Spartanburg High School Class of 2018 Takes a Bow
The SHS Class of 2018 at The Richardson Arena at Wofford College

Tommy Washington, Region III-5A  Male Athlete of the Year, will Attend Georgia Military College 
The 2017-2018 academic year at Spartanburg High School is officially one for the history books. On Friday, May 25, 423 deserving young men and women marched across the stage in the stunning new Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium at Wofford College. A little more than an hour later, with diplomas in hand and tassels turned,  the graduates flashed victorious smiles and impressive credentials. Valedictorian Georgia Price and Salutatorian Ashley Wade wowed the crowd with the news of their remarkable scholarship offers. In a story featured by the Spartanburg Herald Journal, the academic superstars were applauded for their collective scholarship earnings of $3.7M and their admission to dozens of the most notable colleges and universities in the nation. Only days after graduation, the talented Tommy Washington was named the Region III-5A Male Athlete of the Year for his prowess in football, track and wrestling. While applauding many other achievements, Principal Jeff Stevens commended the class for their remarkable contributions, both in and out of the classroom, and noted their many accomplishments

This year, SHS athletic teams won 5 Region Championships in boys tennis, girls tennis, boys soccer, girls lacrosse and girls track, an Upper State Championship and State Championship in boys tennis (for the 5th consecutive year!) and the Envirothon team won the State Championship (3rd consecutive year). Stevens noted 32 members of the Class of 2018 earned Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, 110 qualified for Life Scholarships, 138 received Hope Scholarships, 11 were recognized by the National Merit scholarship program as finalists, semifinalists, or commended students. And one was recognized as a US Presidential Scholar Candidate. In total, 289 students, or 67% of the Class, earned $22.9 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities throughout the United States - a new school record! Eighteen graduating seniors from the Viking Early College earned an associates degree from Spartanburg Community College.

Last, but certainly not least, Stevens announced the news that  The Washington Post , now ranks Spartanburg High School in the top 8% of all high schools in the nation.

Valedictorian Georgia Price will Attend Duke University in the Fall
Superintendent  Russell W. Booker  and SHS Principal, Jeff Stevens
A Bittersweet Farewell to Chapman and Houston
Elementary Schools
Brenda Foster, a Teacher's Assistant for 46 years at Houston Elementary, Talks about her Memories 

On Monday, June 4, 2018 students and staff at Chapman and Houston Elementary Schools waved a final goodbye to their beloved schools.  Both facilities will officially close this summer as students move to the new Drayton Mills Elementary School in mid-August. On Sunday, June 3, in back to back ceremonies, District 7 honored the contributions of teachers, students and staff.  Brenda Foster, a longtime kindergarten assistant at Houston, spoke of 46 wonderful years at the school and the hundreds of students and colleagues who touched her life over the decades.

In a symbolic passing of the torch, Principal Mark Hendry invited Drayton  Mills Principal, Mr. Thomas Webster to the stage to unveil a special gift for the new school which sits directly across the street. Houston's Little  Free Library, which was built and erected by students last year - will make its way next door with a fresh coat of paint to feature the Drayton Mills Dalmatian .    At a similar  ceremony at  Chapman Elementary School, Principal Eric Mathison presented Webster with a paper tree to represent three trees at Chapman that will be transplanted to Drayton Mills in the coming months. Each tree has special meaning to the students and staff at Chapman as they honor former members of the school community. 






















During the afternoon ceremonies, Superintendent Russell Booker said "the new school will include a wall of history, so neither Houston or Chapman will ever be forgotten."

Chapman teacher Linda Greene, summed it up best with her comments, "Chapman is my home away from home, that is still true and will remain true even as I transition to Drayton Mills Elementary. No matter what happens to this building it was only the shell that held the true home. The people who shared laughter and tears, the relationships, the personal growth that took place here can never be taken away."
Eric Mathison, Principal of Chapman, Gives Student, Kaylee Brooke Hammett, 11, a Hug After Kaylee's Speech 
to Guests
Beaming Over the New Spartanburg High School
Beaming with Viking pride, students, faculty and staff at Spartanburg High School can all say they've had a hand in the building of the new state-of-the-art high school that will open in 2019. By penning their signatures on the last steel beam to be placed at the site - the school community is etched in history.

