Sumter School District...

At a Glance
Vision
Sumter School District
develops and cultivates
internationally competitive
students who embrace
diversity, act responsibly,
and contribute to the
community and society.
Mission
It is the mission of Sumter
School District to provide
an intellectual, safe, and
nurturing environment,
which equips students to
be responsible, successful,
and productive citizens in
a global society.
Teacher Forum service project a success
Teddy bears, art supplies and school supplies were in abundance as the Sumter School
District Teacher Forum collected items for Operation Sandy. One hundred percent of
the schools and administrative offices dropped of 42 large boxes that contained hundreds
of soft teddy bears along with thousands of various school and art supplies that will
undoubtedly bring comfort to many children whose lives have been significantly disrupted
by Hurricane Sandy. All donations were delivered to the hardest hit areas of the boroughs
of Brooklyn and Staten Island with the aid of the Salvation Army.
People respond to their neighbors in need during the holidays, even when their
neighbors live more than 500 miles away, said Sumter School District Teacher of the
Year Trevor Ivey. Our Teacher Forum is comprised of some of the most dedicated
teachers I know, and we knew as a collective group we wanted to do something for the
holidays for those less fortunate. True service projects arise during times of distress and
great need, and our humble attempts to help those victims recover from the devastation
of Hurricane Sandy are most fitting given the sensitivity of the time involved.
The Sumter School District Teacher Forum is made up of the current and
immediate past teachers of the year from each school and all district teachers of the year.
Its purpose is to recognize the district and school teachers of the year, to develop
leadership, to give teachers a voice in education issues and to impact the professional
development of all teachers in the school district. Forum members actively facilitate the
development of leadership skills among their peers.
Published by the Office of Public Information Vol. II, No. VIII January 10, 2013
Crestwood AFJROTC instructor
earns advanced certification
Congratulations to MSGT Eric
Avery, USAF (Retired), for
meeting the criteria for award of
Advanced Aerospace Science
Instructor Instruction. Achieving
this designation recognizes his
superior professionalism, instructor
skills and adherence to AFJROTC
standards. Fewer than 14% of all
AFJROTC instructors receive
Advanced Certification. Avery is
an AFJROTC instructor at
Crestwood High School.
Director of Food Services
appointed chair
Leon Williams, Sumter School
District Food Services Director, was
selected as a Supervisor/Director
Chair for the 2013-2014 year with
the SC School Nutrition
Association. His appointment will
begin on August 1, 2013.
Members of the School
Nutrition Association of South
Carolina (SNA of SC) are the
primary advocates for quality school
nutrition programs in the State.
While working toward goals to
ensure children have access to
nutritious meals during the course
of the school day, the Association
also serves the membership by
providing the following services:
training/ education, most current
information, professional standards,
ne t wo r k i ng o ppo r t uni t i e s ,
scholarships. Additionally, the
Association reaches beyond the
school-age child to benefit parents,
teachers, administrators and the
general public.
Alice Drive Middle pays tribute to Sandy Hook Elementary
The Alice Drive Middle School ProTeamers paid
special tribute to the victims of the Sandy Hook
Elementary School tragedy at a memorial service. As
part of the tribute, organized by both ProTeamers and
their parents, each ProTeamer selected a victim to
research and become acquainted. During the service,
each ProTeamer placed a picture of his victim in front
of a candle which was lit, eulogized the selected
victim, and placed an angel on a lit, bare Christmas
tree. ProTeamers conducted their own research, made
the angels, retrieved pictures that were eventually
framed, and created a video presentation honoring
their memories with music. Students received special
permission to temporarily tattoo the name of each student on their arms.
During the service, special music was
provided by a parent of a ProTeamer who
played the harp. Superintendent Randolph D.
Bynum, Sr. and the school resource officer
shared with the ProTeamers a specific charge:
how they can be student leaders in helping to
keep their school safe. What was a very
emotional ceremony has generated a school-wide
conversation.
Eight achieve National Board Certification
Eight teachers in Sumter School District achieved National Board Certification bringing
the districts total to 114. This year, 291 South Carolina teachers attained this honor.
