During Teacher Appreciation Week, we pause to reflect on the vital role our teachers play in shaping the future of our world. Under normal circumstances, teaching is a very demanding profession – and yet during the incredibly difficult circumstances of this year, they continue to be more flexible, creative, and resilient while searching for more effective ways to educate our children. District 7's teachers are game changers in the lives of our students. We salute them for their hard work and dedication and we honor them with this Teacher Appreciation Day video!
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D7 Teacher in National Spotlight for Making a Difference During the Pandemic |
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The 74, a national publication that focuses on education, selected Spartanburg High School special education teacher Hannah Land as one of 10 teachers across the country to spotlight for going above and beyond to make an impact during the pandemic. The story, which was published for Teacher Appreciation Week, is featured as the top story on their website and the excerpt about Mrs. Land is included below. Congratulations to Hannah Land for representing D7 on the national level!
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This Teacher Taught a 14-Year-Old With Down Syndrome to Read. Remotely. During a Pandemic.
Hannah Land
(Nominated by D7 parent Krystal Gurganus)
Special Education, Spartanburg School District 7
As the mother of a teen with Down Syndrome, Krystal Gurganus has seen her son Landon face his share of challenges. So it came as a shock when special education teacher Hannah Land taught Landon to read this year – remotely. In the middle of a pandemic.
“I’ve never heard my child read before. And he’s 14 years old,” said Gurganus. “So this was in that moment when I was sitting beside him on a computer, and I hear him read an actual story for the very first time, that was not only emotional, but it was mind-blowing that this teacher was able to engage my child through a screen and to get him to do that when we’ve never been able to do that.”
Land was also able to teach Landon to add and subtract this year, surpassing his goal of simply being able to identify numbers.
That was “one of those moments of ‘Holy moly’ … he is adding and subtracting. Not only identifying his numbers, but she’s taught him how to do something I never thought he would be capable of,” Gurganus said.
“She’s just kind,” she added. “She’s able to break that [communication] barrier down and still get to know her kids.”
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Forward Together as One Spartanburg High School |
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The 2020-2021 school year commemorates the 50th anniversary of bringing Carver High School and Spartanburg High School together as one. District 7 is excited to continue our celebration of this important milestone with this billboard next to SHS. The four students pictured were voted by their student body as having done the most to bring about an inclusive merger between the two schools. They helped lead students in creating new traditions, mascots, and school publications that represented their united schools. These four students also served as inspiration for the Forward Together sculpture, which was unveiled earlier this year at the D7 Fine Arts Center. We were honored to welcome three of them to campus last year for conversations about a name for our sculpture. The series of commemoration milestones, which also includes the installation of the Carver High School history wall inside SHS, has been very special for Spartanburg High School students and staff, and to all of District 7.
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Order Your Engraved Paver for the D7 Fine Arts Center
(It's a perfect gift for a graduating senior!)
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Custom engraved brick pavers surround the Forward Together sculpture at the Fine Arts Center plaza and are still available for purchase. Engraved pavers make perfect gift for the Class of 2021, a favorite teacher, or a Viking alum. They are also a great way to honor a loved one with ties to District 7. Each engraved paver is $100 and benefits D7 student scholarship. Your gift ensures that both your legacy—and our community’s rich history—are preserved for future generations.
The timeline for installation will be determined by the volume of bricks ordered. The first order of bricks was installed in October. Place your order by submitting payment along with this form. A printable gift certificate form is also available if you’d like to give a brick as a gift.
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Free 4K Program is Expanding Into Our Elementary Schools - Apply by May 25 for June Acceptance |
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District 7's free 4K program is expanding into our elementary schools! If you’ve ever wondered about the benefits of starting your child in school before kindergarten, District 7 has the reasons you should.
4K is open to children who will be 4 years old on or before September 1st. To apply for June acceptance decisions, visit https://www.spartanburg7.org/4K by May 25. After May 25, applications will be accepted if space is available FAMILIES ARE URGED TO APPLY BY MAY 25 so that District 7 can coordinate teaching staff and class rosters.
