LCSD Newsletter MARCH 2020 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 5 Title I District Digest

Welcome to another edition of Lee County

School District’s Title I District Digest. It is

our pleasure to bring you this monthly

newsletter designed to distribute our story

to the masses.

Each year affords us the opportunity to

shine even brighter in our respective

responsibilities. We want to know about

your development. This is one way for us to

stay abreast of what’s happening district

wide. You are invited to submit

information events/programs taking place

in your school for consideration. Email

submissions to croslanda@lee.k12.sc.us or

by contacting the district office at

803.484.5327.

LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 310 Roland Street, Bishopville, S.C. 29010 www.leeschooldistrictsc.org

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4 Dr. Wanda Andrews, Superintendent

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Jett to the Music

PREPARE TO

MARCH IN MAY.

Details soon.

WLE Scholars

State House visit

With the lights dim and students most attentive, the youthful Lee Central Middle School (LCMS) Music Teacher Jarvis Jett delivers more than a melody lesson to the 14 students in his second block.

They are learning about African-American singer, songwriter, musician, arranger and civil rights activist Nina Simone. Her music hailed from nearly every genre including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop. The students were captivated by her story as much as they were her music. None was more awestruck than LCMS eighth-grader Tyrin Perkins and his sister seventh-grader Zykera Perkins.

“She was a very independent, good woman,” says Zykera with the inflection that you might hear from someone much older. “She loved playing the piano. Her man beat on her.” While the news of her personal battles weighed heavily on their minds, it was what she in turn did with the story that most interested young Tyrin.

“So every time she would go through everything, she used to put that in her music,” says Tyrin. “So, like the song, ‘I Put a Spell on You,’ it’s like when she was getting abused and stuff, she was saying I put a spell on you because you’re mine,” Tyrin explains.

The students must understand the story behind the lyrics, says Jett. The collaboration of the various disciplines in teaching music enhances the learning experiences, which incites a greater ability for critical thinking, creativity and understanding in students, he intimated.

LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 310 Roland Street, Bishopville, S.C. 29010 www.leeschooldistrictsc.org

An integrated approach is the best way to introduce the physics of sound and music and the various styles and disciplines to students. Admittedly, the students had never heard of her before walking through the doors of Jett’s classroom. You wouldn’t know it though after a week of learning her music and mantra. Jett describes Simone as a hidden treasure.

“It is very important for students to know who Nina Simone is in regards to black history month because she was a civil rights activist…not only an activist, but she was a classical pianist, she was a gospel pianist,” says Jett. “The importance that I find to us is…she was locally raised in Tryon, N.C., so I feel like it’s important for students to know someone local who did not receive much national attention.”

The students seemed to relate well with her small-town background, which mirrored their own. Among the whispers in the room, was the notion that Simone made it out despite her zip code because of the support of those in her town who cared – those like Jett who have decided to invest their lives serving others by way of music.

Jett was a child prodigy, playing the piano skillfully at the age of six. The self-taught Jett later learned to read music in high school band. He too is a singer, songwriter, musician and arranger, who by many accounts has made an indelible mark on music in the state of South Carolina.

He earned the bachelor’s in music industry and vocal performance from South Carolina State University. His wife, Charla, makes the journey to work with him each day as the PowerSchool coordinator at LCMS.

LCMS students

and the narrative

of music

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“I believe that teaching has chosen me. I had always had my eyes on another profession that would have afforded me the opportunity to correct the wrongs in society,” says Mitchell. “However, destiny would have it that I will stop the wrongs at the tender youthful ages before they get to the wider society. Training up children in the right way that when they grow old, they will not depart from it.”

Raquel Brailsford, one of his students, says that is what he does each day – teach them something new. Recently, he taught her that “Pluto is a dwarf planet. They are not big like the sun, Jupiter and Neptune.” Tomorrow, Brailsford says, it will be something else.

His lesson plans for the week are a well thought out 6-page assortment of preparation, execution and reflection about the Earth’s solar system. His delivery would never have indicated Mitchell should be anywhere but the classroom, though it was not his intention.

“I just couldn’t avoid it. Honestly, I tried, but it’s just an engagement with destiny,” says Mitchell. “From thence, I have grown to love the educational system and the opportunity to mold young lives into honorable men and women of society.” He admits every system, including education, has both challenges and opportunities.

“Policies that govern the systems of old need to be amended to cater more to the holistic development of the student in this era,” says Mitchell. “The lack of discipline that is portrayed by our students continues to impact the teaching/learning process.”

Mitchell also believes there is more to be done to prevent teacher burn out. “Teachers are overburdened with varying tasks that may also interfere with the (teaching/learning) process,” Mitchell says.

Though he does not offer a quick solution to the ails of the educational system, Mitchell is content with doing his part – answering the call to teach as an African-American male in a district along the I-95 Corridor of South Carolina.

Mitchell: a

call to the

classroom

“I want you.” This was the tagline for the Uncle Sam poster of old encouraging men to enlist in the military as a sign of support of the U.S. entering war. In like manner, educators the world over are requesting the support of males, and in some cases African-American males, to further education efforts. A recent study by the S.C. Department of Education reports that of the state’s more than 50,000 teachers, only 14,000 are African-American males, a mere 28 percent. Though it far exceeds the national average of 2 percent, educators in school districts like Lee County where the student body consists of more than 90 percent African-American say, having a teacher who reflects the demographics of the community is crucial. Omar Mitchell is a fourth grade teacher at West Lee Elementary School (WLE). Like many other districts, Lee County School District (LCSD) has relied on the help of international teachers. Mitchell comes to the district by way of Jamaica. He’s earned certifications in electrical installation and teacher education, a bachelor’s of education in primary education and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in theology. Mitchell is also well on his way to receiving certification in administrative leadership from the National College of Educational Leadership (Jamaica). Administrators of LCSD say many of the international instructors come with a passion and fervor for the causes of those they serve. Mitchell is no exception.

LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 310 Roland Street, Bishopville, S.C. 29010 www.leeschooldistrictsc.org

LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 310 Roland Street, Bishopville, S.C. 29010 www.leeschooldistrictsc.org

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The students of Lee County School District’s (LCSD) Career and Technology Center (LCCTC) were among nearly 100 Champions at Work who made their way to the S.C. State House on Feb. 4.

Legislators recognized them on Hometown Legislative Action Day as members of SkillsUSA South Carolina. The organization is collaboration between teacher advisors, students and industry leaders to ensure career readiness.

Those attending from Lee County all expressed an interest in entrepreneurship. Among them was Brianna Hickmon, the granddaughter of a business owner in Lee County.

“Today is important to me because my granddaddy is into politics and stuff,” says Hickmon. “So, it was cool that I can come and see something that he saw.”

Though she hoped to see her local representative, she was satisfied with just having had the experience. That was the case for all of the students and even their advisors. LCCTC Automotive Instructor and SkillsUSA Advisor Jamie Mack and his fellow advisors (3) say the timing couldn’t have been more appropriate. “First of all (it’s) SkillsUSA Week and also CTE (Career and Technology Education) Month, and I think it’s important for them to see other districts and meet the representatives,” says Mack. The students’ day began at 9:45 a.m. with a keynote address from the S.C. Senate President Harvey Peeler followed by breakout sessions and visits throughout the day. The group is already gearing up for next year’s visit.

LCCTC

students visit

State House

“First of all (it’s) SkillsUSA Week and also CTE (Career and Technology Education)

Month, and I think it’s important for them to see

other districts and meet the representatives.”

Jamie Mack LCCTC Instructor