Here's a look at what's happening around District Five schools this week!
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Support Employees Of The Year Honored
Some of District Five's most outstanding employees received a well-deserved "thank you" last week! From bus drivers, to teachers assistants, to school nurses: the District honored its 2015-16 Support Employees of the Year at its annual recognition banquet at Sully's at River Falls Friday.
Principals, and building supervisors, along with Superintendent Dr. Scott Turner, honored support employees from each of District Five's school campuses, and other offices. Congratulations to:
Amanda Weaver (Abner Creek Academy), Eric Goode (Duncan Elementary School), Debbie Sitman (Lyman Elementary School), Robin Petrina (Reidville Elementary School), Leslie Acree (River Ridge Elementary School), Megan Johnson (Wellford Academy), Melanie Brown (Beech Springs Intermediate School), Lesa White (Berry Shoals Intermediate School), Geannie Gilpin (D.R. Hill Middle School), Amy Miller (Florence Chapel Middle School), Dorian Lane (Byrnes Freshman Academy), Jerry Rice (Byrnes High School), Jerry Hammett (District Five Maintenance), Carolyn Cox (Middle Tyger Community Center) and
Lois Metcalf (District Office).
In addition to honoring each school level winner, Dr. Scott Turner recognized
Dorian Lane, a coach and Recovery lab assistant at
Byrnes Freshman Academy, as District Five's overall Support Employee of the Year! Congratulations
Dorian!
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Rebel Regiment Marches To Finals In Atlanta
The
Byrnes High School Rebel Regiment band is riding high, heading into the SC 5A State Band Championships this weekend!
The Rebel Regiment competed in the Bands of America Super Regional event at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta last weekend, marching against 34 of the best bands from across the country. Nine states were represented in the massive competition, with the Rebel Regiment placing as just 1 of 12 bands in the finals!
The
Byrnes band placed 8th in the final round, wowing the crowd with their show, "Dark Horse."
They will travel to Irmo High School in Columbia this Saturday for the state championship. Good luck Rebel Regiment!
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Elementary Students Tapped For State Honor Choir
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| Charlotte Gardner, Abigail Hodge and Maddie Wiant of Abner Creek Academy |
A group of District Five students is singing a happy tune this week, after being selected for the South Carolina Elementary Honor Choir! District Five had 18 students chosen for the honor this year, the most D5 has ever had make the ensemble.
Students competed against other 3rd-5th graders from across South Carolina for the honor. They will perform with the 2017 SC Elementary Honor Choir on February 4 at the SCMEA Convention in Columbia.
Congratulations to these students:
Beech Springs: Lily Preston, Alyss Robertson, Emory Stratton, Arianna Wilkes Berry Shoals: Mollie Hodge, Sydnee Manteaw, Sarah Sears, Lillie Underwood Abner Creek: Charlotte Gardner, Abigail Hodge, Maddie Wiant
Lyman: Cadence Dismukes, Kayleigh Geiger
River Ridge: Katelin Johnson
Reidville: Charlotte Price, Lakota Woods
Wellford: Jennifer McIlwain,
Carolena Sims
We are so proud of all of you!
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District Five Musicians Make Region Orchestra
Dozens of District Five musicians have been tapped to perform with their peers for this year's All-Region Orchestra! In total, 51 District Five students were named, which marks the most the District has ever had to receive the honor.
The following students were selected:
Caroline Kopf,
Charlotte Whitesell (Berry Shoals Intermediate), Mia Cuffel, Zelda Sanderson, Roman Marcano, Gabby Cook, Sophie Smith, Emma Leigh Byrum (D.R. Hill Middle School), Payton Lee, Jennifer Nguyen, Makenna Patterson, Lauren McClary, Caroline White, Jessica McAbee, Ella McGarity, Makayla Kelley, Rohan Patel, Anika Rana, Emily Gaffney, Diana Ilie, Gabe Dillard, Jefferson Elmore (Florence Chapel Middle School), Angeline Novikov, Christopher Trinh, Ben Harding, Justin Min, Will Stuart, Katie Watts, Brittany Hawkins, Noah Heck, Molly Hance, Preston Lee, Natalie Pickren, Maddie Bridges (Byrnes Freshman Academy), Kayla Brock, Lily Moore, Presley Rimel, Victoria White, Kristeena Cole, Kaitlyn Gilbert, Damaris Hernandez, Haleigh McSwain, Emily Carroll, Aurelia Duncan, MacGregor Latimer, Jacob McAbee, Molina Srey, Andrew Vaughn, Stevie Greer, and Erin Hackney (Byrnes High School)
Congratulations to these talented students!
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District, Ratterree Applauded For Energy Efforts 
Students across District Five likely know the importance of conserving energy, and taking care of the environment. Now, the District is receiving recognition for its efforts to save energy throughout its campuses and classrooms!
District Five was one of six South Carolina state agencies to receive an Energy Milestone Achievement Award at the Tri-Association Fall Conference last week. The award recognizes agencies for reducing their annual energy consumption by 20 percent for two consecutive years as compared to baseline data collected in fiscal year 2000.
Currently, only 50 state agencies, including 15 school districts, have achieved this goal.
Dr. Greg Wood, Assistant Superintendent, and John Ratterree, Byrnes High School teacher and District Five Energy Manager, were in Columbia last week to accept the award.
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Red Ribbon Week Across District Five
Schools across District Five said a collective "No" to drugs last week, with "Red Ribbon Week" festivities across the district.