This spring the School Board passed the 4K restructuring plan designed to increase kindergarten readiness across the district. The current program will move from the Early Learning Center at Park Hills into students’ “home” elementary schools, expanding capacity in order to provide early academic intervention for more students. Being in the elementary schools will provide students access to more comprehensive schoolwide services and programs; enable students to form earlier connections with the school and teachers who will serve them for the next six years; and provide access to support from the elementary schools’ parent engagement facilitators, literacy coaches, related arts teachers, and school counselors.
The 4K program provides a full-day, comprehensive approach to learning and follows the regular arrival and dismissal times of our elementary schools. Bus transportation is available, and breakfast, snack and lunch are served daily. The program incorporates evidence-based practices with ongoing assessment and focuses on the developmental support children must have in order to be ready for kindergarten.
Students zoned for ALL District 7 elementary schools may apply. Priority for enrollment will be based on need, focusing on at-risk students. For the coming year, programs will be housed at The Cleveland Academy/The Franklin School, Drayton Mills Elementary, E.P. Todd School, and Mary H. Wright Elementary. Starting in fall 2022, the program will expand into Jesse Boyd Elementary and Pine Street Elementary. Meeting Street Academy already has a 4K program, which will continue.
District 7’s elementary teachers are enthusiastic about welcoming 4K to their schools. “I recognize that 4K is critically important, especially for at-risk students,” said Sarah Kennedy, who previously taught preschool self-contained students and now teaches at the Cleveland Academy of Leadership. “I hope this will help with enrollment in 4K and help our students be better prepared when coming into 5K. This change makes me very proud to say I work in D7 and that we are moving forward to help all students!”
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Enroll Now for the 2021-2022 School Year |
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Parents of current students should have received an email with instructions about how to register their child/children for next school year (including the unique snapcode for each student, which you will use to register if you do not have a PowerSchool Parent Portal account). We are asking parents to please complete this process as soon as possible. New and returning student enrollment information is available on our website at https://www.spartanburg7.org/studentenrollment. If you do not understand a question or are having technical difficulties, please contact your child's school for help.
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Spotlight Shines on Meeting Street Academy
During Schools of Innovation Bill Signing
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Pushing the envelope of innovation through partnerships is ingrained in our district. We are committed to providing the opportunity for every student to achieve their full potential. - Superintendent Jeff Stevens
The strength of Spartanburg School District 7 rests upon robust partnerships that enhance the quality of life for our students, their families and the broader community. Our values – Tradition. Excellence. Innovation. – clearly define the purpose and promise of District 7 and speak to our strong academics and continued innovative teaching and learning.
Thanks to the success of Meeting Street Academy, South Carolina has taken a closer look at public schools of innovation and is paving the way for more of them to be established. On April 26, District 7 welcomed Governor Henry McMaster to Meeting Street Academy - Spartanburg for the signing of a bill that expands local control over schools of choice. He was joined by Representative Rita Allison, Meeting Street educators, and community leaders as he signed the Schools of Innovation bill that passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support. The governor’s signature makes it legal for school districts across the Palmetto State to open more than one school of innovation.
“Meeting Street Academy is a shining example of what can be accomplished when we're able to think freely and differently about how we educate our children,” said Superintendent Jeff Stevens as he opened the event with a welcome.
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Envirothon Team Honored with Survivor Tree |
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A seedling from the famed Oklahoma City bombing is donated to SHS
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The Spartanburg Soil and Water Conservation District recognized the success of the Envirothon team by donating a seedling that survived the Oklahoma City bombing. The American Elm was planted in the front of the school during a ceremony to honor the team's accomplishments. The event was covered by Fox Carolina News.
Rob Wilder has been the coach of the Envirothon team for many years and was honored to receive the donation. To see photos provided by Wilder, click here. “What better way to recognize the SHS Envirothon teams’ accomplishments and resilience than to plant an American Elm tree, Ulmus Americana, that can live up to 300 years,” Wilder said. “That this tree is a direct descendant of the American Elm that survived the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995, makes it that much more meaningful.”
The Envirothon Team has achieved many accomplishments since it formed in 1999, including placing at the national competition in both 2016 and 2019. Its members helped plant the survivor tree, each taking turns shoveling in dirt. The Spartanburg Soil and Water Conservation District has sponsored the team since it began.
