Spotlight ONE 2018-2019 Back-To-School Edition by Karen York

KEY DATES 2018 August 3

Countdown to Kindergarten, 5-8 p.m. at EdVenture Children’s Museum

August 11

Sportsarama at the Stadium at W.J. Keenan High School; pre-game activities 5:30 p.m., kick-off 6 p.m. For more information, go to richlandone.org.

August 20

First day of school for students

August 20-24

Pre-kindergarten home visits week

August 21 Afterschool childcare and athletics tutorial programs begin August 27-31

Pre-kindergarten staggered start week

September 4 First full week of school for pre-kindergarten students September 11

Comprehensive Remediation, 21st Century and SC Chamber Homework Centers begin

September 1-30

Attendance Awareness Month

October 1-31

National Dropout Prevention Month

October 4

“Nothing But Net” charity basketball game, Richland One vs. Richland Two, 6 p.m. at Richland Northeast High School

October 4

Financial Aid 101 (FAFSA), 6:30-8 p.m. Dreher High School Auditorium

October 10

PSAT (grades 7-8 and 10-11)

October 13

2018 Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 5K + 10K, 7:30 a.m. Spirit Communications Park – For more information, go to palmettohealthfoundation.org.

October 15-19

National School Lunch Week

First Day of School – August 20

November 1 Parent/teacher conferences; early release for students November 6

Election Day

November 11-17

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week – Student artwork on display at Richland Library Main, United Way of the Midlands, Transitions Homeless Center and other locations.

November 15

National Parental Involvement Day

November 21-23

Thanksgiving Break

December 5

Richland One Showcase of Schools, 5-7 p.m. Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Dec. 31-January 3

Winter Break

Richland One Showcase of Schools – December 5

2019 January 1-31

National Mentoring Month

February 2

Richland One Hall of Fame Induction Gala, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center; red carpet reception at 5 p.m., program/dinner at 6 p.m. For ticket information, call 2317504.

February 7

Superintendent’s State of the District Address, 6 p.m. (location TBA)

March 1 2019-2020 pre-kindergarten and kindergarten registration begins March 4-8

National School Breakfast Week

March 5

“How to Plan and Pay for College 101” workshop for seniors and parents, 6:30-8 p.m., A.C. Flora High School Auditorium

April 4 Parent/teacher conferences; early release for students April 8-12

Week of the Young Child

April 15-19

Spring Break

Hall of Fame Induction Gala – February 2

April 30 Last day for pre-kindergarten early registration for 2019-2020 May 3

National School Lunch Hero Day

May 6-9

School Nutrition Employee Week

May 8

National School Nurse Day

June 3-5

High school graduation ceremonies, Colonial Life Arena

June 4 Last day of school for students; early release for students June 4

Last day for district childcare and athletics tutorial programs

NOTE: Dates are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, including testing dates, go to richlandone.org. The 2018-2019 academic calendar is posted on the website and printed on the inside back cover of this publication.

Spotlight ONE • Fall 2018 Edition

High School Graduations – June 3-5

CONTENTS SPOTLIGHT ONE • FALL 2018 EDITION

Features 8 & 9 Points of Pride

From prestigious honors and awards to 12 state sports championships to $83.2 million in scholarships earned by the Class of 2018, Richland One schools, students and staff had a lot to celebrate during the 2017-2018 school year!

10 & 11 School Essentials School enrollment information, immunization requirements, attendance policies, inclement weather procedures and more!

12 Program Spotlight: Project SEARCH Project SEARCH offers job training, employment and a sense of pride for students with disabilities.

13 Program Spotlight: Telehealth A telehealth partnership between Richland One and Palmetto Health is making health care more accessible and convenient for students and parents in the Lower Richland community.

14 Magnet School Programs

Project SEARCH Spotlight – Page 12

ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION Spotlight ONE is published by the Richland One Office of Communications. It is mailed to parents and posted online at www.richlandone.org. Copies also are available at district schools and administrative buildings and at the Office of Communications, 1616 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201. For more information, call (803) 231-7504.

