Vikings Celebrate Homecoming
|
|
|
East Main Street was filled with energy as a sea of colorful floats set sail for the first Homecoming Parade at the new Spartanburg High School on October 16th. The theme was "Decades: Old School...New School" and floats were judged not only for their design but also for the spirit of the class as they recreated the 60s, 70s and 80s. Congratulations to the junior class for taking first place!
The parade and pep rally primed the Vikings for their region football game vs. Mauldin at Viking Stadium. During the game, the Homecoming royals were crowned. Aza Goodwin was named Homecoming Queen, Isaiah Bruster was named King,
and Serianna Um and Liza Chapman
were crowned Honor Attendants.
|
|
|
|
SHS 'Turns Up the Norse' to Make Athletic Events Accessible for Students with Sensory Needs
|
|
|
|
Friday nights in Viking Stadium are ablaze with flashy digital signage, dramatic lighting, music sets, the band playing, and the crowd cheering. But for some, these elements — meant to motivate fans and players alike — are anything but inviting. The cacophony of sounds and lights can make a simple football game stressful and challenging for individuals with autism or other special sensory needs.
As District 7
becomes more intentional in thinking about how to make opportunities accessible to
all
audiences we serve, SHS special education teacher Hannah Land created a program geared to help make football and basketball games more enjoyable for fans with sensory needs. ‘Turn Up the Norse’ provides bags with sensory items such as headphones, sunglasses, and a stress ball that can be checked out during home varsity football and basketball games. “I love my kids, and I love sports,” Land said. “I couldn’t imagine not being able to come to an awesome football game, and I wanted to be able to provide these items to help all families to be able to do that.”
Principal Vance Jones praised Land’s efforts, commenting, "The work Ms. Land has done to be inclusive of those who get overwhelmed by the noise and crowd is really impressive." Mr.
Jones said the sensory bags are yet another way for the school and for District 7 to reach out to the community through sports.
|
|
|
|
Turn Up the Norse
is Making Headlines - Watch Fox Carolina's Coverage Above
|
|
|
|
Leave Your Legacy at the New SHS Through
Brick Pavers and Space Dedications
|
|
|
|
|
In response to community interest, Spartanburg School District 7 is offering opportunities in the new Spartanburg High School for individuals, companies and other groups to leave their names or to honor other individuals in perpetuity.
From brick pavers to the dedication of interior and exterior spaces, these opportunities are available at a wide range of giving levels.
|
|
|
|
A New Face Greets Guests of the District Office
|
|
|
Please help us give a warm welcome to Tiffani Cash, whose friendly smile and service-oriented spirit now greet all who visit the District Office. Tiffani joins us following the retirement of our beloved Anita Littlejohn, who served with grace and dedication for 26 years in the role of receptionist. Tiffani is new to the Spartanburg community and hails from Winston Salem, N.C. She has two young children and is currently finishing her bachelor's degree in elementary education.
|
|
|
|
Get to Know SHS's Award Winning Student Newspaper
|
|
|
Curious what an Excellence in South Carolina Scholastic Press Association Award in writing or photography looks like? Just pick up a copy of
The
Norse News
, Spartanburg High School's award-winning
student newspaper or
follow this link to read it online.
I
f you are interested in advertising in the publication, please let advisors Lisa McCulley
(
lmcculley@spart7.org
) or Angela Eaton
(
areaton@spart7.org
)
know and one of their students will get in touch. Students are working hard on their November publication, and they would love to include new supporters.
The Norse News
is published monthly and a print copy is FREE to every member of the SHS student body. It is also available online, providing a wonderful opportunity to stay informed about and support your Vikings.
|
|
|
|
DMTC Students Skilled with Hands and Heart
|
|
|
Daniel Morgan Technology Center s
tudents and staff are focusing on career readiness
by combining skill development with responsibility, integrity, and work ethic. DMTC Special Education Instructor Eddie Bertrand (pictured with students above) recently accepted a Recycling Education Grant in the amount of $1200. The grant was awarded by S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control to fund a new school-wide recycling program. Student members of National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) will collaborate with students in the Employability Skills Program to start and maintain the recycling program. Members of NTHS also raised $263 for Hurricane Dorian relief. SHS student Sarah Purinton (top left photo at far right), NTHS co-president, delivered the donation to the Salvation Army with 100% going toward relief efforts in the Bahamas. In the classroom, students are learning on the fast track. SHS and a
utomotive technology student
Charvoris Dawkins (pictured above right) is inspecting and servicing a throttle body, installing an engine’s distributor, and setting ignition timing in one of DMTC's many career-focused courses.
