Sumter School District... At a Glance

Vision

Sumter School District

develops and cultivates

internationally competitive

students who embrace

diversity, act responsibly,

and contribute to the

community and society.

Mission

It is the mission of Sumter

School District to provide

an intellectual, safe, and

nurturing environment,

which equips students to

be responsible, successful,

and productive citizens in

a global society.

Teacher Forum service project a success

Teddy bears, art supplies and school supplies were in abundance as the Sumter School

District Teacher Forum collected items for Operation Sandy. One hundred percent of

the schools and administrative offices dropped of 42 large boxes that contained hundreds

of soft teddy bears along with thousands of various school and art supplies that will

undoubtedly bring comfort to many children whose lives have been significantly disrupted

by Hurricane Sandy. All donations were delivered to the hardest hit areas of the boroughs

of Brooklyn and Staten Island with the aid of the Salvation Army.

“People respond to their neighbors in need during the holidays, even when their

neighbors live more than 500 miles away,” said Sumter School District Teacher of the

Year Trevor Ivey. “Our Teacher Forum is comprised of some of the most dedicated

teachers I know, and we knew as a collective group we wanted to do something for the

holidays for those less fortunate. True service projects arise during times of distress and

great need, and our humble attempts to help those victims recover from the devastation

of Hurricane Sandy are most fitting given the sensitivity of the time involved.”

The Sumter School District Teacher Forum is made up of the current and

immediate past teachers of the year from each school and all district teachers of the year.

Its purpose is to recognize the district and school teachers of the year, to develop

leadership, to give teachers a voice in education issues and to impact the professional

development of all teachers in the school district. Forum members actively facilitate the

development of leadership skills among their peers.

Published by the Office of Public Information Vol. II, No. VIII January 10, 2013

Crestwood AFJROTC instructor

earns advanced certification

Congratulations to MSGT Eric

Avery, USAF (Retired), for

meeting the criteria for award of

Advanced Aerospace Science

Instructor Instruction. Achieving

this designation recognizes his

superior professionalism, instructor

skills and adherence to AFJROTC

standards. Fewer than 14% of all

AFJROTC instructors receive

Advanced Certification. Avery is

an AFJROTC instructor at

Crestwood High School.

Director of Food Services

appointed chair

Leon Williams, Sumter School

District Food Services Director, was

selected as a Supervisor/Director

Chair for the 2013-2014 year with

the SC School Nutrition

Association. His appointment will

begin on August 1, 2013.

Members of the School

Nutrition Association of South

Carolina (SNA of SC) are the

primary advocates for quality school

nutrition programs in the State.

While working toward goals to

ensure children have access to

nutritious meals during the course

of the school day, the Association

also serves the membership by

providing the following services:

training/ education, most current

information, professional standards,

n e t w o r k i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s ,

scholarships. Additionally, the

Association reaches beyond the

school-age child to benefit parents,

teachers, administrators and the

general public.

Alice Drive Middle pays tribute to Sandy Hook ElementaryThe Alice Drive Middle School ProTeamers paid

special tribute to the victims of the Sandy Hook

Elementary School tragedy at a memorial service. As

part of the tribute, organized by both ProTeamers and

their parents, each ProTeamer selected a victim to

research and become acquainted. During the service,

each ProTeamer placed a picture of his victim in front

of a candle which was lit, eulogized the selected

victim, and placed an angel on a lit, bare Christmas

tree. ProTeamers conducted their own research, made

the angels, retrieved pictures that were eventually

framed, and created a video presentation honoring

their memories with music. Students received special

permission to temporarily tattoo the name of each student on their arms.

During the service, special music was

provided by a parent of a ProTeamer who

played the harp. Superintendent Randolph D.

Bynum, Sr. and the school resource officer

shared with the ProTeamers a specific charge:

how they can be student leaders in helping to

keep their school safe. What was a very

emotional ceremony has generated a school-wide

conversation.

Eight achieve National Board CertificationEight teachers in Sumter School District achieved National Board Certification bringing

the district’s total to 114. This year, 291 South Carolina teachers attained this honor.