At
Abner Creek Academy, students and staff got in the spirit by holding fun "dress up" days, like "Book Character Day" and "Dress Like A Friend" day.
Duncan Elementary students and staff had fun celebrating their theme, "Y.O.L.O. Be Drug Free". Students and teachers enjoyed each day's theme of "Wear Red", "Peace Out To Drugs", "Wacky Tacky", "Hats Off To Drugs", "Team Day", and "You Have the Power (Superhero)" Day.
At
Reidville Elementary, the school celebrated different "themes" each day to remind students of the importance of having a healthy lifestyle. On Tuesday, the school even held a "mock election" to encourage students to "Elect To Be Drug Free" The school also kicked off a food drive to remind everyone to say "no" to drugs, and "yes" to helping their community.
The week wrapped up with a Red Ribbon parade, full of students dressed up as book characters to celebrate the theme: "Show Your Character: Live Drug Free".
Students and staff at
River Ridge Elementary School hosted a canned food drive to benefit Middle Tyger Community Center and the Carpenter's Table. The annual service project, held in conjunction with Red Ribbon Week, is organized by the school's Student Council.
And at
Florence Chapel Middle School, students and staff had fun with different dress up days throughout the week, including: "Sock It To Drugs" Day, "Team Up Against Drugs and Bullying" Day, "Don't Camouflage Making The Right Choices" Day.
The school also hosted a canned food drive and poetry contest throughout the week.
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Byrnes Seniors Celebrate College Application Day
Seniors at Byrnes High School literally had their future at their fingertips recently, as they took part in the school's "College Application Day" event.
The annual event, sponsored nationally by the National College Access Network (NCAN), is meant to provide students with the resources they need to pursue higher education. Students across South Carolina and the country log on to college websites to apply for admission, with colleges and universities typically waiving application fees for the special event.
Hundreds of
Byrnes seniors participated in the event, with the help of guidance counselors from across District Five and admission representatives from colleges and universities statewide.
Way to go,
Byrnes! 
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Western Day Takes Over Berry Shoals
It was a good old fashioned "hoe down" at
Berry Shoals Intermediate School last week, as students and teachers enjoyed "Western Day"!
5th and 6th grade students participated in a land rush, played games seen during the Western Expansion Era, and even had an old fashioned square dance!
Great work,
Berry Shoals!
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Byrnes Singers Perform For Furman Event
Some of
Byrnes High School's most talented voices made music at Furman University recently. The group participated in the University's annual Choral Festival on October 22.
Congratulations to:
Kyndal Hendrix, Jahlon Stewart, Keydria Matinez, Rebecca Tallman, Christopher De La Cruz, Christian Gyles, Alexander Migacz, and
Isaiah Sturgill.
Great job
Byrnes singers!
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Softball, Baseball Teams Have Spooky Scrimmage
In the spirit of Halloween, the JV and Varsity baseball and softball teams at
Byrnes High School hosted a *spooky* scrimmage last week!
Players got in the spirit by dressing up in their favorite Halloween costumes before they took the field. It was a fun way to celebrate the holiday and the upcoming season for both teams!
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This 2nd grade student at
Abner Creek Academy really enjoyed their trip to the Riverbanks Zoo last week!
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D.R. Hill Goes Under The Sea With Little Mermaid Production
Students in the
D.R. Hill Middle School theater department will present "The Little Mermaid" at the District Five Fine Arts Center beginning this weekend!
Performances will be on Sunday, November 6 at 3:30 p.m. and on Monday, November 7, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $2.
Please come support these talented students, as they take you on an adventure under the sea!
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Abner Creek Veterans Day Celebration
Students and staff at
Abner Creek Academy would love for the District Five family to join them for their annual Veterans Day program on Friday, November 11.
The event will be held in the
Abner Creek cafeteria at 1:15 p.m. Patrick Flanigan will be the guest speaker.
Please come enjoy this touching tribute!
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Monday, November 7
Tuesday, November 8
- Election Day Holiday- NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 9
- BHS Athletic Signing Day @ FAC 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 10
- BSIS Terrific Kid Celebration 8:00 a.m.
- RVES Veterans Day Program 1:00 p.m.
- WA Science and Technology Night 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- DES Spirit Night @ Chick-Fil-A 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Friday, November 11
- RVES Morning with Pastors 7:00 a.m.
- BFA Veterans Day 9:00 a.m.
- RRES Veterans Day Program 9:00 a.m.
- ACA Veterans Day Program 1:15 p.m.
- BHS Rebel Regiment Band Grand National Championship (Indianapolis)
Saturday, November 12
- BHS Rebel Regiment Band Grand National Championship (Indianapolis)
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Stay Connected With District Five!
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As we begin a new year, make sure you stay connected with District Five for all your latest news, announcements, and sneak peeks into our classrooms! Here are a couple of ways you can stay connected all year long:
SOCIAL MEDIA: District Five is very active on social media, sharing all kinds of exciting news from our classrooms, and highlighting our students and teachers. Be sure and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or (brand new just this year) Instagram!
MOBILE APP: If you want your news on the go, and in the palm of your hand, the D5 mobile app is for you! Everything from calendars to lunch menus, along with emergency notifications can be found there. Download the app
FOR FREE for your Apple or Android device today. Simply search Spartanburg District 5 Schools!
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If you have an item you want featured in D5 News, please email District Five Director of Public Relations Melissa Robinette at