Published in The News Journal
January 20, 2010

Wachovia Wells Fargo makes gift to School Foundation

Florence, SC – The School Foundation recently received a $5,000 donation from the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation.  The funds will be used to promote educational excellence in Florence School District One through grants for innovative and high impact programs designed to benefit all children. 

 “We are honored that Wachovia Wells Fargo has chosen to support The School Foundation with this generous donation,” stated Debbie Hyler, Executive Director of the Foundation. “By supporting public education, they are investing in our children.  Children are our nation’s future and their development affects us all.  Our entire community benefits from their strong leadership.”

 “Wachovia is extremely proud to have been a supporter of The School Foundation since its inception and see the tremendous growth in the organization with its positive impact on education in Florence,” stated John Bankson, Pee Dee Market President, Wachovia Bank, N.A.

 The School Foundation, which supports all students in Florence School District One, is the largest endowment for any public K-12 school system in South Carolina.  For additional information on the Foundation, please visit their website at www.theschoolfoundation.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           
January 6, 2010

Contact Debbie Hyler @dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org
(843) 662-9996


PRESS RELEASE

Florence, SC – The School Foundation Board of Directors has approved $101,927 to be awarded to FSD1 educators in grants during the 2010 – 2011 school year.  The Foundation is seeking grants that promote excellence in academic achievement, build community involvement, or encourage innovative leadership.  In an effort to assist educators in preparing their grant applications, the Foundation is sponsoring a grant writing workshop for Florence School District One educators on Tuesday, January 12th.  The workshop will be held in the West Florence High School Auditorium from 2:00 – 4:30pm.  There is no cost for FSD1 educators.

Dr. Duane Rupert will be conducting the workshop.    Dr. Rupert is a grant proposal writing and project evaluation consultant.  His client base includes public schools, colleges, state agencies, and national organizations.  He has presented grant writing workshops for several national organizations and has responded to dozens of very competitive grant programs with winning proposals.

“We are delighted that Dr. Rupert will be conducting our workshop again this year.  His expertise is invaluable and I’m sure our educators will benefit greatly from his unlimited knowledge,” stated Debbie Hyler, the Foundation’s Executive Director.   “With various state and federal economic stimulus monies available, the knowledge gained from this workshop will certainly benefit our educators if they apply for these grants as well.” 

To sign up for the workshop, e-mail dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org.  For additional information on the Foundation or to view the grant application packet, please visit www.theschoolfoundation.org.    

 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Debbie Hyler
The School Foundation
(843) 662-9996
dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org
www.theschoolfoundation.org

The School Foundation’s Major Grant Recipients attend SCATA Conference

Florence, SC- Math Masters of the Pee Dee team leaders recently attended the annual South Carolina Association of Title I Administrators (SCATA) conference, which was held in Myrtle Beach, S.C.  Educators from Delmae Elementary School including Ginger Baggette (Instructional Coach), Melissa Marsik (3rd grade teacher), Lisa Young (4th grade teacher) and Carol Pinckney (4th grade teacher) attended the conference to make a presentation on the SMART Response system, which was funded by The School Foundation.   

The Fall Professional Development Conference “A Passport to Learning”, was held October 27 – 30 at the Kingston Plantation. This is the first time a team from Delmae has been invited to the conference to make a presentation.  Attracting education professionals from across the state, this was a big honor for the Delmae team, especially because only six presentations were given at this year’s conference. 

Lisa Young stated, “As an educator, being able to network with other teachers and administrators in the state is an awesome opportunity and the SCATA conference allowed our district to share what we, Florence One and The School Foundation, are doing to meet the needs of our students.  The event was top notch and Lorna McBride and the SCATA personnel are to be commended for such a fantastic conference.”
 
"The presentation to teachers, administrators, and district personnel went very well.  Participants enjoyed being able to experience what students experience during the simulation, using the SMART Response systems.  In addition, most were in awe of the data the systems could provide to teachers and administrators” stated Ginger Baggette.

Every year The School Foundation awards one major grant and several mini-grants.  This year’s major grant winner will impact all of Florence District One’s third grade students through the use of SMART Response Systems that engage students and provide timely feedback to teachers. Every third grade will receive a handset that looks like a television remote. 

SCATA was founded 42 years ago to promote the exchange of ideas on programs and activities in the various districts, communicate with other professionals, and encouraging priority students from South Carolina high schools to further their post high school education.

For additional information, please visit www.sctitle1.org or contact Debbie Hyler, Executive Director of the School Foundation at dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org or call the office at (843) 662-9996. 


 

Florence School District 1 Board gets praise for fiscal policies

Published: October 20, 2009

Dear Editor:

I write to recognize and applaud the efforts and dedication of the Florence School District One Board of Trustees and Superintendent Larry Jackson. In the past 10 years, our schools have seen a population increase of more than 2,200 students, yet not a single new facility. Rather, the district has been forced to teach our students in mobile units.

We all know about the Corridor of Shame that has become synonymous with schools along I-95 and the Dillon Public School System; however, what we in Florence fail to realize is the reality of our own corridor of shame.

The average age of our schools is 41 years, with seven of those facilities being more than 50 years of age. The school maintenance department functions as best it can, but when a ceiling caved in and the district was forced to pay $400,000 to repair it, as was the case in 2006, not much could have been done by the maintenance department.

Because of a very low debt load maintained by Florence 1 schools, the ability exists to pay for the schools as they are built. This approach equates to a real property tax increase of $52 for a homeowner with a $100,000 home, and it alleviates the need for general obligation bonds which would cost the taxpayers $100,000,000 more in interest than the pay-as-you-go approach recently considered by the board.

It is our responsibility as a community to ensure the integrity of the infrastructure for our public schools which will then cause economic prosperity. No longer should our children have to eat lunch at 10 a.m. because of overcrowded and inadequate facilities as they do at Delmae Elementary School. No longer should our children be forced to learn in facilities that are unsafe and not conducive to their educational needs. No longer should our hard working educators be forced to work in an environment that is inferior to the environments in which we work.

Because the Florence 1 Board’s request from the taxpayer is nominal, and because our board has a history of fiscal responsibility, not only do I approve of the plan for facility upgrades, but I also applaud the board for finding a way to provide funding for these improvements. I hope the rest of the community will support this effort which will benefit the 15,856 children in our schools.

Ed Love
Florence School District 1 Parent
Florence

 

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
October 13, 2009

Florence, SC –The School Foundation announces this year’s first meeting of the Council of Parent Leaders of Florence School District 1 on Tuesday, November 10th.  The meeting will be held in the Carver Elementary multi-purpose room at 6:00pm.  The Council represents members of the APT’s (Association of Parents and Teachers) and SIC’s (School Improvement Council) in each of the District’s 23 schools.  The goal of the Council is to allow active members of the school community to create greater communication with and development of parent leaders within the school district.

