A Monumental $15 Million Investment in Spartanburg County Students Who Need It Most |
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Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM), in partnership with Spartanburg School Districts 3 and 7, has announced a five-year, $15 million Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) grant to provide extensive support for students and families in three D7 schools – Mary H. Wright, Cleveland Academy of Leadership, and Carver Middle School; and in three District 3 schools – Cowpens Elementary, Pacolet Elementary, and Clifdale Middle School. The grant expands partnership support in both districts from Spartanburg community organizations including the Benjamin E. Mays Family Center, Bloom Upstate, City of Spartanburg Parks and Recreation Department, Emerge Family Therapy Center, My Brother’s Keeper, Northside Development Group, Quality Counts, ReGenesis Healthcare, and United Way of the Piedmont.
During a kickoff celebration on February 2 at Pacolet Elementary School, SAM CEO Dr. Russell Booker said the Full-Service Community Schools grant administered by the Department of Education is a collaborative model that centers the school as a place for students and families to access a variety of services that will improve student achievement and other outcomes around four pillars: holistic integrated student supports, active family and community engagement, expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities, and collaborative leadership and practices. Ours is the only one awarded to a South Carolina organization or school district this year.
The grant will provide wraparound services including additional 3K classrooms, family navigators, a mobile health clinic, Continuous Improvement trainings for teachers, classroom coaching for appropriate behavior response, family and community-based resources, quality after-school programming, and site coordinators to help lead the initiatives.
“Partnerships are one of the great hallmarks of our Spartanburg community, and that has long been reflected within District 7," said Superintendent Jeff Stevens. "Many community organizations provide wrap-around services that support our students and families on a daily basis, and they are a critical part of our educational approach. We wholeheartedly embrace this collaborative work and recognize its impact on our children’s growth and achievement. However, there is much more work to be done in order for every student to receive the support they need in order to thrive. The FSCS grant will help fill many of these gaps and reduce the barriers to successful learning many of our students face. I am proud that Spartanburg is able to demonstrate a shared, community-wide commitment to this work that is deemed worthy of such significant investment. Our culture of collaboration is growing, and our community will be far better because of it.”
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Above photos: Scenes from the Kickoff Breakfast; Bottom photo: SAM CEO Dr. Russell Booker and FSCS grant lead Dr. Jennifer Parker with leadership teams from Districts 3 and 7 including Board members, Superintendents, Chief Academic Officers, and School Principals involved in the grant |
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Empowering Students for Success: A Countdown to Achievement! |
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Can you believe it? We're hurtling through the calendar faster than a comet, and the grand finale of this academic year is just around the corner! The countdown has officially begun — fewer than 30 school days until our elementary and middle schoolers conquer their final i-Ready assessments and ramp up for SC Ready. Meanwhile, high schoolers are gearing up for AP exams in 60 days, and the crescendo of end-of-course and final exams echoing in the distance at 70 days. Hold onto your backpacks, because summer break will be here with open arms in just 75 school days!
⏰ The Heartbeat of Success
Take a deep breath, parents, guardians, and students alike! We're not here to invoke panic; instead, consider this your friendly reminder to embark on a journey of academic goal-setting. These assessments fulfill a significant and noble purpose. They help ensure each student is equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the uncharted waters of future success. Our dedicated educators use this valuable data to tailor their support for the academic growth of our young champions.
🌟 Celebrating Milestones
Our schools celebrate student growth and achievement in big and small ways. Drayton Mills Elementary (above) makes sure each student (and parent) understands their individualized pathway in reading and math and awards window clings to classes for participation. They also add a paw print to their Dalmatian for each student who meets their stretch goal. Meanwhile, at McCracken Middle, students who demonstrated the greatest growth on the winter i-Ready diagnostic celebrated with an ice cream feast. Over at Cleveland, their i-Ready coach held a work session with teachers to help them pinpoint specific strategies to help students based on winter assessment data. And students celebrated proficiency with cupcakes. The examples go on and on! Cheers to our fourth year with i-Ready, as we continue to celebrate the beauty that lies in the diversity of learning paths. No two students are alike, and that's the secret sauce of this initiative.
🗣️Conversations that Spark Understanding
Families, now's the time to embark on a conversation with your child about their goals. Feeling a bit lost? Fret not! Our superhero teachers and staff are here to be your guides. Team7 isn't just a name; it's a commitment to your child's success, and we're armed with the tools to navigate any academic terrain.
As the days tick away, let's rally together to support our students in reaching new heights of achievement. Here's to an amazing journey of learning and growth!
