Vol u m e 4 , Is su e 3 Dr. J.R. Green, Superintendent

Fairfield County School District

The C nnector

Nationwide Insurance Manager/Agent, Ms. Olandra Woodard, has partnered with FCSD to support the Academic Student of the Week Initiative. Ms. Woodard will present a $50 gift card to each student the district selects as the Academic Student of the Week.

Publication Date: 10/20/2015

Tamya Odom Fairfield Elementary School

Cherisse Trapp Fairfield Middle School

Alexis Hernandez Fairfield Magnet School

Tameeya Owens Fairfield Central High School

Congratulations to our Fairfield Middle School Duke TIP students! Duke TIP identifies students who score at or above the 95th percentile on a 6th grade state standardized test (ACT Aspire and/or SC PASS ). Congratulations to Clint Baker, Da'shiyah Boyd, Ariyona Boyles, Shaun Broxton, Gerald Edmunds, Ambrosia Hinson, Vincent Ingaro, Genyya Johnson, Chazi Jones, Victoria Lightfoot, Kiera Matthews, Leslie Tapia, Paul Veintimilla, Paris Vereen, Shondray Washington, Coy Wood, Eric Yarborough

Second grade teacher, Mr. Robert Carswell, has implemented Tied to Success at Kelly Miller Elementary School (KMES). The mission of the Tied to Success program is to transform, equip, and empower young men to be successful in life. Participants are taught practical life skills, financial awareness, communication skills, and will receive career guidance. The program is open to fifth, sixth, and select fourth grade male students at KMES. “Mr. Carswell was eager to start Tied to Success after acknowledging the need for a mentoring group for our young men,” Principal Kathy Woodard said. “Students meet formally once a month in addition to daily check-ins. They are encouraged to visit Mr. Carswell’s class each morning for their H.U.G. (Hello Update Goodbye).” Woodard added. Mr. Carswell has planned for guest speakers to visit the group, field studies, service learning projects, and team building activities. Student Ambassador Bradford Davis is excited to be in the program. “ I hope to learn skills that I can use in life, such as tying a necktie and how to properly shake a person’s hand while looking them in the eye.” FCSD is ecstatic about the Tied to Success program and preparing our young men for the future. The following updates have been made to the FCSD Academic Calendar to accommodate for days missed due to weather related conditions. Qtr. 1 Exams are October 19-22, 2015 Qtr. 1 Ends on October 26, 2015 Parent Teacher Conference for Middle & High School (November 4, 2015) Parent Teacher Conference for Elementary (November 5, 2015)

FCSD observed National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an annual Pink Out day on Friday, October 9th.

Mrs. Jacqueline Gilyard, Curriculum Coach at Gordon Odyssey Academy, has received full funding in the amount of $782.00 from DonorsChoose.org for Project “Tidal Wave of Books”. This project was coordinated in an effort to provide students with culturally relevant books to help foster a positive sense of self and a positive mental attitude.

On Thursday, October 8th, the Olde English Consortium Board of Directors met at the new Fairfield County Career Center. Superintendents from the Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Clover, Fairfield, Fort Mill, Lancaster, Rock Hill, and York school districts, along with the Deans at USC Lancaster and Winthrop University, came to tour what is the most talked-about new Career Center in South Carolina. Several school districts are looking to build new Career Centers and came to learn from Fairfield. Dr. J. R. Green (2014-15 Chair of the OEC) led his fellow superintendents in a discussion about the power of Career Education and Fairfield’s uniquely successful partnerships with Midlands Technical College in preparing kids for a successful life beyond high school. Dr. Sheila Quinn (Deputy Superintendent at the State Department of Education) joined the group for the tour and, during the meeting, discussed how Fairfield’s Career Prep will be essential in meeting the new state mandate for producing 21st Century graduates. Following the meeting, Fairfield’s Culinary Arts students (under the guidance of instructor/ chef Pat Reid) prepared and served lunch to the group. Members left the meeting impressed with the cutting-edge high-tech education offered in Fairfield and took those ideas back to their school districts to replicate.

You've been hearing it everywhere, from the United Nations to The New York Times: when we support the growth and empowerment of women and girls, we raise the quality of life for everyone. This is because when women lead, they not only lead businesses, they lead in their community, they fight for their children, and they give voice to issues that are important to our collective future -- like education and health care. To this end, McCrorey-Liston School of Technology has continued its efforts to empower their fourth – sixth grade female students. They are continuing their girl empowerment group, YLOE (Young Ladies of Excellence). They had a kickoff celebration which resulted in a powerful and touching session with the young ladies. YLOE’s first session served as not only a kickoff, but a way to set the tone for their year together. The meeting’s topic was “The Magic Within” (Building Self-Esteem). The meeting began with a welcome and introductions of their new sponsors. The young ladies participated in an “Affirmation Activity.” They each were given a mirror and a marker, and after having a discussion about the power of their thoughts and words and the benefits of positive affirmations, the girls were allowed to choose an affirmation to write on their mirror. The girls took the mirrors home and placed them in a prominent position so they would receive a frequent reminder of their value and greatness. One of the YLOE girls shared that her mirror helps start her day because it’s the first thing that she acknowledges each morning. At McCrorey-Liston School of Technology, they believe in equipping the “whole child” and they know that growth and development is a significant factor in their students’ future success.

