District One Parents, Students & Community Members:

I hope that you have all enjoyed a safe and relaxing summer. We have been busy here in the district preparing to make the 2016-2017 school year the best yet.

The custodial, maintenance, and technology staff have been working extremely hard to accomplish a multitude of tasks to prepare the buildings for our students’ return in a few short days.  Cleaning of classrooms, scrubbing and waxing of floors, and cleaning and updating technology equipment are just a few of the tasks that have been accomplished over the summer months.

I am excited to announce the launch of our first e-newsletter: One Click. This newsletter will be published monthly and will help keep you informed of the exciting news and accomplishments of our students, schools, and district. I invite you to connect with us in the upcoming school year by subscribing to our newsletter, engaging with us through social media, and visiting our district and school websites. 

Have a healthy, safe and relaxing rest of the summer and we will see you soon!

The classrooms of Campobello-Gramling School were buzzing this summer with rising 3rd and 4th grade students from across the district for the Read to Succeed Summer Reading Institute. 

As a component of the Read to Succeed Act, District One held a six week summer reading camp for identified students across the district in an effort to increase literacy skills.  Students received small group and individual instruction from highly qualified teachers who have experience in working with struggling readers. 

This unique camp experience allowed students consistent opportunities to read, write, and engage in literacy activities throughout the entire summer. Daily hands-on activities in the STEAM lab gave students a multi-faceted experience that allowed them to design and create projects based on the books they studied throughout the weeks. Animal habitats, lego water cycle creations and windsocks were just a few of the students’ favorite STEAM projects.

Students participated in a “Book Bonanza” that allowed them the opportunity to select up to ten books that they could keep and use to build their own home library. “Our students have had a wonderful summer making new friends from across the district and learning together. Allowing students the opportunity to choose books that they are interested in to read and take home, creates a love of reading and learning,” says Jenny Edwards, director of this year’s Summer Reading Institute.

The summer reading camp concluded with a pizza party celebration where students shared their reading, writing, research, and STEAM projects with their families. 

Ashley Belue was recently recognized by the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technology Education (CATE) as the recipient of the 2016 “I AM CATE Award”.

This award is presented to four students, one from each major region in South Carolina, who graduated as CATE completers and who have made significant contributions in a field of study or career related to CATE. 

Nominated by her peers and administration, Belue said that receiving this award was an honor and unexpected surprise. “I believe in what we do at Swofford.  The students have a huge opportunity that they can take advantage of by attending SCC. I am a testimony of how attending Swofford helps students excel in the career he or she is interested in,” said Belue.  

Belue is a 2003 graduate of Chesnee High School and attended Swofford Career Center from 2000-2003 where she studied health science. She graduated from USC-Upstate in 2006 with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree and worked at Spartanburg Regional before becoming an adjunct clinical instructor for the CNA class at Swofford Career Center. She is entering her fifth year as an instructor at Swofford Career Center and is currently pursuing her Master’s of Science in Nursing degree with a concentration in Education. Belue maintains her employment with Spartanburg Regional on an as needed basis.