South Carolina maintains its third-place national ranking of teachers who achieved
National Board Certification.
Congratulations to the following new National Board Certified teachers:
Ashleigh Johnson (Alice Drive Elementary), Amie Rutherford, Michelle Snyder and
Trevor Ivey (Alice Drive Middle), Sylvester Hickmon and Laura Lyles (Kingsbury
Elementary), Rebecca Osteen (Millwood Elementary) and Erica Jefferson (Wilder
Elementary).
Teachers seeking National Board Certification undertake a two-part process
that takes from one to three years to complete. The process requires candidates to reflect
on their classroom practices, assess their understanding of subject material and examine
their preparation techniques. In addition to preparing a portfolio with videotapes of
classroom teaching, lesson plans, student work samples and reflective essays, teachers
must complete assessment center exercises based on content knowledge that prove they
have mastered the subjects they teach and also possess the skills to teach them.
The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement
(CERRA) provides numerous National Board awareness sessions and an array of
candidate support workshops to assist educators in the process of certification. Their
infrastructure of support also includes a district liaison in each of the states 84 school
districts and collaboration with other state agencies including the State Department of
Education, The South Carolina Education Association, and the Palmetto State
Teachers Association.
2012 Santee Lynches
Poster and Poetry Winners
Adult Poster Winner
Laura H. Baker
Bates Middle School
Middle School Poetry Contest
Winners
1st place-Donovan Adams
8th grader @ Ebenezer Middle
Audrey Keys, Counselor
2nd place-Jalen White
8th grader @ Ebenezer Middle
Audrey Keys, Counselor
3rd place-Anitra Anderson
8th grader @ Ebenezer Middle
Audrey Keys, Counselor
High School Poetry Contest
Winners
1st place-Brandon Johnson
12th grader @ Crestwood High
Angela Ham, Counselor
2nd place-Marquis Washington
11th grader @ Lakewood High
Gayle Jennings, Counselor
High School C1 Poster Contest
Winners
2nd place-Lottie Dixon
10th grader @ Crestwood High
Angela Ham, Counselor
Schools awarded Walmart
Grants
Hats off to Crestwood High and
Shaw Heights Elementary for being
awarded $500 grants from
Walmart. The Crestwood Marching
Knights will utilize the funds to
offset travel expenses for
competitions, and Shaw Heights
plans to utilize the funds to reinforce
positive behavior through their
ACE store. Thank you, Walmart,
for being a Partner for Education.
23 inducted into Mayewood Junior Beta Club
Twenty-three additional students will lead
by serving others through their service in the
National Junior Beta Club.
Congratulations to the following inductees:
Kendrick Bennett, Albert Gardner, Jamar
Holliday, Brandy Lemmon, Shanyia
McDowell, Naija McFadden, Micah
Cato, Tyrell Commander, Alexas Jackson,
Alexis Murray, Jaron Richardson, Alayshia
Rush, Aika Washington, Karlynn Davis,
Azariah Dixon, Alexandria Dukes, Zahbria Epps, Naukiyah Gordon, Lakendra
Johnson, Rakeem Massingill, Niaya Singleton, Tyme Spain and Deja Stewart.
The Mayewood Middle Chapter of the National Junior Beta Club is an
organization that provides opportunities for leadership and service to the school and
community. This organization is a reward for hard work as well as a responsibility for all
members in the area of service. As a Junior Beta member, one should, with enthusiasm,
take on this responsibility with a good attitude. Candidates must achieve a B average in
all academic areas the first nine-weeks and maintain this average through the school year.
In addition, students inducted into the Junior Beta Club must be recommended by two
classroom teachers and have not received any discipline or bus referrals.
Some of the service-learning projects include feeding the homeless, visiting
nursing homes, helping at the local food pantry and the Greenhouse Runaway and
Homeless Youth Shelter, adopting a needy family, Pennies for Patients and Toys-for-
Tots.
