This Week in Florence 1 Schools

“Thank a teacher! That is the message that Superintendent of Florence 1 Schools Dr. Richard O’Malley conveyed at the 24th Annual School Foundation Gala held on Tuesday evening.

“Teachers are the heart and soul of what makes our community so great,” said Dr. O’Malley who said he is often asked by local citizens how they can help the school district. “We should thank our teachers not only for the hard work and dedication that they have for their students and their schools, but also for what they do in our community,” said Dr. O’Malley. “Whenever you see our teachers, thank them,” he added.

Dr. O’Malley then announced that Dr. Carson Kleinknecht of Delmae Elementary has been named the 2024-2025 Florence 1 Schools Teacher of the year. Dr. Kleinknecht began serving as a first-grade teacher at Delmae Elementary ten years ago. She is currently the lead STEM teacher at Delmae where she instructs over 900 students enrolled in grades first through fifth. Learn more about Dr. Carson Kleinknecht. (Photo: Dr. Richard O'Malley congratulates Dr. Carson Kleinknecht)

From the Desk of Josie Little, Principal of Carver Elementary School:

Nurse Autum Coleman is dedicated to helping the students and staff at Carver. Each person who visits her office receives optimum kindness and care. She is very patient with soothing students who are upset or scared. It is amazing to see how she cares for our students as if they are her own.

Last year, we had a student who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. I was a witness to how Nurse Coleman helped to save this student's life. God was working a miracle through her. It was the most surreal situation I have ever experienced, and Nurse Coleman's quick and thorough response made a difference in this child's life. This experience allowed me to realize how important her role was and still is to our school. I am thankful to have Nurse Autum Coleman at Carver. (Pictured: Autum Coleman)

Florence 1 Schools and Florence County are working together to build a new Savannah Grove Elementary School and new athletic fields. Read more about the suggested plan in an article from the Post and Courier.

Due to the scheduled Intersession Week, October 7-11 in Florence 1 Schools the Board of Trustees Meeting was changed from the second Thursday to the first Thursday of the month.

The Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, October 3, 2024, in the Yellowjacket Room of the McClenaghan Building which is located at 500 South Dargan Street.

In football action Friday night, both the Bruins and the Knights have bye weeks (September 27th). It's Senior Night at Wilson, where the Tigers will host Hartsville.

Next week the Tigers will begin celebrating homecoming with an array of festivities. To view the schedule click on the link: Wilson High School 2024 Homecoming Schedule.

Art Therapy sessions are led by a certified MUSC therapist and are available to educators in Florence 1 Schools. The first session will be held Thursday, October 3rd from 5:00-6:30 pm

Other sessions are as follows:

Thursday, December 5; 5:00-6:30 pm

Thursday, February 6, 5:00-6:30 pm

Thursday, March 6, 5:00-6:30 pm

Learn more and register at the link provided: Art Therapy Sessions.

Advantage Academy located at 126 East Howe Springs Road invites everyone to its Annual Fall Pop-Up Shop featuring products from all students at the academy. Patrons can shop Tuesday, October 1st from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Items include exterior car wash, baked goods, wood products, plants, fresh vegetables, cosmetics, fall decor, jewelry, body-care products, custom-designed T-Shirts and much more.

Participating programs include Auto Body, Culinary EMS, Building Construction, Ag Science, Cosmetology, Horticulture, Employability 3 and 4, Digital Art and Hospitality/Tourism.

Note: Friday's Florence After 5 event (September 27th) has been cancelled due to the expectation of inclement weather.

The Spin Doctors concert will be held October 3rd at Carolina Bank Field. Spin Doctors are an American alternative rock band from New York City, best known for their early 1990s hits "Two Princes" and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong", which peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 7 and No. 17, respectively.[6]

• Active from now till September 30th
• $5 discount
• Link: www.eventbrite.com/e/906057090147/?discount=F1S

The City of Florence Recreation Department will hold a Fall Camp October 7-11 during the Florence 1 Schools Intersession Week.

To register or to learn more about the camp visit: City of Florence Fall Camp. There will also be a special camp Tween Camp for students in grades 7-12 during Intersession as well. Visit City of Florence Tween Camp for more information.

This year, report cards will not be sent through the US Postal Service. All Florence 1 Quarter 1 report cards will be emailed October 15th to the address of parents/guardians listed as the primary contact on their registration form.

The guest of honor, Tonya Frazier McNair (center) arrives at the 24th Annual School Foundation Gala. She is flanked by Debbie Hyler, Executive Director of the School Foundation, (left) and President of the School Foundation Board of Directors Mindy Taylor (right).

Many employees of Florence 1 Schools attended the 24th Annual School Foundation Gala including Daniel and Anna Miller.

In support of Tonya Frazier McNair, the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated were in attendance at 24th Annual School Foundation Gala. View more photos at this link: https://bit.ly/47IaiMC.

After directing a stunning, crowd-pleasing, show-stopping musical performance, Wilson High School Tiger Production Director L. Megerlyn Davis (center) joined her parents retired F1S educators Linda Gilliard-Johnson and Lonnie Davis at the close of the 24th Annual School Foundation Gala.