Nothing Scary about Today, Unless You Missed 7Headlines on Friday

Headlines

Your Source For District News October, 2016

District Breaks Ground for New Elementary School

District 7 Students and Trustees Turning the Dirt Together

On the count of "Ready, Set, Shovel," members of the District 7 Board of Trustees plowed the ground on October 28, for a brand new elementary school. In a ceremony that included D7 officials, local business partners and several students who will be among the first to attend the new school, the groundbreaking celebration was cited as a tribute to the power of partnership and the progress in District 7. "First and foremost, we want to say thank you to the Spartanburg community for supporting excellence in education," said Board Chair Julie Lonon. "For generations to come, this new school will stand as a hallmark of our mission to inspire and equip students for meaningful lives of leadership and service."

We're On the Roll for a New Elementary School

Superintendent Dr. Russell Booker told the crowd of more than 100 guests that the new elementary school will support advanced technology and collaborative learning spaces that are critical in teaching and learning today. Speaking on behalf of her 3rd grade peers at Chapman Elementary School, 10-year-old Caroline Beech said, she and her friends are particularly interested in the new soccer field that will come with a bigger and better playground.

Some of our Houston Huskies Taking Part in the Festivities

Situated in the heart of the growing Drayton community, the land for the new school was donated to District 7 by Pacolet Milliken Enterprises. The school is being designed and constructed by McMillan Pazdan Smith and Harper Construction. The new facility will replace Houston and Chapman Elementary Schools and is scheduled to open in fall 2018.

D7 Teams Up with Dolly Parton and United

Way of the Piedmont

Russell Booker and Dolly Parton Share More

Dolly Parton may be best known for her soulful country music, but for the past 20 years she's p ut her

passion behind the issue of literacy and the importance of early childhood reading. This month, through its annual United Way Campaign, District 7 is fueling a program Ms. Parton started in 1996 called Imagination Library. "As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of our own literacy program called 7Reads, this is great time to underscore the importance of reading," said Superintendent Dr. Russell Booker.

If you'd like to donate to the District 7 United Way Campaign, you'll help ensure that every child in the District receives one free book a month, from birth through the age of 5.

A Moment For Mission

D7 Choir Reflects on Requiem for Mother Emanuel

In a full auditorium at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, Tuesday, October 11, more than 60 D7 students of all ages participated in a unique symposium featuring the work of African-American artist, Dr. Leo Twiggs. The gathering provided an opportunity for the community to learn more about a series of nine paintings that Twiggs created, following the June, 2015 shootings at Charleston's Mother Emanuel Church. The series has been on display at The Johnson Collection Gallery in downtown Spartanburg and has drawn hundreds of visitors to the Gallery in the past few months, including several members of the Carolina Panthers football team. The students invited to sing at the symposium were asked to perform a stirring piece entitled, Lift Every Voice and Si ng.

D7 Students Talk About Exhibit Commemorating Shootings at Mother Emanuel

Spartanburg High School chorus members were treated to a close-up

We captured a few of their comments in the video to the right.

If you missed the Twiggs exhibit, Requiem for Mother Emanuel , it will soon be on display at the Mint Museum in Charlotte.

Homecoming Floats Rolled Out With High Hopes for A Viking Victory

Live from New York City - It's a Homecoming State of Mind

There's nothing like Homecoming Week at Spartanburg High School to fuel a little friendly competition. From the customary dress-up-days to the construction of colorful and creative floats, the Vikings had high hopes that their celebratory spirit would rule the week and make way for a win over the Boiling Springs Bulldogs.

While Spartanburg High came up short in overtime on Friday, October 21, there was no shortage of Viking Pride during the week. Some of the fun included a "Penny War" between the classes, with all monies raised going to a local charity and the crowning of the Homecoming Court. Zy'Kerria Wilkins was crowned Homecoming Queen with Honor Attendants Lundy Camp and Ellen Rieth.

Ladies, left to right: Ellen Rieth, ZyKerria Wilkins & Lundy Camp

Children at Meeting Street Bank on

Success of Student Credit Union

Meeting Street Partnership Pays Off For Penny Wise Students

Students at Meeting Street are counting their pennies these days and cashing in on an exercise that makes perfect cents! Through an innovative partnership with the Carolina Foothills Credit Union, Meeting Street Academy has implemented a college savings program for students called "Dollars for Diplomas." "We want to demystify the process of saving for something as daunting as college," said Principal Raine Hackler. "As a parent, it can be overwhelming to prioritize saving for something so far on the horizon, especially when life's demands are so unpredictable." A specially designed booth at MSA serves as the "branch" for students who wish to open an account and make deposits during routine "Savings Days." Since becoming available to students and families earlier this year, more than 90 percent of students have become members of the "Dollars for Diplomas" savings account.

Mary H. Wright Expands Global Focus

Mary H. Wright Students Making a Splash at Barrier Island

They may not know it yet, but the children at Mary H. Wright are about to be immersed in a new curriculum that will expand their focus as global citizens. According to Principal Marc Zachary, Mary H. Wright is in the process of becoming an International Baccalaureate (IB) school which means more rigor for students and the opportunity to better leverage technology. "We have been focused on helping our children become better readers, writers and mathematicians," said Zachary, "but the IB curriculum will help them become deeper thinkers about the world and the ways in which they can use their education to effect positive change through action."

Zachary says the IB approach challenges students to excel in their studies and in their personal growth. "What's more, when we merge the IB curriculum with the phenomenal amount of technology in District 7, there are many ways for our students to show they understand the concepts they're being taught." Zachary says he and his team are excited. "Just going through the process (of implementing IB) will benefit our students and make us better teachers."

Students Interested in the Viking Early College Have Fine Examples to Follow

SHS, VEC Senior, Andrew Tate Recognized in SCC Newsletter

Spartanburg High School Senior Andrew Tate is on the fast track to Clemson University. When he graduates from Spartanburg High School this year, he'll have more than 50 hours of college credit, thanks to his tenure at the Viking Early College (VEC). The VEC was born of a partnership between D7 and Spartanburg Community College and is based at the SCC Downtown Campus at the Evans Academic Center. The Viking Early College was established in fall 2013 and to date has 49 young men enrolled in the program. Aimed at creating a college going culture, Tate says, "The Viking Early College gave me the chance to experience what college is like and I feel fully prepared." Tate plans to major in architecture when he attends Clemson next year.

Between now and November 29, The Viking Early College will accept applications for nominations to the program. Candidates to the program may be self-nominated or nominated by a teacher. Nominees should be rising 9th graders. For more information about the Viking Early College, please contact Verotta Kennedy at

vkennedy@spart7.org.

A Final Note from Students at McCracken

Be Sure to Vote, Tuesday November 8, 2016

All District 7 Schools Will Be Closed for National Election Day

In This Issue

D7 Breaks Ground for New Elementary School

District 7 Annual United Way Campaign Promotes Early Childhood Reading

A Moment For Mission - Exploring the Charleston Shootings Through Art and Song

SHS Rolls Out Homecoming

Meeting St. Teaching Money Lessons

Mary H. Wright Expands Global Focus

It's Time to Nominate Students For Viking Early College

Hometown Hero Evie Tate Sports Viking Pride

2013 Spartanburg High School Alumna Evie Tate is the talk of the town and the Nation! Showcasing the true spirit of sportsmanship the now Clemson Tiger had fans on her feet when she stopped her own race to help raise up a competing runner cross the finish line. Check out the video in this Moment for Mission!