SHS Grads Prove They're Prepared and Ready For The Real World
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SHS Grads Get Ready to Take the Stage
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Despite the soggy weather and a last minute call to move Spartanburg High School's graduation inside, there was no raining on the Class of 2016's commencement parade. More than 400 graduating seniors and their families filled the Ben Johnson Arena at Wofford College on May 20, 2016 for the annual ceremony that, for the first time ever was, captured on l
ive-stream video. Senior Class President Kate Toms set the tone for the bittersweet evening as she addressed her classmates with a heartfelt sendoff, "we're saying goodbye, we're moving on, we're growing up."
Following additional remarks from students and administrators, Principal Jeff Stevens saluted his graduating seniors with a glowing list of accolades and awards. Summing up their collective accomplishments, Stevens noted that 29 members of the Class of 2016 earned Palmetto Fellows Scholarships,
92 obtained Life Scholarships, 111 received Hope Scholarships, 157 were recipients of the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence, 4 were National Merit Finalists and one a U.S. Presidential Scholar. In total 240
students, or 59% of the class, earned $18.9 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities throughout the United States. Noting that one of highest academic distinctions for a graduating senior in South Carolina is to be named a South Carolina Academic Honors Recipient, Mr. Stevens proudly reported that 10 seniors earned this significant recognition.
Of the High School's 108 College Board Advanced Placement Scholars this year, 47 were seniors and were honored for their outstanding performance on AP exams.
With approximately 85% of the Class of 2016 going on to pursue a degree in higher education, our recent graduates will join the ranks of college freshmen next fall at the following colleges and universities:
Academy of Musical & Dramatic Arts, Alabama State University, Anderson University, Appalachian State Honors College, Benedict College, Carson-Newman University, Catawba College, Centre College, Centura College, Charleston Southern University, The Citadel, Claflin University, Clark Atlanta University, Clemson University, Clemson University Honors College, Coastal Carolina University, College of Charleston, College of Charleston Honors College, Columbia College, Converse College, Cornell University, Davidson College, Duke University, East Tennessee State University, Emory University, Florida State University, Furman University, Gardner-Webb University, Georgia Tech, Greenville Technical College, Howard University, International Beauty School of America, Jackson State University, King's College, Lander University, Limestone College, Living Arts College, Livingston College, Methodist University, Midlands Technical College, Newberry College, New York University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Ohio State University, Piedmont Technical College, Presbyterian College, Princeton University, Rice University, Samford University, Savannah College of Art & Design, SC State University, Sewanee-University of the South, Southern Wesleyan University, Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Methodist College, Spelman College, St. Andrew's University, Tri-County Technical College, Trident Technical College, Troy University, Tuskegee University, UNC Chapel Hill Honors College, UNC Charlotte, University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, University of Mississippi, University of Oklahoma, US Air Force, US Army, USC Columbia, USC Union, USC Upstate, Villanova University, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest University, Washington and Lee University, Wingate University, Winthrop University, and Wofford College.
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Successful Referendum Paves the Way for Exciting Progress in the District
There's no forgetting this headline, "
District 7 Garners Support for Capital Improvement Plan." In what can truly be called a milestone moment in the life of the District, voters in D7 made their way to the polls on March 15, 2016 to offer their support for the construction of two new schools and the renovation of another. The broad based endorsement of the plan advances D7's goal to be a leading school district in the south and charts a progressive course for generations of students to come.
Now, despite the end of the school year, the pace is picking up for everyone involved in the implementation of the capital plan. Whether visiting state-of-the-art facilities or convening with architects to discuss modern learning spaces, administrators and faculty from Chapman and Houston Elementary Schools and Spartanburg High School are fully immersed in the details that go hand-in-hand with designing new schools. Dr. Thomas White, Assistant Superintendent of Planning said, "While the groundbreaking ceremonies are still a few months away, we've got mountains to move before we can put those shovels in the dirt. Throughout the summer we'll hold a number of job fairs to help line up our labor force and we'll continue to focus on site plans and building specifications. By the time school resumes in August, the community will begin to see visible signs of our progress!"
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New D7 Mission Statement Hits the Mark
When District 7 embarked on the process of developing a new mission, vision and values statement, no one anticipated the exercise would be such a coalescing force for the community. And yet, at the end of the day, "that's exactly what transpired," said Superintendent, Dr. Russell Booker. "While we were extremely pleased with the input and involvement of so many stakeholders, we certainly didn't anticipate being commended this spring by our accrediting team for the robust process that inspired our new mission statement." Citing a comprehensive and community wide effort that invited participation from teachers, students, parents, churches, local businesses and non profits, evaluators from AdvanceEd praised the District's inclusive approach in creating its new mission statement and the substantive result of that effort.
Now visible in every classroom and school, D7's new Mission, Vision and Values statement is a clear and concise charge that both aligns with the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate and affirms the District's goal to inspire and equip students for meaningful lives of leadership and service as world citizens.
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A...
Is For An Apple Award Winning Program
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Apple Inc. Honors D7's 1:1 Technology Program
In fall 2013, Spartanburg District 7 launched an ambitious 1:1 technology initiative called Seven Ignites. Today, nearly three years later, we can proudly report that our digital immersion has far exceeded our expectations. Our belief that every child should be afforded an equal opportunity to succeed, in school and beyond, has been affirmed by heightened levels of student and faculty engagement, by innovative advances in curriculum design, and by numerous national organizations that have commended our progress.