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Honoring Dr. King as We Learn, Laugh, Grow, and Love TOGETHER as TEAM7 |
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In a remarkable display of unity and civic engagement, many D7 students and staff took center stage for the City's Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity celebration events. Adding a splash of creativity, our students participated in an art contest that served as a canvas for their expressions of justice, love, and unity. Our students created poster designs for the MLK Poster Contest like the ones pictured below from Drayton Mills Elementary and McCracken Middle. Our E. P. Todd School choir (pictured above) was invited to perform at the Mayor's Unity Breakfast. McCracken Middle School and Carver Middle School took student groups to march together for Spartanburg's poignant Walk As One, not merely as participants, but as torchbearers of Dr. King's vision for a harmonious society.
During the finale Community Celebration in our D7 Fine Arts Center, we were proud to see our Carver student council and dancers participate, to enjoy the talents of 8th grader Averi Jefferson as co-emcee of the event with her father, and to honor the community-minded efforts of Viking Early College student Savion Madison as he received the City's inaugural student humanitarian award. Savion was nominated because of his passion, dedication, and commitment to making Spartanburg a better place. Ending the week-long celebration with a "day off" on the MLK holiday, D7 students, staff and families worked across Spartanburg for the annual MLK Day of Service. A team from Meeting Street Academy - Spartanburg built beds for those in our community together with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and Carver Middle Kingz Mentees participated in the Highland Community Cleanup with the United Way of the Piedmont. We are grateful to partner with organizations and individuals in our community that put service above self.
The importance of of student and staff participation extends beyond the events themselves. Their involvement is a tangible commitment to the ongoing pursuit of equality and understanding. Our students are not only commemorating history but actively shaping the narrative of a more inclusive and compassionate future. In these moments of togetherness, our school community stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of Dr. King's teachings and the profound impact that unity can have on shaping a society that truly reflects his dream.
District 7 and our schools are proud to be part of a community that comes together for events like this - for the 37th year!
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In Appreciation of Our Board of Trustees |
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We celebrate National School Board Appreciation Month by inviting our D7 Family to join us in a heartfelt tribute to our dedicated Trustees. These unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes to shape policies and strategies that elevate the educational experience for all. Their unwavering commitment to excellence helps steer our journey toward fostering an environment where every student is equipped with the resources, opportunities, and unwavering support needed to realize their full potential.
In this month of recognition, let's take a moment to applaud the selfless contributions of our District 7 Trustees (pictured from left): Clay Mahaffey (Board Vice Chair), James Jones, Jeff Mason, Hallie Hurst, Sharon Porter (Board Chair), Griffin Lynch, Meg Clayton, Rick Gray, and Vernon Beatty.
To our Trustees, we express gratitude for your leadership as a driving force behind our shared vision for academic excellence. Your commitment does not go unnoticed, and this month serves as an important opportunity to publicly recognize your impact on the lives of every student within our D7 Family.
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Carver Wildcats Achieve Excellence in AVID Certification Renewal |
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In a proud moment for our Carver Wildcats, a team of dedicated students and staff demonstrated the seamless integration of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) across Carver's educational landscape for a special group of visitors on January 25th. The day was not only for their AVID evaluation team, who granted Carver a three-year renewal of its AVID certification (congratulations, Wildcats!), but also for nearly 30 educators from AVID schools across the region who were eager to glean insights from Carver's best practices.
Through engaging teacher and student panel discussions, classroom visits, and presentations by Carver's leadership team, the day provided a comprehensive view of Carver's commitment to AVID principles. The event culminated with rotations through student-led stations, where students illustrated their portfolios and answered questions about how they benefit from the WICOR learning model (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading). Our visitors were genuinely impressed!
Carver's distinction as a national demonstration site for AVID places it among the top 2% of the 8,000 AVID schools nationwide. AVID's approach to education empowers teachers to shift from content delivery to facilitating learning and cultivating an inquiry-based, student-centric classroom. Carver's dedication to AVID not only equips students for more rigorous coursework but also fosters a culture of individual determination and a college-bound mindset. Kudos to the entire Carver community for this well-deserved accomplishment!
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A panel discussion with Carver faculty about their approach to AVID lends insight to the evaluation team and to representatives from other AVID schools. |
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Carver students showcase their portfolios, engaging in discussion and responding to inquiries from our visitors. |
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Nestled within our school district is a choral program that positions D7 as a true leader in the realm of musical education. Our students aren't just learning notes; they're cultivating harmony that extends beyond the classroom. Whether enchanting audiences at local events, contributing to community projects, or lending their voices to charitable causes, our choral stars spread joy wherever they go. And throughout January, students from every D7 school wove vibrant threads of talent and community engagement through a series of special performance opportunities.