Sumter High student selected for national program
Sumter High School senior Blake Ward has been selected
as one of two SC students to serve as the 2013 US
Senate Youth Scholarship state delegates. As a state
delegate, he will attend Washington Week in Washington,
D.C. March 9-16.
The United States Senate Youth program was
established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution. It is a
unique educational experience for outstanding high school
students interested in pursuing careers in public service.
Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia, and the
Department of Defense Education Activity will spend the week in Washington to
experience their national government in action. Student delegates will hear major
policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of
State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, and will participate in a
meeting with a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
All transportation, hotel, and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst
Foundations. In addition to the expense-paid trip to Washington, each delegate will
be awarded a $5,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with
encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
Ward is an integral part of various organizations at Sumter High School and is
the son of Allyson Maclaughlin.
Sumter Police Department spreads holiday cheer to Lemira
Kindergarten and first grade students at Lemira
Elementary School received an early visit from Santa
and his elf. The North Pole residents joined officers
from Sumter Police Departments elementary school
based mentoring program to spread a little holiday
cheer. Wide-eyed students waited patiently to share
last minute wishes with Santa and enjoy homemade
Christmas cookies prepared by police officers.
We are so fortunate to have such a positive
partnership with our elementary schools. Our
mentoring program has proven to be effective and
rewarding not only for the students involved but also
for our officers. They really look forward to the time
they are able to spend with these students, said Chief
of Police Russell Roark.
The hugs and shouts of, I love you, that
greet officers as they move through the halls are a clear
sign that the students enjoy the visits as well.
Carolyn Junious, a first, second,
and third grade teacher at
Cherryvale Elementary School,
has been teaching since 1995
and in her current position since
2005. She earned a Bachelor
of Science degree in elementary
education from South Carolina
State University and a Master
of Education in early childhood
education from the University of
South Carolina. She is currently pursuing an endorsement
as a reading specialist from USC going through the
National Board Certified Teacher process.
Junious is a former Distinguished Reading Teacher
and is a member of the Palmetto State Teachers
Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Kappa
Mu Honor Society, and the NAACP. She is a member of
the schools Students Are Valuable Everywhere committee
and the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
committee.
Debbie Francis, a special
education teacher, began her
career in education at Willow
Drive Elementary in 2000 and
has spent her entire career as an
educator there. She first taught
a self-contained class for
students with emotional
disabilities. Throughout the
years, she has taught third,
fourth, and fifth graders and has
also worked with home based students.
Francis earned her Bachelor of Science degree in
psychology from the College of Charleston and earned her
educational certification through the critical needs program.
She has also taken numerous graduate classes on topics
such as technology, positive behavior supports, special
education, and more.
She is certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention
and is a teacher mentor. Additionally, she was a finalist for
Willow Drives Teacher of the Year in 2010 and 2011.
Teacher of the Year Spotlight
School foundation awards mini grants
The Sumter Education Foundation has awarded $100 mini grants to fifty-four teachers in
Sumter School District to support projects that enhance curriculum and classroom
instruction in the following categories: Arts and Culture, Health and Wellness, Media and
Technology, Math and Science, and Reading and Literacy. The purpose of this program is
to facilitate innovative teaching strategies and energize student achievement and skill
development. Thanks to donations from businesses and the community, the Sumter
Education Foundation is able to fund programs in our schools that enhance educational
opportunities for all children.
The Sumter Education Foundation is committed to providing Sumter School
District teachers with funds for innovative and creative learning ideas for the classroom,
said Debbie Bowen, chairman of the Sumter Education Foundation. Your service to
Sumter School District is greatly appreciated, and the contribution you make to the children
in the Sumter community is invaluable.
I am grateful for the additional funds to use in my classroom, said Michelle
Snyder, a teacher at Alice Drive Middle School. As we transition to Common Core State
Standards, additional tools and resources will be needed to help make sure our students are
prepared for the rigor Common Core presents. The manipulatives I have requested for my
students will be a key piece of our examination of the properties of triangles. I sincerely hope
the foundation will continue to offer these mini grants to teachers.
