INTRODUCTION: D7 parent Amanda Mathis recently wrote a story for Converse University spotlighting District 7 teacher Daniel McCutcheon, who finished his education degree at Converse in 2025. Her story inspired D7 to spotlight him as well! Read Converse's original story here.

There’s something special about watching the next generation of educators grow right here in our own schools.

For Pine Street Elementary teacher Daniel McCutcheon, the path to the classroom began in the very building where he now teaches. What started as a college job working with Pine Street students after school became something much bigger when the teachers and families around him recognized his natural connection with children and encouraged him to consider a career in education.

A few years, a college transfer and an education degree later, Daniel came back to Pine Street. This time, he had a classroom of his own.

Daniel’s full-circle journey was recently highlighted by Converse University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2025. But his story of becoming a teacher actually began before he ever enrolled at Converse.

After graduating from Broome High School in 2021, Daniel began college at USC Upstate. A friend encouraged him to take a job as an afterschool counselor with Kids Upstate, and his first assignment brought him to Pine Street Elementary. It didn’t take long for him to realize how much he enjoyed working with students.

“I thought the job was interesting and I loved working with the kids,” Daniel said.

As he spent more time at Pine Street, Daniel found himself surrounded by teachers and families who encouraged him and helped him recognize that working with children could become much more than an afterschool job. Their encouragement helped set him on a new path toward a career in education.

Daniel eventually transferred to Converse University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2025. And when it was time to begin his teaching career, his journey brought him right back to the school where it all started.

Now a third-grade teacher at Pine Street, Daniel is building relationships with students of his own. “I love being in the classroom and connecting with my students,” Daniel said. “It’s great, as every day is different.”

His creativity and commitment to engaging students were evident early. During his first year in the classroom, the Pine Street School Foundation awarded Daniel a complete set of LEGO materials to support hands-on STEM learning and give his students new opportunities to explore, build and problem solve.

Pine Street Principal Dennis Regnier says Daniel has already distinguished himself through the care and intentionality he brings to his work.“Daniel is a tremendously conscientious young teacher,” Regnier said. “He works hard to make his instruction the best it can be for each child in his room, standards-driven with high engagement and developed relationships. He’s a great guy, and a good friend and colleague.”

Daniel’s journey is a wonderful example of how the influence of our schools can extend far beyond the students sitting in classrooms today. The educators and families who encouraged a young afterschool counselor at Pine Street helped him recognize a calling he had not yet imagined for himself.

A few years later, he returned ready to nurture that same sense of possibility in another generation of students.

Our schools are places where young people discover what they might become. Sometimes, they are also the places where the next generation of teachers discovers where they belong. For Daniel McCutcheon, that place was Pine Street.

District 7 is proud to celebrate three Spartanburg High School seniors whose academic achievement has earned them recognition in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, one of the nation’s most prestigious academic competitions.

Finn McEnroe and Joseph Nichols have been named National Merit Semifinalists, placing them among less than 1% of U.S. high school graduating seniors nationwide. Nora Murray has been named a National Merit Commended Student, an honor placing her among the top 3% of graduating seniors across the nation.

Approximately 1.3 million students entered the 2027 National Merit Scholarship competition after taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, or PSAT/NMSQT, in October 2025 and meeting additional program requirements.

As Semifinalists, Finn and Joseph will now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million that will be awarded next spring. About 95% of Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, with approximately half of those Finalists ultimately earning a National Merit Scholarship and the title of Merit Scholar.

“Finn, Joseph and Nora have each distinguished themselves through their commitment to learning and their willingness to challenge themselves,” said Spartanburg High School Principal Dr. Andrew McMillan. “What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects years of effort, curiosity and determination. We are incredibly proud of them, and I know the same qualities that brought them to this moment will continue to serve them well wherever their paths lead.”

The National Merit recognition continues a proud tradition of academic excellence at Spartanburg High School and celebrates students who have challenged themselves, pursued opportunities and demonstrated tremendous potential for what comes next.