Choral Connections (video above) brought together ten students from each of our schools for an inspiring day of musical collaboration. This unique event culminated in a mesmerizing concert displaying the collective talent and shared passion for choral excellence across our district. The harmonious connection forged through the power of song transcended individual schools as students reprised "We're All in This Together" from the district's Opening Convocation.
Our middle school students lent their voices to the uplifting cause of Spartanburg Sings (top photo above), a memorable concert supporting the Rotary Club of Spartanburg. It was a noteworthy display of talent and community spirit, as students from Carver and McCracken joined 180 students from 12 other middle schools on stage at the District 3 Fine Arts Center. Their voices not only reverberated throughout the auditorium but also helped raise funding for youth opportunity programs in Spartanburg. The event was organized by Rotarian and D7 Chief Academic Officer Dr. Terry Pruitt and made possible through the hard work of middle school choral directors who prepared students for the performance.
Celebrating another musical triumph, a choral ensemble from Pine Street Elementary School stole the spotlight by delivering a harmonious rendition of the national anthem at the Wofford vs. Furman women's basketball game (photo below). Their young voices showcased the depth of talent within our school district.
These experiences underscore D7's commitment to community engagement. Thank you for helping us nurture the love for music and teamwork that defines our choral program!
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Under the direction of Lori Patterson, the Pine Street Singers performed the National Anthem at the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium during the Wofford vs. Furman Women's Basketball game. Kudos for brilliantly representing D7 in the community! |
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Worldly Flavors Feed Futures |
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We hope your bags are packed! D7 students have hopped a flight for a culinary adventure to the Caribbean thanks to our creative food services team! Our Global Eats events kicked off Tuesday, January 30th with a trip to the islands via our school cafeterias. Spartanburg High School students sampled Jerk Chicken, Antiguan Stewed Fish, Cuban Black Beans & Rice, and Haitian Sweet Potatoes. Auden Joseph, Chartwells' Director of Dining in School District 3 and a native of the Island of Antigua, was guest chef and spoke with students about Caribbean food and culture. Students loved the dishes so much they came back for seconds (and thirds)!
Amanda Glackin, D7's Director of Food Services, has plenty more ideas for kicking things up a notch in our cafeterias! Her team will help students explore another country through the Global Eats program this spring - Korea! The program offers six countries (Italy, China, Mexico, India, Korea, and the Caribbean). The reviews from students and staff so far are extremely enthusiastic. Our food services team is committed to staying on the pulse of flavors that always deliver.
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District 7's 2024-2025 Academic Calendar |
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For the 2024-2025 academic year:
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Students will start the new school year on Monday, August 12, 2024.
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The last day of school will be a half day on Friday, May 23, 2025.
In accordance with state law, the school calendar includes 180 scheduled instructional days and ten professional development/teacher workdays. District 7 was granted a waiver from the South Carolina Legislature, along with all other Spartanburg County school districts, to hold our first day of school prior to the third Monday in August. This waiver requires our 2024-2025 calendar to be referred to as a “modified year-round school calendar” and list the summer learning offerings that have always been available to students in June and July, should they need extra supports. This small shift provides more balance between the two semesters and aligns with our neighboring districts.
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Victory Beyond the Field: Todd Staley Recognized as SCACA Athletic Director of the Year |
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In a well-deserved recognition of long-sanding dedication and leadership, Spartanburg High School Athletic Director Todd Staley was awarded the prestigious title of South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association's Athletic Director of the Year.
For over a decade, Coach Staley has been the driving force behind District 7's athletic prowess, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of high school sports in D7 and in our state. His dedication goes far beyond wins and losses; it encompasses a commitment to enhancing the holistic student-athlete experience.
This recognition is also a testament to the collaborative effort among our coaches, support staff, administration, and our remarkable student-athletes and their families. Together, they have built a legacy that reflects the power of unity and shared goals. Join us in applauding Coach Staley for this remarkable achievement and celebrating the triumphs that go beyond the scoreboard. His leadership exemplifies the spirit of Spartanburg High School and D7, and we look forward to many more years of athletic excellence under his guidance.
