Black History Month
Shines Spotlight on Hidden Figures
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The Untold Story of NASA's Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson
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In 1976, as part of the U.S. Bicentennial, then-President Gerald Ford expanded Black History Week to Black History Month. He urged the country to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often-neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every endeavor throughout history." Fast forward to February 2017, and the popular movie,
Hidden Figures, provided Superintendent Dr. Russell Booker with a perfect platform for his remarks to students at McCracken Middle School. Pointing to the true story--
and current Hollywood hit--about the three African-American women at NASA who helped put a man in space, Dr. Booker pulled the concept of hidden figures closer to home by showcasing a number of District 7's prominent black alumni.
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Wynona Douglas in the 1964 Spartana Yearbook
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Citing the courage of a local trailblazer, Dr. Booker told students, a young Wynona Douglas was the first African-American student to attend Spartanburg High School. She was allowed entrance after her family petitioned the School Board in 1964.
Offering
another little-known fact, Dr. Booker noted that SHS alumna, Kitty Black Perkins, was the Chief Designer for Mattel's Barbie line for 25 years. The iconic doll loved by millions of children around the world can thank one of our Vikings for decades of style.
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| SHS Alum Kitty Perkins Black Syled Barbie for 25 Years |
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Throughout the District, students and faculty recognized the annual observance of Black History Month with a wide variety of informative and artistic performances. Similar programs will be front and center in March, when schools celebra
te Women's History Month.
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| Mr. Monier Abusaft Speaking at SHS Black History Month Program |
In one of our stories below you'll read about the phenomenal city-wide art project called
Seeing Spartanburg in a New Light sponsored by the Chapman Cultural Center and Bloomberg Philanthropies. New to the project is a film called
Legends of Highland. The 30-minute documentary is making it's debut this month at the Video Village in the Highland Community and features a number of our own District 7 alumni.
Click here to watch the documentary, with the password WEE2016.
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Progress from Every Angle
D7 Building Projects Are Taking Shape
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A 3D Tour Inside the New Elementary School
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The properties that will be home to two new schools in the District are in the midst of a dramatic makeover. For Spartanburg residents traveling on East Main Street or Sky
lyn Drive, there's no missing the construction work now underway. Be sure to follow 7Headlines every month for the latest aerial footage, new images and timely updates.
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Future Focus
Career and Community Day at E.P. Todd
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A Look at Law Enforcement
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E.P. Todd teachers turned their classrooms over to police, pastors, engineers, attorneys, farmers, and pharmacists
on Friday, Feb. 3.
Even a few four-legged friends showed up for the school's annual Career and Community Day. "We want our children to understand there are literally hundreds of career opportunities in the world," Principal Charlene Doctor said. "From an early age, they are encouraged to explore a variety of interests and to begin thinking about their own professional aspirations." With the help of dozens of community volunteers, E.P. Todd's Career Day was a tremendous success. And, from the looks of the picture below, even the calves from Lawson Farms milked it for all it was worth.
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How 'Bout Cattle Farming |
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| Let's Try This On For Size |
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You're Invited to the State of the District
Thursday, March 30
Every year at this time, District 7 invites members of the community to the Superintendent's State of the District. The one-hour presentation begins at
8:00 a.m. Thursday, March 30 in the David Reid Theatre at the Chapman Cultural Center. Please RSVP if you'd like to attend.
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The Meaningful Role of Mentors
If you were, or are, fortunate enough to have a mentor you know the importance of such a relationship. As our partners at Gallup, the national polling giant, tell us, successful students report having had one or more people who were mentors and took a real interest in their aspirations. District 7 is working to elevate the opportunity for mentorship with the implementation of several in-school programs. From clubs and projects coordinated by faculty and staff to programs that are supported by volunteers in the community, D7 is on a mission to ensure all of our children are engaged with mentors.
Members of the Mary H. Wright Leadership Club at The Episcopal Church of the Advent, Baking Valentine Treats for Their Teachers
Please
contact Dr. Sonia Leverette, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, if you'd like to learn more about any of the following programs.
Carver Middle School: Boys to Men
Mary H. Wright Elementary School:
The Leadership Club
Spartanburg High School:
Girls United and Tiger Alliance
McCracken Middle School:
Girl Power
Jesse Boyd:
Suit Up, Terrier Club
Pine Street School:
Girls on the Run, After School Homework Club
Cleveland Academy of Leadership:
Queen Club and King Club
E.P. Todd:
Reading Club with Wofford Athletes
Houston:
Time with the Vikings
Meeting Street Academy:
Lunchtime Mentors
Viking Early College -
Lunch and Learn
A
few of our community partners include: Episcopal Church of the Advent, Wofford and Converse College Athletics, First Presbyterian Church, Girls on the Run, Spartanburg High School Football Team, Denny's,
First Baptist Church Of Spartanburg Outreach Ministry, Spartanburg Chapter of Links, Inc., Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Woodward's Funeral Home, Mentors of the Upstate, Boys and Girls Club, Citizens Scholars, The Bethlehem Center, and The City of Spartanburg.
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Time For Kindergarten Registration
Pre-school registration for the 2017-2018 school year begins on March 20. The District offers 4-year-old kindergarten programs at the Early Learning Center and the Cleveland Academy of Leadership; 3- and 4-year-old programs at Meeting Street Academy; and a fee-based, 3- and 4-year-old Montessori program at E.P. Todd. Eligibility screening is required and class sizes are limited. For more information, visit our website, call (864) 594-6190, or stop by your neighborhood elementary school Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
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We Love our District 7 Bus Drivers
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| Members of the District 7 Transportation Team |
With some 65 buses rolling every week and more than 108 routes on any given day - we're sending out tons of thanks to the more than 100 District 7 bus drivers who make up our amazing Transportation Team. In honor of National Bus Driver Appreciation Week this month - this shout out goes to the men and women who make it all look easy!