The infamous Oklahoma City bombing took place in 1995 and was a deadly act of homegrown terrorism. The blast killed more than 100 civilians and destroyed local buildings. In contrast to the mass destruction left by the explosion, an American Elm tree located near the site of the bombing was left untouched and coined the Survivor Tree. The tree was almost cut down in order to recover evidence that clung to its branches, but instead became a landmark symbol of hope. The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum now pursues a mission of spreading seedlings of the Survivor Tree across the nation and world. They can be found on the White House lawn and in a park in Brooklyn honoring 9/11 survivors, among many other places.
Anna Buchart (10), who is new to Envirothon this year, commented, “I think the survivor tree symbolizes resilience. For something so beautiful to come out of such a devastating event is amazing,” Buchart said. “It is so special that Envirothon and Spartanburg High School were able receive this tree so it can continue to spread the message of hope.”
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A Shot of Hope: COVID-19 Vaccine Updates |
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South Carolina has now opened vaccines to anyone 16 years and older. This spring, District 7 moved quickly to help our employees receive vaccination appointments by partnering with Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System to assist in the registration process. At this writing D7 educators and nurses who received the vaccine through SC's phased distribution plan are fully vaccinated.
Our COVID-19 webpage includes key information from DHEC and the CDC about the vaccine and its availability within the Spartanburg community. Our goal is to help educate and connect our community with information so that our families and students can make an informed decision about receiving the vaccine. Visit D7's COVID-19 Vaccine Info Page at www.spartanburg7.org/covidvaccine for more information.
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Student council members and teachers recently talked about efforts to help students safely socialize with the Herald Journal. Above Spartanburg High School Principal Vance Jones, left, takes time to talk to Elise Bryant, 17, as she walks to class.The Herald highlighted Spartanburg High School for the way its teachers and students have found ways to learn and socialize safely. |
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Exceptional Students Named Junior Scholars |
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Congratulations to our 31 District 7 middle school students who have been named South Carolina Junior Scholars for receiving high scores on the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). The South Carolina Junior Scholars program identifies current eighth grade students with exceptional academic talent. These students are selected based on their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT or by recognition from Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (TIP).
District 7's South Carolina Junior Scholar honorees are: Margaret Akridge, Carson Bishop, Jason Blanton, Anna Brown, James Burton, Nate Clinton, Mizoria Cook, Mary Curtis, Katie Dogan, Knox Eaton, Steven Egge, Ashleigh Faulkner, Samuel Foster, Ariella Garrell, Avery Gilley, Kaylene Gonzalez, Zoe Gordon, Anne Caroline Greer, Lillie Henson, Isak Jackson, Delancey Lee, Maebel Johnson, Nalani Manigault, Teagan McEnroe, Sydney McGuire, Sydney Metts, Chariya Moon, Lauren Patterson, Nicholas Rhoden, Tyler Strickland, Paul Whisnant.
To become a South Carolina Junior Scholar, eighth grade students must earn a score of 550 or higher on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing portion of the test, or a score of 530 or higher on the Mathematics portion of the test. Additionally, a student who earns State or Grand Recognition in the Duke TIP program is recognized as a South Carolina Junior Scholar.
Steven Egge shared a top merit award in Spartanburg County for the highest Evidence Based Reading and Writing score on the PSAT and Isak Jackson had the highest total composite score and highest math score in District 7.
We salute our students, teachers and administrators, and families for their dedication to excellence in education. It truly takes a village, and we are proud of ours! Congratulations to these students!
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Remarkable Women Finalist: Sharon Porter |
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We congratulate an incredibly remarkable woman, who also happens to be a District 7 School Board Trustee. Sharon Porter is retired, but you always see her busy helping others, says Dr. Jean Blakely, retired CEO of ReGenesis Healthcare, who nominated Ms. Porter for WSPA's 7News Remarkable Women contest. The event is a nationwide Nexstar Media initiative to honor the influence that women have made on public policy, social progress, and quality of life. Ms. Porter was named one of the five finalists.
Ms. Porter is by all accounts a pillar of the community. In 2019, she retired as dean of students at Spartanburg Methodist College, where she worked for 40 years. She has served on the Spartanburg County District 7 School Board for over two decades, regularly delivers food for Mobile Meals, and still finds time to volunteer at the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen several days a week.