Sonja Raines was also grateful to receive the grant. In order to get anyone to read,
we, as teachers need to give them books they are interested in. I have found that boys,
especially struggling readers, are disinterested in books. This book list from James Patterson
will hopefully help my male students fall in love with reading."
Established in 2012, the Sumter Education Foundation serves as the philanthropic
arm for Sumter School District. The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) Organization and operates
independently from the school district under a separate Board of Directors. All donations
received are for the exclusive use of Sumter School District based on priorities established
by the Foundation's Board of Directors. This commitment includes teacher innovation and
recognition, student recognition, special programs/projects, and grants for teachers.
Recognizing that the quality of education is important to the well-being of the community it
serves, the Foundation Board will build upon the strong school system to ensure all students
will be prepared to live, work, and compete in tomorrow's challenging workplace. The
possibilities are endless!
School Board Recognition
Month observed
The South Carolina School Boards
Association is again sponsoring
School Board Recognition Month,
an annual observance during the
month of January. The month
reflects the combined commitment
of school boards to lead and
advocate for quality and
accountable public schools that
ensure all students achieve.
School Board members are
responsible for the budgets of their
districts, determining local vision,
establishing a basic structure for
operations, serving as advocates for
students and public schools, and
assuring accountability. They set
board policy and act as liaisons for
the district with legislators and other
local elected officials. They also
assist in communicating the needs
of the school district to the public.
The Board of Trustees for
Sumter School District are
Chairman Keith Schultz, Vice
Chairperson Patty Wilson, Clerk of
the Board Rev. Daryl McGhaney,
Larry Addison, Karen Michalik,
Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Canty, Sr., and
Barbara Jackson
In celebration of the month,
both January board meetings will be
hosted by schools, thus providing
additional opportunities for our
board members to be recognized
throughout the district and
community.
The January 14 meeting
will be held at Rafting Creek
Elementary School, 4100
Highway 261 North in Rembert.
The January 28 meeting will be
held at Wilder Elementary School,
975 South Main Street in Sumter.
The alternate locations will assist
members of the community from
other areas of the county who would
like to attend a meeting during
Board Appreciation Month.
Zachary Delaney wins Bates Middle School Geographic Bee
Zachary Delaney, an 8th grade
student at Bates Middle School,
won the school-level competition
of the National Geographic Bee
and a chance at a $25,000
college scholarship. Two other
8th graders, Jermaine Thomas
and Brooke Sampson, placed
second and third, respectively.
James Crawley, a social studies
teacher, administered the test.
The kickoff for this year's
Bee was the week of November
12, with thousands of schools
around the United States and in
the five U.S. territories participating in the oral competition. The school winners,
including Zachary, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers on that
test in each state will then be eligible to compete in their state Bee April 5, 2013.
The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to
Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the Bee
national championship rounds May 20-22, 2013. The first-place national winner will
receive a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society, and a trip
to the Galapagos Islands, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic
(visit www.expeditions.com).
Grant awarded to fund after school programs
Two hundred students will continue to receive assistance after school thanks to a 21st Century grant for HYPE programs
at the HOPE Centers. Sumter School District will receive $75,000 for second semester this year, $150,000 the second
year, $112,500 the third year, and $95,625 for the fourth year, for a grand total of $433,125 over the life of the grant.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant of Sumter School District in Sumter County is a
collaborative effort between the school district, the M. H. Newton Family Life Center, the South and North HOPE
Centers, and Jehovah Christian and Academic School. Designed to serve 200 students from Crosswell Drive Elementary,
Lemira Elementary, Chestnut Oaks Middle, Bates Middle, and Alice Drive Middle, it is known as the HYPE grant,
which stands for Helping Youth Pursue Excellence. The program was developed over seven years ago by Barney
Gadson, director of the M. H. Newton Family Life Center, to serve students in after school programs that provide not
only academic assistance, but positive relationships with role models, cultural activities, recreational activities, and family
support. Students will ride busses to the HOPE Centers and Newton Center/Jehovah School sites, where they will
receive direct academic instruction from certified teachers, have homework help, enjoy weekly mentoring experiences,
choose enrichment activities, and get a hot meal before they go home. Parents will participate with the students on some
field trips as well as have special programs to address specific topics of interest that they choose, in addition to financial
and academic literacy. The program is designed to provide a mixture of academic, technology, cultural, and other
enrichment activities in a way that provides opportunities for both structured and unstructured learning that leads to
mastery for students and parents. Past history shows that participating students have significantly higher grades,
attendance, and PASS test scores than their nonparticipating counterparts, with significantly lower discipline problems.