With the creation of the Council of Parent Leaders, the Foundation has pledged to convene roundtable discussions; provide parent leaders with the opportunity to network with other parent leaders; develop a communication structure for parent leaders; arrange for the Council members to meet with FSD1 Superintendent Larry Jackson several times a year; and sponsor speakers of interest for parent leaders.

“The Council is a strong advocate for quality education in Florence School District One and I am looking forward to working with these parent leaders to enhance the educational opportunities our children receive throughout the school year,” stated Debbie Hyler, Executive Director of The School Foundation.  “I truly believe that active and involved parents make a huge difference, not only in their children’s education, but in the community as a whole.”

The evening’s topic will be the newly acquired SMART response systems, as well as data driven instruction.  The Foundation’s ’09-’10 major grant (Math Masters of the Pee Dee) is a program that will impact all of the district’s third grade classrooms through the use of these SMART response systems.  Specifically, in each math class, students are given a student specific handset, or clicker, that resembles a remote.  As the teacher provides electronic standards-based problems similar to those on state testing or in texts, students are in turn able to simultaneously use their handsets to record answers.   The answers are tabulated through the system and reported back in seconds in ways that not only display student data but analyze it to give teachers information on each and every student’s strengths and weaknesses.  

For additional information, contact Debbie Hyler, Executive Director of the School Foundation at dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org or call the office at (843) 662-9996. 


 

Florence natives were truly able to reach for the stars

Thom Anderson
Published: October 4, 2009

A couple of Florence girls some years ago got jobs in Washington and left to reach for the stars, so to speak. They later found themselves knee deep in stars, but more about the stars later.  Patsy Smith and Landess McCown finished college and came back to Florence, but they wanted to move on.  “I knew I didn’t want to teach school,” McCown said. She asked her father, principal of McClenaghan High School, if he knew anyone in Washington. He did know Congressman John L. McMillan. After some conversation, the girls had jobs in Washington.
There were a couple of young men in the picture, McClenaghan classmate Charles Bagnal and Frank Kelso from Fayetteville, Tenn.
As it turned out, Bagnal was a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and Kelso a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. They wound up married, Bagnal to Smith and Kelso to McCown.

The other night, years later, the four were in town as Bagnal was recognized at the annual School Foundation Celebration Gala as Florence School District One Distinguished Graduate.  He is also, I am confident, the highest ranking military officer ever to come out of Florence. Bagnal credits Ira Rainwater and Roy Graham, Florence men for whom he as a kid had great respect, with acquainting him with the possibilities of a West Point education.

Coming out of McClenaghan High School, he took the battery of exams for a possible appointment to the Military Academy and passed them. He was one of a those that McMillan appointed that year, and it came through in a funny way.
“I got a telegram on June 29 saying I had been accepted,” he said. It gave him instructions on what to bring with him and to be there on July 1. That made a rush job of grabbing a train out of Florence, getting another train from New York and winding up on the West Point campus on July 1.

Bagnal had known Patsy Smith and Landess McCown at MHS, and he says it took a little trickery to get Smith to go out with him. She apparently was reluctant, and he credits Laurence McIntosh with misleading her into the car with him.  Anyway, it went well, and when the girls worked in Washington, Smith took weekend bus trips with a bunch of young women to West Point and spent time with Bagnal. McCown frequently went to nearby Annapolis to spend time with Kelso, the boy from Tennessee.  When not going to West Point, Smith sometimes went to Annapolis with McCown to dances including midshipmen. Bagnal claims they paid admission for the privilege, but I’m not sure of that.  The cadet and midshipman graduated and were commissioned about the same time, and the two couples quickly married, one wedding at West Point and the other in Florence and on the same day. Kelso said they have sometimes celebrated anniversaries together.
They weren’t sure about careers at first, but one found a home in the Army and the other a home in the Navy.  And what homes they turned out to be. Bagnal became a lieutenant general and Kelso became an admiral. That was when the Florence girls found themselves knee deep in the stars that their husbands were wearing.

Bagnal, among a string of important assignments, served for several years as deputy superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy. His final assignment was as commander of U.S. Army forces in the Pacific with headquarters in Hawaii.  After retirement in 1989, he got a law degree from the University of South Carolina and practiced law in Columbia for 10 years before retiring again. He and his wife, Patsy, now live in Columbia.

Kelso after commission went into the submarine service and moved up to become commander of the Atlantic Fleet. In the 1990s, he served as Chief of Naval Operations, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Part of that time he was acting secretary of the navy.  He is a little outnumbered by McClenaghan alimni when the four of them get together, but he said back in Tenneessee his wife is a lone MHS alumna.
When Bagnal was honored by School District 1 the other night, the Florence girls got together again with all of their stars.

Lt. Gen. Bagnal worthy of being local role model

District 1 honors alumnus Bagnal

By Conan Gasque
Published: September 24, 2009

Through nearly 40 years in the military, Charles Bagnal rose all the way to the rank of Lieutenant General.  But his success started right here in Florence as a graduate of McCleneghan High School in 1952. Thursday night, it continued as he was named Florence School District 1’s most distinguished graduate for 2009.  “It makes me feel very proud,” he said. “And I committed about 37 years of my life to the military, and I’m especially glad that they are recognizing the United States military.”

Bagnal was honored with the award by The School Foundation at its Gala on Thursday . The Gala is an event that raises money for grants in the district.  “There are so many needs in the schools that money from the state just cannot cover everything that we need to have done,” said Debbie Hyler, executive director of the School Foundation. “And so we like to be able to provide innovative grants that are above and beyond what the district can fund.”

Hyler helped choose Bagnal as the distinguished graduate. She says School Foundation leaders chose him because he was the highest-ranking military officer who has graduated from a Florence 1 school.  “What a role mode,” she said. “He was able to speak to all the high school ROTCs (Wednesday and Thursday), and you can’t find a finer role model.”

But Bagnal knows he wasn’t the only one qualified to be honored.  “I had many other classmates from high school that went on to college and did exceptionally well,” he said.  And he knows the money raised during Thursday’s Gala will lead many more Florence 1 students to success, as well.

The School Foundation hosts the event every year. For the price of a donation, leaders offer dinner and entertainment to those who attend.

About 900 people attended this year’s event. Organizers say they hoped to raise at least $100,000.  Former Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers was the keynote speaker at the event.
 

Students, district, community benefit from The School Foundation

Morning News
Published: September 1, 2009

The School Foundation was created in 2000 with the idea of improving the quality of education in Florence School District 1.  Local business leaders raised $1 million in seed to fund and support innovative ideas from school district employees.  Through the generosity of its benefactors, students in the school district have benefitted from more than $420,000 in funding for innovative ideas with a clear mission: Promote excellence in the district through grants for innovative and broad-ranging programs.

The School Foundation has been such a success, it has grown into the largest K-12 public education endowment in the state.  By creating extraordinary experiences for students, it has made a difference in handing out major and mini grants to teachers for everything from state-of-the-art SMART Response wireless remotes that help children with math to puppets for a creative Lester Elementary teacher to teach children theatrically about germs.