We celebrate Daniel Morgan Technology Center students and staff for their dedication to maintaining one of the premier technology centers in South Carolina.
|
|
|
We are excited to announce the Northside's inaugural 5K Walk/Run, hosted on Saturday, Nov. 9 by the Cleveland Academy of Leadership, the Franklin School, and the Northside Neighborhood. The Northside community has worked hard to grow stronger and build a sense of pride. Let's show our support and help launch this wonderful new initiative with a GREAT District 7 turnout! Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome.
Check-in is at Cleveland Academy beginning at 8:15 a.m. The 5K starts at 9 a.m. and the fun run will begin at 9:15 a.m.
It's not how fast you go...it's the difference you make!
|
|
|
|
Erin Black is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. Now in her third year as director of Spartanburg County Adult Education, a complementary program managed by District 7 that serves adults in all Spartanburg County school districts, she was recently named Rookie of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA).
"Growing up, I watched my grandmother, a retired elementary school teacher, volunteer her time to teach adults with low levels of literacy how to read and write in her home. I was intrigued about the opportunity to carry on the work that she had been so passionate about," Black said. Her leadership was also recognized by the Chamber of Commerce's Spartanburg Young Professionals group in 2018. Since joining the Spartanburg community in 2014, she has enthusiastically jumped into becoming involved as a member of the Upstate Workforce Investment Board's Youth Committee, on the advisory committee for the Northside Development Group, as part of the Generational Family Literacy working group of the Spartanburg Faith Initiative to End Poverty, and on the Community Action Team for
OneSpartanburg
. Black also serves as a board member for the South Carolina Association of Adult Education Directors.
Spartanburg County Adult Education's highly qualified certified teachers work with students individually and in a group setting to meet their educational and professional goals. The program offers a variety of opportunities that include Diploma classes, GED classes, ESL classes, WorkKeys class, skills upgrade, and a program at the Spartanburg Detention Center. Black says the program serves 1,000 students or more each year, including 300 or more through the detention center.
The program's impact is powerful, both for the individuals served and for advancing our Spartanburg community. “These are some of the bravest individuals because they have looked past any judgments, or what people might say, and they’re really committing to something,” Black said. “And when they start, they want to do it. They’ve lived life and know what it’s like without a diploma. They’re engaged, they’re motivated, and they hold themselves accountable. I’ve seen grown men cry when they earn their GED.”
|
|
|
|
Ready for Inclement Weather as eLearning Initiative Continues for 2019-2020
|
|
|
Last winter
, schools throughout Spartanburg County closed for two consecutive days in early December due to an epic snow storm. District 7 had launched its foray into the field of eLearning as one of only five districts state-wide participating in a pilot program that allows students to work virtually from home when schools are closed. Teachers and students were well prepared for the effort with lessons downloaded on student computers and activity folders sent home for younger learners. The eLearning days enabled students to plug-in to complete school assignments while also balancing plenty of playtime in the snow.
Thanks to last year’s success,
the pilot program has now expanded to 15 school districts. “eLearning Days cannot replace the face-to-face time students have with their teachers, but they can provide better continuity when school is interrupted,” said Dr. Eric Levitt, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer. “eLearning Days also negate the need for makeup school days in June, helping families more effectively plan summer activities.”
|
|
|
D7 Wraps Up Hispanic Heritage Month
|
|
|
|
As the National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration continued through mid-October, District 7 took the opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the Latinx culture represented across our schools and community.
On our website and social media pages, we shared spotlights of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our community. Within our schools, we celebrated and learned about Latinx culture in order to deepen our connections as a community that values diversity and inclusion. Read all of our social media posts by searching for the hashtag #D7HispanicHeritage on Facebook and Twitter.
|
|
|
|
Spotlight: Eunice Caldwell, E.P. Todd, 6th Grade ELA Teacher
This is my second year teaching 6th grade ELA at E.P. Todd School. I love the diversity of the students, the support and assistance of my fellow teachers and staff...
Read more
www.spartanburg7.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight: Joey Colon, McCracken, 7th Grade ELA Teacher
McCracken has been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month for several years, and we do it in several ways. We have many students here who have a rich cultural background...