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Indulge in the infectious joy radiating from those beaming smiles! Superintendent Stevens' weekly school visits forge essential connections with students and staff. Their positive energy and camaraderie is truly uplifting! |
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Learning Never Ceases...Even When You're 100! |
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From inventive projects to interactive lessons - all centered around the theme of "100", our schools went all out to make the 100th Day (or the 101st, if you are a Drayton Mills Dalmatian!) memorable. The joy of learning was palpable, and the day served as a living testament to the creativity and dedication of our educators. Here's to the next 100 days of learning, growth, and creating countless memories together! |
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100 days smarter for the win from this cutie from Pine Street Elementary. |
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Hats off to this adorable Cleveland Academy of Leadership scholar who embraced the day dressed as a centenarian! |
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Kindergarten students at Mary H. Wright counted all kinds of fun items to equal 100. |
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Jesse Boyd centenarians celebrated their achievements with festive hats and plenty of smiles. |
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McCracken Principal Dr. Telena Woody made sure our middle schoolers marked the day with a smile! |
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The Eagles from McCarthy Teszler are always flying high - "We are 100 days better because we spent them together!" |
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These Dalmatians had us wagging our tails on the 101st day of school - Drayton Mills Elementary gets in on the celebration a day later (because they MUST be 101 Dalmatians)! Doesn't their SRO look cute in spots?? |
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Kudos to Alivia Rundgren, the Middle School Girls State Championship 100lb weight class state runner-up! A 7th grader from Spartanburg Preparatory School, she proudly represents Carver in wrestling—a testament to community partnership. Alivia continues the wrestling legacy of her family, with an older sister who excelled at the Olympic level. |
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Caroline Byers proudly received another state championship ring as this year's 5A State Champion in the 100 Breaststroke! Caroline continues to make waves in the pool as a multi-year state champion, showcasing excellence and commitment to her sport. |
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Daniel Morgan Technology Center opened its doors to Spartanburg High School freshmen to provide a first-hand look at the diverse college and career opportunities there. Guided by DMTC instructors, students explored various programs during an insightful tour. Whether your interest is in sports medicine, physical therapy, education, communications, cosmetology, mechatronics, welding, or many other career fields, we encourage parents and students to explore the 2024-2025 Program Guide
or consult with a Guidance Counselor for registration details.
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Cleveland Academy's Lego Club embraced International Lego Day on January 28th, bringing together imagination, artistry, and a dash of friendly competition with Lego building, robot races, trivia, and artistry. |
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The staff at the Franklin School and all of us in D7 want to remind you of a valuable resource in Spartanburg - Hello, Family! Need support or advice on parenting? Hello, Family is just a text away! Reach out to the Hello Family Hotline – Spartanburg’s go-to for quick, caring assistance at (864) 606-9908 and/or you can find them here on Facebook.
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Embracing the spirit of Kindness Month in February, our entire district is lifting up acts of compassion. Drayton Mills students, leading the charge, expressed their love through heartwarming art to kick off this month-long celebration of kindness |
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Team7 Triumph!
D7 Raises Nearly $40K for United Way with Broadway Excitement from Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
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D7 faculty and staff recently participated in our annual United Way campaign. As Team7 we are proud to support the United Way’s Community Impact Agenda, a ten-year plan focusing on education, health, and economic mobility that aims to remove barriers many of our students face to thriving in school and in life. This work is important, and we appreciate the many partners who work on behalf of the students and families we love so much. We are proud of how our D7 family responded - in total we raised close to $40,000!
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We add a special note of appreciation to Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium and Lindsay Drakulic, Director of Marketing, who rolled out the red carpet for us by generously donating free tickets to some lucky D7 team members who participated in the campaign. Each of our schools had a winner who was able to select a show for their families from the fabulous lineup of Broadway shows, concerts and performers from now through the spring. This incentive energized our campaign!
The new Broadway series at the SMA has returned to Spartanburg after 20 years! If you are interested in learning about Broadway's return and supporting these shows or any of their concerts visit https://www.crowdpleaser.com/events.
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Friday, February 16
Staff Development Day - Student Holiday
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Month of February
Black History Month
Kindness Month
Monday, Feb 5 – Friday, Feb 9
National School Counseling Week
Sunday, February 11
Super Bowl Sunday
Friday, February 16
Staff Development
Student Holiday
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Wednesday, February 14
Valentine’s Day
Ash Wednesday
Monday, February 19
President’s Day – School in Session
Monday, February 19 – Friday, February 23
Bus Driver Appreciation Week
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We're HIRING! Become a Member of Team7! |
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Experience the inviting spirit of Spartanburg School District 7, where excellence meets community synergy! Comprising nearly 7,500 students and a robust team of 1,600 dedicated educators and staff, Team7 creates an atmosphere akin to a 'school family.' Chart your course with us, exploring diverse roles – be it teaching, substitutes, aides, front office staff, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, maintenance and custodial team members, and more. Team7 invites you to be a part of our educational legacy, shaping the future with a community-driven focus. |
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Spread the word about these exciting opportunities to help D7 provide educational excellence!
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610 Dupre Drive
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29307
P: 864.594.4400
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