South Carolina maintains its third-place national ranking of teachers who achieved

National Board Certification.

Congratulations to the following new National Board Certified teachers:

Ashleigh Johnson (Alice Drive Elementary), Amie Rutherford, Michelle Snyder and

Trevor Ivey (Alice Drive Middle), Sylvester Hickmon and Laura Lyles (Kingsbury

Elementary), Rebecca Osteen (Millwood Elementary) and Erica Jefferson (Wilder

Elementary).

Teachers seeking National Board Certification undertake a two-part process

that takes from one to three years to complete. The process requires candidates to reflect

on their classroom practices, assess their understanding of subject material and examine

their preparation techniques. In addition to preparing a portfolio with videotapes of

classroom teaching, lesson plans, student work samples and reflective essays, teachers

must complete assessment center exercises based on content knowledge that prove they

have mastered the subjects they teach and also possess the skills to teach them.

The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement

(CERRA) provides numerous National Board awareness sessions and an array of

candidate support workshops to assist educators in the process of certification. Their

infrastructure of support also includes a district liaison in each of the state’s 84 school

districts and collaboration with other state agencies including the State Department of

Education, The South Carolina Education Association, and the Palmetto State

Teachers Association.

2012 Santee Lynches

Poster and Poetry Winners

Adult Poster Winner

Laura H. Baker

Bates Middle School

Middle School Poetry Contest

Winners

1st place-Donovan Adams

8th grader @ Ebenezer Middle

Audrey Keys, Counselor

2nd place-Jalen White

8th grader @ Ebenezer Middle

Audrey Keys, Counselor

3rd place-Anitra Anderson

8th grader @ Ebenezer Middle

Audrey Keys, Counselor

High School Poetry Contest

Winners

1st place-Brandon Johnson

12th grader @ Crestwood High

Angela Ham, Counselor

2nd place-Marquis Washington

11th grader @ Lakewood High

Gayle Jennings, Counselor

High School C1 Poster Contest

Winners

2nd place-Lottie Dixon

10th grader @ Crestwood High

Angela Ham, Counselor

Schools awarded Walmart

GrantsHats off to Crestwood High and

Shaw Heights Elementary for being

awarded $500 grants from

Walmart. The Crestwood Marching

Knights will utilize the funds to

offset travel expenses for

competitions, and Shaw Heights

plans to utilize the funds to reinforce

positive behavior through their

ACE store. Thank you, Walmart,

for being a Partner for Education.

23 inducted into Mayewood Junior Beta ClubTwenty-three additional students will lead

by serving others through their service in the

National Junior Beta Club.

Congratulations to the following inductees:

Kendrick Bennett, Albert Gardner, Jamar

Holliday, Brandy Lemmon, Shanyia

McDowell, Nai’ja McFadden, Micah

Cato, Tyrell Commander, Alexas Jackson,

Alexis Murray, Jaron Richardson, Alayshia

Rush, Aika Washington, Karlynn Davis,

Azariah Dixon, Alexandria Dukes, Zah’bria Epps, Naukiyah Gordon, Lakendra

Johnson, Rakeem Massingill, Niaya Singleton, Tyme Spain and Deja Stewart.

The Mayewood Middle Chapter of the National Junior Beta Club is an

organization that provides opportunities for leadership and service to the school and

community. This organization is a reward for hard work as well as a responsibility for all

members in the area of service. As a Junior Beta member, one should, with enthusiasm,

take on this responsibility with a good attitude. Candidates must achieve a B average in

all academic areas the first nine-weeks and maintain this average through the school year.

In addition, students inducted into the Junior Beta Club must be recommended by two

classroom teachers and have not received any discipline or bus referrals.

Some of the service-learning projects include feeding the homeless, visiting

nursing homes, helping at the local food pantry and the Greenhouse Runaway and

Homeless Youth Shelter, adopting a needy family, Pennies for Patients and Toys-for-

Tots.

Sumter High student selected for national programSumter High School senior Blake Ward has been selected

as one of two SC students to serve as the 2013 US

Senate Youth Scholarship state delegates. As a state

delegate, he will attend Washington Week in Washington,

D.C. March 9-16.