Throughout District 7, our mission is to inspire and equip every student to pursue their goals, embrace new challenges and lead with purpose. Finn, Joseph and Nora have certainly accepted that mission, and we are proud to celebrate them and the educators, families and D7 community who have supported them along the way.

Congratulations, Finn, Joseph and Nora! Mission Accepted!

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

At Spartanburg High School, Viking student athletes are answering that question in a big way this fall as boys volleyball and girls flag football take the field for the first time in school history.

The addition of the two sports is opening new doors for students to compete, connect and represent Spartanburg High while adding another exciting chapter to the school’s strong athletic tradition.

Last month, boys volleyball made history when the Vikings welcomed Wade Hampton for their inaugural home match. From the first serve, the team officially became part of Spartanburg High athletics, giving a new group of student athletes the opportunity to wear the Viking uniform and compete for SHS.

Now, the Lady Vikings Flag Football Team is making some history of its own.

Interest in the new program was strong from the beginning, with more than 70 girls attending the initial interest meeting. That enthusiasm carried onto the field as the inaugural team traveled to Wade Hampton High School for its first night of competition.

And what a first night it was!

The Lady Vikings came home 2 and 0, defeating Fountain Inn A 34 to 20 and Fountain Inn B 42 to 6.

While the victories made the debut even sweeter, the bigger celebration is what these two new programs represent. Boys volleyball and girls flag football are creating more opportunities for students to discover a sport, become part of a team and experience everything that comes with representing their school.

For these Vikings, this season is about more than wins and losses. They are the first to compete in these sports at Spartanburg High, which means they are setting traditions, building programs and creating a path for the Vikings who will follow them.

Two new sports. Two inaugural seasons. And a whole lot more Viking history still to be made. Go Vikings!

There is something pretty special happening within the walls of McCarthy Teszler School. Students are preparing designs, operating a heat press, sorting inventory, filling orders, folding and packaging finished products, and making deliveries.

And they have the T-shirts to prove it.

Meet Able Threads, a new student-led T-shirt shop at McCarthy Teszler that is turning creativity into meaningful, hands-on vocational experience for high school students.

The idea began with teacher Rokel Martin, who was looking for a new way to provide vocational experiences that would be functional and meaningful, that could be differentiated according to each student’s individual abilities, and that would allow students to experience the satisfaction of seeing their work become a finished product. After considering several possibilities, Martin kept coming back to one idea: a student-led shirt shop.

Able Threads was born.

Students are involved in nearly every step of the process. They sort shirts by size, color and style; cut and organize designs; prepare shirts for pressing; position artwork; operate the heat press; remove transfer film; fold finished shirts; bag and tag orders; organize them for delivery; and even match room numbers to make sure completed orders reach the right place.

Each part of the process can be adapted so students have an opportunity to contribute while developing real-world vocational skills, confidence, independence and teamwork. Just as importantly, students get the immediate reward of seeing the finished product and knowing someone will soon be wearing something they helped create.

And they are not simply producing someone else’s ideas. Able Threads has been creating designs of its own, including shirts for McCarthy Teszler staff and a recent fundraiser for MTS families.

Their latest seasonal creation celebrates fall at McCarthy Teszler, while other designs showcase Eagle pride. The shop is also branching out with special offerings and customizable designs, with possibilities extending beyond T-shirts to include sweatshirts, tote bags and more.

For Martin, that is part of what makes the possibilities for Able Threads so exciting. She hopes the shop can eventually partner with other District 7 schools and organizations throughout the community, giving students even more opportunities to put their skills to work.

Custom orders could include shirts for school teams, hallways, field days, birthdays, family reunions and other special occasions. Every new order has the potential to become another learning opportunity for a student.

The shop’s own materials perhaps say it best: “Able Threads is more than a shirt shop. It’s a place where every ability has a purpose, every student has something to contribute, and every thread tells a story.” That philosophy makes Able Threads a perfect example of Mission Accepted in action.

