Some of District Five's most outstanding students got a well-deserved "pat on the back" this week, as they were named Terrific Kids of the Year!

The eight students, each selected by their individual schools, were honored along with those from each of Spartanburg's seven school districts.  The program, sponsored by the Spartanburg and Boiling Springs Kiwanis Clubs, recognizes character, responsibility, and enthusiasm, both in, and outside of the classroom.

This year's District Five Terrific Kids are:
McKae Rice (Abner Creek Academy), Kevin Dendall (Duncan Elementary School), Kristen Barrick (Lyman Elementary School), James Oates (Reidville Elementary School), Zee Moss (River Ridge Elementary School), Corbin Gilbert (Wellford Academy), Madilyn Milici (Beech Springs Intermediate School), and David Hunsberger (Berry Shoals Intermediate School).

Former Spartanburg mayor Bill Barnet was the guest speaker for the annual event.  Students received an engraved plaque, a t-shirt, and free meal at Zaxby's.

Congratulations to our 2015-16 District Five Terrific Kids of the Year!

The celebration continues for the Byrnes High School Runnin' Rebels boys basketball team!  The Rebels were recognized at the SC State Capitol Thursday for winning this year's AAAA state championship. 

State Representative Rita Allison and fellow legislators congratulated the team on their accomplishment, and presented them with a proclamation honoring their big win!


The Rebels, along with head Coach Layne Fowler and Athletic Director Tony Gillespie, were recognized on both the House and Senate floors, and then treated to lunch in Allison's office.

Way to go, Rebels!

It's been an exciting week for District Five's Teacher of the Year, Paula Quinby!

The Reidville Elementary 4th grade teacher traveled to Columbia Wednesday, to be honored along with Teachers of the Year from all over South Carolina.  Quinby attended the state Teacher of the Year banquet Tuesday evening, and later got to enjoy a "milk and cookies" reception with Education Superintendent Molly Spearman.

On Thursday morning, she was applauded on the state House and Senate floors, along with dozens of other honorees.

We are so proud of you, Paula Quinby!

Byrnes High School honored it's best and brightest students this week, celebrating the Top Ten Seniors for the Class of 2016!  The annual event recognized the top students with the highest academic GPA's in the senior class.  This year's class was so talented that two students actually tied for the award, marking one of the few times Byrnes has actually honored a "Top 11".

In one of the most memorable parts of the ceremony, students chose one teacher whom they considered "most influential" in their education.  Students write, and deliver an essay describing the impact that teacher has had on their life.

Students and teachers honored for the Class of 2016 include:
Michael Blake Chandler (Sherri Grant- USC Upstate), Hunter Corkren (Cassi Buys- Social Studies), Harsahib Dev (Dr. Paul Grady- USC Upstate), Rebecca Glenn (Bryan Bone- Band), Dillon Green (Melinda Carver- Math), Danika Halvorsen (Dr, Michael Hudak), Shaylyn Simmons (Arlyn Mills- Orchestra), Emily Simpson (Melissa Deloach- USC Upstate), Jessica Spurling (Mallory Ballew- Chemistry) , Harry Stathakis (Mandy Loudermilk- AP US Hilstory), and Austin Thomas (Jessica Jones- Economics/History).

Congratulations to these outstanding students and educators!  To see more photos from the event, visit the district's Facebook page here.

Billboard To Showcase District Students Art

 
As you drive down a major Spartanburg County road or interstate, you might soon spot the artistic talents of some District Five students!

Fairway Advertising has chosen the artwork of four District Five students to display on a local billboard in Spartanburg County.  The honor, through an effort called "Live with HeART" is meant to promote the importance of art in the schools.

Students with work selected for the billboard are:
Madilyn Milici (Be ech Springs Intermediate School), Benay Daniel (Florence Chapel Middle School), Rubin Khlopkov (Florence Chapel Middle School), and Timme Startsev (Wellford Academy).

Keep an eye out for these talented students work--- coming soon to a billboard near you!

River Ridge Elementary School showcased some their own "Picasso's" this week, as they hosted their annual Spring Art Show!

Each student, kindergarten through 4th grade, created their own masterpiece to be featured in the show.  Art teacher Lorie Goode hangs each one in the school gym for students, faculty and families to enjoy.

Students enjoyed visiting the display during the day, while parents and community members had a chance to see the artwork Thursday evening.  Then, parents have the opportunity to purchase their child's framed artwork to take home and proudly display.

Way to go, River Ridge students!

Beech Springs Gets Makeover, Thanks To Students

Students in Mrs. Tapp and Mrs. Brannon's classes at Beech Springs Intermediate School have been getting their hands dirty recently, giving the school a mini-makeover!

The students have been diligently working on sprucing up the reading garden for their Beech Springs classmates to use this spring.  The classes are planting flowers, preparing the beds, and planting an herb garden.

All the hard work makes for a great lesson, as students are learning about plants and the environment while they beautify the school at the same time!

Students, parents and teachers had a SLIME of a time this week at Reidville Elementary's annual SMART night, celebrating science, math, and related technologies!

After a community supper in the school cafeteria, fun hands-on learning activities were offered, from building catapults, boats and parachutes, to playing games with amazing new computer programs being used by students at school. 

A terrific technological time was had by all!

Students at Lyman Elementary School got to show off some of their talents this week, as the school celebrated its annual "Evening with the Arts" program!

During the event, an art show was held in the schoo gym, while the chorus performed a musical for family and friends.

Great job, Lyman!

Reidville Students Dig Deep Into Science

Students in Melissa Falk's class at Reidville Elementary School put their detective skills to work recently, digging deep into different habitats!  The 3rd graders researched habitats and created Google Slide presentations to demonstrate what they had learned.

Next, they constructed their habitats and presented them to classmates.

Keep up the great work, Reidville students!

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Kindergarten students at Abner Creek Academy had a chance to get up close and personal with some creepy, crawly creatures last week! 

A visitor from the Spartanburg Science Center brought two snakes, a box turtle, and a bearded dragon as park of a science presentation at the school.

Students were able to pet the creatures, and were excited to see their science lessons come to life!

District Five nurses visited River Ridge Elementary School this week to give a lesson that could save a life!

The school's teachers and staff members received valuable hands-on training in both CPR and AED usage. 

Nurses did a wonderful job getting faculty and staff members re-certified, should they ever need to use this lifesaving skill!

Great job, nurses!