Bits and Pieces - FSD3 Happenings

Florence School District 3 recognized its outstanding employees at its annual STARS Gala last Friday at the Bean Market.

The 2024 STARS Gala, hosted by the FSD3 Teacher Forum, recognizes outstanding teachers and staff members. Proceeds from ticket sales to the gala help provide scholarships for deserving students that are entering the field of education or wishing to begin their careers through a certification program.

After a catered dinner, the following employees were recognized:

2024-25 Support Staff of the Year

Angel Robinson: Lake City Early Childhood Center of the Arts

John Battiste: Main Street Elementary School of Arts and Leadership

Leigh Ann Tisdale: Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy

Jessalynn Sauls: J.C. Lynch Elementary School of STEM

Patrick Littlejohn: J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School

Rechelle Jones: Lake City Early College High School

Cynthia Graham: Dr. Ronald E. McNair School of Digital Communication and Leadership

Michelle Mendiola: Olanta Creative Arts & Science Magnet School

2024-25 Teacher of the Year

Tonia Felder: Lake City Early Childhood Center of the Arts

Ericka A. Bell-Bennett: Main Street Elementary School of Arts and Leadership

Britney Nobles: Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy

Macy Poston: J.C. Lynch Elementary School of STEM

Catrina Filyaw: J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School

George Turner: Lake City Early College High School

Vannassa Hannah: Dr. Ronald E. McNair School of Digital Communication and Leadership

Giannti Shaw: Olanta Creative Arts & Science Magnet School

2023-2024 District Level Staff of the Year

Teacher of the Year - Beverly Campbell

Principal of the Year- Dr. Sharon Williams

Classified Employee of the Year - Keosha Cooper

Assistant Principal of the Year - Amber Deas

Bus Driver of the Year - George Brown

Clerical Staff of the Year - Cathy Ackerman

Custodian/Maintenance Staff of the Year - Kagell Benjamin

Food Service Provider of the Year - Lottie Brockington

Health Services staff of the Year - Jessica Coker

Classified Instructional Staff of the Year - Latosha Bacote

Classified Instructional Support Staff of the Year - John Battiste

School Counselor/Global Career Facilitator of the Year - Cynthia Brown

Aspiring Leaders Academy

Rashard Burrows

Jacob Gilliard

Jessica Morningstar

Jeremy Gerken

Michael Clark

Cheryl Moore-Qualls

Steven Barr

Amber Deas

Terri Burgess

James Gardner

Contessa Bradley

Ashley Dress

John Battiste

Adrianne McCall

Bridget Fleming

Lake City High School’s JROTC program held its annual Awards Banquet on May 10, featuring the Change of Command ceremony. Lake City Mayor Yamekia Robinson was the guest speaker.

The ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of the Public Patriotic Service Award to Cadet Christopher McCann for “exceptional courage and quick thinking.”

The citation read, “Cadet McCann came to the aide of an unresponsive elementary student while riding the school bus. It was cadet McCann’s immediate reaction, sense of bravery, and overall lifesaving competence which prevented a tragedy. His quick thinking and exemplary action reflects great credit upon himself, Lake City High School ROTC Panther Battalion, the Corps of Cadets and the United States Army.​”

Main Street Elementary School of Arts and Leadership has achieved a remarkable distinction as the 2024 Read Live School of the Year, marking a significant milestone not only for the school but also for the state of South Carolina. Awarded by Read Naturally, a national leader in literacy intervention programs, this prestigious title recognizes MSE's exceptional dedication to improving student literacy outcomes through the innovative use of Read Live.

For the past three years, MSE has been utilizing Read Live, a comprehensive reading intervention program, to support its students' literacy development.

"We were a school whose students were struggling with reading,” Dr. Sharon Williams, the school's principal, explained. “We started to research a few different programs and landed on Read Naturally because it had all the components we were looking for. It has been a game changer for us.”

According to data analysis, a significantly higher percentage of MSE students are now reading on grade level, showcasing the program's efficacy and impact on student learning outcomes. The school's commitment to literacy excellence is further highlighted by its deliberate integration of Read Live into its curriculum and instructional practices.

Marcia Ramsey, the fifth grade reading interventionist, provided insight into the school's implementation of Read Live in her nomination statement. She emphasized the program's versatility in addressing individual student needs across various grade levels. Ms. Ramsey highlighted the program's holistic approach to language arts, its engaging nonfiction content, and its effectiveness in fostering student confidence and proficiency in reading and writing skills.