The United States Senate Youth program was

established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution. It is a

unique educational experience for outstanding high school

students interested in pursuing careers in public service.

Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia, and the

Department of Defense Education Activity will spend the week in Washington to

experience their national government in action. Student delegates will hear major

policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of

State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, and will participate in a

meeting with a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

All transportation, hotel, and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst

Foundations. In addition to the expense-paid trip to Washington, each delegate will

be awarded a $5,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with

encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

Ward is an integral part of various organizations at Sumter High School and is

the son of Allyson Maclaughlin.

Sumter Police Department spreads holiday cheer to Lemira

Kindergarten and first grade students at Lemira

Elementary School received an early visit from Santa

and his elf. The North Pole residents joined officers

from Sumter Police Department’s elementary school

based mentoring program to spread a little holiday

cheer. Wide-eyed students waited patiently to share

last minute wishes with Santa and enjoy homemade

Christmas cookies prepared by police officers.

“We are so fortunate to have such a positive

partnership with our elementary schools. Our

mentoring program has proven to be effective and

rewarding not only for the students involved but also

for our officers. They really look forward to the time

they are able to spend with these students,” said Chief

of Police Russell Roark.

The hugs and shouts of, “I love you,” that

greet officers as they move through the halls are a clear

sign that the students enjoy the visits as well.

Carolyn Junious, a first, second,

and third grade teacher at

Cherryvale Elementary School,

has been teaching since 1995

and in her current position since

2005. She earned a Bachelor

of Science degree in elementary

education from South Carolina

State University and a Master

of Education in early childhood

education from the University of

South Carolina. She is currently pursuing an endorsement

as a reading specialist from USC going through the

National Board Certified Teacher process.

Junious is a former Distinguished Reading Teacher

and is a member of the Palmetto State Teachers’

Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Kappa

Mu Honor Society, and the NAACP. She is a member of

the school’s Students Are Valuable Everywhere committee

and the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support

committee.

Debbie Francis, a special

education teacher, began her

career in education at Willow

Drive Elementary in 2000 and

has spent her entire career as an

educator there. She first taught

a self-contained class for

students with emotional

disabilities. Throughout the

years, she has taught third,

fourth, and fifth graders and has

also worked with home based students.

Francis earned her Bachelor of Science degree in

psychology from the College of Charleston and earned her

educational certification through the critical needs program.

She has also taken numerous graduate classes on topics

such as technology, positive behavior supports, special

education, and more.

She is certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention

and is a teacher mentor. Additionally, she was a finalist for

Willow Drive’s Teacher of the Year in 2010 and 2011.

Teacher of the Year Spotlight

School foundation awards mini grants

The Sumter Education Foundation has awarded $100 mini grants to fifty-four teachers in

Sumter School District to support projects that enhance curriculum and classroom

instruction in the following categories: Arts and Culture, Health and Wellness, Media and

Technology, Math and Science, and Reading and Literacy. The purpose of this program is

to facilitate innovative teaching strategies and energize student achievement and skill

development. Thanks to donations from businesses and the community, the Sumter

Education Foundation is able to fund programs in our schools that enhance educational

opportunities for all children.

“The Sumter Education Foundation is committed to providing Sumter School

District teachers with funds for innovative and creative learning ideas for the classroom,”

said Debbie Bowen, chairman of the Sumter Education Foundation. “Your service to

Sumter School District is greatly appreciated, and the contribution you make to the children

in the Sumter community is invaluable.”

“I am grateful for the additional funds to use in my classroom,” said Michelle

Snyder, a teacher at Alice Drive Middle School. “As we transition to Common Core State

Standards, additional tools and resources will be needed to help make sure our students are

prepared for the rigor Common Core presents. The manipulatives I have requested for my

students will be a key piece of our examination of the properties of triangles. I sincerely hope

the foundation will continue to offer these mini grants to teachers.”

Sonja Raines was also grateful to receive the grant. “In order to get anyone to read,

we, as teachers need to give them books they are interested in. I have found that boys,

especially struggling readers, are disinterested in books. This book list from James Patterson

will hopefully help my male students fall in love with reading."