As groundbreaking and exciting as the work at The School Foundation might be, it must raise money beyond its $1 million perpetual fund to keep the momentum and inspiration going.  On Sept, 24, former Chief of Staff Richard B. Myers will be the keynote speaker and Lt. Gen. Charles W. Bagnal, a Florence School District 1 graduate, will be the guest of honor at The School Foundation’s eighth annual gala at the Florence Civic Center.  We encourage you to buy tickets by calling (843) 662-9996 because the energy behind The School Foundation represents the kind of energy and ingenuity we need in Florence. Economic development pros see The School Foundation as a positive resource when they talk about relocation possibilities with companies big and small.

The School Foundation’s executive director, Debbie Hyler, is a tireless advocate for better schools who helped create “Graduate Florence” in collaborating with school district personnel. “Graduate Florence” encourages students to stay in school and earn their high school diploma.  The gala provides more than half of The School Foundation’s $200,000 yearly budget. More than $100,000 will be generated from ticket sales. Tickets range in price from $75 (for District 1 employees) and $100 for individuals to $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 for corporate sponsorships.

We think Bagnal and Myers were good choices for special guests and know it will be a special treat for guests to meet them.  Bagnal, a 1952 graduate of McClenaghan High School, is the highest-ranking military leader to come from Florence School District 1. He will be honored as the Distinguished Graduate in a program focused on a military theme.

Myers was the military’s highest-ranking military officer when he served in President George W. Bush’s administration. He took over shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America. He helped plan and execute the 2003 invasion of Iraq.  Both are uniquely qualified to talk about achieving results and inspiring people with their stories of hard work and teamwork. 

The foundation has been an effective partner with the school district, while maintaining its independence. Since it uses its money wisely in finding opportunities to reward good ideas, the gala deserves your support.


 

The School Foundation gets $35,000 BB&T donation

Published: August 25, 2009

FLORENCE — The School Foundation has received a $35,000 donation from BB&T.  A portion of the funds will be used to sponsor the VIP Reception for a former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, who will speak at The School Foundation’s annual fundraising gala Sept. 24 in Florence.

Gen. Richard Myers, 67, will join in honoring Lt. Gen. Charles Bagnal at Florence Civic Center, The School Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hyler said. Bagnal, 75, grew up in Florence and graduated from McClenaghan High School in 1952.

The remaining funds will assist the foundation with its operating budget.

The School Foundation, which supports all students in Florence School District 1, is the largest endowment for any public K-12 school system in South Carolina. It promotes educational excellence in the district through grants for innovative and high impact programs designed to benefit all children.

“BB&T continues to be a dedicated community partner by supporting The School Foundation’s efforts,” Hyler said in a press release. “They recognize that a strong public school system helps the entire community. BB&T is definitely a strong leader in the Florence community and the entire community benefits from their efforts.”

Nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend the gala, which serves as the primary fundraiser for The School Foundation. Tickets begin at $75 for teachers and $100 for individuals. Tables of eight will go for $1,000 (bronze sponsorship), $2,500 (silver), $5,000 (gold) and $10,000 (platinum).

“Education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world. It is also a fact that our community’s economic results are significantly impacted by the success of a single word. That word is education,” B. Frank James, senior vice president and city executive at BB&T, said in the release. “BB&T understands that our contribution to The School Foundation will not only promote the pathway to excellence in education, but also, contribute to the growth and well-being of the Florence community which BB&T serves.“

Tickets for the gala can be purchased by calling Hyler at (843) 662-9996 or by e-mailing dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org .

For more information about The School Foundation, visit http://www.theschoolfoundation.org online.

Volunteers, educators visit students who didn’t report to school


By Jamie Rogers
Morning News Reporter
Published: August 22, 2009

FLORENCE — Florence students who didn’t report to school this week likely had school teachers and volunteers show up at their homes Saturday.  Smiling educators and volunteers met at Poynor Adult Education Center early Saturday and packed into private vehicles to reclaim the lost students.  The event is called Opening Doors to the Future Day and is designed to improve students’ chances of having a successful life, Florence School District One spokeswoman Pam Little-McDaniel said.

Future Day is an initiative of Graduate Florence, a district-wide program designed to decreased the dropout rate.

Long-time educator Allie E. Brooks Jr. said the whole community benefits when a child goes to school, obtains an education and graduates.  
That’s why volunteers went out and searched for those young people who didn’t show up for classes at the district’s middle and high schools.  “Our responsibility is to go to that home, talk to that person and the parents and encourage them to come to school,” he said.  This week, about 35 students did not report to schools in the district, Brooks said.

While that is still a concern to district officials, it is a notable decrease when compared to last year when as many as 118 students did not report to class during the the first week of school.  Many volunteers who participated in a similar event held by the district last year noticed the decrease and viewed it as a sign of improvement.  “Maybe they got the word this year that someone would be coming to their house early Saturday morning,” said Wallace James, a volunteer and Florence County Sheriff’s deputy.

Retired teacher Evelyn McIntosh-Jones said she proudly volunteered and was honored to be able to help children in some way.  She read about last year’s effort and inquired about how she could get involved, McIntosh-Jones said.  “I’m so excited to get young people back to school,” she said.  “That’s the only way we can make progress ... to bring them back in school and to educate them.”  McIntosh-Jones said she retired after teaching special education classes in the Philadelphia school system for 32 years.  “It was time to retire, to give it up and to do some volunteer work,” she said. “I wanted to continue to work with young people so they can continue our legacy as educators.”  Brooks, McIntosh-Jones and two other volunteers went to the home of a Wilson High School student who did not come to school this week.

Even though no one was at the residence, the volunteers left information about registering for school on the door.  School officials will follow up with students who couldn’t be reached Saturday, Brooks said.  If the student he called upon doesn’t want to return to Wilson, then he can talk about his other educational options with school officials, Brooks said.

If a student does decide to continue their education, trained specialists will work with the students to decide which programs would be best for them.  Several options are available including homebound services, adult education, the teen parent program and computer-based education.

“All of these options are under the Graduate Florence umbrella. We’re working toward a goal of a graduation rate of 100 percent,” Florence School District One Superintendent Larry Jackson said in a press release.
 

Florence School District 1 seeks help to ‘open doors to future’

 
By Shireese Bell
Morning News Reporter
Published: August 6, 2009

Florence School District 1 is in need of volunteers to help with its “Opening Doors to the Future” campaign, a community outreach program designed to encourage youth to return to school after dropping out.  “Opening Doors to the Future” is one component of the district’s Graduate Florence initiative.  There are 16 projects that fall under the umbrella of Graduate Florence, which is being implemented with the support of community and school organizations.

The goal of the Graduate Florence is to increase the graduation rate by 5 percent during the next three years. Seventy-one percent of the district’s students graduate within four years.  “Opening Doors to the Future” is a chance for schools and the community to connect with students who have not registered for high school or middle school within the first week of classes, according to the district.

