S.P.O.T. Light

Supporting Positive Outcomes Together Volume 7 , Issue 7

May/June 2016

Calhoun County Schools Leader Chosen South Carolina's Best 2017 State Superintendent of the Year Board Members     

Gary Porth, Chair Kevin Jenkins, Vice Chair Sandra Tucker, Secretary Debra Fredrick Ned Nelson

Administrators Dr. Steve A. Wilson Superintendent Ferlondo Tullock Deputy Superintendent

Dr. Steve Aaron Wilson, Calhoun County School District Superintendent has been named the 2017 South Carolina Superintendent of the year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. "I am humbled and blessed to receive this honor. It's always good to be recognized by your peers." Dr. Wilson said.

George Kiernan Human Resources Director Jerry Crisp Technology Director Christia Murdaugh Chief Academic Officer Sky Strickland Chief Financial Officer Everleen McFadden Coordinator of District Policies Whittaker Williams Food Service Director

Inside this issue:

Calhoun County High School

2

Calhoun County High School

3

Sandy Run School News

4

St. Matthews K8 School News

5

Human Resources News

6

Superintendent’s Office

7

Sandy Run School News

8

Dr. Wilson said he also credits the Calhoun County School Board Members, his staff, teachers and students with his and the district's success. "We've been about “Teaching and Learning”, Wilson said. "The teachers and students have really bought into our vision for that. We are just elated over the job they have done. Board Chairman Gary B. Porth said the district has fared very well under Wilson's leadership and he's very pleased with SCASA's decision to name Wilson its Superintendent of the Year.

His challenges have been many, but Wilson has constantly striven to put students first, Porth said. "This very positive focus has put Calhoun County Schools on the cutting edge of student achievement and overall success." the board chairman said. "He came to us with a list of focus goals that are centered on “Teaching and Learning.” He has involved the community, along with the schools, to effect the very positive changes that have occurred in the Calhoun County Public Schools." Porth added, "Dr. Wilson is both fairminded and forward-thinking and we look forward to much more success under his leadership." SCASA Executive Director Elizabeth "Beth" A. Phibbs said, "Dr. Wilson is well respected in his community and among his peers. He is a longtime champion of children and remains a learner at heart by always finding ways to improve education for the children in Calhoun County. We are delighted that he has been chosen for this honor."

Wilson served as Executive Director of High Schools in Richland One School District. He has been in the field of education for 44 years. Wilson said he began as a teacher and came up through the ranks. During all those years' "my wife and family have been my support system in terms of my career," he said. Wilson beat out other finalists for SCASA Superintendent of the Year Dr. Randall Dozier of Georgetown County Schools, Dr. Frank Morgan of the Kershaw County School District and Dr. W. Burke Royster of Greenville County Schools. Candidates participated in an application and interview process conducted by a team of South Carolina business, education and community leaders. Dr. Wilson will go on to compete for the 2017 National Superintendent of the Year award.

Before being hired as Superintendent of Calhoun County Schools in 2010,

Doris Grant Wins Rewards for Excellence Award South Carolina Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (SCNSPRA) Rewards for Excellence Program Newsletter, was awarded to Doris Grant on April 29, 2016 at the South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, South Carolina . She was one of a select few from other school districts to receive this award. Doris Grant,

editor of The S.P.O.T. and Mr. George Kiernan, Human Resources Director, attended the luncheon.

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Calhoun County High School News

South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce visits CCHS About SCDEW The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce is putting South Carolinians to work. The agency invests in building a pipeline of quality workers, matches workers with jobs, and is a bridge for individuals who find themselves out of work for no fault of their own. This promotes financial stability and economic prosperity for employers, individuals and communities. SCDEW is dedicated to advancing South Carolina through services that meet the needs of the state’s businesses, jobseekers and those looking to advance their careers.

Manager Phil Yeh and recruiter Jodi Bates of Stier Supply came to the school to interview potential applicants for part-time and fulltime jobs at their business in Calhoun County. In addition, Stier Supply gave a generous donation to the Calhoun County Football team to help with sending our team to FCA camp in the summer.

