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Sumter School District... At a Glance
Published by the Office of Public Information
Vol. IV, No. IV
October 10, 2014
Schools participate in International Walk to School Day
umter School District students,
parents, community members, faculty
and staff celebrated International
Walk to School Day. This annual event
raises awareness of the need to create safer
routes for walking and bicycling and
emphasizes the importance of issues such as
increasing physical activity among children,
pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and
concern for the environment. Connections are
also built between families, schools and the
broader community.
Alice Drive Elementary, Alice Drive
Middle, Cherryvale Elementary, Chestnut
Oaks Middle, Crosswell Drive Elementary,
High Hills Elementary, Lemira Elementary,
Millwood Elementary, Oakland Primary,
Pocalla Springs Elementary, Wilder
Elementary and Willow Drive Elementary
participated in a variety of ways including
walking around the school, embracing
healthy snacks from business partners and receiving helmets from Safe Kids. Our schools
will continue to participate in this global event to show support and advocate for healthier
choices and safety.
S
Vision
Sumter School District
develops and cultivates
competitive students who
embrace diversity, act
responsibly, and contribute
positively to society.
Mission
The mission of Sumter
School District is to equip
students to be responsible,
successful, and productive
citizens in a global society.
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Millwood students collect
money for March of Dimes
Throughout the year, students
collect money and conduct service
projects to benefit a number of
charities. Students at Millwood
Elementary made giving fun by
donating one dollar each to wear a
hat at school for the entire day. The
money raised went to the March of
Dimes.
Rafting Creek creates Jell-O cell models
Mr. McCoy and Ms. Burley’s fifth
grade classes from Rafting Creek
Elementary brought their idea of a cell
and its components to life by creating a
model of a cell. Parts of the experiment
helped identify major structures
including the cell membrane, cytoplasm,
nucleus, and vacuole.
The students used the bowl as the
cell membrane. The Jell-O represented
the cytoplasm or jelly-like substance
inside of the cell. The Gummy Lifesaver
was the nucleus or the brain of the cell;
the nucleus holds all of the information to an
organism’s DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid,
which is a fun word to hear the fifth graders say.
The mandarin oranges represented the
mitochondria or the powerhouse of the cell. Last
but not least, the fruit snacks represented
vacuoles, which act as storage space for the cells
holding food and water until the cell needs them.
Students study cells as a part of the
science unit about ecosystems. When asked about
the Jell-O cell models, Maki Williams said, “It
was good…and creative!”
Students show gains on SAT and AP exams
Sumter School District students showed gains this year on the SAT and Advanced
Placement exams. Overall, students showed a 15 point gain with an 8 point
improvement in critical reading and writing. Math declined by one point.
“I commend Sumter High School for achieving a 29 point gain on the SAT
and for scoring at the national average on the AP exams,” said Superintendent J. Frank
Baker. “While our students are making improvements, we also recognize the need to
achieve consistent gains across the board. Our teachers, administrators and instructional
leaders continuously look at ways to strengthen initiatives that are in place to ensure
our students are highly competitive in the college admissions process.”
Sumter High School improved in all three content areas in addition to meeting
the national and state averages on the AP exams.
“Sumter High School is proud of the improvements made on the SAT scores.
We have had numerous SAT workshops for the students, and our first session this year
is scheduled for December,” said Principal Dana Fall. “Other strategies we have
incorporated within the daily instructional plan are the SAT Word of the Day during
the daily announcements, consistent reminders of test dates and strategies for improving
scores, rigorous coursework in all classes, and more writing across the curriculum to
improve writing skills. We have recently purchased a school-wide test prep license to
continue to assist the students with preparation for college entrance exams.”
Growing more than just a garden
19 selected for region orchestra
Several weeks ago, a class at
Manchester Elementary School
planted their own garden. But
what turned out to be a project on
gardening has grown to be so much
more! It all started when TaTanisha Pierre took a survey of the
students on what healthy vegetables
they liked best. As the students
began to name and discuss their
favorites, Pierre, along with
Manchester’s head custodian, Sam Benjamin, decided it would be a great experience for
them to take what they had discussed and put it into action.