The campaign is a partnership between Florence 1, The School Foundation, the state Department of Education, the National Dropout Prevention Center, the Mayor’s Coalition to Prevent Juvenile Crime, the Florence Police Department/Florence County Sheriff’s Office/S.C.Department of Juvenile Justice and BB&T.  The campaign was launched last year and targeted high school students. Thirty-two students were registered for either high school or the district’s GED program.  This year, the campaign has expanded to include students of Henry L. Sneed, Southside and Williams middle schools, Debbie Hyler, executive director of The School Foundation, said.  Hyler said last year’s event was very successful and she hopes that a large number of volunteers will participate again this year.  “I think it was great way for the community to get involved in supporting public education,” Hyler said. “I think that the volunteers who participated last year really got a lot out of it.  “We hope that we’ll have a large number of volunteers and we appreciate the community involvement in this project,” she said.

On Aug. 22, a team of three or four volunteers will visit students who have not registered for school from 9:30 a.m. to noon.  Students have a chance to register on site or at their home school the same day.  Each team is made up of a law enforcement official, a high school educator, and at least one community volunteer.  To become a volunteer, one must attend one of the training sessions at 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Poynor Adult/Community Education Center, 301 S. Dargan St.  A volunteer application can be found at Florence 1’s Web site, http://www.fsd1.org, or on The School Foundation’s Web site, http://www.theschoolfoundation.org.

For more information, contact Hyler at (843) 662-9996 or Jim Shaw, Florence 1’s coordinator of health and physical education, at (843) 673-1128.

On the Web

Florence School District 1, http://www.fsd1.org

The School Foundation, http://www.theschoolfoundation.org

Former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman to speak at gala
By James Bennett
Published: June 13, 2009

A former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman will speak at The School Foundation’s annual fundraising gala Sept. 24 in Florence.

Gen. Richard Myers, 67, will join in honoring Lt. Gen. Charles Bagnal at Florence Civic Center, said The School Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hyler.

Bagnal, 75, grew up in Florence and graduated from McClenaghan High School in 1952.

Myers was the military’s highest-ranking military officer when he served in President George W. Bush’s administration, taking charge shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He helped plan and execute the 2003 invasion of Iraq and served in that role until 2005.

“We are honored that Gen. Myers will join us as we recognize Lt. Gen. Bagnal as our 2009 distinguished graduate,” Frank James, treasurer of The School Foundation, said. “Having the 15th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serve as this year’s keynote speaker is a testament to Lt. Gen. Bagnal’s character and exemplary service to the military. This gala certainly will prove to be Florence’s premier event of the year.”

Nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend the gala, which serves as the primary fundraiser for The School Foundation. The foundation supports education in Florence School District 1.

Tickets begin at $75 for teachers and $100 for individuals. Tables of eight will go for $1,000 (bronze sponsorship), $2,500 (silver), $5,000 (gold) and $10,000 (platinum).

“The School Foundation gala is vital to our success as an organization,” fund development chairwoman Jean Leatherman said. “The dynamics of having almost 1,000 supporters in the Florence Civic Center, cheering for public education, is thrilling.

“Our children, teachers and faculty need that show of affirmation,” she said. “The financial support from this event and our wonderful contributors and corporate supporters are the core of our existence.”

Bagnal was chosen as the honoree because he rose to the highest rank in his military career of all Florence School District 1 alumni. Lieutenant general is the equivalent of a three-star general. Others who served in the military also will be honored.

Bagnal lives in Columbia with his wife, Patsy. The former Army aviator and Vietnam veteran is chairman of the West Point Society of Columbia.

BB&T will sponsor a VIP reception in Myers’ and Bagnal’s honor, Hyler said.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Hyler at (843) 662-9996 or by e-mailing dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org . They’re also available at http://www.theschoolfoundation.org.

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
May 27, 2009                            

Contact Debbie Hyler @ dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org or (843) 662-9996

 
THE SCHOOL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $54,000 IN GRANTS FOR 2009 - 2010

                              Major grants winners with Roy Anne Jolley (Principal of
                                  Delmae Elementary) and Debbie Hyler, TSF Executive Director

Florence, SC – Trisha Caulder, Chair of the Grants Committee of the Board of Directors of  The School Foundation (TSF) announced the Foundation will distribute a total of $54,198.20 in grant awards to schools in Florence School District One (FSD1) for 2009-2010.  The announcement was made at a reception for grant writers held at the Drs. Bruce and Lee Library on Wednesday.  The largest grant award of $50,000 was made to a group of teachers from Delmae Elementary School.  The project entitled “Math Masters of the Pee Dee” is a program that will impact all third grade students in FSD1 through the use of Classroom Performance Systems (CPS) that engage students while providing timely feedback to educators.  Specifically, in each math class, students are given a student specific handset, or clicker, that resembles a remote.  These handsets have buttons that correspond with answer choices.  As the teacher provides electronic standards-based problems similar to those on state testing or in texts, students in turn are able to simultaneously use their handsets to record answers.  The answers are tabulated through the system and reported back in seconds in ways that not only display student data but analyze it to give teachers information on each and every student’s strengths and weaknesses.  The technology will allow the educators to target specific small groups for remediation, re-teaching, or challenge.

The Grants Committee of the TSF Board of Directors reviewed 22 applications requesting a total of $365,687.  Of the 14 applications for Mini-Grants (projects up to $500), 9 were funded for the upcoming year.  The projects include such diverse projects as a project to enable students to respond to literature using flip video cameras to produce video productions; using temperature probes and easy link cables to perform mathematical experiments; and learning math by creating activities using gas pressure probes.  The attached contains summaries of all projects funded and contact information for all grantees.  Of the 8 applications received in its Major Grants category (projects of $10,000 or more), 1 application was funded.   

“We were very excited by the number of applications received and the tremendous time, effort and research the teachers spent to compile these grant applications” stated Grants Committee Chair Trisha Caulder.  Debbie Hyler, Executive Director of TSF said “It is exciting to see the dedication teachers in FSD1 have for their students.  Our students can only excel from the innovation and creativity displayed by these teachers who are committed to helping their students excel.”  Jeff Helton, Board Chairman stated “Math Masters took it to the next level by submitting data to support their position.  This was actual data from their classrooms, not data from others’ research.  They show how this program can be expanded throughout FSD1 and we feel this will truly benefit the students by increasing their math skills as well as test scores.  We congratulate the Math Masters team and thank all the others for taking the time to prepare their presentations.  We look forward to continuing our work with FSD1 to make this and all the programs a success and encourage the community to get involved as well.”

This is the sixth year of funding for FSD1 by The School Foundation.  To date, more than $391,000 in funds have been distributed by TSF to FSD1.  The School Foundation is the largest K-12 public education endowment in the State of South Carolina. 

For additional information, see What's Happening in FSD1 week of May 25, 2009.