Supporting Able Threads means supporting students as they discover what they can do, take pride in their accomplishments, and experience what it means to contribute to a real business.

Confidence, independence and opportunity–one student and one shirt at a time.

Mission Accepted.

Student leadership at Spartanburg High School is reaching well beyond the walls of SHS this year, with Vikings taking on leadership roles across South Carolina, welcoming fellow student leaders to Spartanburg, and creating new traditions right here at home.

At the center of an exciting year is senior Payten Shell, who was elected president of the South Carolina Association of Student Councils last spring. Her election marked a significant milestone for SHS. Payten is the first Black female student from Spartanburg High to serve as SCASC president and only the second Black president in the statewide organization’s history.

She is also the first District 7 student to hold the position in 29 years. The last was Griffin Littlejohn Lynch, now a local attorney and member of our District 7 Board of Trustees.

Fellow SHS student Miles Little is also representing Spartanburg High in statewide student leadership this year as an SCASC district chair.

Those roles will bring student leaders from across the region and state directly to the SHS campus. On October 16, Spartanburg High will host the SCASC District Rally, welcoming students from across the region. Then, in March 2027, SHS will become the center of student leadership statewide when more than 1,000 students arrive for the three-day SCASC Annual State Conference.

But at SHS, leadership is about much more than titles.

Student Council members are putting skills into action by creating opportunities to strengthen their school community. This fall, Payten and her fellow Student Council members helped dream up a new approach to Homecoming: the Mad Hatter’s Block Bash, a celebration designed to bring the entire D7 Family together.

Rather than simply planning an event for current high school students, they intentionally wanted to include Carver and McCracken middle schoolers. The Block Bash will follow the annual Battle for the Brag between the two middle schools on October 8, giving Wildcats and Eagles an opportunity to experience the SHS campus, join the Homecoming celebration and begin to picture themselves as part of Viking life.

That connection is intentional. SHS student leaders saw Homecoming as an opportunity to make the campus feel more familiar, welcoming and exciting for students who will soon call Spartanburg High home.

That is exactly the kind of leadership SHS Student Council advisor Kiley Painter hopes students develop. Painter also teaches a leadership class that students complete before seeking a Student Council position, helping them build practical skills in communication, advocacy and community involvement.

“We want them to learn how to advocate for themselves and be members of our community,” Painter told FOX Carolina. “We’re working on communication skills, email writing and phone calls so they can do this in high school and as they continue into the workforce.”

For Payten, those lessons are already shaping some ambitious goals. She told FOX Carolina that after pursuing a career in teaching, she hopes one day to serve as South Carolina’s superintendent of education.

From welcoming future Vikings to hosting student leaders from across the state, SHS students are learning that leadership is about using your voice, bringing people together and leaving your school and community stronger than you found them.

At Spartanburg High, students aren’t waiting for the future to lead. They’re leading now. Mission Accepted.

The Mad Hatter’s Block Bash is a new community celebration designed to bring students, families, alumni and the entire D7 Family together on the Spartanburg High School campus.

Inspired by Student Council’s Alice in Wonderland theme for Homecoming 2026, the Block Bash will replace the traditional Homecoming parade and transform the area between Viking Stadium and the arena into an evening of food, music, games, contests and Viking spirit on Thursday, October 8, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Just before the Block Bash begins, Carver Middle School and McCracken Middle School will face off in the annual Battle for the Brag at 5 p.m. in Viking Stadium. Wildcats and Eagles can cheer for their schools, battle for bragging rights and then come together afterward for the SHS Homecoming celebration.

The Block Bash will kick off with performances by the SHS drumline and cheerleaders, followed by introductions of fall sports teams and Homecoming Queen candidates. From there, the party gets underway with karaoke, line dancing, face painting, tug of war, a hot wing eating contest and more.