Benjamin prepped the area and purchased the plants. Thanks to a donation from
a local contractor, the students have their own private fenced-in space perfect for a garden
of their very own. They planted cucumbers, cabbage, collard greens, bell peppers,
tomatoes, broccoli, and lettuce. The students thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on experience
as they integrated science and math concepts and even included writing as they described
their activity. Now, these students are finding out how to tend to a garden daily and what
needs to be done to ensure plant growth. Not only has this been an opportunity for growth
as a learner, but it has also proven to help grow collaboratively by working together to
achieve a common goal. The students, joined by Ms. Rogers and Mr. Coullette, said
they can hardly wait to have these vegetables in their hands to eat! That is when they
will be able to enjoy the “fruits of their labor!”
Through competitive audition, 19
students from Sumter High, Alice
Drive Middle and Bates Middle
schools were selected for the Low
Country Region Orchestra. The
Low Country Region consists of
the following counties: Beaufort,
Berkeley, Charleston, Darlington,
Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown,
Horry, Kershaw, Orangeburg and
Sumter. The Region Orchestra
clinic will take place on November
14-15 in Mt. Pleasant at Wando
High School. Congratulations to
the following students:
Crime scene investigation integrates ELA standards
Bates Middle School sixth grade
ELA teachers Carol Nesbitt and
Stanley Hayes, and Career
Specialist
Mark
Gillard
collaborated in creating an
engaging learning tool by
constructing a crime scene on the
Bates Middle School campus while
integrating ELA standards.
Gillard spoke with students about
exploring careers other than law enforcement that would be involved in the
disposition of a real crime scene. He focused on the bio-hazardous waste crews
assigned for clean-up, photographers, forensic scientists and media. He also
informed the students about specialized training and certifications needed for these
jobs. Nesbitt and Hayes connected the experience with the current ELA standards
by addressing various points of view, the writing process, and making inferences
being taught in their classes.
Sumter High School
(Erik Hines, Director)
Ashley Gantt
Taylor Willis
Mikayla Geddings
Hanna Mowes
Naomi McQuiller
Austin Reyes
Will Stallings
Kiara Lint
Kiana Colclough
Bailey Elmore
Larry Fullard
Michael Zhang
Naomi Woodbury
Audra Chaney - 1st Alternate
Alice Drive Middle
(Michael Baier, Director)
Will McGregor
Sidney Howeth
Dre'onna Gadson
Bates Middle
(Noelle Saleh, Director)
Zion Nelson
Deja Lint - 1st Alternate
Oakland Primary celebrates Fire Safety Month
Wilder students intrigued by
Johnny Appleseed
Students at Oakland Primary School learned the importance of fire safety
thanks to the Shaw AFB Fire Department which visited the school to provide
demonstrations and instructions. Students interacted with Sparky the Fire
Prevention Dog, firefighters from Shaw, and a robotic fire hydrant. As an
extra bonus, all 600 + students received a fire helmet to mark the visit. This
is only one of the many fire safety activities scheduled for October, which is
Fire Safety Month.
Lisa Butler's kindergarten class at Wilder
Elementary
integrated
Johnny
Appleseed activities into all areas of the
curriculum. For ELA and social studies,
students read a story about his life and
discussed what parts might be real and
what parts might be exaggerated (a tale).
Then, students compared apples by size
and measured diameter and weight for
math. They also tasted red, green and
yellow apples and graphed their favorites
in addition to arranging the apples from
smallest to largest.
Alice Drive Middle students engaged by real world
work experiences
lead up to the three minute forecast, and what it is like to have to
Ask Alice Drive Middle School students about weather
instruments; a barometer, an anemometer, a wind gauge or a
thermometer--- they can tell you all about them.
Many students expressed an interest in how to become a
TV weatherman. WLTX Meteorologist Daniel Bonds visited
the school and informed the students about what kind of
education is needed, what it is like to be on TV, all the steps that
wear make-up on television.