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Back for an Encore
D7
Leader in Me Schools Invited to Symposium
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| Chapman Chief's Standing Tall at Franklin Covey Leader in Me Symposium at the Marriott, Friday, Feb. 17 |
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For the second year in a row, educators from around the country gathered in Spartanburg for a national conference dedicated to empowering elementary and middle schools to model 21st-century leadership skills. Developed by
Franklin Covey Education and based on the principles in Steven Covey's
7 Habits of Highly Effective People, these seminars support a comprehensive leadership curriculum, called
The Leader in Me, in more than 2,780 schools around the globe. The
Leader in Me program was implemented at the Cleveland Academy of Leadership in 2011, and in 2014 Cleveland was recognized as a
Leader in Me Lighthouse School; today there are fewer than 300 Lighthouse Schools in the world. Chapman Elementary School adopted the
Leader in Me curriculum in fall 2015. Cleveland students helped kick off the conference with a rousing rendition of the signature song they performed last year entitled,
I Want to Be a Leader. During the two-day seminar, participants toured both D7 schools to meet and mingle with our up-and-coming leaders.
Check out the pictures on the right to see our "Habit Heroes" from Chapman!
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Vikings See Spartanburg In a New Light
Artist Erwin Redl Visits SHS
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Erwin Redl With Students |
Internationally renowned light and digital media artist Erwin Redl recently visited Spartanburg High School. In addition to talking with students about the nine local art installations he created for a temporary exhibit called Seeing Spartanburg in a New Light, Mr. Redl
challenged students to cultivate their own artistic expressions. The outdoor exhibits were made possible through the Chapman Cultural Center with a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Be sure to check it out before the lights go out on April 1.
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Mr. Erwin Redl Shares His Advice For Young Artists
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Pine St. Teacher
Cooks Up Sweet Recipe for Reading
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Teacher Susan Gilstrap at Pine St. School |
Who knew that reading could be so delicious?!
Fifth graders in Mrs. Susan Gilstrap's class at Pine Street Elementary were surprised with a unique, fun day of learning on Valentine's Day. The students were introduced to their very first Book Tasting.
When students entered the classroom, Mrs. Gilstrap, dressed as a cook, welcomed her students to "Cafe Gilstrap." Students were dazzled to discover that their normal classroom had been transformed to a cafe complete with glass vases of hand-cut roses on each table, a roaring fire on the Interactive Whiteboard, and soft music playing to give the room a warm, welcoming ambiance.
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Reserved for Readers!
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Each table had a selection of books from six different genres of literature. Students were given a "menu" to record their findings of each book (based on genre), as well as cite evidence from the texts. While working tediously, students were treated to warm "croissants," (Krispy Kreme donuts), and finished their Book Tasting with some after-dinner "mints" (M&M's).
"As a teacher, one of my many goals is to help my students fall in love with reading," Mrs. Gilstrap said. "What better day is there to do just that than on Valentine's Day?"
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Seen Around Seven
Mr. Bill Barnet is the Featured Speaker at Houston's
Family First Breakfast.
Meeting Street Sweethearts
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SHS Student Body President Bryson Coleman at McCracken Black History Program
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| "Contractionologists" at Jesse Boyd, Dissecting Words |
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Visitors Come to Learn More About About Carver's
Awesome Avid Program
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Jesse Boyd's Super Singers
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Celebrating Grandparents' Day at Pine Street School
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Voila! It's 3D Designed
by Students at Daniel Morgan
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Spelling Bee Whiz
Makayla Smith of JBE |
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| Skipping to The Beat at Meeting Street's Dance for Heart |
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Nothing like a theatrical forecast to put a little spring in your step! The best of Broadway is coming to District 7. It's time to reserve a seat for one or all of the seven performances beginning in our schools next month. From Lions to Dalmatians, to the Land of Oz you won't want to miss these wonderful musicals!
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D7 Performs
Nun Other Than...
May 25-28, 2017
Spartanburg School District 7 will present SISTER ACT, A DIVINE COMEDY at the Chapman Cultural Center from May 25-28, 2017.
Ticket information will be released soon, but mark your calendar now. Presented by D7's musical theatre students, this is a show you won't want to miss.
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March 7 Board Meeting
March 12 Daylight Saving Time
March 16 135th Day of School
March 17 Make Up Day
March 23 Report Cards
March 30 State of the District
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Making good on a promise to students,
Dennis Reigner,
Assistant Principal at Pine Street, took the plunge (in a big way) and jumped out of a plane on Feb. 19 to celebrate the school's successful Boosterthon Fundraiser! Talk about fearless leaders!
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WordMaster Wizards Grab the Gold in National Competition
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Board Members Celebrate Odyssey Students
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With a near-perfect score, this 3rd-grade Odyssey team placed first in the nation among 112 teams in the WordMasters Challenge.
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To welcome visiting educators from the Leader in Me Conference, Chapman Elementary School called in the Habit Heroes! This group of superheroes was created by Chapman's Student Lighthouse Team to help promote the 7 Habits among their peers. Meet: Proactive Woman, Mr. Master Mind, Princess Priority, The Winner, Super Seeker, The Synergy Twins, Dr. Balance, and Captain Voicebox.
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In Honor of National School Counseling Week
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Thumbs Up To These Great Educators!
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Top Left - Houston
Top Right - Carver Wildcats
Bottom Left - Houston and JBE
Bottom Right - Chapman Chiefs
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