                         
                                                 Mini-Grant Winners                                                             
 

3 Florence 1 students earn mechatronics certification

By Shireese Bell                                                                                                                       
Morning News Reporter
Published: May 28, 2009

FLORENCE — Three students from Florence School District 1’s Florence Career Center are the first to receive certification in the Mechatronics Core Curricular from the National Center for Construction Education and Research.  Jason Zheng and Rajagh Harrison, both of South Florence High School, as well as Sheldon Ford, a student at Wilson High School, all have been certified in the areas of safety, hand tools, power tools, blueprints, rigging, communications and job seeking skills, said Jim Johnson, a mechatronics instructor at the center.  Students received a diploma, a certification card and transcript after completing eight written and hands-on exams.  The certification is a voluntary process and doesn’t impact the students’ grade for the course, Johnson said.  The mechatronics curriculum uses specialized equipment to enhance instruction in electrical wiring, circuit breakers and fuses, hydraulics,  pneumatics, robotics, electrical blueprints and other  topics.                                         

Zheng, who was the captain of Florence 1’s Florence Technomancers robotics team, said the mechatronics course is more than just an average high school course. He said the skills he learned in the class not only helped him on the robotics team but helped him prepare for a career in engineering.  “You learn it and you actually get to use it,” Zheng said. “That’s the fun part as opposed to a lot of other high school courses that you take.”  Zheng said obtaining the certification was just a natural step in his progression to become an engineer.  “It’s like a bonus,” he said. “It doesn’t hurt to have it. It’s just something we decided to do.”

Zheng is a senior and has plans to attend Clemson University to major in mechanical engineering. He has also attends Florence-Darlington Technical College through its dual-credit program.  Both Ford and Harrison agreed the certification will help give them an edge when seeking future employment.  “I knew it would be good to get certified,” Ford said.  Ford said he enjoyed the mechatronics course, especially lessons on CNC machining.  Ford, a 2009 graduate, will attend Clemson University to major in computer engineering. He was also a member of the district’s robotics team.

Harrison said the mechatronics course exposed him to the field of robotics and helped increase his curiosity for wiring and electricity.  With the certification, Harrison said he thinks he could get a better paying job than if he just took the course.

Harrison is a rising senior and has plans to major in electrical engineering at either the University of South Carolina or the University of Miami.

The National Center for Construction Education and Research is a not-for-profit education foundation created to develop industry-driven standardized craft training programs with portable credentials and help address the critical work force shortage facing the construction industry, according to its Web site, http://www.nccer.org.

On the Web

Florence Career Center, http://www.fsd1.org/careercenter

The National Center for Construction Education and Research, http://www.nccer.org

Rajagh Harrison, at back, smiles as teacher Jim Johnson helps students in the electricity/mechatronics class study for final exams during class Wednesday at Florence Career Center. Harrison is one of three students to receive Mechatronics Core Curricular Certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

Foundation seeks to honor teachers

By Shireese Bell
Morning News Reporter
Published: May 5, 2009

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and The School Foundation is calling for the community’s support in honoring local educators and acknowledging the contributions they make in one’s life.  Debbie Hyler, executive director of The School Foundation, said the foundation believes that great teachers make great schools and that this one way to show their appreciation for the dedication and service of educators.  “We would like to see the entire Florence community come together as a whole to show their appreciation to the educators in Florence School District 1,” Hyler said. “Most people remember a favorite teacher or educator who really touched their lives and this is the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation to that individual.”

The School Foundation has created a donation form where one can pledge a minimum of $10 in honor of their favorite teacher. All pledges are tax-deductible.  Note cards that can be personalized also are available for one to write comments about the teacher who made a difference.  Both cards can be found on the foundation’s Web site, http://www.theschoolfoundation.org. Comments from the note cards will be posted to the Web site and delivered to the educators.  Donation forms and note cards can be returned to The School Foundation, 320 W. Cheves St., Suite 175, Florence, SC 29501.  Cards can also be purchased at local banks and businesses, Hyler said.

In addition to community recognition, Florence 1 also honored its teachers as well as others in the district that were recognized on the state and national levels.  Florence 1 had its 6th annual Honors and Awards Program at Francis Marion University Tuesday, which was Teacher Appreciation Day.  The banquet recognizes Teachers of the Year, Honor Roll Teachers, the District Teacher of the Year, National Board Certified Teachers, as well as any grant recipients, state and national award winners, and anyone who have published articles during the 2008-09 school year.  Outstanding school achievements also will be recognized.  This year’s guest speaker was Jenna Hallman, South Carolina’s State Teacher of the Year for 2008-09. Hallman is a science specialist at Calhoun Academy of the Arts in Anderson.

On the Web

The School Foundation, http://www.theschoolfoundation.org
Florence School District 1, http://www.fsd1.org
National Education Association, http://www.nea.org
 

Monster gives $5,000 to The School Foundation

From local reports
Published: April 2, 2009

The School Foundation recently received a $5,000 donation from Monster Worldwide Inc., the parent company of Monster, an online job recruitment and careers resource.  The funds will be used to enrich LEAP (Florence School District 1’s Language Enrichment Acceleration Program), a pilot program founded in 2005 which originally supported intensive reading programs for all first-graders in three district elementary schools. Because of its success, all elementary schools in the district have implemented the program.  LEAP is the first grant given by The School Foundation.

Monster announced in late June it plans to invest $28 million and create 750 jobs over five years through its new customer service center in Florence. Officials from Monster and local dignitaries gathered Dec. 2 to break ground for the center at Pee Dee Electric Cooperative’s Touchstone Energy Commerce City.

The School Foundation promotes educational excellence in Florence School District 1 through grants for innovative and high impact programs designed to benefit all children. For more information, contact Debbie Hyler at dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org or (843) 662-9996 or visit the foundation’s Web site at http://www.theschoolfoundation.org.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           
April 2, 2009                                                                         

Contact Debbie Hyler @ dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org or (843) 662-9996

PRESS RELEASE

 THE SCHOOL FOUNDATION RECEIVES $5,000 DONATION FROM MONSTER WORLDWIDE

Florence, SC -- The School Foundation recently received a $5,000 donation from Monster Worldwide, Inc., the parent company of Monster, the premier global online employment solution. The funds will be used to enrich LEAP (Florence School District One’s Language Enrichment Acceleration Program), a pilot program founded in 2005, which originally supported intensive reading programs for all first graders in three district elementary schools. Because of its success, all elementary schools in the district have implemented the program.  LEAP is the first grant given by The School Foundation.

 “We are very excited and honored that Monster has chosen to support The School Foundation and Florence School District One with this generous donation” stated Debbie Hyler, executive director of The School Foundation.  “Monster is a valuable addition to our community and we are delighted they are so supportive of our district and the 16,000 students it serves.” 

 “Reading provides the academic foundation critical to a student’s success,” said Vic Burgess, Monster’s director of Customer Service. “We are pleased to join The School Foundation in ensuring every elementary student in Florence has the opportunity to develop this important skill.”   

The School Foundation promotes educational excellence in Florence, S.C. School District One through grants for innovative and high impact programs designed to benefit all children.  For more information, please contact Debbie Hyler at dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org/(843) 662-9996 or visit their website at www.theschoolfoundation.org. 

