Thirteen of our students were selected to represent W.G Sanders at the Richland One District Honor Band Clinic and Concert. The students first prepared and auditioned a solo, scales, sight reading and list of musical vocabulary terms. Through their hard work and dedication, thirteen Sanders students earned a place in the district honor band!

Selected students from all across the district came together on January 29th and 30th to rehearse and perform five pieces under the direction of Mary Lou Schweickert. It was an outstanding concert, and we are incredibly proud of our Tiger Band Family!

Celebrate National School Counselor’s Week!

February 3rd – 7th, 2025

This week, we’re excited to celebrate the amazing school counselors who support our students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. National School Counselor’s Week is a time to recognize the hard work, dedication, and passion that counselors bring to their roles every day.

Whether it’s offering a listening ear, helping with academic planning, or providing crucial mental health resources, our school counselors are an essential part of our Tiger community.

Let’s show our appreciation by thanking our counselors, Mrs. Mickens and Mr. Peacock, for everything they do to make our school a supportive and positive environment for all students.

Ways to Celebrate:

• Create Thank You Cards or Posters: Craft personalized cards or posters with messages of appreciation for your counselor and drop them off in their office.

• Participate in a Counselor-Led Activity: If your counselor is hosting any special events, workshops, or activities, be sure to join in and show your support.

• Write a Poem or Letter: Express your gratitude through writing – whether it’s a heartfelt poem, a thank you letter, or a creative piece of art.

• Bring in a Small Gift: A small token, like a plant, a favorite snack, or a simple handmade gift, can go a long way in showing appreciation.

• Start a Kindness Challenge: Encourage classmates to spread kindness throughout the week, and dedicate it to the school counselor's efforts to build a positive school environment.

• Highlight Your Counselor in Class: Ask your teacher if you can share a short presentation or video about what your counselor does and how they’ve helped you or others.

We’re so grateful for all the work they do – let’s make this week one they’ll never forget!

We invite parents and families to join us in celebrating Black History Month by supporting our hallway banner project! Each grade level and program will design a banner that reflects the 2025 theme: African Americans and Labor—highlighting the contributions of Black Americans in various fields of work.

✨ Ways Parents Can Get Involved:
✔ Volunteer to help students brainstorm and create their banners.
✔ Donate materials such as markers, poster boards, paint, or printed photographs.
✔ Share knowledge & stories—if you have personal or family history related to this theme, share them with your child so they can be included in the display.

Your involvement helps bring history to life and makes this celebration even more meaningful. If you’re interested in participating, please contact your child’s teacher or a member of the Social Studies Department.

Thank you for your support in making this a memorable and educational experience.

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.

Richland One will hold a series of meetings to receive input from stakeholders as administrators work to develop the district’s general fund budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The district will hold three budget input sessions for students, parents, community members and anyone else who would like to attend. Each input session will begin at 6 p.m. on the following dates:

• Monday, January 27 at Crayton Middle School (5000 Clemson Avenue, Columbia, SC 29206)
• Tuesday, February 4 at W.G. Sanders Middle School (3455 Pine Belt Road, Columbia, SC 29204)
• Monday, February 10 at Hopkins Middle School (1601 Clarkson Road, Hopkins, SC 29061)

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.

Richland One families who are financially struggling and/or facing problems with their homes can receive free help during housing clinics that will take place throughout the school year.

In partnership with South Carolina Legal Services, the district will hold four free housing clinics from October through April 2025. Families can get guidance on habitability issues such as mold and broken fixtures, illegal evictions, utility assistance, public benefits, foreclosures and more.

To participate in the clinics, you must have at least one child attending a Richland One school.

• Monday, February 10, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at W.G. Sanders Middle School (3455 Pine Belt Road, Columbia, SC 29204)
  

Click the date and time or scan the Sander QR codes on the flyer to register to attend a clinic. For more information, contact Deborah Boone, Richland One’s McKinney-Vento/Parents and Students Succeed coordinator, at (803) 231-6914.

We are excited about our first upcoming EF Educational Tour for Summer 2025. Students from Hopkins and Sanders Middle School are headed to London, Paris, Florence, and Rome.

The Career Magnet program is in the process of planning an educational tour for 2026. You will hear more information soon. It is our hope that other programs and grade levels will plan additional educational tours.

These educational tours provide an opportunity for our students to participate in a series of enriching cultural trips designed to broaden their horizons and enhance their learning experiences. These trips will provide valuable exposure to different cultures, history, and traditions, offering hands-on opportunities to engage with the subjects they are studying in the classroom.

For any trips that involve international travel, students will need a valid passport. We kindly ask that you ensure your child has an up-to-date passport, as it will be their responsibility to bring it on the trip. If your child does not yet have a passport or needs to renew it, we recommend starting the process as soon as possible to avoid any delays.

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!

Dear 8th Grade Parents,

As we approach the next exciting step in your child’s educational journey, we want to remind you of a few important dates and updates to help ensure a smooth transition to high school.

• Academic Progress: Please ensure your child is passing all of their current classes. High school is fast approaching, and it's crucial that they are on track. If your child is struggling academically, we encourage you to schedule a parent conference as soon as possible to discuss ways to help them get back on track.

• Parent Meetings:

  • 8th Grade Parent Meeting to discuss all things high school will take place on February 10, 2025, at 5:30 pm in the cafeteria and then on to the gym.
  • General Meeting 5:30 pm in cafeteria
  • Information Tables in gym with invited presenters:
  • Heyward Career Center
  • Registrar's Office to discuss programmatic transfers
  • Athletic Coordinator to discuss high school athletic requirement
  • High School Choice Programs
  • EXEL for students who are behind in grade levels
  • SC Governor's School
  • Returning Student Enrollment table
  • Refreshment table

We look forward to continuing our partnership with you during this exciting time in your child’s education!

The Superintendent's Book Club kicks off Monday, January 13th. Our students are challenged to read 1000 minutes. They will be competing against other schools and within our school. Prizes will be involved! Teachers will roll out expectations to students on Monday.

Let's go Tigers!

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

Feb

4th: District Budget Input 6pm Media Center

6th: Interims

Richland One State of the District Address 6pm CA Johnson HS

14th: Student Holiday/Professional Development Day for Staff

17th: Student/Staff Holiday

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