And there will be plenty to eat. Food vendors will offer everything from wings, burgers and seafood to ice cream, Italian ice, funnel cakes, fried Oreos, candied grapes, banana pudding and other treats.

The result is more than a new Homecoming event. It is a celebration that connects the D7 experience from middle school to high school and gives students who will soon call SHS home an opportunity to begin making Viking memories now.

Eagles, wear your green and gold. Wildcats, wear your maroon and gold. Come battle for the brag, then stay for the bash!

The Mad Hatter’s Block Bash is free and open to all ages, including current students, faculty and staff, District 7 families, SHS alumni and community members.

Battle for the Brag

Thursday, October 8 at 5 p.m.

Viking Stadium

McCracken Eagles vs. Carver Wildcats

$5 adults | $3 students

The Mad Hatter’s Block Bash

Thursday, October 8 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Spartanburg High School

Free admission | All ages welcome

One D7 Family. One new Homecoming tradition. A whole lot of Viking spirit.

Friday night was one for the record books at Spartanburg High School — in more ways than one!

Senior Trenton Lynch made Viking football history, officially becoming the all-time leading rusher in Spartanburg High School history. Trenton surpassed the previous record of 4,712 career rushing yards, set by Carnie Norris from 1975–1978, on a 51-yard run on the final play of the second quarter. The run pushed his career total to 4,793 yards — and counting!

At halftime, Trenton was joined by his family as Athletic Director Todd Staley presented him with the football from his record-breaking run — a special moment celebrating an extraordinary accomplishment nearly five decades in the making.

We also celebrated another chapter of Viking history as our Lady Vikings Lacrosse team received their 2025 5A Division I State Championship rings! After an incredible championship season, seeing those rings on their hands made it official — these Lady Vikings are forever part of the Spartanburg High School record books.

And Viking history stretched across generations as we welcomed Kitty Black Perkins home. A 1967 graduate of Carver High School, Perkins went on to make history as the designer of the first Black Barbie. It was an honor to recognize this legendary Viking and celebrate the extraordinary impact she has made from Spartanburg to the world.

A record broken. Championship rings earned. A trailblazer welcomed home.

Different generations and different accomplishments, all connected by one proud Viking legacy. Friday night was a beautiful reminder that our history is something we celebrate — and something our Vikings are still writing.

Once a Viking, always a Viking!

As the school year gets into full swing, here’s a quick reminder about two easy ways to stay connected and informed about your child and District 7.

Keep up with your child in PowerSchool

PowerSchool Parent Portal gives families convenient access to assignments, grades, attendance and class schedules throughout the school year. We encourage parents and guardians to check PowerSchool regularly and talk with their children about their progress.

All D7 families were emailed the individual Access ID and Password needed to connect their student to a PowerSchool Parent account. If you already have a working account, there is no need to create another one. Simply add your student using the access information provided.

PowerSchool is also available through the mobile app using District Code: SXCS.

Need help? Instructions for creating and accessing your Instructions for creating and accessing your Parent Portal account are available here, on our website, or you can contact your child’s school office.

Make sure you’re getting our text messages, too!

Email is our primary method of communicating with parents and guardians, but when information is especially timely or important, District 7 and our schools may also send recorded phone calls and text messages.

Because carrier data and messaging rates may apply, families must opt in to receive text messages.

Not receiving D7 texts? Simply text YES to 79041 to subscribe.

A few minutes spent checking your PowerSchool access and text message settings now can help make sure you don’t miss important information throughout the school year.

Stay connected, D7!

The glass slipper is waiting, and now it’s time to find the cast who will bring the magic of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella to life!

This spring, students from across District 7 will come together for our districtwide musical, continuing a treasured D7 tradition that gives students of all ages the opportunity to shine on stage and be part of something truly special.

Auditions are coming up soon!

Students in grades 6–12 will audition November 10 and 11 at the Fine Arts Center at Spartanburg High School. And our youngest performers in 5K–5th grade will have their turn in December, with auditions at Pine Street School on December 7 and Mary H. Wright Elementary School on December 8.

