arenas. (Photo by Steve Camlin)

South Carolina State Senator Mike Reichenbach and his wife Charisse presented award proclamations from South Carolina Legislative Representatives to Rahsaan Perry, National High School Assistant Principal of the Year (above) and to Shand Josey (below) Principal of South Florence High (2025 Palmetto’s Finest School) at the May meeting of the Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees. (Photos by Steve Camlin)