| Hats Off to the Class of 2015!  With the turn of a tassel, 384 SHS seniors celebrated their graduation on Friday, May 22 under the bright lights of the Gibbs Stadium at Wofford Colleg e. More than 80% of the class is bound for post-secondary education, earning an impressive $18.5 million in merit-based scholarships. Of the 108 College Board AP Scholars at SHS this year, 43 were seniors, including five who were named National AP Scholars.
The graduating seniors are off to top-notch colleges and universities, including; Clemson's Calhoun College (Honors), College of William and Mary, College of Charleston (Honors), Duke, Emory, Furman, Georgia Tech, New York University (NYU), Sewanee, UNC at Chapel Hill, USC Honors College, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Claflin, Wofford, Converse and USC Upstate. A number of graduates have signed on to serve in the military and others have already begun their journey in the work world. Valedictorian Audrey Ellis will attend Duke University as an engineering major and Salutatorian Brenna Ryan will major in acting at NYU. See more accolades about the Class of 2015 in the recent tribute ad featured in the Spartanburg Herald Journal. |
Honoring Support Staff
and Retirees
Singled out for going the extra mile and giving their all, 19 District Seven employees were recognized recently as the 2015 Support Staff of the Year. Dr. Booker commended them all for serving our schools on the front lines, side lines and even the carpool lines.
Support Staff of the Year, from left to right; Denise Robinson, Heather Hethington, Elsa Doyle, Angela Freeman, Victor Ortega. Second row; Archie Lattimore, Tamala Robinson, Sonia Kendrick, Anita Littlejohn, Cheryl Robinette. Third row; Tye Tindall, Jennifer Hines, Polly Ann Cleveland, Vicki Batten, Beth Martin. Top row; Dwayne Worthy, Stephen Russell, Jane Crocker, Cheryl Means, and Johnny Miller.
With a combined total of 1,340 years of service to the D7 community, 43 retiring employees were honored at an afternoon reception on Thursday, May 21. Dr. Booker lauded their loyalty to the mission of the District and their impact on the lives of our children.
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New Mary Wright Principal, Man on a Mission
Dr. Marc Zachary is dreaming about grocery stores and driving around town in his own car. Returning soon from Africa to serve as Principal of Mary H. Wright, Zachary will soon say goodbye to his 6th grade teaching position in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While his tenure there has been tremendous, Zachary says he's missed the simple pleasures of life in Spartanburg. A former principal in District 7, Marc has spent the last year at The American School of Kinshasa (TASOK), in the region of West Africa once known as Zaire. Living on the school's campus, travel is limited unless you own a car, he said. There were also government protests in January - the school was closed and US Embassy workers came and talked to us about a possible evacuation. The uncertainty wasn't easy and for over a month we had little access to email and social media." Regarding his new position at MHW, Zachary said, "I can't wait to begin. When I came out of college, I was a kindergarten assistant, 2nd grade and 6th grade teacher there, so it's a very special place to me. I can't wait to get involved in the community again."
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Winning Races and Tennis Aces
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Coach Smiley, Tavien Feaster & Coach Coleman
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On the heels of another state title by the boy's tennis team and Tavien Feaster's tremendous show at the state track and field championship, the Spartanburg Herald Journal nailed the news on May 17, with a front-page story entitled, Day of Champions. Sportswriter Kevin Melton said Feaster set new records in the 100 and 200 meter races and his fast feet wowed the crowds on all sides.  The Vikings boys tennis team had another unbeaten season (21-0) and took home the top trophy for the second year in a row. Head tennis coach Todd Seagle said, "I am proud of all the guys. The hard work they put in during the off-season training made a big impact. Next year we'll try to make it a 3-peat." Chambers Easterling, a sophomore, walked away with the 3A/4A State Singles Championship.
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Playing for Pasta!
SHS Orchestra Performing in Italy
Members of the Spartanburg High School Orchestra traded in the last few days of school for a performance tour in Italy. Beginning in Rome, a group of 28 students will see some of the most famous places in antiquity and perform in the home of the Renaissance. The musical highlight of their European excursion will be the Orchestra's inclusion in the Florence International Youth Festival as a featured performing ensemble. SHS conductor Jeff Kuntz is particularly excited about walking the same paths that the founders of Western civilization once walked. "To perform on violins in the very place where the violin was invented is a once-in-a lifetime experience." The 10-day adventure concludes with a visit to the Stradivari Museum in Cremona, where Antonio Stradivari hand-crafted his famous violins.
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The Stage is Set for 7Shares
August 12, 20115
Preparations are well under way for 7Shares, the annual district-wide kick-off that marks the start of every school year. Slated for Wednesday, August 12, 2015, this year's keynote speaker is Brandon Busteed of Gallup International. In addition to learning more about the merits of measuring the well-being of our students, the District 7 team will enjoy a day of professional development and fellowship.
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| No Beach for Booker!
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He's Actually Workin' the SHS Sandpit
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While students and teachers may be slipping off for the summer, we'll be right here getting warmed up for a hot new year! Thanks everyone, for making 2014-2015 one of the best ever! Have a safe and restful summer. |
School Board Thanks D7 Community
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| Spartanburg District Seven School Board |
On behalf of the Board of Trustees we want to thank the entire District 7 community for the support given to our students and educators this year. Your partnership plays a big part in our success. This has been a memorable year in the life of our school district and we look forward to another great year. Have a wonderful summer break and congratulations SHS graduates!
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Mark Your Calendars
July 10 -
Cleveland
students return
August 17 - 1st day back for students
School supply lists on District Websites in July
The sales tax holiday for SC is August 7-9, 2015
2015-2016
Academic Calendar
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Seeing Double at SHS
Four sets of twins graduated in this year's SHS senior class. It's a first, as far as anyone can remember!
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The Last Hurrah!
As you can see from the smiles, the suds and the fun, we've gotten it done
this year. Bravo to the
entire D7 community for victories large and small and a good time had by all!
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| Hub City Food Truck & ELC |
McCracken Wows Amy Wood
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Extra, Extra...
Read all about it! A huge shout out to Jesse Boyd 4th graders for their first edition of the JBE News.
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Our Selfie Stars
Teachers - we asked you to "hit us with your best shot" during Teacher Appreciation Week in May and two of you took us up on it. Thank you Kara Mabrey and Kelly Dame from the Early Learning Center. For playing along, your trusty team from 7Headlines is sending a free Starbucks card your way.
Enjoy a cup on us!
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District 7 Flying High
Enjoy a jolly holiday with Mary and Bert and the more than 90 students performing in District Seven's production of Mary Poppins. This year's musical theatre extravaganza is a soaring success. You still have time to purchase tickets. The play runs through Sunday, May 31 at the Chapman Cultural Center.
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| Mary Thalassinos, Laney Voyles and Harper Keihl |
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Pop some corn and put up your feet and sing along with the Pine Street beat!
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McCracken Votes YES!
Educators at McCracken Middle School replaced traditional end-of-course exams this year with an innovative new program called Year End Studies, or YES. Featuring high-interest classes and hands-on experience, MMS students were also involved with more than 100 businesses and organizations in the Spartanburg community. From classes such as Powering Up Solar Cookers, Hub City Hiking and Snakes Alive with Rudy Mancke,YES was deemed a big success!
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| Powering Up Solar Cookers |
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