The recognition of MSE as the 2024 Read Live School of the Year serves as a testament to the school's unwavering commitment to student success and its innovative approach to literacy intervention. Through its collaboration with Read Naturally, Main Street Elementary continues to inspire and empower students on their journey to academic excellence.

In partnership with Central United Methodist Church in Florence, the BEDS Ministry recently provided new beds, linens and pajamas to 21 Florence School District 3 elementary students who were identified by their schools.

Their hope is that a need of their own will improve the quality of the child’s sleep affecting him/her intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually. This wonderful program serves children who do not currently have beds of their own. Children who share beds with other family members are eligible.

Special thanks to the volunteers who came to help on Saturday: Kevin and Jessie Graham who helped deliver beds, Jennifer Brown (Lake City Early Childhood Center) and Shauntee Pressley (Main Street Elementary).

In a heartwarming display of compassion and community spirit, sixth graders at Main Street Elementary School of Arts and Leadership embarked on a special service project to spread love and appreciation on Mother's Day.

Inspired by the principles of leadership and service embedded in the Leader in Me program, the students took it upon themselves to create over 100 handmade Mother's Day cards and distribute them throughout the community.

The Leader in Me program, a cornerstone of MSE's curriculum, empowers students to develop leadership skills, foster teamwork, and engage in service projects that make a positive impact on their school and community. Encouraged by their teachers and the guiding principles of the program, the sixth graders enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to put their leadership skills into action.

Under the guidance of their teachers, the students poured their creativity and heartfelt sentiments into creating beautiful Mother's Day cards. Each card was a labor of love, adorned with colorful drawings, heartfelt messages and personal touches that reflected the students' appreciation for the mothers and mother figures in their lives.

On Friday, May 10, armed with stacks of handmade cards and hearts full of goodwill, the sixth graders set out to spread joy and brighten the day of women in their community. Their first stop was the car rider line at MSE, where they eagerly handed out cards to mothers and guardians waiting to pick up their children. The smiles and expressions of gratitude from the recipients were a testament to the impact of their thoughtful gesture. The students continued their mission of kindness by distributing cards to every female teacher in the school building. From the principal to the custodial staff, no woman was left unnoticed or unappreciated on this special day.

But the students didn't stop there. Recognizing the importance of reaching out to those in need of companionship and love, they extended their outreach efforts to the local nursing home. With compassion and empathy, they shared their handmade cards with the residents, bringing warmth and joy to their hearts.

The Mother's Day service project undertaken by MSE's sixth graders exemplifies the core values of leadership, service, and community engagement instilled by the Leader in Me program. Through their actions, the students demonstrated the transformative power of small acts of kindness and the profound impact they can have on individuals and communities

A Florence School District 3 student is one of five in South Carolina to be named a winner of the fourth annual Strong Men & Women in South Carolina History student writing contest sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and Dominion Energy.

One winner was selected from each of South Carolina’s five regions: Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), Lowcountry, Midlands, Pee Dee, and Upstate.

Chandler Brandon, a student at J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, was selected as the winner for the Pee Dee area.

“Each essay submitted offered unique perspectives highlighting remarkable South Carolinians who have inspired and influenced the lives of our young storytellers,” said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver.

The contest encourages South Carolina high school juniors and seniors to write a 500-word essay about a different topic annually. This year’s essay was inspired by historic South Carolinian Mary McLeod Bethune, a renowned educator and civil rights activist from Mayesville, whose legacy of educational entrepreneurship and literacy has made a lasting impact on individuals across the Palmetto State. Bethune once said, “The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.” Students were asked to write about an African American from South Carolina who has positively impacted their educational journey.

The program builds on SCDE’s longstanding South Carolina African American History Calendar that honors prominent African Americans in the state who have made noteworthy contributions.

“I look forward to this time of year because I get to read outstanding essays written by outstanding students," said Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam. "From the mountains to the sea and all points in between, they truly represent the greatness of our beautiful Palmetto State."

Winners will receive an Apple MacBook Air, and their school or home school association will be awarded $1,000. In addition, winning students will have the opportunity to participate in the 2025 African American History Calendar unveiling ceremony. Their essays will be showcased on the Dominion Energy and SCDE websites.