Marquis Greene with Jodi Bates in an interview

Principal Cynthia Johnson, Manager Phil Yeh of Stier Supply, Coach Bill Kimrey accepting a check for the football team.

Calhoun County High School Band Plays at Claflin University Band students of the Calhoun County High School Concert Band collaborated with Claflin University's Wind Ensemble and performed on Wednesday, April 20th, 2016. The CCHS concert band performed three selections: Flight of Eagles - Elliot Del Borgo, Westridge Overture -James Barnes, and Clarinets Packing up Early - Gary Fagan. To close out the program, a few high school students joined Claflin’s Wind Ensemble and performed Lincoln Portrait- Aaron Copland. This performance was a learning experience for not only the high school students, but the college students as well. Both bands and directors enjoyed interacting with each other and plan to host similar events in the near future.

Winning Readers Calhoun County High School students met the challenge to read 12 or more Empower3000 articles during 4th nine weeks, 40 or more articles for the year, or to score an ending lexile above 1070. Two hundred eighteen students qualified to have their name placed in the Empower3000 cash prize drawing Thursday, May 19, 2016. Zamuel Fredrick won the $100 prize in the drawing, but all students who competed enhanced their reading skills and achievement level.

Zamuel--Empower3000 winner

Brandon--top reader in freshman class

Julia Fanning, CCHS Media Specialist, recognized the Media Center Top Readers on Friday, May 20, 2016 with a prize cart drawing. Students recognized were Clay Martin, Fatima Kenly, Tashayla Fields, Brandon Cannon, and Yamileth Tovar-Kler. Congratulations to these readers! Yami selects a prize

Tashayla, Fatima, Clay--Top Readers

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Calhoun County High School News Cont.

JAG Students Ready to “Change the World” After 2016 Career Development Conference On April 21st, students from Calhoun County High School in Saint Matthews, South Carolina gathered in the Midlands for the annual Jobs for America’s Graduates – South Carolina (JAG-SC) 2016 Career Development Conference. Joined by more than 585 students from across the state, this annual event provides opportunities for JAG-SC students to hear speakers discuss career development, compete in academic and life-skills competitions, and be recognized in an awards luncheon. Calhoun County High School is particularly proud of the strides their JAG-SC students have made this academic year. They were recognized for their participation in Public Speaking, Words in the Workplace, Decision Making, Theme Posters, Chapter Manual, Chapter display, Governor’s Award and Executive Director’s Recognition Award, Poetry Composition, and Theme Essay. “Over the course of this year, the students have mastered 81 competencies identified by businesses as essential to successful employment,” said Ms. Sackiel, Calhoun County High School JAG-SC administrator. “We want to launch them from here ready for more education or ready for employment. Either way they will be prepared to take the next step in life with confidence and eager to make a positive contribution to the community.”

Additionally, the groups of grade level, such as 10th-12th graders participated in activities such as the breast cancer awareness drive, Pennies for Patients, volunteered to clean up school grounds, food drive with Student Council, Toys for Tots with the Beta Club, blood drive with JROTC, etc. This year’s conference theme, “Change the World,” echoes the organization’s commitment to inspire JAG-SC students to follow their passions because change can happen when they realize they have the ability to take control of their direction and destiny. JAG is a dropout prevention program focused on academic success and career-readiness skills. JAG-SC is administered by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. Over the past 11 years of service the program has assisted more than 9,300 youth and currently serves 1,110 active high school participants. For five consecutive years, the JAG-SC program has been awarded the National Jag 5-of-5 Award for exceeding five of the national standards for graduation rate, school placement rates, total positive outcomes rate, job placement rates and full-time jobs rates.

Theme Poster- Savannah Iley

About JAG Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing dropouts among young people who are most at-risk. In more than three decades of operation, JAG has helped nearly three-quarters of a million young people stay in school through graduation, pursue postsecondary education and secure quality entrylevel jobs leading to career advancement opportunities. JAG-SC is a program run by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) and is a proven dropout prevention program assisting some the state most deserves youth in graduating from high school and moving confidently toward the realization of their dreams.