Contributors: Karen York, Director of Communications; Edith Caudle, Public Information Manager; Mitch Wyatt, Web Administrator; and Gwen Etheredge, Executive Assistant Graphic Design: Tommy Flowers, Project Design Specialist – Richland One Printing Services

Notice of Non-Discrimination Richland County School District One does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or other protected characteristic in its programs and activities.

With a $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Richland One launches magnet programs at four schools.

16 & 17 Employee Spotlights Meet two of Richland One’s most outstanding employees – our 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year!

ALSO INSIDE: Key Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover Board of School Commissioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Superintendent’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Directory of Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Bell Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Frequently Called Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 For Your Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 Afterschool Childcare Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 2018-2019 Academic Calendar . . . . . . Inside Back Cover

Spotlight ONE • Fall 2018 Edition

DISTRICT LEADERSHIP

CHERYL HARRIS

Board Of School Commissioners

Voice Mailbox Number:

The seven-member Board of School Commissioners is the governing body of Richland County School District One. The Board is comprised of three at-large members and four members who represent geographic election districts. Board members are elected to serve four-year terms. Non-partisan elections are held in November of even-numbered years on a staggered basis. The Board holds regularly scheduled meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month (except July), with meeting locations alternating between schools and the district office (Stevenson Administration Building, 1616 Richland Street). Open

session begins at 7:00 p.m. The Board sets aside time during each meeting for public speakers. Persons who wish to address the Board may sign up to speak at the meeting. Each speaker is given three minutes. Speakers receive a written response from the Board within two weeks. School board meetings are videotaped and broadcast on Richland One TV (Spectrum Cable channel 1303) and posted on R1TV On Demand at www.richlandone.org. Board meeting agendas, the R1TV broadcast schedule and board policies also are posted on the district’s website (www. richlandone.org).

Chairwoman Election District 4 Term expires in 2020 (803) 231-6981

JAMIE L. DEVINE Vice Chairman Election District 2 Term expires in 2020 Voice Mailbox Number:

(803) 231-6985

LILA ANNA SAULS Secretary-Treasurer Elected At-Large Term expires in 2020 Voice Mailbox Number:

(803) 231-7562

DWAYNE SMILING Parliamentarian

Elected At-Large Term expires in 2018

2018 -2019

Voice Mailbox Number:

Board Meeting Schedule July 24, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office Aug. 14, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office Aug. 28, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office Sept. 11, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . Bradley Elem School Sept. 25, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office Oct. 9, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . Alcorn Middle School Oct. 23, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office Nov. 13, 2018 . . . . . . C.A. Johnson High School Nov. 27, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office Dec. 11, 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office Jan. 8, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office Jan. 22, 2019 . . . . . . . Burton-Pack Elem School Feb. 12, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office Feb. 26, 2019 . . . . . St. Andrews Middle School Mar. 12, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office Mar. 26, 2019 . . . Lewis Greenview Elem School April 9, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office April 23, 2019 . . . . . . . J.P. Thomas Elem School May 14, 2019 . . . . . . . . Columbia High School May 28, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office June 11, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office June 25, 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District Office

Spotlight ONE • Fall 2018 Edition

(803) 231-6987

School Board Office Stevenson Administration Building

AARON BISHOP Election District 1 Term expires in 2018 Voice Mailbox Number:

(803) 231-6984

1616 Richland Street Columbia, SC 29201 Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday Contact: Eva Wilson, Special Assistant to the Board Phone: 803-231-7556 Fax: 803-231-7560 E-mail: eva.wilson@richlandone.org

BEATRICE KING Election District 3 Term expires in 2018 Voice Mailbox Number:

(803) 231-6986

DARRELL BLACK Elected At-Large Term expires in 2020 Voice Mailbox Number:

(803) 231-7561

DISTRICT LEADERSHIP Superintendent’s Message Dear Richland One Families, Although I’m now in my 30th year in education, the start of another new school year is still as exciting for me as all the ones that came before it. I look forward to interacting with our students, staff, parents, volunteers and partners, and I look forward to the work we will do as a team to create even greater opportunities and competitive advantages for our students as we prepare them for college and careers. We have adopted the mantra “Richland One Strong!” which reflects not only the strength but also the pride we have as a district. The 2017-2018 school year was filled with several Points of Pride for Richland One schools, students and staff, including the $83.2 million in scholarships earned by the Class of 2018; a record-high number of students (472) completing career and technology education (CATE) programs of study; 12 state sports championships won by teams and individual student-athletes; and the $15 million magnet schools grant the district was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Read more about our 2017-2018 Points of Pride on pages 8 and 9 of this publication. During the 2018-2019 school year, we will continue to expand the choices we offer our students, such as the new magnet programs at four of our schools: Bradley Elementary, Carver-Lyon Elementary, W.G. Sanders Middle and W.J. Keenan High (see page 14). We also will continue collaborating with community and business partners to provide unique services and opportunities for our students and families, like the telehealth program and Project SEARCH (see pages 12 and 13). In addition to information about current and new programs, you’ll find lots of other information in this edition of Spotlight ONE that you can refer to during the school year, including key dates, school essentials and our 20182019 academic calendar. Speaking of key dates, please make plans to attend the Richland One Showcase of Schools on December 5 from 5-7 p.m. at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. You’ll be hearing more about that leading up to the event. So many great things happen in Richland One throughout the year, and we believe it’s important to keep our parents, community members and other stakeholders informed. You can stay connected to what’s happening in Richland One by visiting our website (www.richlandone.org); watching Richland One TV (Spectrum cable channel 1303) and R1TV On Demand on our website; following the district on Facebook and Twitter (facebook.com/richlandone and twitter.com/richlandone); and by downloading our free mobile app from Google Play or the Apple App Store (see the ad on the back cover). I also invite you to follow me on Twitter (@RichlandOneSupe) and participate in the Twitter Chats that will be announced during the year. I have a feeling that 2018-2019 will be another fantastic school year for Richland One. Let’s get it started! Sincerely, Craig Witherspoon, Ed.D. Superintendent

Spotlight ONE • Fall 2018 Edition

DIRECTORY OF SCHOOLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Arden Elementary 1300 Ashley Street Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 735-3400 Principal: Dr. Timothy Blackwell Enrollment: 322 Grades: CD-5

Gadsden Elementary 1660 South Goodwin Circle Gadsden, SC 29052 Telephone: 353-2231 Principal: David Thorpe Enrollment: 163 Grades: CD-5

Pine Grove Elementary 111 Huffstetler Drive Columbia, SC 29210 Telephone: 214-2380 Principal: Dr. Tracy Pickett Enrollment: 530 Grades: CD-5

Bradley Elementary 3032 Pine Belt Road Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone 738-7200 Principal: Kezia Myers Enrollment: 429 Grades: CD-5

Hopkins Elementary 6120 Cabin Creek Road Hopkins, SC 29061 Telephone: 783-5541 Principal: Audrey White-Garner Enrollment: 293 Grades: CD-5

H.B. Rhame Elementary 1300 Arrowwood Road Columbia, SC 29210 Telephone: 731-8900 Principal: Monica Owens Carter Enrollment: 460 Grades: K-5