 About Monster Worldwide

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW), parent company of Monster, the premier global online employment solution for more than a decade, strives to inspire people to improve their lives. With a local presence in key markets in North America, Europe, and Asia, Monster works for everyone by connecting employers with quality job seekers at all levels and by providing personalized career advice to consumers globally. Through online media sites and services, Monster delivers vast, highly targeted audiences to advertisers. Monster Worldwide is a member of the S&P 500 index. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading products and services, visit www.monster.com. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at http://corporate.monster.com.

Vic Burgess (right) presents check to Debbie Hyler (center) and Larry Jackson, FSD1 Superintendent (left)

For additional information, see What's Happening in FSD1, Week of March 30, 2009.

Mom Prom to benefit The School Foundation

By Shireese Bell
Morning News Reporter
Published: March 25, 2009

The Florence Area Stay at Home Moms as well as Florence Mayor Stephen J. Wukela and his wife, Laura, will host a fundraiser event to benefit The School Foundation.  Mom Prom, a night where adults can dress up, dance and enjoy good food and entertainment, will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wukelas’ home.  The black-tie optional event is for invited guests only. Any donations from those who attend the event will be donated to The School Foundation.

Laura Wukela, who is a member of the Florence Area Stay at Home Moms organization, said she wanted to make this year’s event a night where guests could have fun and contribute to the schools in Florence School District 1.  “We’re young mothers (and) we have children who are entering the public school system, or who are currently in the public school system,” Wukela said. “There was no better choice than to give the money that we raise to The School Foundation.  “They strive for excellence in Florence School District 1, where all of our children will attend or are already there,” she said. “I know The School Foundation will have good ideas about how to use that money especially since there have been so many budget cuts in the public education system.”

The School Foundation’s mission is to promote educational excellence in Florence 1 through grants for innovative and high impact programs designed to benefit all children, according to its Web site http://www.theschoolfoundation.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         

Contact Debbie Hyler @ dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org or (843) 662-9996
March 31, 2009                   
                           

PRESS RELEASE

                                         ’09-’10 GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

The School Foundation is accepting applications from Florence School District One educators for the 2009-2010 grant cycle.  The Foundation will consider funding grants that promote excellence in academic achievement, build community involvement, or encourage innovative leadership.  

The School Foundation has partnered with Florence School District One in an effort to determine key drivers for educational success.  They contracted with the Strom Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs at Clemson University to provide a Needs Assessment that would guide the Foundation’s grant-making over the coming years so the Foundation can provide funding where it has the potential to make the greatest impact on student success.  “Determining key drivers for educational success is vital to our district’s growth, so we are proud to have been a part of this process” stated Debbie Hyler, Executive Director of The School Foundation.  “Identifying these drivers will allow us to focus on areas where our grant dollars can have the most impact”.  

A total of $55,000 has been allocated to pay for grants approved by the Foundation’s Grants Committee; $50,000 for Major grants (>$10,000) and $5,000 for Mini-grants ($200-$500).   Major grants should seek to have a broad impact across the entire school district and help prepare students for success in a worldwide economy.  Mini-grants should seek to bring innovative learning opportunities into individual classrooms.  In general, high value criteria include innovation, creativity, educational value, student involvement, and project director commitment.  Additionally, those applications that clearly and concisely describe the project and anticipate positive benefits for students in the form of achievement, motivation and character development will be favored during the evaluation process.

The School Foundation’s Grants Committee will evaluate the applications and make a recommendation to the Foundation’s board of directors.  The review process will take approximately thirty (30) days.  The Foundation will notify the grant recipients by letter shortly thereafter.
Each applicant must submit the original grant plus nine (9) copies.  Applications are available on the Foundation’s website, www.theschoolfoundation.org, and the district’s website, www.fsd1.org.  Completed applications for Major grants should be received in the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction’s Office at 319 South Dargan Street, Florence, SC.  Mini-grant applications should be received at the Office of The School Foundation, 320 West Cheves Street, Suite 175, Florence, SC.  All grants must be received on or before 4:00pm on April 24, 2009.  

For additional information, contact Debbie Hyler at The School Foundation (dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org) or call (843) 662-9996.  

 

Event raises awareness of education petition

By Shireese Bell
Morning News Reporter
Published: March 5, 2009

Shame, hard work, hope, change and inspiring are the words that rang loud and clear from those who came out Thursday to learn about the “Goodbye Minimally Adequate” petition, an effort urging a constitutional amendment to require high-quality schools in the state.  The event, which was held in West Florence High School’s auditorium, was aimed at educating the community about the need for high-quality education in South Carolina and the urgency to address a “flawed educational system” in order to give the state’s poorest children a louder voice.

The program began with a viewing of the documentary “Corridor of Shame: The Neglect of South Carolina’s Rural Schools,” which chronicles the conditions of some of the state’s most rural school districts and the battle for equal funding for all students. Bud Ferillo, producer and director of the “Corridor of Shame,” said the film was a “heroic story of the courage of 36 school districts” that were fighting for equal funding through the Abbeville County School District et al. v. The State of South Carolina.

“This was a special opportunity to tell a story to America,” Ferillo said. “We had no idea at the time that it would catch fire and become an emblem for the conditions of schools and rural America in the way that it has.”  Ferillo said the formulas to fund schools are “almost indecipherable to financial experts” and that what’s “happening in rural communities of America, is not acceptable in 21st century America.”  He said the fight for equal funding and high-quality education isn’t over and that people in the community can make a difference by signing the “Goodbye Minimally Adequate” petition.  A million signatures is the goal, he said. Legislation to change the state constitution from “minimally adequate” to “high-quality” must be passed by a two-thirds vote of the Senate and House of Representatives in order to put the amendment on the general election ballot for public vote in November 2010.

As of press time, there were 40,050 signatures on the Web site, http://www.goodbyeminimallyadequate.com.

Benton Wise, a senior at West Florence and founder of the student organization S.C. Advocates for Rural Education (project SCARE), said he hoped those who attended the event sign the petition in order to help make a difference in education.  Wise said he hopes everyone learns it will take a great deal of hard work to make a difference in the education.  “... don’t let it rest,” Wise said. “This is your responsibility as a citizen of South Carolina.”

After the documentary, a panel discussion was held addressing the advancement of public education in the state.  Florence 1 Superintendent Larry Jackson said the conditions of the state’s rural schools didn’t happen overnight.  “We can’t use the economy as an excuse for why we are where we are,” Jackson said. “We sat and (did) nothing.  “The funding system in this state has been inherently broken for a long time,” he said. “I think it’s a travesty that a child’s education is determined by a plot of land by which their parents happen to live on. We (should) be embarrassed by it.  “Slavery was the South’s greatest shame 200 years ago. The lack of appropriate educational funding is now our new shame.”

The event also was sponsored by The School Foundation.