Jobs for America’s Graduates – South Carolina Calhoun County High School 150 Saint Avenue St. Matthews, SC 29135

CDC Chapter Manual

CCHS JAG PARTICIPANTS

Career Association-State Delegate-Aaliyah Moorer

Volume 7 , Issue 7

Sandy Run School News

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South Carolina State Library Taking Book Service Annual Student Art Gallery Every year, the South Carolina State Library Talking Book Service holds their annual Student Art Gallery event were visually impaired students submit their artwork. For the third year in a row, our own 4th grader, Ms. Sarah Nell Walling, has won 2nd place for her age division. We as a school are so proud of her accomplishment! Go Sarah Nell!

The “Bee’ Cause Coming to Sandy Run School Calhoun County School District along with the area Private schools are participating in the Bee Project sponsored the Calhoun County Library! The Library partnered with The Bee Cause in installing their very own Observation Bee Hive seeking to educate the Calhoun County community on the importance of the work of honeybees. These skills were utilized through observations to the library of the hive by the children. Cariella Askiew, Trey Craig and Trae Stone represented Sandy Run as Junior Beekeepers. They were selected by their Science teachers to be Junior Beekeepers. The children were taught beekeeping skills by Beekeeper David Paldeck.They reported their findings to their schools and wrote articles for The Calhoun Times with their teacher,

Mattie Buckner. The community is learning a lot about these important pollinators and how important they are to our surroundings.

Tri County Electric Visits Sandy Run School Tri-County Electrics Shelia Rivers, Charlene Anderson, and Robby Stone, visited the 4th Grade Science classes at SRK8.This was in preparation for the electrical component for the SC PASS testing. The Co-op visited students in the classroom for a fun and informative presentation that helps students respect and value the role electricity plays in their lives. The team discussed circuits, the generation of electricity at power plants, and safety measures for several different electrical situations. The children participated in a lively discussion! Mr. Stone also brought the bucket truck for a field demonstration. The culminating activity was watching Mr. Stone climb up the

electric pole! This was a great review and learning experience for the children! Thank you Tri-County!

Volume 7 , Issue 7

St. Matthews K8 School News

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Community Volunteers We would like to give a BIG Shout-Out of Thanks to the sweet folks of St. Matthews Parish Church for their faithfulness in coming to read with our Third Graders all year! Our students have really enjoyed this time of reading great books together with the wonderful volunteers that came each week to read. We are grateful for this community that reaches out to help support the education of the students in Calhoun County.

SMK8 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year!! We are excited to announce our new Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year for 2016-2017!!

Congratulations to these two wonderful colleagues who help make our school a better place with their hard work and dedication to St. Matthews K8! SMK8 Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Fordham, Our Fourth Grade National Board Certified Teacher

SMK8 Support Staff of the Year: Rutha Mae Benjamin, Head Custodian

BEE Keepers at the Calhoun County Library Our fourth graders have enjoyed being "bee keepers" at the Calhoun County Library. On May 20th, the classes visited the library for some bee hive education and fun. Thank you Calhoun County Library for this educational adventure of learning all about bees!

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Human Resources Department

Starbucks Partners with Calhoun County School District On Friday, April 22, 2016 the Sandy Run Starbucks Roasting and Distribution Facility closed the plant to fulfill the goal of providing a day of service to the local community. This is the fourth consecutive year that Starbucks Facility has chosen to partners with Calhoun County Public School District. Building on previous years successes, approximately 70 of 90 employees (partners) were divided among three school campuses to include Calhoun County High School, Sandy Run K-8 and St. Matthews K-8 schools. Partners were seen pressure washing school buses, painting an athletic equipment building, painting parking areas, weeding and removing garden boxes and debris. Mr. Rodger