Established in 2012, the Sumter Education Foundation serves as the philanthropic

arm for Sumter School District. The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) Organization and operates

independently from the school district under a separate Board of Directors. All donations

received are for the exclusive use of Sumter School District based on priorities established

by the Foundation's Board of Directors. This commitment includes teacher innovation and

recognition, student recognition, special programs/projects, and grants for teachers.

Recognizing that the quality of education is important to the well-being of the community it

serves, the Foundation Board will build upon the strong school system to ensure all students

will be prepared to live, work, and compete in tomorrow's challenging workplace. The

possibilities are endless!

School Board Recognition

Month observedThe South Carolina School Boards

Association is again sponsoring

School Board Recognition Month,

an annual observance during the

month of January. The month

reflects the combined commitment

of school boards to lead and

advocate for quality and

accountable public schools that

ensure all students achieve.

School Board members are

responsible for the budgets of their

districts, determining local vision,

establishing a basic structure for

operations, serving as advocates for

students and public schools, and

assuring accountability. They set

board policy and act as liaisons for

the district with legislators and other

local elected officials. They also

assist in communicating the needs

of the school district to the public.

The Board of Trustees for

Sumter School District are

Chairman Keith Schultz, Vice

Chairperson Patty Wilson, Clerk of

the Board Rev. Daryl McGhaney,

Larry Addison, Karen Michalik,

Rev. Dr. Ralph W. Canty, Sr., and

Barbara Jackson

In celebration of the month,

both January board meetings will be

hosted by schools, thus providing

additional opportunities for our

board members to be recognized

throughout the district and

community.

The January 14 meeting

will be held at Rafting Creek

Elementary School, 4100

Highway 261 North in Rembert.

The January 28 meeting will be

held at Wilder Elementary School,

975 South Main Street in Sumter.

The alternate locations will assist

members of the community from

other areas of the county who would

like to attend a meeting during

Board Appreciation Month.

Zachary Delaney wins Bates Middle School Geographic BeeZachary Delaney, an 8th grade

student at Bates Middle School,

won the school-level competition

of the National Geographic Bee

and a chance at a $25,000

college scholarship. Two other

8th graders, Jermaine Thomas

and Brooke Sampson, placed

second and third, respectively.

James Crawley, a social studies

teacher, administered the test.

The kickoff for this year's

Bee was the week of November

12, with thousands of schools

around the United States and in

the five U.S. territories participating in the oral competition. The school winners,

including Zachary, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers on that

test in each state will then be eligible to compete in their state Bee April 5, 2013.

The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to

Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the Bee

national championship rounds May 20-22, 2013. The first-place national winner will

receive a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society, and a trip

to the Galapagos Islands, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic

(visit www.expeditions.com).

Grant awarded to fund after school programs

Two hundred students will continue to receive assistance after school thanks to a 21st Century grant for HYPE programs

at the HOPE Centers. Sumter School District will receive $75,000 for second semester this year, $150,000 the second

year, $112,500 the third year, and $95,625 for the fourth year, for a grand total of $433,125 over the life of the grant.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant of Sumter School District in Sumter County is a

collaborative effort between the school district, the M. H. Newton Family Life Center, the South and North HOPE

Centers, and Jehovah Christian and Academic School. Designed to serve 200 students from Crosswell Drive Elementary,

Lemira Elementary, Chestnut Oaks Middle, Bates Middle, and Alice Drive Middle, it is known as the “HYPE” grant,

which stands for “Helping Youth Pursue Excellence.” The program was developed over seven years ago by Barney

Gadson, director of the M. H. Newton Family Life Center, to serve students in after school programs that provide not

only academic assistance, but positive relationships with role models, cultural activities, recreational activities, and family

support. Students will ride busses to the HOPE Centers and Newton Center/Jehovah School sites, where they will

receive direct academic instruction from certified teachers, have homework help, enjoy weekly mentoring experiences,

choose enrichment activities, and get a hot meal before they go home. Parents will participate with the students on some

field trips as well as have special programs to address specific topics of interest that they choose, in addition to financial

and academic literacy. The program is designed to provide a mixture of academic, technology, cultural, and other

enrichment activities in a way that provides opportunities for both structured and unstructured learning that leads to

mastery for students and parents. Past history shows that participating students have significantly higher grades,

attendance, and PASS test scores than their nonparticipating counterparts, with significantly lower discipline problems.