On the Web

The School Foundation, http://www.theschoolfoundation.org

To sign the petition, visit http://www.goodbyeminimallyadequate.com
 

Event to draw attention to education petition
 
By Shireese Bell
Morning News Reporter
Published: February 27, 2009

S.C. Advocates for Rural Education (project SCARE), a student organization founded by West Florence High School senior Benton Wise, and The School Foundation is inviting the public to learn about the “Goodbye Minimally Adequate” petition, an effort urging a constitutional amendment to require high-quality schools in the state.

The event will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at West Florence High School Auditorium, 221 N. Beltline Drive, Florence.

There will be a screening of the documentary “Corridor of Shame: The Neglect of South Carolina’s Rural Schools” preceding a panel discussion addressing the advancement of public education in the state.  Panelists include Bud Ferillo, producer and director of the “Corridor of Shame,” Jena Hallman, the state’s 2009 Teacher of the Year, as well as Florence School District 1 Superintendent Larry Jackson and Angela Slagle Huggins, principal of Rains-Centenary Elementary School in Marion School District 7.

Wise, a Marion native, established project SCARE in 2008 after attending the Emerging Public Leaders summer program at the Riley Institute at Furman University.  Wise said those who attended the program were charged with creating a local community service project.  He said he wanted his project to focus on the students of the documentary and that he has been working since September to bring attention to their plight.  Wise said he hopes those who attend Thursday’s event will leave inspired to make a change in their communities. 

“I hope that their eyes will be open to the horrible conditions that South Carolina children have to face every day whenever they go to school,” he said. “I hope that they will be inspired to go back to their own communities and spread the word, and make a collective effort to right this wrong by circulating a ‘Goodbye Minimally Adequate’ petition.”

Debbie Hyler, executive director of The School Foundation, said she wanted to co-sponsor the event because people needed to be made aware of what’s going on in public education.  “Even though the ‘Corridor of Shame’ does not have any Florence School District 1 schools in it, it’s our backyard,” Hyler said. “It’s our state and I just think that the times now really suggest that people pay more attention to public education.  “To me, it’s just one of the foundations for our whole society,” she said. “It (education) belongs to the people and I think people need to be aware of what’s going on.”

For more information on Thursday’s event, contact Hyler, at (843) 662-9996 or dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org.

IF YOU’RE GOING

WHAT: Awareness event for the “Goodbye Minimally Adequate” petition sponsored by S.C. Advocates for Rural Education (project SCARE) and The School Foundation

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: West Florence High School Auditorium, 221 N. Beltline Drive, Florence

INFO: Contact Debbie Hyler, at (843) 662-9996 or dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 2, 2009
   
Contact:  Debbie Hyler @ dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org or (843) 662-9996
  
The School Foundation Joins National Network of Nonprofit Organizations Working to Ensure a Quality Public Education for All Children
 
Florence, South Carolina) – Signaling its commitment to improve public education for all children in Florence School District One, The School Foundation today announced that it has joined Public Education Network (PEN), the nation’s largest association of community-based organizations working to ensure that all children benefit from a quality public education. The School Foundation joins 81 other local education funds in 34 states including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 5 countries Peru, Mexico, the Philippines, Tanzania and South Africa that operate in unique partnership with their public schools and their communities.

“Our membership in this national network will help us as we pursue our strategies to improve our local public schools for all children in Florence,” said Debbie Hyler, Executive Director of The School Foundation. “We’ll certainly learn from the experiences of diverse communities throughout the nation.” 

 Public Education Network is dedicated to improving public school quality for all children, but especially for those in low-income communities nationwide. “Our members help the public understand that each and every one of us is responsible for the quality of public education in our communities,” said Wendy D. Puriefoy, president of Public Education Network. “Organizations like The School Foundation play a critical role in helping the public act on their responsibility by promoting strategies that lead to increased student achievement, so that every child, and every community, gains the benefits of quality public education.”

 “Strengthening our schools is the responsibility of our entire community,” Jeff Helton, Chairman of The School Foundation board said.  “Here in Florence, community-based organizations, the school district, teachers, students, families, and the business community must work together to ensure a quality system of education for all our students.”

 About The School Foundation

 The School Foundation promotes educational excellence in Florence, S.C.School District One through grants and innovative and high impact programs designed to benefit all children.

 About Public Education Network 
 
Public Education Network (PEN) is a national association of local education funds (LEFs) and individuals working to advance public school reform in low-income communities across our country.   Our network of LEFs operates in 32 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, serving 11 million students—that’s 22 percent of America’s public school population—in 16,000 schools in more than 1,600 school districts in low-income areas. In addition, PEN's international affiliates serve over 7,000,000 children in Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Tanzania and South Africa.

PEN seeks to build public demand and mobilize resources for quality public education for all children. PEN believes community engagement is the missing ingredient in school reform, and that the level of public involvement ultimately determines the quality of education provided by public schools.
 
For more information on PEN and the work of local education funds across the country, visit www.PublicEducation.org or call PEN at 202-628-7460.
  
For more information on The School Foundation, visit www.theschoolfoundation.org or call 843-662-9996. 

For additional information, take a Look at What's Happening this week in FSD1. 

 

Florence 1 parent council to meet on school budget

From local reports
Published: February 6, 2009

The Council of Parent Leaders of Florence School District 1 will meet Tuesday to discuss the district’s school budget, among other topics.  The meeting, sponsored by The School Foundation, is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in room 2A of Poynor Adult/Community Education Center, 301 S. Dargan St., Florence.

Florence 1 Superintendent Larry Jackson and Luther Rabon, the district’s chief financial officer, will discuss budget concerns for the district.  Debbie Hyler, Executive Director of The School Foundation, also will discuss The School Foundation’s Online Community and introduce those who attend the meeting to the council online discussion group.

Snacks and light refreshments will be served. To RSVP, call Hyler at (843) 662-9996 or e-mail her at dhyler@theschoolfoundation.org .
 

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.

Debbie Hyler, Executive Director of The School Foundation, gives a thumbs up to Honda of South Carolina Manufacturing, Inc. for giving $25,000 to the foundation on July 10 as part of Honda's 10th anniversary celebration.  Honda also gave the same amount to Florence School District 4 and the Timmonsville Public Library.  The donation to the foundation isn't designated for a specific program, Hyler said.  Some of it will help the foundation's grants program for Florence School District 1. The School Foundation, which supports all students who attend public school in Florence School District 1, is the largest endowment for any public K-12 school system in South Carolina.  The money raised by the foundation doesn't go toward normal district operating expenses; rather, it targets student academic achievement and good citizenship, teacher quality, school safety and district leadership and impacts quality through grants of $10,000 or more.  "Honda continues to be a dedicated community partner by supporting The School Foundation's efforts to promote educational excellence in Florence School District 1," Hyler wrote.  "They recognize that a strong public school system helps the entire community by both preparing students for the work force and attracting new industries to the area."