Meanwhile, Spartanburg High School teachers and staff took a field trip on Monday, June 4 to see, first-hand, the rapid progress taking place at the site and to get a close-up look at the remarkable new additions, which include a performance center and athletic stadium. We captured a few smiling faces from that trip and have included those shots on the sidebar to the right.
Exciting New Initiatives in Spartanb urg Target Early Learning
There 's no shortag e of research about the phenomenon called, "Summer Slide", a term that refers to the learning losses children experience when they're not engaged in educational activities during the summer. Luckily, for Spartanburg's littlest learners, there are a number of new offerings in the community that will go a long way in keeping our kids on their toes! On May 19, the Children's Museum of the Upstate opened it's new location at 130 Magnolia Street in downtown Spartanburg. The new 6,000 square foot museum offers STEAM-based exhibits and programs for preschool aged children. With exhibits  designed to encourage hands-on  learning, you'll want to be sure to learn more about the camps, story-time fun , special classes and field trips  offered throughout the summer.  Families can also take advantage of the new   Spartanburg Basics Website to view short videos about the five evidence-based parenting and caregiving principles that provide the early building blocks that children need. Our very own Dr. Russell Booker and his wife Sheryl are featured in  one of the informative videos . Finally, don't forget the  Summer Reading Program at the Spartanburg Library.

  Russell and Sheryl Booker Share Stories About Reading to Their Boys
e
D7's Early Learning Center is Enrolling 4-Year Olds for 2018

This is a party you don't want to miss! The Early Learning Center at Park Hills is now registering children for 4-year old kindergarten.To make the process as fun as it is easy, join us for an Open House Carnival on June 14, anytime between 2:30 and 4:30pm. We'll be offering tours for adults and treats for children. Best of all, you'll learn more about our NAEYC accredited program - designated as the very best in early childhood education. Also be sure to like the District 7 Early Learning  Center Facebook Page to watch our 4s Soar! 
Pine Street School Celebrates Retiring Principal 
Anne Chapman Jeter
Katrina Robinson, Anne Chapman-Jeter, Dennis Reigner
Anne Jeter Gets a Sweet Send-Off from Her Team at Pine Street School

Anne Chapman Jeter has been the Principal at Pine Street School for the shortest decade on record. As she retires today, after 32 years in District 7, she knows that leaving will be harder than she ever imagined. Anne said, "My heart is here with these children and the incredible colleagues and families I've had the pleasure to work with for the past ten years." As for the memories, while there are too many to count, Anne says she'll never forgot the color runs, the pies in the face and participating in the lives of her students. As for what's next for this beloved D7 leader, Anne's setting her sights set on a trip to Alaska, which by the way, may be news to her husband Al! "Thank you, Anne, for all you've done for the District 7 community. Send us a postcard of the polar bears!" 
Here's To Our Support Staff of the Year for 2018-2019

















Please join us in congratulating our Support Staff Members of the Year!  These dedicated men and women were nominated by their colleagues and are praised for the important role they play in the District. The honorees a re: (front) Karen Potter, Houston Elementary; Caitlin Salerno, Jesse Boyd Elementary; Patrick Cook, Mary H Wright Elementary; Marilyn Mackey, Cleveland Academy of Leadership; Debbie Scharff, District Office; Sara Sims, District Support and Operations; (middle) Caren McCollum, E.P. Todd School; Quinn Clowney, Transportation; Lavonda Route, Early Learning Center; Cynthia Forsythe, Transportation Office; Veneal Williams, Pine Street Elementary; (back) Cynthia Buckson, Chapman Elementary; Vivian Mosley, McCarthy Teszler School; Terri Foster, Carver Middle; Faye Ferguson, Spartanburg High; Daryl Johnson, McCracken Middle; Juan Ives Rodriguez, Whitlock Flexible Learning Center; and Jamal Abdul-Malik, Transportation Office and (not pictured) Seng Chanthalangsy, McCarthy Teszler School. 
Here's to the Highlights  and Headlines of 2017-2018
And These Are Just a Few!
Students and Teachers Get Ready for the Solar Eclipse

What fun to look back at this year's colorful editions of 7Headlines! While we could fill a few pages with all that's happened in the District during the year, we thought you might enjoy a brief review of what we've been up to! 

1970 SHS Grad and Renowned Chef Alexander Smalls' Returns to Spartanburg with New Cookbook

Spartanburg High School's First Black Cheerleader Returns To Carver Middle School to Share Her Story About Integration 

Celebrating Academic Excellence at Spartanburg High 
Winning Streak Continues for SHS Athletic Teams

District 7 Educators Applauded For Approach  in Working with Autism Disorders

Spartanburg Law Enforcement Officers Heighten Community Relations with High-Five Program in Spartanburg School Districts

D7 Celebrates School Board Appreciation Month 

Unity and Service are Themes for City's MLK Events

C-SPAN Bus Stops at Spartanburg High School

Recent Snow Adds New Make-Up Day For Students

D7 Floats Through Spartanburg Christmas Parade
Dr. Russell Booker Honored as Grand Marshall