With roles ranging from Cinderella and the Prince to the Fairy Godmother, stepsisters, townspeople and members of the royal court, there are opportunities for singers and non-singers alike. Whether you dream of stepping into the spotlight or simply want to experience the excitement of being part of a districtwide production, we hope you’ll consider auditioning!

Cinderella takes to the District 7 Fine Arts Center stage April 22–25, 2027. Cast members must be available to participate in all performances.

Click here for audition information for students in grades 6–12

Click here for audition information for students in grades 5K–5

So warm up those voices, polish those glass slippers and get ready to audition.

District 7 is going to have a ball!

The student journalists at Spartanburg High School have been busy! The September edition of Norse News, SHS’s award-winning student publication, is now live with a new collection of stories that range from Viking life to issues making headlines around the world.

This month, student writers take a closer look at student leadership at SHS, explore the growing debate surrounding data centers, provide perspective on the crisis in Nepal and celebrate the life and legacy of Dolly Parton.

There’s plenty more to explore, including the latest installment of Soundtrack Spotlight and the always-popular Viking Voices.

From reporting and commentary to arts, culture and student life, Norse News continues to give SHS students an opportunity to explore the issues that interest them while developing their voices as writers, photographers and journalists.

Great work, Norse News staff! We’re proud to see our student journalists asking questions, sharing perspectives and telling the stories that matter to their school and community.

Read this month's issue of Norse News:

https://shsnorsenews.org/

Jesse Boyd Elementary teachers got a special first look at their future home on Friday, October 2, touring the new school and seeing the progress firsthand!

During this “Final Countdown” year at the original JBE, it was an exciting opportunity to step inside the place where the next chapter of Jesse Boyd will soon begin and where so many future Bulldog memories will be made.

Thank you to Harper Construction for making this special sneak peek possible!

Want to follow along as the new Jesse Boyd takes shape? You can keep up with the journey, see the latest updates and learn more about the project below.

🔗 Follow the Jesse Boyd Elementary Construction Project

A little Custodian Appreciation Day love! Mr. T and Addie are two of the special people who help keep the DO shining every day. We appreciate them and ALL who support our schools!

Cleveland Academy's first Club Day of the year was a hit! From board games to structural creations that stretched architectural boundaries, students enjoyed exploration on their own terms.

Whitlock Flexible Learning Center students are becoming young scientists in the classroom and taking learning beyond campus with a field trip to the Spartanburg Planetarium to expand their knowledge in Earth Science. Whitlock's theme for this year is "Influential Impact," with students and teachers building intentional relationships and engaging in learning activities that build character, life skills, and academic success!

The Dalmatians at Drayton Mills Elementary were ready to set sail for a day full of fun, adventure and learning as they celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day!

From “Ahoy!” to “Arrrgh!” students and staff got into the spirit and made it a swashbuckling day to remember.

Yo ho ho… what a fun day at Drayton Mills!

Learning was served with a side of fun at Mary H. Wright Elementary!

Students put their writing skills to work with cheeseburger-themed opinion writing activities and even got a special visit from the Spartanburgers mascots.

It was a fun way to bring together literacy, creativity and a little Spartanburg community spirit!

What a weekend for Lady Vikings Tennis & Cross Country, Viking swimmers, and Viking Band!

It was a big weekend of competition for Spartanburg High School, with our Vikings bringing home championships and runner-up honors!

Women’s Cross Country captured the championship at the 2026 Warrior Invitational.

Women’s Tennis won the 2026 Hall of Fame Classic championship.


Our Viking Band brought home the Grand Champions title from the Gaffney Reservation Tournament of Champions band competition.

And SHS Swimming also had a fantastic showing at the 5A Region 2 Meet, with both the Boys and Girls teams finishing as Region Runners-Up.

Congratulations to all of our Vikings on an incredible weekend of competition. We are so proud of you!

Go Vikings!