Brennen Elementary 4438 Devereaux Road Columbia, SC 29205 Telephone: 738-7204 Principal: Mark D. Shea Enrollment: 887 Grades: CD-5 Brockman Elementary 2245 Montclair Drive Columbia, SC 29206 Telephone: 790-6743 Principal: Dr. Heidi Stark Enrollment: 325 Grades: Pre K-Grade 5 Burnside Elementary 7300 Patterson Road Columbia, SC 29209 Telephone: 783-5530 Principal: Dr. Felicia Richardson Enrollment: 356 Grades: CD-5 Burton-Pack Elementary 111 Garden Drive Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone: 691-5550 Principal: Dr. Sarah Smith Enrollment: 494 Grades: CD-5 Carver-Lyon Elementary 2100 Waverly Street Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone: 343-2900 Principal: Linda Pratt Enrollment: 404 Grades: CD-5 Caughman Rd. Elementary 7725 Caughman Road Columbia, SC 29209 Telephone: 783-5534 Principal: Shawn Hall Enrollment: 669 Grades: CD-5 Forest Heights Elementary 2500 Blue Ridge Terrace Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 691-3780 Principal: Dr. Winnie Johnson Enrollment: 550 Grades: CD-5

Horrell Hill Elementary 517 Horrell Hill Road Hopkins, SC 29061 Telephone: 783-5545 Principal: Parthenia Satterwhite Enrollment: 606 Grades: CD-5 Hyatt Park Elementary 4200 Main Street Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 735-3421 Principal: Dell Brabham Enrollment: 462 Grades: CD-5 Lewis Greenview Elementary 726 Easter Street Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 735-3417 Principal: Dr. LaShaunda Evans Enrollment: 385 Grades: CD-5 Logan Elementary 815 Elmwood Avenue Columbia, SC 29201 Telephone: 343-2915 Principal: Christopher Richards Enrollment: 271 Grades: CD-5 Meadowfield Elementary 525 Galway Lane Columbia, SC 29209 Telephone: 783-5549 Principal: Lisa Davis Enrollment: 705 Grades: CD-5 Mill Creek Elementary 925 Universal Drive Columbia, SC 29209 Telephone: 783-5553 Principal: Dr. Charles DeLaughter Enrollment: 369 Grades: CD-5 A.C. Moore Elementary 333 Etiwan Avenue Columbia, SC 29205 Telephone: 343-2910 Principal: Dr. Chantelle Baker Enrollment: 361 Grades: CD-5

Spotlight ONE â&#x20AC;˘ Fall 2018 Edition

Rosewood Elementary 3300 Rosewood Drive Columbia, SC 29205 Telephone: 343-2930 Principal: Elizabeth Williams Enrollment: 390 Grades: K-5 W.S. Sandel Elementary 2700 Seminole Road Columbia, SC 29210 Telephone: 731-8906 Principal: Claudia Brooks Enrollment: 597 Grades: CD-5 Satchel Ford Elementary 5901 Satchel Ford Road Columbia, SC 29206 Telephone: 738-7209 Principal: Kevin Hasinger Enrollment: 810 Grades: K-5 South Kilbourne Elementary 1400 South Kilbourne Road Columbia, SC 29205 Telephone: 738-7215 Principal: Samantha Carlisle Enrollment: 308 Grades: CD-5 Edward E. Taylor Elementary 200 McRae Street Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 343-2924 Principal: Debbie R. Hunter Enrollment: 324 Grades: CD-5 J.P. Thomas Elementary 6001 Weston Avenue Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 735-3430 Principal: Selina Latimore Enrollment: 395 Grades: CD-5 Watkins-Nance Elementary 2525 Barhamville Road Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone: 733-4321 Principal: Dr. Linda Norton Enrollment: 362 Grades: CD-5 Webber Elementary 140 Webber School Road Eastover, SC 29044 Telephone: 353-8771 Principal: Dr. Sommer Jones Enrollment: 279 Grades: CD-5