Sumt er AFJROTC Cadets
give of their time
This past weekend, Sumter High
School AFJROTC cadets willingly
gave of their time. Forty-six cadets
collected 26 bags of trash during their
quarterly Adopt-a-Highway and
campus cleanup. In addition, the
AFJROTC Color Guard presented
the colors at the Sumter Wreaths
across America ceremony.
Ashley Furniture donates
mattresses
Ashley Furniture Home Store has
localized their national program
called A Hope to Dream. The
program provides mattress sets to
help local children in need.
For every mattress sold by
Ashley Furniture, $5 is donated to
the program. The belief is that by
helping children sleep well, they are
poised to lead healthier, more
productive lives. Through the
program, Sumter School District
counselors, social workers, and
homeless liaisons seek out and refer
students who need a mattress set.
The program is for children ages
three to fifteen.
The applications turned in
by the district are reviewed by a
selection committee, and recipients
are chosen. Persons in the
community who have knowledge of
children who would benefit from the
program are asked to contact the
counselor at the childs school.
No Bullying Zone at Bates
Middle
Students will strive to be bully free
thanks to the implementation of the
Olweus Bullying program at Bates
Middle School. Student Council
seized this opportunity to allow
student council members to discuss
bullying issues within the school.
Along with the planning committee
for the kick-off, student council
worked on an engaging way to teach
students by developing scenarios
showing students what they should
do in different situations if bullying
occurs. The scenarios included
pertinent information as to what
students should do in various places
on campus such as the locker room,
hallways, and the cafeteria. Bullying
was also defined at the assembly so
that the student body understood that
bullying occurs more than once.
Students rewarded with limousine ride to lunch
Wilder Elementary School
students who participated in the
schools fall fund raiser and sold 18
or more items were invited to
participate in the Limo to Lunch
treat. The students rode in a
stretched Hummer Limo to
Zaxbys where they enjoyed a free
meal.
Poetry competition a success at Chestnut Oaks
The school level Poetry Out-Loud
Competition at Chestnut Oaks Middle
School was a great success Congratulations to
the following winners: Overall Winner
Brittney Moses, Second Place Allura King
and Third Place Malik Bradley. The students
will go on to compete in the state competition
on Saturday, January 12 at 2 PM in the
USC Sumter Nettles Auditorium.
Special agent visits Bates
Bates Middle School Career
Specialist Mark Gillard invited
Special Agent Amy Hudson with
the Office of Personnel
Management Federal Investigative
Services to speak with Bates
keyboarding students regarding
her personal career journey. She
discussed job qualifications, the
team interview process and a one
page written assessment she had to
complete during her interview. Hudson emphasized the importance of reading, writing
and keyboarding skills.
Hudson also addressed the Drama Free Girls, a group of young ladies Principal
Ayesha Hunter personally mentors. She conducted a mock background check, an
interview, and highlighted the fact that she speaks with individuals who may share
negative information about a potential applicant such as bullying incidents. She stated
that it is important at this stage to make better decisions about what students do and
who they choose as friends. Additionally, Hudson spoke about cyber bullying and the
fact that when social media pages are checked, all of the information gathered could
possibly hinder a persons employability with the government, military or a government
contractor, which makes up a large portion of the job market.
Crestwood Drill Team wins top honors
Crestwood High Schools Air Force Junior ROTC Drill Team came away with top honors at the Irmo High School Drill Meet
and Conway High School Drill Meet. Congratulations to the Crestwood AFJROTC award winning drill team for their
impressive performance.