Hispanic Heritage Month kicked off September 15, and schools across District 7 have been celebrating the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities through learning, creativity and a little fun!

At Carver Middle, students enjoyed daily trivia while Spanish classes explored Spanish speaking countries around the world and created colorful displays inspired by their flags. Here’s one of their trivia questions: Which African nation has Spanish as its official language? The answer: Equatorial Guinea!

Over at McCracken Middle, seventh and eighth graders brought their learning to life through art. Students researched countries celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month, then used 3D materials of their choice to create sculptures representing the cultures and traditions they discovered. Their creations are now on display in the school’s atrium.

We love seeing our D7 students exploring the world around them, celebrating diversity and finding creative ways to make learning come to life

Our littlest learners at The Franklin School celebrated National Play-Doh Day on September 16 with plenty of squeezing, rolling, shaping and creating!

But Play-Doh is more than just fun. As students worked with their hands and brought their ideas to life, they were strengthening fine motor skills, building creativity, solving problems and practicing critical thinking.

At The Franklin School, we know some of the very best learning happens through play, and this colorful celebration was a perfect example!

Daniel Morgan Technology Center's CNA students are building confidence and developing the hands-on skills needed to provide quality patient care. Recently, they practiced manual blood pressure readings using their new stethoscopes! They also began their clinicals at Spartanburg Regional's Heart Center, where the 4 Heart team is welcoming our students and providing a great learning environment.

A Day of Learning for D7 Teachers

While students enjoyed a day away from the classroom on Friday, October 2, nearly 650 D7 teachers and certified staff took their turn as students!

From literacy, math and digital learning to the arts, special education, student wellbeing and more, staff participated in professional learning tailored to their roles and the students they serve.

Learning happened across D7 and throughout our community, with sessions hosted at our schools and district facilities as well as with community partners including the Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg Philharmonic and Spartanburg Academic Movement.

A huge thank you to our Instructional Services team and everyone who made this day of learning possible. Our educators accepted the mission and brought new ideas and inspiration back to their students!

And we’ll end our trip around D7 on a sweet note...

There’s nothing sweeter than a friend helping a friend. This moment was captured at E.P. Todd School as one student reached out to help a friend along the way. Sometimes the smallest gestures say the most about kindness, friendship and taking care of one another.

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SHS Block Party

15-16

Fall Break/Student Holiday

It’s Football Season in Viking Country!

Friday nights are back at Viking Stadium! Whether you’re looking for the 2026 Viking football schedule, tickets, stadium guidelines, parking information or everything you need to know before game day, we’ve put it all together in one convenient place.

Your Guide to All Things Viking Football →

And be sure to mark your calendars for Homecoming on Friday, October 9! We can’t wait to see our D7 families, students, alumni and community filling Viking Stadium and cheering on the Vikings.

See you under the Friday night lights! Go Vikings!

It's easy to stay connected to everything happening in District 7 and Viking Nation!

📲 District 7 App

The District 7 app keeps you in touch with our schools—whenever and wherever you need it. With just a tap, you can:

• Read the latest news and updates
• Check upcoming events
• View lunch menus
• Find staff directories
• Receive important notifications

Search for “Spartanburg District 7” in the App Store or Google Play, then personalize it to follow your specific schools and turn on alerts.

🏈 Viking Athletics App

Cheer on our SHS athletic teams and follow all the action on the NEW SHS Athletics website: spartanburgvikings.org. For mobile convenience, download the “Spartanburg Viking Athletics” app in the App Store or Google Play and stay current on all things Blue & Gold.

Want even more? Get in-depth coverage of Viking Football on their dedicated site: spartanburgvikingsfootball.com.

Follow D7 on Social

To get the most out of the D7 app, check out the short video above for tips on customizing your settings and making the app work for you. And follow us on social media for the latest announcements and offerings:



• Facebook: SpartanburgD7
• Instagram: @spartanburgd7
• YouTube: @SpartanburgSchoolDistrict7