Although Ms. Porter has received awards for her contributions, it’s what she does behind the scenes — little things like picking up prescriptions for friends, neighbors and even strangers — that Dr. Blakely wants people to know about. Sharon Porter said taking care of people is in her DNA. It’s what her parents taught her as a child. “I can just see my mama and my daddy just smiling and saying ‘congratulations just to be nominated,'” she said.
The District 7 family is proud of Ms. Porter and grateful for the impact she makes in our school district and community.
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Spartanburg High School Honors Negro League Sluggers, History at Duncan Park |
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Since its opening in 1926, Duncan Park has been home to many different semi-pro teams, including the City of Spartanburg’s first semi-pro Negro League baseball team, the Spartanburg Sluggers. On March 20, 2021, for just a moment, it was as though the Spartanburg Sluggers were back on the field. SHS honored the city's former semi-pro Negro League stars as they played Fox Creek, with the Vikings donning specially-ordered Sluggers jerseys.
The celebration of the Sluggers had been a year in the making. The jerseys were ordered and ready for a game last season, before the COVID-19 shutdown delayed the opportunity.
SHS Coach Wes Brown said it was important for the team to be able to represent the Sluggers so they understand the history and the culture, not just from the side they grew up on but from the side of players who didn't have those opportunities. The celebration game was all about the Sluggers. The day started for the Vikings with talks from Spartanburg assistant city manager Mitch Kennedy and longtime Vikings coach and Spartanburg city council member Jerome Rice.
Vikings senior J.D. Ratliff said getting to wear the Sluggers uniforms made everything a lot more special and ignited a flame in the team to play even harder. The Viking beat the Predators 6-4.
Duncan Park, home of Vikings baseball, has a long and storied history and has been visited by notable baseball players such as Jackie Robinson. And baseball fans, come May, can cheer on the Spartanburgers with Coach Wes Brown. The Spartanburgers, the city’s new collegiate baseball team from the Coastal Plain League, will play roughly 30 home games at the historic and renovated Duncan Park beginning May 27.
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A uniform from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum |
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SHS's Joe Cash scored the game's first run |
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Anayah Jackson, a fifth-grader at Mary H Wright Elementary School, was recently named one of Upstate Magazine's 10 Students Who Make A Difference in 2021. Anayah is the perfect example of a hard-working student, according to her teachers. “Anayah exemplifies an exceptional student by turning in assignments, getting along with others, and respecting her teachers and friends,” said principal Tammy Jordan. “She has made the honor roll each semester since she has been in school. She is also a leader and desires to make a difference in life.”
Anayah loves reading and writing but her reach goes beyond academics. She is caring, compassion, and has a spirit of service. When asked what advice she would give her classmates to be a better student, she was quick to answer: “Never give up, and never stop trying,” she said. “Always do your best. That’s most important.” Anayah represents the bright future for many of her classmates at Mary H. Wright. You can read more about Anayah here.
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Learning on fire! Jermaine Black, Spartanburg High School junior and DMTC Welding III student, is shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) with an E6010 electrode (DC+)on pipe 2G position. |
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We are so proud of our Lady Vikings! Spartanburg High School Girls Track and Field team earned First Place in the Foothill Classic. |
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In celebration of Earth Day, D7 elementary students received a packet of seeds from the Spartanburg Area Conservancy. Their activities were part of a statewide tree planting initiative by Power Plant SC that aims to grow 3 million new trees across our state.
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Jesse Boyd is now captivating their students with their new Eno Playground. What a great place to curl up and read a book! They thank all their families and the PTSO for helping make this possible! |
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In honor of “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” Drayton Mills Elementary students dressed in outfits showing what they'll want to become one day. These twins nailed it!
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How cool is this? Mrs. Foux’s class at Drayton Mills has published a book! |
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Early Learning Center Butterflies fluttered to breakfast thanks to the outstretched wings and hearts of the cafeteria staff. |
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In all of our elementary schools, students take part in lots of creative small group projects with the teacher acting as facilitator. Here at Pine Street students work on an in-depth book study. |
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Ms. Black's class at the McCarthy Teszler School learned all about the weather and severe storms. Making shaving cream clouds was a hit! |
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Toilet paper sculpting! Yes, that is correct! Since thankfully it’s no longer a hot commodity, McCracken Middle School enjoyed a lesson in pop art and created their favorite foods with toilet paper. Looks (almost) good enough to eat!
