This Week in Florence 1 Schools

Florence 1 Schools and Blue Zones, LLC have joined to launch a transformative well-being journey to improve the health and happiness of district employees. Over the next three years, Florence 1 Schools will implement a comprehensive well-being strategy designed to achieve Blue Zones® Worksite Certification.

Florence 1 Schools will receive support from national Blue Zones worksite experts to implement a comprehensive, evidence-based plan for improving employee well-being. Blue Zones is the nationally recognized leader in well-being transformation, and its Worksite Certification model draws upon 20 years of experience in community and longevity science to empower organizations to cultivate thriving work environments. The rigorous, multi-year commitment integrates the Blue Zones approach into the organization’s culture, aligning people, spaces, and policies to foster lasting change.

The Blue Zones Approach
Blue Zones focuses on creating surroundings and systems that default to healthier behaviors. The model is rooted in lessons learned from the world’s healthiest, longest-lived cultures in the original blue zones regions, where residents make healthy choices because those choices are easy—even unavoidable—in their surroundings. In the Worksite Certification model, Blue Zones works with employers to optimize working environments and sharpen policies so healthier choices are easier for their employees.

As Florence 1 Schools and Blue Zones leaders work together to create a well-being strategy for the district, you’ll notice some changes impacting areas that include physical environments, employee policies, opportunities for social connection, well-being programming and food environment.

Over the next several months, Blue Zones experts will be visiting our district and schools as they complete a full assessment that will lead to a Blue Zones Blueprint that outlines strategy options for how we will enhance well-being for each of our employees and make Florence 1 Schools a better place to work.

Pictured are Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard O'Malley (far left) and some of the health-care volunteers from McLeod and HopeHealth along with Florence 1 employees who have volunteered to serve as Blue Zone employee leaders. The group held its first meeting this week. The next meeting will be held on November 7th, and the official launch of the Blue Zones project will take place November 19th.

This week Wilson High School German language students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program participated in the 9th Annual Lowcountry German Day at the College of Charleston (CofC).

In this statewide event, students took part in an interactive German lesson and practiced their German skills with other German language students in South Carolina. In addition, students took part in a panel discussion with College of Charleston students who have studied abroad and with (CofC) alumni who are using the German language in their careers.

The trip was sponsored by the College of Charleston, Mercedes-Benz, and the German Embassy. Dr. Lucia Huang is the German instructor at Wilson High.

Get to know these Southside educators better: Southside Middle School.

Learn about Blue Zones in the official Netflix series, and it will provide a foundation on longevity principles from the original regions of blue zones -- the same principles that are transforming Blue Zones communities and organizations across the United States.

In final games of the regular season, Friday night football action will feature the Bruins of South Florence (7-2) taking on the Red Foxes of Hartsville (7-1) in Kelleytown Stadium.

Also, the Knights of West Florence will host Spring Valley and the Tigers of Wilson will travel to Darlington.

Monday, November 4th is an early dismissal day for students. Elementary students will be dismissed at 12:10; middle and high schools will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m.

Parent teacher conferences will be held November 4th from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on November 4th. Parents should contact the school guidance department to schedule a conference with teacher(s).

In compliance with South Carolina law, schools will be closed on Tuesday, November 5th for Election Day. Classes will resume on Wednesday, November 6th.

Daylight saving time will end for the year at 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 3rd, when we "fall back" and gain an extra hour of sleep!

As the second largest employer in Florence County, the community counts on the employees of Florence 1 Schools to make a difference through donations to local agencies. There are twelve partner agencies which will benefit from donations made by employees of Florence 1 Schools. Click on the link to view the entire list of agencies: Local Agencies Receiving Donations.

Last year, 23.48% of F1S employees donated the most they ever have, providing a $50,710.24 to our local partner organizations which are vital to providing a number of critical services and resources within our community, which includes students of F1S.

This year, the goal is to exceed $55,00. Employees may pledge as little as one-dollar; and there is no maximum. A one-dollar donation over fourteen pay periods equals to fourteen dollars. If each F1S employee donated $14 per pay period, F1S would exceed its goal. Pledge forms must be returned to the Giving Champions located at each Florence 1 location by November 13th.

For attractions, the entertainment line-up, kids zone info, and all things Pecan Festival (Saturday, November 2nd) visit scpecanfestival.com.

Florence 1 students will be featured at Saturday's South Carolina Pecan Festival.

In addition to the Presentation of Colors at the opening ceremonies by the South Florence Naval JROTC, check out Florence 1 Schools Arts and Innovative Programs at the event. Dance groups from both Williams Middle and South Florence High School will perform.

Review the details below for specific times and locations.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee has a chance at a $100,000 donation from the Nascar Foundation (@NASCAR_FDN). Carlos Washington is a finalist. Vote for Carols and Boys and Girls Clubs at https://nas.cr/award.

You can help secure funding for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee by voting for Carlos Washington, a community volunteer and finalist for Nascar Foundation's Betty J. France Humanitarian Award.

Vote once a day, every day through November 18th. Text vote to 877. 748.2455 or sign-up at bgcpda.org to receive daily reminders to vote. View details here: https://bit.ly/3AdpwNq

General information about this annual community event is shared here: One Table Florence.

Florence One Adult Education students experienced F1S STEM Bus activities this week. The program also held a showcase to inform the community about what it has to offer. Florence One Adult Education STEM Day Offering and Program Showcase.