Veterans, and active duty military members, across the United States and the world will receive an extra dose of holiday cheer this season, thanks to students from District Five!

In partnership with local members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, District Five schools as their students, teachers, and families to create Christmas cards to bring a smile to veterans who might really need it during this time of year.  Our schools stepped up in a big way, as every school in the district participated, and turned in boxes and boxes of cards! 

Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart were able to pick up thousands of cards from the District Five office just before Thanksgiving, with the plan to deliver them before Christmas.

We are so proud of our District Five students, and so grateful for the service and sacrifice of our military members!

Have a great idea for your classroom, but just don't have the funds to make it happen!  The District Five Teacher Forum has just the opportunity for you!  The Forum is excited to announce the funding of $1000 in grant money to be used to fund classroom projects across District Five.

Grant applications are available through a link sent by email by your Teacher Forum representative.  You may also contact Paula Quinby at [email protected] with additional questions.

The deadline for submission is Friday, January 6, 2017.

Good luck!

Elementary students from across District Five have received an early gift this holiday season, with the much-anticipated return of Storybook Christmas!
 
Students from across the district traveled to  Florence Chapel Middle School, D.R. Hill Middle School and Byrnes Freshman Academy recently for the annual tradition.

At Florence Chapel, elves greeted students from River Ridge Elementary and Abner Creek Academy as they walked off their buses into a winter wonderland.  Students were treated to cookies and juice, and music from the Florence Chapel chorus and orchestra and band programs.  Then, Florence Chapel elves took their visitors to storytime in the school library, followed by special time with Santa himself!



Students from Lyman Elementary and Wellford Academy traveled to D.R. Hill Middle School for a magical day, filled with some of their favorite holiday stories, games, cookies, and a visit with Santa.  Performances by the school chorus, drama department, band and orchestra topped off the event.


At Byrnes Freshman Academy, school athletes got in the spirit this year serving as readers for the annual event.  Members of the basketball, soccer and football teams came decked out in their jerseys, and enjoyed storytime with students from Duncan Elementary and Reidville Elementary.  A special four-legged visitor also made an appearance this year!

As always, music from the Freshman Academy orchestra and a visit from Santa was a highlight of the event!


Great job, Florence Chapel, D.R. Hill and Freshman Academy!

Hats off to a select group of students from the Byrnes High School orchestra, who were chosen for a special holiday performance on Scene on 7, hosted by Megan Heidlberg on WSPA!

The special quintet performed several Christmas classics for the show, which will be re-aired throughout the holiday season.

Congratulations to these students:  Emily Carroll, Lily Moore, Stevie Greer, Michaux Dalmau, and Robert Gregory.

For a look at the segment, click here.

7th grade students at D.R. Hill Middle School got their hands dirty recently, for the sake of learning!

Thanks to a partnership with Greer CPW and McMakin Farms, students got a chance to celebrate Arbor Day, and be a part of planting several new trees on their campus.

Greer CPW began sponsoring Arbor Day events several years ago, donating trees to local schools and incorporating an educational piece, so students could learn much more.  Representatives from the utility company visited D.R. Hill in early November to talk to students about 811, and the importance of "calling before you dig."

Then, on Friday, December 2, CPW and John McMakin, of McMakin Farms, came to the school to help students plant the trees themselves. 

Great job, D.R. Hill!

A group of Berry Shoals Intermediate School teachers and students teamed up with man's best friend recently, and it was all for a good cause!  The Berry Shoals "Barkause We Care" team participated in the first annual "Bark for Life" of Spartanburg held on November 19th in Milliken Park.

Kindergarten students at Abner Creek Academy enjoyed a trip to the Polar Express, on their last day before a long holiday break. 

Once students handed their ticket to Principal Mac, they enjoyed listening to the story and even had a visit from the jolly old guy himself!

Several Byrnes High School students recently put their writing skills to the test, competing against students from across the Upstate!

The students are part of the Professional and Leadership Development class at Byrnes, and participated in the USC Upstate Junior Achievement Business Ethics Program Essay Contest.  Entries were judged by business professionals in the area.