MIDDLE SCHOOLS Alcorn Middle 5125 Fairfield Road Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 735-3439 Principal: Dr. Carla Mathis Enrollment: 402 Grades: 6-8 Crayton Middle 5000 Clemson Avenue Columbia, SC 29206 Telephone: 738-7224 Principal: Angela Burns Enrollment: 1133 Grades: 6-8 Heyward Gibbes Middle 500 Summerlea Drive Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 343-2942 Principal: Nicole Irby Enrollment: 372 Grades: 6-8 Hand Middle 2600 Wheat Street Columbia, SC 29205 Telephone: 343-2947 Principal: Dr. Patrice Green Enrollment: 858 Grades: 6-8 Hopkins Middle 1601 Clarkson Road Hopkins, SC 29061 Telephone: 695-3331 Principal: Bobbie Hartwell, Jr. Enrollment: 486 Grades: 6-8

W.A. Perry Middle 2600 Barhamville Road Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone: 256-6347 Principal: Dr. Robin Coletrain Enrollment: 348 Grades: 6-8

Dreher High 3319 Millwood Avenue Columbia, SC 29205 Telephone: 253-7000 Principal: Jeanne Stiglbauer Enrollment: 1083 Grades: 9-12

St. Andrews Middle 1231 Bluefield Road Columbia, SC 29210 Telephone: 731-8910 Principal: Derrick Glover Enrollment: 676 Grades: 6-8

Eau Claire High 4800 Monticello Road Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 735-7600 Principal: Neshunda Walters Enrollment: 514 Grades: 9-12

W.G. Sanders Middle 3455 Pine Belt Road Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone: 738-7575 Principal: Andrenna Smith Enrollment: 448 Grades: 6-8

A.C. Flora High 1 Falcon Drive Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone: 738-7300 Principal: Susan Childs Enrollment: 1388 Grades: 9-12

Southeast Middle 731 Horrell Hill Road Hopkins, SC 29061 Telephone: 695-5700 Principal: Inger Ferguson Enrollment: 497 Grades: 6-8

C.A. Johnson High 2219 Barhamville Road Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone: 253-7092 Principal: Dr. Veronica Scott Enrollment: 376 Grades: 9-12

HIGH SCHOOLS Columbia High 1701 Westchester Drive Columbia, SC 29210 Telephone: 731-8950 Principal: Shenequa Coles Enrollment: 627 Grades: 9-12

W.J. Keenan High 361 Pisgah Church Road Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 714-2500 Principal: Vondre’ Whaley Enrollment: 671 Grades: 9-12

SPECIAL SCHOOLS & CENTERS Heyward Career & Technology Center 3560 Lynhaven Drive Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone: 735-3343 Principal: Dr. Sherry Rivers Grades: 9-12

Adult Education 2612 Covenant Road Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone: 343-2935 Coordinator: Dr. Marva Coates Challenger Learning Center 2600A Barhamville Road Columbia, SC 29204 Telephone: 929-3951 Director: Dr. Carolyn Donelan

Olympia Learning Center 621 Bluff Road Columbia, SC 29201 Principal: Nathan White Grades: 9-12

Evening High School Program 621 Bluff Road Columbia, SC 29201 Telephone: 738-7574 Coordinator: Kerry Abel Grades: 9-12

Pendergrass Fairwold School 5935 Token Street Columbia, SC 29203 Principal: Faythe Redenburg Grades: n/a

CHARTER SCHOOLS Carolina School for Inquiry 7405-A Fairfield Road Columbia, SC 29203 Telephone: 691-1250 Director/Lead Teacher: Victoria Dixon-Mokeba Grades: K-5

Richland One Middle College 316 S. Beltline Boulevard Columbia, SC 29205 Phone: 738-7114 Principal: TBA Grades: 11-12

BELL SCHEDULE

Lower Richland High 2615 Lower Richland Boulevard Hopkins, SC 29061 Telephone: 695-3000 Principal: Dr. Ericka Hursey Enrollment: 1174 Grades: 9-12

Elementary Schools 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Middle Schools 8:40 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. High Schools 8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS Richland One Main Line

