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Save the date! Our 8th Annual Celebration Gala will be held on Thursday, September 24th at the Florence Civic Center.

Make your gala reservation today. Simply complete the reservation form and mail or fax to our office. You can pay on-line as well.

We have reserved a block of rooms for our gala guests at the Hilton Garden Inn Florence, located a short walk from the Civic Center. You can reserve your room on-line or call them direct at (843) 432-3001.

Teacher Appreciation Week - May 4-8, 2009

The following donations were received in honor/memory of FSD1 educators:

Donated in honor of Miss Gray, Royall Elementary, by Bowman Hiller.

Donated in honor of Larry Jackson, Administration, by John-David McKee: "Finding the words to thank you for all you've done and what you've meant to me is quite tough, as I've been fortunate enough to maintain a relationship with you over the years since Williams Middle School. However, I've always viewed you with great admiration and respect. I frequently hear my Mom tell stories of your collective escapades and the good times you share these days, but I can't help but go back to the field behind Williams and the golf balls we lost in the woods. But, regardless of whether it was the Golf Club, in the hallway, or dropping by to say hello in the office, I (we all) knew that we'd find you there to help with a big smile on your face. Congratulations on all your success and thank you for all you've done and will continue to do".

Donated in honor of Mrs. Jennifer Hill, Williams Middle School, by John-David McKee: "Mrs. Hill - There are a lot of things I could say to express the impact you had on me in the classroom, but suffice it to say that you made learning fun and instilled a love of knowledge in me that continues to this day. Thank you for all you do and I wish you the best of luck in continuing to reach students and make a difference in their futures."

Donated in honor of Mrs. Martha Strait, West Florence High School, by Christopher McKee: "Mrs. Strait - Oh how I wish my Clemson classes were like yours - difficult but fun. You are awesome and I will always remember how you could teach while providing me an example of a clear and definite role model. I love you and thank God I had the chance to be in your class."

Donated in honor of Florence School District Educators by Ann King.

Donated in honor of Ms. Judy Merrick, West Florence High School, by Christopher McKee: "Ms. Merrick - I can honestly say that I had more fun in your class than in any other, but I also learned more from you too. I credit you with leading me to the path I am on now, and I will always remember the effort you put into our Accidentally Placed class. I love you, thank you for everything."

Donated in honor of Mrs. Sandra Bailey, West Florence High School, by Christopher McKee: "Mrs. Bailey - I cannot thank you enough for the impact you have had on my life. I will always remember the way you put yourself last and took the time to help with anything. I will love you forever, and will always thank God for you."

Donated in honor of Mrs. Twasha Moses Woods, Briggs Elementary, by Christopher McKee: "Every time I think of Briggs, I think of you and how much fun you made everything. Your kindness, smile, and uplifting personality touched my life and left a mark that I will carry forever. I love you and ask God to bless you without end."

Donated in honor of Mrs. Julie Smith Koon, Royall Elementary, by Bowman Hiller.

Donated in honor of Oscar Greg, Lester Elementary, by Harlan Hawkins.

Donated in honor of Ms. Stefanie Tanner, Carver Elementary, by Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Wilson: "We appreciate all of the work and care given by Ms. Tanner to our granddaughter - Makayla Jordan Otero."

Donated in memory of Michelle Glenn Carey, Lester Elementary, by Thelma Hawkins.

Donated in honor of Mrs. Lucy T. Davis, retired educator, by Sara Lee Simons.

Donated in honor of Mrs. Patricia Evans, Wilson High School, by Sejal Chowdhary: "Mrs. Evans, you are a wonderful teacher who genuinely cares about your students. I have had a great three years with you. I really appreciate the letters of recommendations which you wrote me for college. Thanks for being an amazing person and an amazing teacher!"

Donated in honor of Mrs. Hodges, Carver Elementary, by Rick Stafford: "Thank you for your attention with Katia."

Donated in honor of Linda Groff, Lester Elementary, by Carol Roy: "I thank you for all you do to educate the children you teach. You are a great teacher! If children don't learn in your class it is not that they haven't been taught."