Read more
www.spartanburg7.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raising Awareness During October
|
|
|
|
In this month of multiple awareness campaigns, we laced up our shoes, wore pink and just said "no" to drugs. Throughout the district, students and staff organized a variety of activities to support Walk to School Day, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Red Ribbon Week.
|
|
|
|
SHS cheerleaders and football players took pride in their philanthropic efforts on behalf of the NFL and the American Cancer Society's
Crucial Catch program in the fight against cancer.
|
|
|
|
Every school across the District rallied around Red Ribbon Week. This year, in addition to the various educational events organized by each of our schools, the district enlisted the help of community professionals to drive home the dangers of drug abuse and to broaden the conversation to include parents and families. Above, the Wildcats from Carver decked out in red and the Bobcats from Mary H. Wright were heroes standing up against drugs.
|
|
|
|
With the hope of instilling good, healthy habits in each child, nearly a thousand laughing, yelling, jumping, and bouncing kids throughout D7 got to do something special one Wednesday morning this month — they got to walk to school. The National Walk to School Day effort celebrated the benefits of having students walk to school with teachers, parents and community members joining in. Above, our Pine Street Panthers and our Jesse Boyd Bulldogs get into the spirit.
|
|
|
|
College Application Day at SHS saved students nearly $12,000 in college application fees
|
|
Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Books come to life at EP Todd School
|
|
Pine Street fifth graders became the first in D7 history to join the Clean Plate Club at Barrier Island, with zero "ort" (food waste) after a meal
|
|
|
Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) from DMTC enjoyed the Fall Leadership Conference at Newberry College
|
|
The C-SPAN bus rolled in to SHS to give students an inside look at Campaign 2020 from an unbiased, politics-free viewpoint
|
|
On Tuesday, for Red Ribbon Week, MHW students wore pajamas for “Wake Up. Stay Drug Free”
|
|
|
5th graders from MHW take in all the splendor of Barrier Island
|
|
The 80’s, 90’s and 00’s were well represented during McCracken's Decades Day
|
|
EP Todd School staff is nothing short of inspirational
(Inspirational Shirt Day)
|
|
|
Pine thanks bus drivers for “going the extra mile" during Bus Driver Appreciation Week
|
|
The little pumpkins from the Early Learning Center had a ball at Strawberry Hill's Pumpkin Patch
|
|
DMES kindergarteners also had some serious fall fun at Strawberry Hill’s pumpkin patch
|
|
|
|
|
Cleveland Academy kindergarteners begin each morning with a "Question of the Day" as they build curiosity and initiate thinking
|
|
Students from Meeting Street Academy l
aced up their sneakers for Walk to School Day and strolled up Morgan Square
|
|
|
A large part of the Viking Early College (VEC) experience includes leadership opportunities to help build a stronger community. Above, the boys
from the VEC volunteer their time to help host McCarthy Teszler's fall festival, visit Milliken's headquarters to learn about those who dedicate their life to building for future generations, and help install a new play area in the Beaumont Mill Village.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NO SCHOOL
November 4 and 5
EARLY RELEASE DAY
November 13
|
|
|
|
|
Friday, November 1
Vikings vs. Gaffney
Sunday, November 3
Daylight Saving Time Ends
Monday, November 4
Staff Development Day
Tuesday, November 5
Election Day Holiday
Thursday, November 7
6pm Dealing with Grief During the Holidays Session
Monday - Friday, November 10-14
School Psychology Awareness Week
Monday, November 11
Veteran's Day
|
|
Tuesday, November 12
School Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 13
Early Release Day
2pm Fall Signing Day at SHS
Thursday-Friday, November 14-15
2nd Dose Flu Clinic
Monday, November 18
Progress Reports
Monday - Friday, November 18 - 22
American Education Week
Wednesday – Friday, November 27 – 29
Thanksgiving Holiday
|
|
|
Carver High School Alumni Help Create
SHS History Wall
|
|
|
For the last several months, alumni of the former Carver High School have been sharing their school's history, helping collect memorabilia, and guiding District 7 in our work to create a history wall at the new Spartanburg High School. This history includes stories of the former Evans and Carver High Schools, which joined together with Spartanburg High School in 1970 during integration. Above, the group is seen meeting in the hospitality suite at Viking Stadium to complete their work and enjoy their first glimpse of the new high school.
|
|
|
|
|
|
610 Dupre Drive Spartanburg, South Carolina
P: 864.594.4400
|
|
|
|
|
|