231-7000

Human Resources

231-7418

School Improvement Councils

231-6842

Adult Education

343-2935

InfoPhone

231-7512

School Psychologists

231-6773

Advanced Academic Programs

400-1650

Information Technology

231-7464

Secondary Education

231-7459

Athletics

231-6772

Instructional Services

400-1715

Security and Emergency Services

231-7130

Attendance Lines

231-6944

Insurance (student)

231-7401

Social Work Services

231-6757

Challenger Learning Center

929-3951

International Welcome Center

212-1475

Special Services

231-6773

Charter Schools

231-7151

691-3993

231-7504

231-6796

Special Services (pre-school)

Communications (Public Relations)

Learning Environments and Instructional Resources

738-3548

231-7450

790-6763

Montessori Programs

Standardized Testing

Dropout Prevention

231-6871

231-6730

231-6953

Early Childhood Education

Nursing Services

Student Nutrition Services

231-6791

231-6825

Parents and Students Succeed (homeless initiative)

Student Records

Elementary Education

Student Transfers

231-6944

Evening High School Program

738-7574

Partnerships 231-6842

Student Transportation Services

231-7002

Extended-Day (Afterschool) Programs

231-6842

Procurement Services

231-7033

Superintendent’s Office

231-7500

Facility Services

231-7057

Registrar’s Office

231-6944

Teaching and Learning

231-6704

Federal and State Programs

231-6815

Richland One TV

Four-year-old Kindergarten

799-9494

School Board Office

Hearing Office

231-6926

Homebound Instruction

231-6904

Homeschooling

231-7459

231-6914

231-6700/6701

Textbooks 231-6716

231-7556

Visual and Performing Arts

231-6858

School Board Policies

231-7404

Volunteer Programs

231-7144

School Counseling Services

231-6940

World Languages and ESOL

212-1475

Spotlight ONE • Fall 2018 Edition

RICHLAND ONE POINTS OF PRIDE 2017-2018 School Year We are proud of the many accomplishments made by Richland One schools, students and staff during the 2017-2018 school year. These are just some of our many Points of Pride. For more Points of Pride, go to www.richlandone.org.

Congratulations to the Class of 2018!

Richland One’s Class of 2018 graduates collectively received nearly $83.2 million in scholarship offers and other financial aid, just shy of tying last year’s record-high total of $83.3 million. The Class of 2018 includes National Merit Scholarship recipients, students who received full-ride academic scholarships, students who received full-ride athletic scholarships and students appointed to attend U.S. Service Academies. Richland One’s newest alumni will further their education at some of the nation’s finest colleges and universities, including Duke University, Harvard University, University of Notre Dame, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, University of South Carolina, Claflin University, Clemson University, North Carolina A&T State University and Howard University. • Brockman Elementary School was named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The award is one of the nation’s highest and most prestigious awards recognizing academic excellence. • Richland One was awarded a $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program to add magnet programs at four schools: Bradley Elementary, Carver-Lyon Elementary, W.G. Sanders Middle and W.J. Keenan High. • Dreher High School received a silver medal in U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 ranking of the best high schools in America. Dreher was ranked 13th among South Carolina high schools. • Nine Richland One students were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, a prestigious distinction earned by less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors.

Spotlight ONE • Fall 2018 Edition

• Hand Middle School teacher and 2017-2018 Richland One Teacher of the Year Robert Louis Harris was named a finalist for 2018-2019 South Carolina Teacher of the Year. • Alcorn Middle School’s Knight Riderz Motorsports Engineering Team won first place overall at the TEN80/National STEM League Spring 2018 Atlanta Invitational. The team also competed in the national finals at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York against teams from as far away as Shanghai, China. The Knight Riderz brought back a secondplace award in the Pit Crew Challenge. • The Lower Richland High School Diamond Battalion Army JROTC Leadership Team was one of only 40 teams from across the country to qualify to compete in the 2018 U.S. Army JROTC Leadership Bowl Championship in Washington, D.C. The competition tests students’ academic and leadership skills. The LRHS Diamond Battalion Team won the Col. Carlos R. Glover Esprit de Corps Award and an award for the most viewed video.