This September, the technology gurus at Apple Inc. identified Seven Ignites as an Apple Distinguished Program, and one of only 300 such models in the world to successfully implement what Apple believes to be the 5 best practices for full digital immersion. Pointing to visionary leadership, innovative learning and teaching, ongoing professional learning, compelling evidence of success and the creation of flexible learning environments - the experts at Apple delivered the good news in a ceremony at Spartanburg High School with students and Principals on hand from every school in the District.
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Celebrating A Season Of Champions
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| District 7 Alumni Pass Golden Footballs onto SHS |
For Spartanburg School District 7, it's been a year of golden moments! Along with a string of exciting victories for the Vikings, the District recognized four outstanding alumni this winter for their participation in past Super Bowls. As part of the National Football League's recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl, D7 invited former District 7 players, Howie Williams, Steve Fuller, Stephen Davis and Landon Cohen to come back to Spartanburg for a special presentation in partnership with the NFL. Honored for their contributions to Super Bowl history, the Golden Footballs presented to each alumna, are now on permanent display at Spartanburg High School.
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A Three-Peat State Championship For SHS Tennis Team
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Recognized once again with the
Spartanburg Herald Journal's General Excellence Award for sports, our SHS athletic teams swept the headlines this year. Varsity teams won 3 Region Championships in Football, Boys Track and Tennis. The Boys Tennis team
also won the state championship making it three consecutive state titles and 64 straight wins for the team.
Individual student athletes also ranked among the best in the state. Chambers Easterling was the Boys Tennis State Singles Champion for the 2nd consecutive year and selected as a 2016 All-American by the National High School Tennis All-American Foundation of Newport Beach, California; an honor bestowed upon only the top 50 high school tennis players in the nation. Maggie Cubitt won the Individual State Champion in Girls Tennis and Remy Skerjanz won the Individual State Championship in Swimming in the 200 Yard Freestyle. Kionna Jeter was named, for the second time, the 4A State Basketball Player of the Year.
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SC Football Coaches' Association named Austin Scott the II-4A Back of the Year and Gatorade named him the SC Player of the Year. Finally,
Tavien Feaster earned the prestigious title of SC's Mr. Football by the
SC Football Coaches' Association.
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D7 Advances Opportunities for Early Learning
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Above: Bright Minds at Meeting Street Academy.
Below: Lucky Leprechauns at The Early Learning Center
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To ready our littlest learners for kindergarten success, we know early education is critical. This year D7 was commended for the work that's taking place at the Early Learning Center at Park Hills and awarded with the gold standard in accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. With only a handful of NAEYC accredited programs in Spartanburg, the award applauds the ELC for meeting the highest standards in early childhood education.
In another initiative tied to the District's commitment to expand early learning opportunities, a new public-private partnership is on the horizon between District 7 and Meeting Street Academy. Located in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, next door to Denny's headquarters, Meeting Street was established
in July 2012 as a private organization and currently serves approximately 160 children from 3K to 2nd grade. With the addition of a new grade level each year, MSA will eventually enroll students through the 5th grade. The new partnership between the two organizations will provide families in District 7 with even more school choice.
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So Long For the Summer and Be Safe
As we wave goodbye to students and faculty for the summer, we thought it might be helpful to share this recent advisory circulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). While there's relatively little concern about the Zika virus in SC, officals at DHEC are urging residents in the state to use caution in outdoor settings where mosquitos tend to breed. The common sense measures outlined by DHEC are easy to follow and may even enhance your picnic protocol. That being said, we wish everyone a wonderful and restorative summer and will look forward seeing you back at school on August 15th.
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DHEC's Tips to Keep Mosquitoes Away
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Out and About
in the District!
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D7 Musical Wheels Into Chapman
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McCracken's Year End Studies Program Is a Resounding YES!
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Carver Middle Distinguished with Highest Learning School Designation from Learning Forward and AdvanceED
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Landon Cohen Congratulates MHW 5th graders at a special luncheon held at the Episcopal Church of the Advent
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EP Todd Tigers Chillin' on Field Day
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Carver Recital Gets Rave Reviews
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McCracken Creates Living SC Flag
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Viking Early College Students Volunteer at McCarthy Teszler
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Houston Huskies and Field Day Fun
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Miss Liberty Shines at Mary H. Wrigtht
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5th Grade Odyssey Achievers
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Fun in the Sun at Mary H. Wright
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Dr. Booker Speaks with The Gentlemen's Club at Jesse Boyd
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SHS Teacher Cadet in the Classroom
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Two Cool Administrators at JBE Become Human Ice Cream Sundaes!
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D7 Looking for Host Families
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| Visiting Students from Handan China |
The Chinese Culture and Education Center is looking for families who are willing to host one of four male Chinese students for the 2016-2017 school year. The students will be in Spartanburg for the entire school year and will graduate with the Spartanburg High School Class of 2017. If you are willing to consider opening your home to a student, please contact Alison Little, Spartanburg High School's Chinese Exchange Program Coordinator at arlittle@spart7.org o
r 843-877-4148.
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New Info Snap Registration Process
Easy as 1,2,3 (and will save a few trees!)
Be on the lookout for a letter in your mailbox from the District 7 Administration about our new Info Snap registration process.
The letter to families contains a brief overview of how to use Info Snap along with the snap code issued to your student.
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