Results from Irmo Drill Meet:
3rd Place - Fancy Armed Element - Commanded by Cadet Kyle Markow
3rd Place Fancy Duet Armed - Commanded by Cadet Deshawn Abbott and Cadet Kyle Markow
3rd Place Fancy Unarmed Element Commanded by Cadet Teje Cousar and Cadet Eva Abbott
2nd Place Color Guard Commanded by Cadet Kyle Markow
2nd Place Regulation Armed Individual Deshawn Abbott Commanded by Alaina Coker
1st Place Basic Unarmed Element Commanded by Cadet Teje Cousar
1st Place Fancy Armed Flight Commanded by Cadet Deshawn Abbott
2nd Place KNOCKOUT COMPETITION Cadet Tomas Cauthen Finished 2ND out of over 150 cadets!
3rd Place Overall Drill Team Commander, Cadet Deshawn Abbott
Results from Conway Drill Meet:
3rd Place - Fancy Unarmed Flight Commanded by Cadet Alaina Coker and Cadet Rontoya Jenkins
3rd Place Basic Unarmed Element Commanded by Cadet Teje Cousar
2nd Place Fancy Armed Flight Commanded by Cadet Deshawn Abbott
2nd Place Fancy Unarmed Flight Commanded by Cadet Teje Cousar and Cadet Rontoya Jenkins
1st Place Basic Unarmed Flight Commanded by Cadet Alaina Coker
3rd Place Overall Drill Team Commander Deshawn Abbott
Students thrive in masonry program
The second year of the masonry program at the Sumter County Career Center
is progressing. Students are now working on team based projects after a year of
individual projects learning. The course is rigorous but fun.
According to Career Specialist Heather Farthing, I am always excited
to see the progression of each student as they grow and develop the skills and
knowledge needed to become an effective competitor in todays workforce. Each
student goes through at least 12 weeks of classroom training that consists of safety,
construction math, hand and power tools, blueprints, communication, and
employability skills, along
with countless hours of
hands-on masonry training in
the lab and on job sites.
Pictured right are
students building an eight
inch brick wall with a
semicircular arch.
Furman Middle School hosts
annual Career Fair
Thirty vendors from local
businesses and industries in
Sumter County entered the doors
of Furman Middle School to
participate in our annual Career
Fair. The purpose of the Career
Fair is to provide students with the
opportunity to explore various
careers in one location. The
students eagerly participated by
interviewing no less than three
vendors who were very impressed
with our students. By the end of
the Career Fair the students were
better informed about the job
market, education requirements
and the experience it takes to get a
job with a specific company.
Furman students embrace Poetry Caf
For a number of days, students interpreted figurative language devices, elements of
poetry, authors craft, and the importance of poetry form. In celebration of the students
achievements and taking what they learned in class and applying the skills to the real
world, Furman Middle School chose to share their accomplishments through poetry
reading.
Invitations were created and sent throughout Furman and surrounding areas.
Room 310 was transformed into Millers Caf with tables set with candle centerpieces,
colorful cloths floated across tables, the stage was outlined with lights, the microphone
stood at attention, guitar music played softly in the background, lights dimmed to
enhance the mood, and the aroma of food floated throughout the caf.
Students recited their poems, and some pleaded to share several more. Some students
were animated as they read. Some classmates were shockingly surprised to hear the
content, tone, and voice of budding poets. Parents, teachers, administrators, and district
personnel were in attendance and were invited to the stage. A parent shared her poem,
and Dr. Copeland read Friends. Students listened attentively to the poetic devices
and message of each poem. No caf would be complete without snaps to show their
love, support, and success.
The poetry caf is becoming a tradition at Furman Middle School. Ms. Miller
created the caf about four or five years ago in celebration of writing and studying
poetry. For the last couple of years, other classes, Ms. Carrier and Ms. Pollard, have
celebrated with a caf, and Ms. Prince celebrated with a caf this year.
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