Additionally, the weather flight from Shaw Air Force
Base spent two days at Alice Drive Middle School reinforcing
what students have learned about weather, weather systems,
weather patterns, severe weather as well as many other interesting
topics. The airmen showed students how clouds are formed by
using hot water, a match, and ice wrapped in foil. Students
watched warm air rise, expand, and cool. Cool air cannot hold
as much water vapor as warm air, so some of the vapor condenses
onto tiny pieces of dust (in this case the smoke from the match)
that are floating in the air and forms a tiny droplet around each
dust particle. When billions of these droplets come together they
become a visible cloud. The airman also conducted another
demonstration on how a cold front moves over a warm front.
Having the community engage students in real world
work experiences is a very important tool in education. School is
the ideal place to connect learning to the real world. With the
help of Shaw Air Force Base Weather Flight and Daniel Bonds,
students will make that connection and have the opportunity to
be successful and apply their learning to real world problems.
High Hills teacher receives
recognition for high test scores
Hillcrest Civitans induct new members
Desiree McMillan, a fifth grade ELA
teacher at High Hills Elementary, was
recognized by Principal Maggie
Wright for receiving the highest test
scores in the school. According to
colleagues, McMillan understands
that many young students are not
ready to take responsibility for their
own learning, and as a result, she
models the importance of being
responsible for knowledge daily. She
models this responsibility by teaching
the whole child, to include addressing
his social and emotional needs and
guiding him to find his strengths
through meaningful tasks.
Hillcrest Middle School held an Induction
Ceremony in celebration of service to the
community, young adolescents, and their 10th
year anniversary for the Hillcrest Junior Civitan
Club. Hillcrest was the first middle school
chapter in Sumter County. This year marks the
10th anniversary for this Junior Civitan
International Chapter.
Lindsey Barwick, 2014-2015 Lakewood
High School President and South Carolina Lt.
Governor Area 1, assisted with the installation of officers. Junior Civitan Officers
conducted the ceremony and shared the history of Jr. Civitan, its objectives and
purpose. Special and upcoming projects include: canned-food drive, Homeless
Ministry, Angel Tree, Special Friends, Cents for Civitan, Cell Phone Drive, and
the District and International Convention.
Sheila Ragin-Choice serves as the sponsor. Ezekiel Simmons is the Jr.
Civitan President; Janiah McQueen, Vice-President; Lakendra Sellers, Chaplin;
Kierston Hollin, Secretary; Savannah Paugh, Assistant Secretary; Ma’Kaila
Wiley, Treasurer; Aniyia Good, Public Relations Coordinator; and Keva Loney,
Sargent at Arms. Other Jr. Civitan members are Heidi Conyers, Joi Conyers,
Ashlyn Good, Jayvon Gadson, Eric Hunter, Erieiona Hunter, Dylon Palumbo,
Drake-Thomas Parker, Ayden Rowell, and Jakaylah Simon-Williams.
High Hills teachers captivated by book study
What do you get when you have a media center filled with teachers who have gathered
together after a long eventful day of facilitating 75-80 fourth or fifth graders? If you guessed
a lot of yawns and restless bodies, you were wrong-at least not at High Hills Elementary
School. October 1st was the first of many presentations that will be given by teachers and
administrators as they partake in a book study on Qualities of Effective Teachers, written
by James H. Stronge. The purpose is to remind teachers that when they become effective in
their crafts, student achievement will increase. Stronge encourages teachers to focus on their
own preparation, personalities, and practices to ensure students’ learning experiences are
ones they will remember and provoke them to become successful lifelong learners.
So far, the presentations have taken the teachers back to what it was like to sit
in a classroom with a teacher who made the classroom come alive. The first group covered
the first chapter of the book and presented a thought provoking and conversation engaging
PowerPoint that supports an effective teacher’s foundation. Those prerequisites of an
effective teacher are: proper educational training, certification, content knowledge, and
experience. The second chapter was presented by teachers dressed as superheroes who shared their mission of being effective
teachers by having a love for students, love for work, and positive relationships. The presentation of the third chapter left the
teachers with a demonstration that exhibited the need for classroom management and organization. Students need to have
expectations and know what is acceptable and not acceptable for a learning environment, even after “superheroes” come and
cause an upheaval. As they continue to be reminded of the qualities of an effective teacher, they look forward to more Wednesdays
that are fun filled and unpredictable.