Benson, Starbucks Resource Manager coordinated the event with district representatives, Mr. Ferlondo Tullock, Deputy Superintendent, Everleen McFadden, Coordinator of Policies and Procedures and Mr. Theodore Fredrick, Maintenance Supervisor. When asked, "What are the advantages of partnering with the school district?" Mr. Benson responded, Starbucks mission states, "To inspire and nurture the human spirit-one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. So we strive to be good cooperate neighbors." The management team of the Starbucks facility wanted to do something for the community it resided in. We vetted several opportunities and decided

on continuing the partnership with Calhoun County School District. On behalf of Dr. Steve Wilson, Superintendent and the Board of Trustees, special appreciation is extended to Starbucks Management Team: Jim Forde, Plant Director Rodger Benson, Partner Resources Manager, Dante Reed, Engineering Manager Ryan Lus, Operations Manager, Brendon Holman, Maintenance Manager, and Ashley Edmonds, Quality Supervisor.

Volume 7 , Issue 7

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Michael T. Brunson, II is the son of Michael R. Brunson and Pearlie M. Brunson of St. Matthews, SC. He is a 2012 graduate of Calhoun County High School where he was valedictorian. From an early age, he has been interested in technology, engineering, and math and wanted to pursue a career working with computers and robots. He was able to gain some handson experience as a student in the Project Lead the Way program at Calhoun County High School and decided to pursue a career in software development. Recently, he graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering. During his tenure at the university, he was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). As a student, he gained valuable experience as an intern working for the university, Dell, Inc. in Austin, TX, and SCANA Corporation in Cayce, SC. Thanks to the solid foundation established by his family, community, and education, he was offered a job at Google in the San Francisco Bay Area in California as a software engineer. He plans to continue to work hard, make an impact, and pursue his interests in technology.

Sandy Run School News Cont.

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Most of the general public knows very little about the Coast Guard and its 11 missions, including Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Ice Operations, and Marine Safety! In an effort to spread awareness about the Coast Guard and present career opportunities to students, Air Station New Orleans is conducting Skype sessions with schools around the country. The goal of these Skype sessions is to give students a glimpse of aviation in the Coast Guard and spur discussion about some of the missions that we conduct. By encouraging them to stay focused on school, we can help to show how academic knowledge relates to the real world and give some inspiration for students to pursue academic excellence! Skype sessions can be as long or a short as the teacher wants (typically 20-30 minutes), and we can provide a list of suggested questions for the students to ask. If the internet connection allows, we also share some footage of hoists. We allow a pilot, rescue swimmer and flight mechanic to talk about their daily duties, and what it takes to pursue a job in each career field. We look forward to hearing from students and are eager to share our stories with you! POC: Lieutenant Joshua C. Wofford Work Phone: (504)-393-6067 Cell: 860-449-4552 Email: [email protected]

The Sandy Run K-8 School Improvement Council has been selected to receive a 2016 Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant in the amount of $5,000.00 for the "WE LIKE TO MOVE IT MOVE IT " project from the Lowe's Toolbox for Education and Educational Foundation. The purpose of the grant is to provide additional playground equipment that promotes healthy lifestyles.

Calhoun County School District P. O. Box 215 125 Herlong Avenue St. Matthews, SC 29135 Phone: 803-655-7310 Fax: 803-655-7393 Www.ccpsonline.net

The mission of Calhoun County Public Schools, in unity with parents and community, is to provide an environment conducive to learning that challenges all students to reach their maximum potential for success in a rapidly changing global society.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION Calhoun County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following people in the District have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policy: The Director of Human Resources, George Kiernan, should be contacted for all non-student and/or employment-related issues at 803-655-7310 or at P.O. Box 215, St. Matthews, SC 29135. The Deputy Superintendent, Mr. Ferlondo Tullock, should be contacted for all student issues including those related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at 803-655-2624, or at P.O. Box 215, St. Matthews, SC 29135. Inquiries concerning non-discrimination can also be made to the United States Department of Education's Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Washington, DC.

If you have any suggestions or comments for the S.P.O.T. Light , please contact Doris Grant at (803) 655-2633 or [email protected]