Sumter AFJROTC Cadets

give of their time

This past weekend, Sumter High

School AFJROTC cadets willingly

gave of their time. Forty-six cadets

collected 26 bags of trash during their

quarterly Adopt-a-Highway and

campus cleanup. In addition, the

AFJROTC Color Guard presented

the colors at the Sumter Wreaths

across America ceremony.

Ashley Furniture donates

mattressesAshley Furniture Home Store has

localized their national program

called A Hope to Dream. The

program provides mattress sets to

help local children in need.

For every mattress sold by

Ashley Furniture, $5 is donated to

the program. The belief is that by

helping children sleep well, they are

poised to lead healthier, more

productive lives. Through the

program, Sumter School District

counselors, social workers, and

homeless liaisons seek out and refer

students who need a mattress set.

The program is for children ages

three to fifteen.

The applications turned in

by the district are reviewed by a

selection committee, and recipients

are chosen. Persons in the

community who have knowledge of

children who would benefit from the

program are asked to contact the

counselor at the child’s school.

No Bullying Zone at Bates

MiddleStudents will strive to be bully free

thanks to the implementation of the

Olweus Bullying program at Bates

Middle School. Student Council

seized this opportunity to allow

student council members to discuss

bullying issues within the school.

Along with the planning committee

for the kick-off, student council

worked on an engaging way to teach

students by developing scenarios

showing students what they should

do in different situations if bullying

occurs. The scenarios included

pertinent information as to what

students should do in various places

on campus such as the locker room,

hallways, and the cafeteria. Bullying

was also defined at the assembly so

that the student body understood that

bullying occurs more than once.

Students rewarded with limousine ride to lunchWilder Elementary School

students who participated in the

school’s fall fund raiser and sold 18

or more items were invited to

participate in the Limo to Lunch

treat. The students rode in a

stretched Hummer Limo to

Zaxby’s where they enjoyed a free

meal.

Poetry competition a success at Chestnut OaksThe school level Poetry Out-Loud

Competition at Chestnut Oaks Middle

School was a great success Congratulations to

the following winners: Overall Winner

Brittney Moses, Second Place Allura King

and Third Place Malik Bradley. The students

will go on to compete in the state competition

on Saturday, January 12 at 2 PM in the

USC Sumter Nettles Auditorium.

Special agent visits BatesBates Middle School Career

Specialist Mark Gillard invited

Special Agent Amy Hudson with

the Office of Personnel

Management Federal Investigative

Services to speak with Bates

keyboarding students regarding

her personal career journey. She

discussed job qualifications, the

team interview process and a one

page written assessment she had to

complete during her interview. Hudson emphasized the importance of reading, writing

and keyboarding skills.

Hudson also addressed the Drama Free Girls, a group of young ladies Principal

Ayesha Hunter personally mentors. She conducted a mock background check, an

interview, and highlighted the fact that she speaks with individuals who may share

negative information about a potential applicant such as bullying incidents. She stated

that it is important at this stage to make better decisions about what students do and

who they choose as friends. Additionally, Hudson spoke about cyber bullying and the

fact that when social media pages are checked, all of the information gathered could

possibly hinder a person’s employability with the government, military or a government

contractor, which makes up a large portion of the job market.

Crestwood Drill Team wins top honors

Crestwood High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC Drill Team came away with top honors at the Irmo High School Drill Meet

and Conway High School Drill Meet. Congratulations to the Crestwood AFJROTC award winning drill team for their

impressive performance.

