Schools across District Five proudly flew their flags, and honored our country's veterans last week, as ceremonies and touching tributes were held district wide.

The Veteran's Day programs honored both local, and national veterans, and active duty military, for their service and sacrifice for our country.

At Reidville Elementary School, the annual program included performances from students and staff members, as well as a presentation of the colors by members of the Spartanburg Sheriff's Office Drill team.  Local veterans were invited as honored guests, and enjoyed a nice reception following the program.


Hundreds of parents and community members came out for River Ridge Elementary School's annual Veteran's Day program, which included musical tributes by the school's 2nd grade students, and flag presentations by River Ridge's student council representatives.  Sgt. W. David Whitlock was the guest speaker for the event.


Abner Creek Academy had a packed cafeteria for its Veteran's Day celebration, featuring music and performances by Abner Creek students.  Mr. Patrick Flanigan, MSC US Army, served as the guest speaker for the event, which included dozens of local veterans.


Students at Lyman Elementary School enjoyed inviting family members who are veterans, or are currently serving, to their Veteran's tribute.
Beech Springs Intermediate School honored veterans with a special presentation performed by students.  Band, orchestra, chorus and drama all participated in the event.  The ceremony also featured comments by teachers Shirley Wright, Carrie Thomas, Victoria Bradley, Barbara Bryant, and Betty Wheeler, who each shared their experiences in the military.


Berry Shoals Intermediate School got in the Veteran's Day spirit by putting on a powerful program as a way to celebrate and honor our nation's heroes.  The event included a message from guest speaker, veteran Carl Rhodes Jr., and music from the school band, orchestra and chorus.  5th grade students also performed meaningful readings, in tribute to veterans.  Great job, Berry Shoals!


At Florence Chapel Middle School,  the band and orchestra performed for a school celebration of Veteran's Day, which included student's family members who are veterans.  Chief Alford, retired from Byrnes High School, served as the keynote speaker.

And finally, cadets from the AFJROTC program at Byrnes High School and Byrnes Freshman Academy, held a moving "Pass-In-Review" ceremony at the BFA field to honor our nation's veterans.  The traditional ceremony included dozens of cadets, and one watching from afar, dressed in an authentic World War II uniform.  Veterans from the community were invited down to the field for the formal "review" of cadets.


District Five is grateful for the service of all of our veterans!

For the first time in 10 years, the Byrnes High School Rebel Regiment can call themselves State Champions!  The band claimed the title during its first time competing in the 5A category at the SCBDA championship held at Irmo High School on November 5.  The band sealed the title with an overall score of 96.8, the highest score to be given in the 5A division in a decade!

The Rebel Regiment also won its 4th consecutive 5A Upper State Championship, and its 18th overall Upper State title.    In addition, they also nabbed awards for overall High Music, High Visual, and High General Effect.


A celebration performance was held in front of hundreds of supporters and community members at Nixon Field, once the champions returned home.

To see pictures from that event, check out the Facebook album here.

Congratulations Rebel Regiment!  We are so proud of you!

Several District Five teachers recently shared their skills with teachers from across the state at the South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (SCCTM) Conference in Greenville.

Those presenting were:
Leigh Hanke (District Math Coach), Ava Skinner (Rivre Ridge Elementary School), Christina Wilson (Reidville Elementary School), Lee Gosnell (D.R. Hill Middle School), and Brook Wiant (Florence Chapel Middle School).

Way to go, teachers!

As voters across the United States prepared for Election Day last week, students in several District Five schools took trips to the ballot box themselves!

Mock elections were held at Reidville Elementary, Byrnes Freshman Academy, Byrnes High School, Florence Chapel Middle School, and Beech Springs Intermediate.

At Byrnes, more than 350 students participated in a mock election that was held online.  Over the course of a week, students had the ability to go on Schoology and cast their vote for a Presidential candidate.  In the end, the results were 59.6% in favor of Donald Trump and 26.8% in favor of Hillary Clinton.

Florence Chapel Middle School held its own mock election, allowing students the chance to participate during their lunch hour.  The school had just under 50% voter turnout!  Great job, Florence Chapel!


At Beech Springs Intermediate School, students were excited to participate in the election process!  Weeks before "Election Day", 5th and 6th graders had to research all the candidates, and then write an essay explaining who they would cast their ballot for, and why.  Completing the assignment earned them a "voter registration card" which they presented at the polls.  Students in Christie Fowler and Nicole Gilbert's classes got "hands on" experience, by serving as poll workers during the event.



To watch a video of the Beech Springs event, click on the link below.  Way to go, Beech Springs!

Byrnes High School senior Hampton Slate's way with words is earning him some statewide recognition!

Along with other students in Susanne Cash's AP English class, Slate entered last year's Law Day essay contest for the Spartanburg Bar Association.  Not only was he selected as the county winner, but Hampton recently received the news he was the 11th grade statewide winner as well!

Spartanburg Judge Mark Hayes presented the 12th grader with a certificate, a medal, and a check from the Bar Association.

Congratulations Hampton Slate!

Students at Beech Springs Intermediate School recently celebrated "Socktober" by collecting socks for the Haven of Spartanburg.

A total of 551 pairs of socks were collected for those in need!  Classes held a competition for who could collect the most socks, and students in Chelsea Burnette's class took the prize!

Great job, Beech Springs students!

Hundreds of Reidville Elementary School students laced up their running shoes last week and ran for a great cause:  supporting their own school!

The school held its first ever Boosterthon Fun Run on Friday, encouraging all students to complete 35 laps, in exchange for pledges from family and friends.

To prepare, the school's PTO held different events throughout the week, to encourage students to get as many pledges as they could!  Principal Kim Deering and Assistant Principal Taylor Deal even got in the spirit by volunteering to being "taped to a wall" to increase pledges.

At last count, the school had received more than $15,000 in pledges for the event!  Keep up the great work, Reidville!

Congratulations to River Ridge Elementary School students recently elected to the school's Student Council!  Students recently celebrated their annual Pinning Ceremony, after being selected by their classmates to represent their school.

The purpose of the River Ridge Student Council is to instill a sense of pride in school and community.  The Council consists of representatives and one alternate from each class. 

Each year, the group strives to make a difference in their school and community, through learning about leadership, cooperation, dependability, responsibility, and by participating in community service learning projects.

We are proud of you, River Ridge students!

Singers in Abner Creek Academy's Honor Chorus recently got in the holiday spirit by performing in Westgate Mall's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

Students sang at the "Angel Tree" as part of the event, which was sponsored by the Salvation Army.

Awesome job, Abner Creek!

Six Byrnes High School Seniors signed the dotted line last week, and committed to playing sports on the collegiate level!  The students, who are leaders both on and off the field, signed scholarships worth more than $700,000.

Congratulations to these students:
Parker Birch:  Softball, Erskine College
Chloe Foster:  Cross Country, Southern Wesleyan
Alicia Dennis:  Volleyball, Cal State Fullerton
Hayden Brown:  Basketball, The Citadel
Tyler Jones:  Golf, Erskine College
Reed Bentley:  Golf, College of Charleston

We are so proud of all of these fantastic student-athletes, and wish them the best of luck in the future!

For additional pictures from signing day, check out our Facebook album here.

Students in Mrs. Stott's class at Abner Creek Academy recently competed in the Special Olympics!  Here they are at the bowling alley getting ready to make a "strike" for their team!  Way to go, Abner Creek students!