Donated in honor of Jan Chatlosh, Lester Elementary, by Carol Roy: "Thanks for all you do to educate the children at Lester. You do a lot for the school and the children. You are dedicated to helping them learn."

Donated in honor of Ms. Ali Johnson, West Florence High, by Julia Hyler: "You are a great teacher! Thank you for all of the extra help and for caring enough to help me find the best study methods for me."

Donated in honor of Ms. Sissy Smith, West Florence High, by Julia Hyler: "Thanks for all of your help with my research paper! You are an amazing teacher and librarian!"

Donated in honor of Ms. Meg Reed, Wilson High, by Jolette Law: "Thanks for all that you did for me! I never would have made it without you!"

Donated in honor of Dr. Allie Brooks, Wilson High, by Jolette Law: "You were a great influence in my life!"

Donated in honor of Ms. Sally Hackney, Wilson High, by Jolette Law: "Thanks for all that you did for me! I never would have made it without you!"

Donated in honor of Ms. Lois Gilbert, Timrod Elementary, by Jolette Law: "Thanks for all that you did for me! I never would have made it without you!"

Donated in honor of Mrs. Clotilda Diggs, Timrod Elementary, by Jolette Law: "You were a great influence in my life!"

Donated in honor of Ms. Bernice Smith, Wilson High, by Jolette Law: "Thanks for all that you did for me! I never would have made it without you!"

Donated in honor of Ms. Felder, Williams Middle, by Jolette Law: "Thanks for all that you did for me! I never would have made it without you!"

Donated in honor of Mr. Pete McCants, Williams Middle, by Jolette Law: "Thanks for all that you did for me! I never would have made it without you!"

Donated in honor of Ms. Audrey Mayers, Timrod Elementary, by The Malambris: "Thank you for all that you do!"

Donated in honor of Ms. Judy Merrick, West Florence High, by Benton Wise: "Thank you for being such a great teacher at W.F. I'm not going to get that #2 spot, so I can't thank you in front of a crowd, so I'll take this opportunity. Thank you for knowing that a student's curriculum consists not only of trick questions but also a listening ear."

Donated in honor of Ms. Sissy Smith, West Florence, by Benton Wise: "I just wanted you to know that you don't have to hate writing that check to pay off student loans, well maybe you do, but I don't. I'm glad you are at W.F. and that you decided to go into education. I am more than glad, I am thankful. Here is Thanksgiving Part Deux; What are you thankful for? I am thankful that you were my teacher."

Donated in memory of Ms. Michelle Glenn Carey, Lester Elementary, by Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Heyward.

Donated in honor of Ms. Judy Merrick, West Florence High, by Reed Williamson: "Thanks for everything - You're the best!"

Donated in honor of Coach Charles Nelson, West Florence High, by Reed Williamson: "Thanks for everything - You're the best!"

Donated in honor of Dolores Johnson, Williams Middle, by Padmaja Rao: "Mrs. Johnson is an energetic and inspiring teacher who gives an enormous effort for her students."

Donated in honor of Ms. Connie Campbell, Williams Middle, by Padmajo Rao: "Mrs. Campbell is a fun and creative teacher. Her lessons are extremely effective and enjoyable."

Donated in honor of Ms. Melinda Wilfong, Timrod Elementary, by Will, Sally, Mac & Annagray Malambri: "Thank you for all you do! We love you."

Donated in honor of Ms. Linda Groff, Lester Elementary, by Kathi Addison: "Linda manages to take kids from various backgrounds and provides them with a safe and fun educational environment. Instead of complaining about the school's lack of funding, she focuses her energy on creating new and exciting educational experiences for her children that led to being awarded outside funding."

Donated in honor of Mrs. Fleck, Wilson High, by Martha Addison: "Ms. Fleck's patience and time with us in high school gave me an extremely solid foundation to build toward my engineering degree. I use calculus almost every day and by challenging me to truly understand calculus prepared me to succeed in such a challenging curriculum.'"

Donated in honor of Mrs. Gail Hayes, West Florence High, by Sloan Bankson: "Thanks for helping me through the mornings, Mrs. Hayes. You've made my day on more than one occasion."