A group of enthusiastic fourth graders from Main Street Elementary School's O6 Afterschool program recently took a memorable educational journey to Columbia thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Original Six Foundation (O6) and Attorney Will Johnson, an alumnus of Main Street Elementary and a dedicated board member of O6.

The trip provided the students with a series of "firsts" as they explored the capital city and gained valuable insights into various career paths. From visiting historic landmarks to meeting with legal professionals, the students experienced a day filled with learning, inspiration, and fun.

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the South Carolina State House, where the students had the opportunity to learn about the state's legislative process and history. Guided tours and interactive sessions allowed them to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of South Carolina's government and gain a deeper understanding of civic engagement.

Another exciting stop on the itinerary was the Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd law firm, where the students received a firsthand look at the legal profession. Attorney Will Johnson, a passionate advocate for education and community empowerment, organized a special tour of the law firm and facilitated engaging discussions with various lawyers about their career journeys and the importance of education in achieving one's goals.

Adding a delicious twist to their adventure, the students enjoyed a visit to Mellow Mushroom, where they indulged in tasty pizzas and learned about entrepreneurship and small business management.

However, the highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the visit to the headquarters of the Original Six Foundation, where the students made history as the first O6 Afterschool students to visit the organization's headquarters. Surrounded by the supportive atmosphere of their mentors and peers, the students had the opportunity to share their aspirations, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into the foundation's mission of empowering students through education.

Throughout the day, the students were encouraged to dream big and explore their interests and career aspirations. The educational adventure to Columbia served as a testament to the transformative power of education and mentorship in shaping the lives of young learners.

Two Florence School District 3 teachers were recognized by the board of trustees Thursday after being named recipients of the 180 Educator Awards.

LaKasha Carrington of Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School and Vannassa Hannah of Ronald E. McNair Junior High School were two of only three award recipients in South Carolina.

Sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the 180 Educator Awards recognize outstanding teachers who, through unwavering dedication, open new doors to academic success. These educators inspire students to overcome personal and academic obstacles.

Educators are assessed based on teaching excellence, impact on student growth, the use of whole-group and small-group rotational models, student application usage, and alignment with 180 Awards values. Winners are chosen through a blind judging process that evaluates nominations based on specific criteria.

Nominations are open to educators, coaches, intervention specialists, administrators, or individuals familiar with the exceptional work of students and teachers using the specified programs.

Thinking of Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster, which cryptid is more likely to exist? This

is the question the third grade classes of Kelli Poston and Jacqueline Drost answered for their final arts integrated unit.

Each child read about, wrote about and sculpted the legendary animal he or she thought might actually exist. The children used text analysis skills to determine authors’ bias, compare and contrast the authors’ opinions with their own, and combined different elements of art to express their ideas.

As far as Bigfoot and Nessie are concerned, which do you think is more likely to exist?

Florence School District 3 will host Camp Excel Reading and STEM camps focused on the highly-engaged learning activities in CORE instructional areas.

Camp Excel dates are Wednesday, May 29, through Friday, June 21, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Transportation to and from camp will be provided.

Camp Excel will provide a challenging learning environment that builds creative thinkers through the Arts & Sciences with real-world project based experiences. Come explore summer learning with us!

Camp Sites:

• Lake City Early Childhood Center (906 N Matthews Road) - 4K-3rd grade camps and LCECCA 21st Century.
• Main Street Elementary (318 E. Main St., Lake City, SC) - 4th-6th grade camps.
• Lake City High School: JPT & DREM STEM 21st Century Camps, CTE camps, content/attendance recovery.

The goals of Camp Excel are to provide engaging reading, writing and math instruction in support of moving each student closer to grade level proficiency. Camp Excel will also host summer reading camp for second and third grader students based on the Read to Succeed law.

Complete the following summer camp application. This application will serve as your child's informational sheet while he/she is attending the academic camp. Information on this application will be the academic camp staff's way to contact parents as well as emergency persons if needed. Be sure to include current phone numbers as well as addresses. Additionally, if any information on this application changes (phone numbers/address), please contact the FSD3 district office at (843) 374-8652.

FSD3 instructional staff looks forward to working with your child and you in ensuring academic progress in efforts to provide educational opportunities that prepare students for college and/or a career.

Summer Camp Application