Thanks FCSD for your support to Richland County flood victims. We stuffed three buses! Wal-Mart awarded 20 teachers from Fairfield Elementary School with $50.00 gift cards to purchase classroom supplies.

Showcasing Fairfield Magnet’s Finest at the State Fair Fairfield Magnet School’s Wildcat Choraleers, director Latasha Watson, Diamond Cats Dancers, director Jessica Smith, and Blue Gents Step Team directors, Breon Phillips and Donald Wilson showcased their students’ talents on October 14th at the South Carolina State Fair. The chorus wowed the audience with the gospel song “Great God,” in which they added their own creative movements along with singing the song. This is the second opportunity for the Choraleers to showcase their talents. Their first big performance was in front of the school board members and superintendents at the Annual South Carolina School Board Association Conference. The Diamond Cats entertained the audience with their upbeat dance to a remix of “Do You Love Me?” These young ladies have also had the opportunity to perform at their own dance Showcase in front of family and friends. FMSMS newest group, the Blue Gents, also performed a step number to a variety of songs and step routines, which left the crowd cheering and amazed at the precise, intricate way in which the young boys could perform to “Swag Surfing.” “Giving the students at FMSMS a platform to show their talents outside our community fits well with the Magnet School’s theme of “Full Steam Ahead, Opening Minds Through the Academics and the Arts,” Principal Gale Whitfield said.

Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council Dr. J. R. Green, Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce the members of the 2015-2016 Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. The Council will meet three times throughout the school year to discuss priority issues affecting students, voice concerns of their peers, negotiate aspects of making learning more purposeful, and act as a liaison to the Superintendent. Council Members: Savannah Bairefoot, Markel Samuel, Sayi Kumar, Kelsey White, Victoria Goins, Harrison Truitt, JaVan Scott, Zackery Sease, Emoni Harper, Vincent McCoy, Tevin Belk, Alexus Davis, Logan Wade, Breanna Letrick,

Congratulations to Thomas “Harrison” Truitt! Element Electronics recently launched its MOGO Campaign, giving away hundreds of televisions made at the Winnsboro facility. The Make One, Give One (MOGO) Campaign is built on the belief that it is better to give than to receive. Element TV gave employees a chance to give a TV to someone or a group of people that has made a tremendous impact on their life. Kelly Miller Elementary School parent Shamille Craig gave a TV to her daughters’ school.

Harrison Truitt has been selected as a student musician with the South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Repertory Orchestra. As a member of the Orchestra, Harrison will perform unabridged pieces from the standard orchestral repertoire, as well as some advanced level arrangements. Harrison will rehearse with the group on Sundays for 90 minutes. His goal is to become a member of a world class orchestra. “I can sing too, but I think playing the French horn is my first passion. I’ve played since I was in the 5th grade. My grandfather played the French horn, my father also played the horn and was a band director,” Harrison said. Harrison is a 9th grade student at Fairfield Central High School. He serves on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and is a member of the FCHS Band. Harrison is a Boy Scout and member of First Baptist Church of Winnsboro Youth Group.

No School For Students Friday Oct. 23 Teacher Workday

Rock Around the Clock Festival: October 31st

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Superintendent of Schools

November 12th McCrorey Liston School of Technology

Pig on the Ridge Festival: November 7th The Olde English Consortium held an annual series of Professional Development Conferences on Monday, October 12th. Seven Professional Development Conferences were held in 7 cities throughout the OEC region all on the same day! For the past 9 months, educators in various areas have conducted a needs-assessment of their peers; secured presenters on "best practice" topics; and hosted conferences in their areas, including media specialists, guidance counselors, PE educators and more. This year, Fairfield hosted the visual and performing arts educators from Chester, Chesterfield, Cherokee, Clover, Fort Mill, Lancaster, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York and Winthrop for a day of sessions in music, art, theatre and dance. Sessions included peer sharing, presentations for the SC Philharmonic Orchestra and Quaver Music, technology sessions and music reading for choral and instrumental music. The workshops were held at Fairfield Magnet School for Math and Science. Performances by the FMSMS Chorus and Dancers kicked off the event.

DR. J. R. GREEN

6:00 P.M.

FCHS participates in USC Spirit Day 2015

FMS students who received A’s & B’s in all of their classes were treated to popsicles and social time in the courtyard. Congratulations to our outstanding young artists from Fairfield Magnet School for Math and Science on their achievements at the 2015 South

Best In Show Genyya Johnson 5th Grade 2-D Art/2nd Place Winner Sara Pullen 2nd Grade Merit Award Akenzy Douglas Zion Woodard Alexia Hernandez 5th Grade Merit Awards Briceson Edenfield Adijah Tolbert

Fairfield Middle School 7th grade STEM students took a field study to Charleston to participate in the Boeing DreamLearners program. The tour took place in a room overlooking the production floor of the 787 assembly building. Officials gave students an overview of Boeing and explained different stages of production.

Other participants: Destiny Furtick, Jada Trapp, Chase Douglas, Alexis Hernandez, Shakeem Griffin, Joseph Gonzalez, Akenzy Douglas, Kamil Robertson, Saya Lyles, Meghan Ford, Adam Gonzalez, Alexus Burbage, Madisen Belton, Jaterria Russell, Jamie Robertson, Leslie Tapia, Dorian Jackson, Marteyia Gadsen, Tyus Armstrong

FCSD Hall of Fame application deadline is November 30th. Applications are available online at www.fairfield.k12.sc.us or stop by the District Office.