Results from Irmo Drill Meet:

3rd Place - Fancy Armed Element - Commanded by Cadet Kyle Markow

3rd Place – Fancy Duet Armed - Commanded by Cadet Deshawn Abbott and Cadet Kyle Markow

3rd Place – Fancy Unarmed Element – Commanded by Cadet Teje Cousar and Cadet Eva Abbott

2nd Place – Color Guard – Commanded by Cadet Kyle Markow

2nd Place – Regulation Armed Individual Deshawn Abbott – Commanded by Alaina Coker

1st Place – Basic Unarmed Element – Commanded by Cadet Teje Cousar

1st Place – Fancy Armed Flight – Commanded by Cadet Deshawn Abbott

2nd Place – KNOCKOUT COMPETITION – Cadet Tomas Cauthen Finished 2ND out of over 150 cadets!

3rd Place Overall – Drill Team Commander, Cadet Deshawn Abbott

Results from Conway Drill Meet:

3rd Place - Fancy Unarmed Flight – Commanded by Cadet Alaina Coker and Cadet Rontoya Jenkins

3rd Place – Basic Unarmed Element – Commanded by Cadet Teje Cousar

2nd Place – Fancy Armed Flight – Commanded by Cadet Deshawn Abbott

2nd Place – Fancy Unarmed Flight – Commanded by Cadet Teje Cousar and Cadet Rontoya Jenkins

1st Place – Basic Unarmed Flight – Commanded by Cadet Alaina Coker

3rd Place Overall – Drill Team Commander Deshawn Abbott

Students thrive in masonry programThe second year of the masonry program at the Sumter County Career Center

is progressing. Students are now working on team based projects after a year of

individual projects learning. The course is rigorous but fun.

According to Career Specialist Heather Farthing, “I am always excited

to see the progression of each student as they grow and develop the skills and

knowledge needed to become an effective competitor in today’s workforce. Each

student goes through at least 12 weeks of classroom training that consists of safety,

construction math, hand and power tools, blueprints, communication, and

employability skills, along

with countless hours of

hands-on masonry training in

the lab and on job sites.

Pictured right are

students building an eight

inch brick wall with a

semicircular arch.

Furman Middle School hosts

annual Career Fair

Thirty vendors from local

businesses and industries in

Sumter County entered the doors

of Furman Middle School to

participate in our annual Career

Fair. The purpose of the Career

Fair is to provide students with the

opportunity to explore various

careers in one location. The

students eagerly participated by

interviewing no less than three

vendors who were very impressed

with our students. By the end of

the Career Fair the students were

better informed about the job

market, education requirements

and the experience it takes to get a

job with a specific company.

Furman students embrace Poetry CaféFor a number of days, students interpreted figurative language devices, elements of

poetry, author’s craft, and the importance of poetry form. In celebration of the students’

achievements and taking what they learned in class and applying the skills to the real

world, Furman Middle School chose to share their accomplishments through poetry

reading.

Invitations were created and sent throughout Furman and surrounding areas.

Room 310 was transformed into Miller’s Café with tables set with candle centerpieces,

colorful cloths floated across tables, the stage was outlined with lights, the microphone

stood at attention, guitar music played softly in the background, lights dimmed to

enhance the mood, and the aroma of food floated throughout the café.

Students recited their poems, and some pleaded to share several more. Some students

were animated as they read. Some classmates were shockingly surprised to hear the

content, tone, and voice of budding poets. Parents, teachers, administrators, and district

personnel were in attendance and were invited to the stage. A parent shared her poem,

and Dr. Copeland read “Friends.” Students listened attentively to the poetic devices

and message of each poem. No café would be complete without snaps to show their

love, support, and success.

The poetry café is becoming a tradition at Furman Middle School. Ms. Miller

created the café about four or five years ago in celebration of writing and studying

poetry. For the last couple of years, other classes, Ms. Carrier and Ms. Pollard, have

celebrated with a café, and Ms. Prince celebrated with a café this year.

WANT TO PRESENT? WANT TO ATTEND? MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT

HTTP://WWW.GEEKMONKEE.COM/ACTIVCAROLINAS_2013

ACTIVCAROLINAS 2013LEARN, CREATE, & REJUVENATE

FEBRUARY 9, 2013 • SUMTER HIGH SCHOOL

SUMTER SCHOOLS & PROMETHEAN

WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO ATTEND...