Education News

Florence School District One

319 South Dargan Street

Florence, SC   29506                                                            Contact:  Pam Little-McDaniel

                                                                                                Director of Public Information

                                                                                                (843) 669-4141

For Release: July 28, 2008

Re:   Jackson:  Let’s Open Doors to the Future and Graduate Florence;  

Florence One Superintendent on a Mission to Re-Claim and Graduate Dropouts

            Florence School District One Superintendent Larry Jackson unveiled plans to decrease the dropout rate in Florence Schools.   On Monday, he outlined the details of what he called Graduate Florence.

            According to Jackson, the graduation rate in Florence One directly correlates to economic development in the greater Florence community. “Empty desks that are vacant belonging to students who have dropped out have an adverse affect on the community.” Jackson said, “I want Florence to be aware that a dropout’s annual salary is $9,200 less than that of a high school graduate; that nationally, dropouts cost the public $24 billion annually in crime and welfare benefits; and that recruiting new businesses in Florence is easer with an educated population base.”

            Jackson said for these reasons, he is committed to a one-day outreach event where volunteers will literally knock on doors and encourage its high school dropouts to return to school. He said Graduate Florence is designed to improve the students’ chances of having a successful life; educate the community  about the impact dropouts have; reduce the social and economic impact of dropouts; enhance economic development; and increase the graduation rate.

            He called the one-day outreach event of Graduate Florence, Opening Doors to the Future Day, which he announced will be held on Saturday, August 23^rd beginning at 8:00 a.m. when all three high schools will be open.    Jackson said on that date phone calls will be made to homes of a listing of eligible students (dropouts); the dropouts will be visited and invited by volunteers to return to school. 

            “We’ll be ready to go door to door and welcome the students back to school with open arms,” said Jackson.  “If the students agree to re-enroll, on-the-spot transportation will be provided to any one of our three high schools: South Florence, West Florence or Wilson.”

            Jackson said that when the students arrive at the high schools, they will be greeted by specialists who will direct them to begin to re-open the doors to their future.   According to Jackson the idea of the door-to-door invitation of dropouts to return to school has received the attention of State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex who has indicated that if his schedule permits, he plans to visit Florence and join Jackson and the volunteers who will participate in the one-day outreach event on the 23^rd.

“The plan makes perfect economic sense,” said Jackson. “Students who graduate have better earning potential, become contributing members of society, and improve their own personal health and longevity.”

When asked about the difficulty some students may have in returning to school, Jackson said, “We do understand that educating many of our students who have dropped out is going to take some special effort on our part to meet their needs and for these students, we are prepared.”  He said the trained specialists will work with the students to decide which programs would be best for them. He pointed to several options that will be offered to the students on Opening the Doors to the Future Day including:  Homebound services; Adult education; The teen parent program; Virtual learning (computer based education).

            “Our goal is to drastically decrease the dropout rate. The latest South Carolina Annual School Report Card indicates that Florence One’s graduation rate is 68.5% with comparable districts graduating students at a rate of 72.9%. “We’re working toward a goal of a graduation rate of 100%,” said Jackson.  “All students should graduate!”

             He said school faculty and staff members are working hard to ensure that students do not drop out of school by providing smaller communities (through the 9^th grade academies at the three high schools); faith based mentoring; after school tutoring, parent seminars and several other programs.

            According to Jackson, major partners of Graduate Florence are the South Carolina Department of Education, the National Dropout Prevention Center, the Mayor’s Coalition to Prevent Juvenile Crime, and The School Foundation. He said persons who wish to volunteer to participate in reclaiming students on Opening Doors to the Future Day on August 23^rd should call Debbie Hyler at 662-9996 or Jim Shaw at 673-1128 or visit the websites at www.fsd1.org or www.theschoolfoundation.org. Volunteer training for the “Opening Doors to the Future Day” will be held on August 12^th and 14^th at 6:00 p.m. at the Poynor Building, located at 301 South Dargan Street.  Volunteers may attend either session.  To download the Opening Doors to the Future Volunteer Information sign-up sheet, click here.

School Group Aims For Better Links Between Parents 

Parents, teachers and principals of Florence School District 1 recently attended the inaugural meeting of the Council of Parent Leaders of Florence School District 1 for an opportunity to network and develop stronger communicational ties among parent leaders.

The School Foundation announced the formation of the council, which represents members of the Association of Parents and Teachers (APT) and School Improvement Council (SIC) in each of the district’s 23 schools.

Debbie Hyler, executive director of The School Foundation, said the council’s goal is to allow active members of the school community to create greater communication with and development of parent leaders within the district.

Hyler said The School Foundation will convene roundtable discussions; provide parent leaders with the opportunity to network with other parent leaders; develop a communication structure for parent leaders; arrange for the council members to meet with Florence School District 1 Superintendent Larry Jackson several times a year; and sponsor speakers of interest.

The council’s first meeting was held Tuesday at the Poynor Adult/Community Education Center and featured Charles “Chuck” J. Saylors, the 2007-09 national president-elect of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), as the group’s first guest speaker.

Saylors is the group’s first male national president-elect.

“I’m very pleased (with the attendance),” Hyler said. “You could feel the energy in the room by the end of the night.

Saylors discussed best practices in parent organizations, Hyler said. Saylors highlighted four areas: finance, programs, membership and communications.

He also discussed the importance of involving men in these parent organizations.

Tom Snider, 2008-09 president of Carver Elementary School’s APT, said the council’s formation will help parent organizations become better.

“The more ideas you get together with other people, the more you can put together and maybe build something better,” Snider said. “It was a great thing.”

Hyler said the meetings will be held quarterly, and she will survey participants to get information on future topics and possible meeting dates.

For more details on the council, contact Hyler at (843) 662-9996 or dhyler@theschool foundation.org

From The Executive Director....

This past year has been a successful one for The School Foundation.  I hope you will take a few moments to review our Annual Report.  It is encouraging to see the support of many businesses and individuals who have partnered with us this year for the first time either as a donor or a volunteer. 

Some of the most satisfying experiences this year were interactions with students and teachers.  In addition to the grant funds provided for the Florence Career Center’s Mechatronics curriculum and equipment, we were able to arrange for them to tour Wellman, Inc.  For perhaps the first time, students were able to see real career opportunities, and how the skills they are learning in the Mechatronics class are relevant in today’s competitive workplace.  This valuable experience energized the students!

Time was also spent time at the Career Center with students benefiting from The Foundation’s support of the Health Science curriculum.  The students are thriving in this environment, which, with much of the necessary equipment and supplies, provides a rich, hands-on learning experience.  These students are excited about making a difference in the lives of others by becoming health care professionals!

We encourage you to capture some of our excitement and to become involved with educating the future workers of Florence!   We look forward to partnering with you in the coming year.   By bringing the business and education communities together to become actively involved with public education, each of us can make a dynamic difference in the education of the students of Florence School District 1!

Best Wishes,

Debbie Hyler

It’s not too late to make a year-end gift to The School Foundation.  You can donate securely online using your credit card at www.theschoolfoundation.org or send your check directly to The School Foundation, 320 W. Cheves Street, Suite 175, Florence, SC  29501.