The following students participated:
Mitzi Herr, Chloe Godinez (finalist), Ashtyn Henson (finalist), Andrea Zepeda Flores (finalist), Jonah Baumgardner, Marcos Leon Caban, Savannah Jeffers, and Codie Powell.

The group is sponsored by teacher Claudia Batichon and Assistant Principal Saterria Broomfield.

Keep up the good work, Byrnes students!

Two Berry Shoals Intermediate School students are true heroes, in the eyes of their school!  5th grade students Aubree Mayse and Rachel Helmly organized a toy drive for children who will be spending the holidays in the hospital.

The girls took the lead by gaining permission for the drive, then organized the event with very little help from others.

Way to go, Rachel and Aubree!

Literature recently came to life at Florence Chapel Middle School!  8th grade honors English students, who just completed a unit on Victorian era literature, put their reading into action, by hosting a true Victorian style event.

Students played Victorian games, had tea, and ended with a traditional Victorian style dance.

It was a learning experience for all!  Great job, Florence Chapel!

Students in Heather Cassidy's class at Lyman Elementary School are learning much more than reading and math this year!  They're learning what it means to give to those less fortunate.

As part of their service learning project this year, students donated money to support Middle Tyger Community Center's Angel Shoppe.  Over the course of a week, students brought in more than $520 to support the effort!  Next, the class divided up wish lists, developed budgets and researched online to figure out what they would purchase for needy children in our area.

Finally, they used a Google doc, to create a shopping list, that they would take with them on a trip to Target.  The students had a lot of fun using technology to plan their trip, and of course, deciding how they would give to those in need.

Afterwards, they were treated to a special treat at Burger King.

Way to go, Lyman students!

Keep reading, River Ridge!

Beech Springs Intermediate School teacher Christie Fowler will soon serve with top teachers from around South Carolina to shape curriculum for students across the state.

Fowler has been tapped to serve on the State Standards Review Panel for the South Carolina Social Studies Academic Standards.  The group will report on recommended changes and/or additions to the state's Social Studies curriculum.

Fowler will begin serving in January.

Congratulations, Christie Fowler!

2016 may be wrapping up, but members of the Fellowship of Christian Students at D.R. Hill Middle School have been hard at work, giving back to their community!

In the fall, students raised $600 to donate to Southside Middle School in Denham Spring, Louisiana, a school badly damaged by the hurricane.

Then, this Christmas season, students donated $500 to Middle Tyger Community Center to support their Christmas child project.  FCS members also put together 64 shoe boxes for Samaritans Purse's Operation Christmas Child.

We love your giving spirit, D.R. Hill!

Congratulations to the following students who were recently selected as students of the month at D.R. Hill Middle and Florence Chapel Middle School.

Florence Chapel Middle School

Florence Chapel Middle School

Florence Chapel Middle School

D.R. Hill Middle School Megan Garner, Jacob Gordon, Ashely Lark, Miles Tanner, Anthony Lopez, Daisy Romero, Kayla Champion, Alexis Marroquin and Cole Ritts

Hats off to the Byrnes High School Junior Civitan group, who recently participated in the Bark for Life event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

Students also participated in the Pancake Supper, sponsored by the Sunrise Civitan Club in November.  All proceeds went to Special Olympics and other local charities.

Keep up the good work, Byrnes!

The Byrnes High School girls volleyball team has a new leader!  Melissa Feagan has been tapped as the new Head Coach for the Lady Rebels.

Feagan is not stranger to the team.  She's served as assistant coach for several years.  She recently met with player and parents, and promised to continue the success and high standards that been laid for the Lady Rebels in recent seasons.

Congratulations, Coach Feagan!

Congratulations to the following middle school wrestlers, who were recently crowned champions in their respective weight divisions:

Christopher Compton (D.R. Hill - 86 pound), Jovanny Malpica (D.R. Hill - 110 pound), David Hunsberger (Florence Chapel - 92 pound), CJ Heiselman (Florence Chapel - 98 pound), Gavin Brown (Florence Chapel - 104 pound),  and Bryson Beaudin (Florence Chapel - 138 pound).

Way to go, wrestlers!

First graders at Abner Creek Academy did a great job performing "The Littlest Christmas Tree" for their parents and the community!