Houston Vies for Palmetto's Finest School 
McCracken Once Again A Middle School to Watch

E.P. Todd's Gent's Club Shows Boys Good Guys Always Win

SHS Students Named Kid Heroes By GoFundMe
D7 Board Salutes Julie Lonon For Service

US Senator Tim Scott and Secretary Ben Carson
Visit Meeting Street and Cleveland Academy

Local Organizations in Spartanburg to Participate
In the District's First Health and Wellness Fair

Apple Picks Jesse Boyd Elementary For Top Honor

Spartanburg High School Leads the Area With Number of Students Named 2018 National Merit Semifinalists

Spartanburg High School Students Earn High Marks

Carver Cheerleaders Perform at ACC Championship Game

Getting a Sneak Peak at Drayton Mills Elementary School

Pine Street on National Register of Historic Places
Join Us for the Celebration!

New Playground Dedicated at McCarthy-Teszler

Authors of We Are Charleston Visit District 7 for Annual 7Reads Program

SHS One of Only Two HIgh Schools in the Nation to Participate in Research for New Technology to Help Prevent Concussions

Solar Eclipse Takes Center Stage - Also Alters Start of School in SC

D7 Building Projects Take Shape

Don't Miss A Thing - Be sure you're subscribed to 7Headlines. We will return in August 2018 with all the news you need to know. 
May-June  2018
Thank You Pine St. Pals for These Wonderful Messages ... 
Happy Summer and 
See You in August!
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Spartanburg High School Graduation
Spartanburg High School Graduation
SEEN AROUND SEVEN
This Year's in the Bag! How's This For Field Day Fun at The Early Learning Center?
Hats Off (and Hair Bonnets ON) to Pine Street 5th Graders, Parents and Staff for Packing 10,000 Meals for Rise Against Hunger
Meeting Street Academy's Annual Pathway to Success is Always a Great Success!
The Addams Family Took Us By Storm! Bravo to Cast and Crew

Tweeting at Carver Now Takes On a Whole New Meaning! Mrs. Lockamy's 6th Grade Class Had Just Hatched Chicks

Coming to a Healthcare Setting Near You - Congrats to Daniel Morgan's Nursing Assistant Graduating Class 
There's Always Magic in the Air at The Early Learning Center's 
Annual Butterfly Release

There Was Icing On the Cake at Chapman Elementary as Students and Staff Tipped Their Hats to Nearly 50 Years of History.
Below, Students Shared Songs From The Decades in Honor of Chapman's Final Days
The Chapman Chiefs Showcase Their School Spirit

"Fresh Start" Grad, Parris Thomas with Principal Jada Kidd at Whitlock Flexible Learning Center
You Can Almost Hear the "Oh's and Ah's" (above and below) as SHS Faculty Get a Glimpse of the Future Spartanburg High School
Big Smiles for These Tiny Hats! McCracken Students Knitted the Toppers for Babies in the NeoNatal Unit at Spartanburg Regional as Part of the School's Year End Studies or YES Program

Celebrating These Graduating 5th Graders at Jesse Boyd!


Mary H. Wright 5th Graders Gathered for a "Graduation Luncheon" at the Episcopal Church of the Advent. The Very Next Day, an Article in the Spartanburg Herald Journal Featured the Unique Partnership Between the School and the Church.
The Graduating Seniors from the Viking Early College Were Recognized this Month by Members of Spartanburg County Council. These Young Men Graduated From SHS, With an Associates Degree from Spartanburg
Community College.

EP Todd Elementary Sends Best Retirement Wishes to Kindergarten Teacher Terrie Fowler


Grizzly but True! 
A Small Black Bear Recently Spotted at Spartanburg High 
Poor Guy, Can't  Bear to Be Outside

SHS Principal Jeff Stevens Always Steals the Show in the Annual District Musical. This Year He Stole Our Hearts!
Doing Field Day "WRIGHT" at
 Mary H. Wright
You're Invited to Celebrate Spartanburg Juneteenth

Preparations are underway for the 2nd annual Spartanburg Juneteenth Celebration, on Saturday, June 16. This year's event will take place at Mary H. Wright Elementary and admission is free to the public. Organizers of the day-long celebration say it's rooted in a mission to educate the Spartanburg Community about African-American history. The festivities include a rib cook-off, a spoken word presentation, live music and lots of good food. Check out this  link for more information about the importance of this American holiday.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
MORE FIELD DAY FUN
Spartanburg School District Seven I  610 Dupre Drive I  Spartanburg, SC 29307 I 864.594.4400