Donated in honor of Mrs. Mary Matthews, West Florence High, by Sloan Bankson: "Thanks for being such an amazing teacher, Mrs. Matthews. I hope I have you as my teacher for French 2, 3 & 4."

Donated in honor of Mr. Jimmy Ard, West Florence High, by Preston Bankson: "Coach Ard - You're a great man with a good view on life and society. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a student of yours and I value your opinions on lots of things. Thanks for everything."

Donated in honor of Dr. Allie Brooks, Wilson High School, by Larry Jackson: "I love you!"


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Educators visit homes to help bring students back to school Educators visit homes to help bring students back to school By Jamie Rogers Morning News Reporter Published: August 23, 2008 FLORENCE —More than 100 students that didn’t show up for class at three area high schools ended up having school teachers and administrators show up on their doorsteps Saturday. Florence School District 1 educators didn’t show up at student’s doors to question them about their whereabouts but to encourage them to finish their education, said Fred Elmore, a West Florence High School math teacher. Elmore, along with other volunteers, visited the homes of about 118 students as part of the Graduate Florence, Opening Doors to the Future Day. Graduate Florence, a district-wide initiative designed to lower the dropout rate, was implemented this year by Florence School District One superintendent Larry Jackson. Currently, 7 out of 10 students in the district graduate — and that number is unacceptable to some. This is why volunteers took a direct, face-to-face approach to let students know they cared. Volunteer teams set out Saturday morning with registration paperwork in tow so students could be fast-tracked back into school. Volunteers were placed in several car groups and given the names and a addresses of students who had not registered for school. “We came this morning because we missed you, and we want you to come back,” West Florence High teacher Johanne Gibson said as she stood at the door of one student. Gibson, Elmore and their teammates were given the assignment to find and encourage three West Florence students who hadn’t showed up for the first week of classes. Two were already enrolled in other schools while the other was planning on coming back after completing a stint in alternative school. “I think it was successful. I think we are getting the word out in the community ... District 1 does want these kids in school, and we will do whatever we have to to enrolled them and get them back,” Gibson said. Students drop out for many reasons, but those reasons don’t really matter, Elmore said. “The reason they’re not there is small— the important thing is what can we do to get you back,” he said. “When you ask ‘why,’ there’s that opportunity to become judgmental and make them feel lessened in some way.” Sometimes it’s not even the student’s choice not to be in school, Gibson said. West Florence High Assistant Principal Mark Fraiser said he encountered a student with those circumstances Saturday. “ ... They had one check coming in the house. She was about to be evicted, but (the child’s) mother managed to raise the money and pay the rent for that month,” Fraiser said. “The child is not in school because the child doesn’t have any clothes ... the mother said she was praying, and she was asking God what to do.” Fraiser said the group managed to get the child registered for ninth grade and made arrangements for clothing and supplies through his fraternity. Most students in the district drop out in the ninth grade, Elmore said. “When you first think about it, it seemed awfully strange that they would dropout that young, but in a ninth grader’s mind (they’re saying), ‘Oh, I’ve got to go four more years,’ and they’ve already been frustrated with school for some reason.” A dropout’s annual salary is $9,200 less than that of a high school graduate, and dropouts cost the public $24 billion annually in crime and welfare benefits, Jackson said. Additionally, recruiting new businesses to the area is easier when there is an educated work force there to greet them, said B. Frank James, a Graduate Florence volunteer and senior vice president of BB&T. “The moral fiber of the community would be so much better ... So many more doors are opened with an education,” James said. James said understands not everybody is designed to be a college graduate but that some residents might have other fruitful ambitions. That’s why schools need vocational programs, he said. “Schools should provide something that is of interest to the kid, something that motivates him to return to school,” James said. Graduate Florence is a partnership with the School Foundation, the S.C. Department of Education, the National Dropout Prevention Center, and the Mayor’s Coalition to Prevent Juvenile Crime. For additional information, click here to view A Look at What's Happening this week in Florence School District One for the week of August 25, 2008. Last Published: August 30, 2008 2:05 PM
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