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Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas~                                                  
December, 2015
Tavien Feaster, Our Very Own Mr. Football
An Interview with Tavien Feaster at Spartanburg High
On a bright December morning, just days after being named South Carolina's Mr. Football, the 7Headlines team caught up with Tavien Feaster to talk about winning one of the most prestigious awards in state football. Joining a roster of great players like Stephen Davis, Marcus Lattimore, and Jadeveon Clowney, the distinction of Mr. Football is an honor awarded each year to the top high school football player in the state. For the talented SHS running back, the recent recognition comes on the heels of a string of accolades and points to an exciting future at Clemson. The personable and humble high school senior says the title of Mr. Football is a win he's especially proud of and one he shares with the entire team! For more on Tavien's thoughts about his final year as a Viking and his plans for next year, be sure to watch the video below. 
Kudos also go out to Feaster and Viking quarterback Austin Scott, who will be on the field this Saturday playing in the  Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas at Wofford's, Gibbs Stadium. Kickoff for that game is at 1:00pm.  General admission tickets are available online or at Academy Sports for $15.00. On game day, the general admission price is $20.00 at the gate.
District 7 Embraces the Season of Giving
Freshman Academy Students Take Supplies to Lexington
Houston Huskies Canned Good Drive
In the spirit of the season, District 7 schools took on a number of projects this month in an effort to extend the joy of the holidays to communities and families in need. Students at Spartan High took part in the United Way of the Piedmont's
Christmas Child Project, while the children at Houston promoted a canned food drive and the Anchor Club at the Freshman Academy collected supplies for elementary school students in Lower Richland County. In addition, the D7 family participated again this year in the United Way annual fundraising campaign and collectively raised just over $58,000. "This is who we are as a District, said Chief Communications Officer Sally Hammond. All of our schools take tremendous pride in contributing to the wellbeing of our community. The many service projects adopted  throughout  the District this month provide an opportunity for students and staff to "pay it forward" and to give back to the partners and organizations that invest in District 7."
Two Turtle (loves), One Guinea Pig and And An Iguana Going Home for Christmas!
On Friday, December 18 schools across the District will close for the next two weeks and it won't be just our students and teachers on  holiday hiatus. The furry and funny creatures we take care of in our classrooms will be packed up to go home with wonderful (and willing!) families. At Cleveland Academy of Leadership, the children will be sending their water turtles home with 5K teacher, Dana Holland. Holland says the turtles, Sparkle and Glow, have been in her classroom for 15 years and enjoy the Christmas break as much as she does. "They're easy guests. They stretch out,  swim in our spa tub and feast on freeze-dried crickets." Pine Street Principal, Anne Jeter says she can recount some hilarious stories from holidays past when the families in-charge of the critters at-large took a little longer to get used to each other. "Oh, I've heard some tales that I've sworn not to tell. And we know from experience, it's not really swell for our gerbils to dwell with children whose families have cats!" We paws now to say: thank you - to all of you who said "yes to the pets." It definitely takes a village!
Helping Hands A Hearbeat Away at JBE
Stu dents at Jesse Boyd Learning CPR
When performing CPR, a little rhythm goes a long way. So, moving to the beat of the Bee Gee's song, Stayin' Alive, every student in grades 2-5 at Jesse Boyd Elementary recently learned the steps to save a life.   Volunteer nurses from Spartanburg Regional provided the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation training using torso-mannequins to teach the basics of hands-only CPR, providing the students with enough knowledge to save a life- if need be. No mouth-to-mouth is necessary in newer CPR guidelines. "I feel fortunate our students have had this training.  While I hope they never have to use it, the nurses from Regional were able to explain the procedures and processes of CPR in a way that our students will long remember." said JBE Principal, Meredith Rose.  Fifth grader, Darby Ruff said, "It was easy and fun. I was excited to try it, because maybe one day I can save someone's life." 
This Is A Warm-Up For Winter Weather
Early Snow, By Spartanburg High School senior, Louisa Dunn 
Despite the balmy weather of late, cooler temps are bound to hit the Upstate in the next few months. When inclement weather forces school delays and closures, you can look to  our District website, Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest announcements. Local media outlets also carry District updates. For the 2015-2016 academic year, there are three "snow days" built into the calendar - February 15, March 11, and May 31.
Our thanks to Louisa Dunn for allowing us to feature her gorgeous watercolor above. A talented senior at SHS, Louisa earned a number of art awards this fall at the Piedmont Interstate Fair. This beautiful piece entitled, Early Snow was featured this year on the cover of the Spartanburg High School Christmas card.
Capital Improvement Plan
If you would like to know more about the proposed capital improvement plan for District 7, visit  our website. 
In This Issue
Spreading Joy 
In and About the District
McCracken's Christmas Magic
A Pal from the Pole at Pine
Oh Christmas Tree at JBE
Decking the Halls at Spartanburg High
Candyland Comes to Carver
McCarthy Hosts Holiday Bazaar
In PJ's for the Polar Express at EP Todd
Houston's Choral Caravan Comes to Sing
Nutcracker Dancers Visit Cleveland 
Merry Christmas from Mary H. Wright
Drum Roll Please, Chapman's Got the Beat!
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Important Dates
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Students Return from Break 
Tuesday, January 5
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MLK Holiday
Monday, January 18
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Early Release Dates
Wednesday, February 10
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Staff Development
Monday, February 15
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Spartanburg School District Seven | 610 Dupre Drive  | Spartanburg SC  | 29307  | 864-594-4400