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Students at Carver Middle participate in class with their AVID instructors. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) uses a student-centered approach to prepare children for college, careers, and life. Here, Mrs. Yount's math class pledges to do their best on their i-Ready assessment. |
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It was more than just a fun day of getting all dressed up...McCarthy Teszler Seniors enjoyed a special prom to mark the end of a challenging year, and the beginning of a whole new chapter.
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With an eye for creativity students from the Whitlock Flexible Learning Center took home numerous blue ribbons at the South Carolina Art Education Association's recent award show. You can view the virtual show and the winners here.
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Teacher Cadets from Spartanburg High School hosted a book giveaway for families at The Franklin School to celebrate “Week of the Young Child, and then traveled to Carver Middle School to observe classrooms. We are grateful our aspiring educators have the opportunity to learn about the amazing things going on every day in D7! |
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Our Cleveland Academy of Leadership students are getting hands-on experience in STEM fields thanks to local healthcare practitioners who help open their minds to career possibilities. Dream big, Tigers! Dr. Greg Colbath, Orthopedic Surgeon showed the STEM class at Cleveland Academy all of the cool science applications that he team gets to work with everyday in orthopedics. The eager students were loaded with questions for our guest lecturers. Kudos to District alumni Emily Pack and Justin Fox for running the Ultrasound Clinic.
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For Earth Day, the Southside Garden Committee, comprised of Church of the Advent parishioners and D7 employees, cultivated the unused land adjacent to Mary H. Wright Elementary into a multi-purpose, nutrient-rich garden. The Southside has been labeled a “food desert,” due to residents’ inability to access and purchase healthy, good-quality food options. In addition to mitigating these shortcomings, this project will also serve as an alternative learning platform for students at Mary H. Wright. It is a hope that all residents will assist in garden maintenance and use the green space as a positive place for congregation and recreation, creating an opportunity to connect students with families and community members in advancing the initiative, “This Is How We Grow.”
District 7 would like to thank the following: The Southside Garden Committee, Scott Montgomery (Southern Mulch and Carolina Farm & Wildlife) for donating the soil; Will Montgomery for donating the plants; Inman Stone for donating the grading and gravel; and Oates Construction and S&ME for donating lumber and supplies to build the raised garden beds.
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We wholeheartedly thank all our parents, students and staff who made contributions to the D7 County Wide Canned Drive sponsored by Spartanburg High School's student council. It was a prideful moment to watch as truckloads of cans caravanned out from front offices, filled with food donations from our District 7 Family! The district collected more than 22,000 cans at several of our schools. We are so proud of our students and families! What a difference this will make in the lives of so many. Spartanburg High School and its community partners held a celebration Fun Lunch on April 30 for the students and faculty as a thank you! |
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Spartanburg High School's Choir Department is excited to release their Spring Choir Concert - In Time of Silver Rain. The performances were recorded in the D7 Fine Arts Center by the choir's face-to-face students and in the homes of its virtual students. They were combined into one concert video. The 25 minute performance is available below and through this concert link. |
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Friday, May 28
Last Day of School
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Saturday, May 1
National School Principal’s Day
Monday, May 3 - Friday, May 7
Teacher Appreciation Week
Monday, May 3
7 pm Orchestra Concert D7 Fine Arts Center
Tuesday, May 4
School Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 5
National Bike to School Day
Thursday, May 6
National Day of Prayer
4:30 pm AP Art Show D7 Fine Arts Center
Sunday, May 9
Mother’s Day
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Wednesday, May 12
National School Nurse Day
Friday, May 14
6:30 pm Percussion Ensemble D7 Fine Arts Center
Saturday, May 22
SHS Graduation Viking Stadium
Thursday, May 27
Half Day for Students
Friday, May 28
Half Day for Students
Last Day of School
Monday, May 31
Memorial Day Holiday
Tuesday, Jun 1
Staff Development Day
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610 Dupre Drive Spartanburg, South Carolina
P: 864.594.4400
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