POINTS OF PRIDE CONTINUED • All Richland One schools were recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as being among the healthiest schools in the nation. Schools received monetary awards totaling $58,000. • W.G. Sanders Middle School was one of the three South Carolina schools named by Gov. Henry McMaster and the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils as the state’s most outstanding schools for demonstrating leadership in getting and keeping their students fit. W.G. Sanders will receive a state-of-the-art fitness center. • Richland One students, staff and schools received more than 100 local, regional, state and national honors and awards in the visual and performing arts. • Setting a new district record, 472 Richland One students completed career and technology education (CATE) programs of study. • Richland One held groundbreaking ceremonies for Bolden Stadium, Memorial Stadium and the new district stadium on the campus of W.J. Keenan High School as part of the upgrades being made to athletics fields and stadiums throughout the district. The stadium at W.J. Keenan, Memorial Stadium and the stadium at Lower Richland High School are projected to be ready for the 2018 football season. Bolden Stadium is projected to be ready for the 2019 football season. • Fourteen Richland One schools were named National Healthy Schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. W.G. Sanders Middle School is the first middle school in

South Carolina to receive the National Healthy Schools Silver Award. • Richland One received national honors for excellence in financial accounting and reporting for the 30th consecutive year. • Carolyn Duff, school nurse at A.C. Moore Elementary School, was named a National Academy of School Nursing Fellow, the highest and most prestigious honor in the profession. Nurse Duff is the first recipient of this award from South Carolina. • Lower Richland High School teacher Dale Jacobs was named the 2018 Outstanding Biology Teacher in South Carolina by the National Association of Biology Teachers. • Ayanna Mayes of Heyward Gibbes Middle School was named the 2018 South Carolina School Librarian of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians. • Richland One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon was named the 2018 Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Educational Office Professionals (SCAEOP) and the Richland County Association of Educational Office Professionals (RCAEOP). • The Richland One Adult Education program was recognized by the S.C. Department of Education as one of the top five programs among the 54 adult education programs in the state.

We are the Champions!

Richland One teams and individual student-athletes collectively won 12 state championships in swimming, basketball, and track and field during the 2017-2018 school year. The W.J. Keenan High School girls’ basketball team (pictured) won the 2018 Class 2A state championship.

Spotlight ONE • Fall 2018 Edition

SCHOOL ESSENTIALS SCHOOL ZONE LOCATOR Richland One’s School Zone Locator is a convenient online tool for parents to use to find out which schools their children are zoned to attend and which buses they will ride. To access the School Zone Locator, go to richlandone.org, click on the School Zone Locator link and type in the information requested. The 2018-2019 school bus routes are posted on the district’s website. For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office at 231-6944 or Student Transportation Services at 2317002.

ENROLLING IN SCHOOL Children must be 5 years old on or before September 1 to enroll in kindergarten and 6 years old on or before September 1 to enroll in first grade. State law requires students to be in school from ages 5 to 17. Parents who choose not to send their child to a public or private 5-year-old kindergarten must sign a waiver to that effect. Waiver forms are available at all elementary schools. If the child will be enrolling in school for the first time or transferring from another school district, parents should complete the online registration form. The form is posted on the district’s website, www.richlandone.org. The child’s school will need copies of the following documents: •

Long-form birth certificate

•

South Carolina Certificate of Immunization

•

Two proofs of residence, such as a copy of a lease or mortgage statement and a copy of a utility bill

•

Child’s Social Security card (optional)

For students who are transferring from another school district, parents should take the child’s most recent report card and the check-out card from the previous school, in addition to the documents required for registration. The following documents are recommended for registration, if available: academic record (transcript, report cards, test scores); copy of special education Individualized Education Program (IEP), if applicable; and any other records that will be helpful in placing the student in the appropriate academic program. Students are assigned to schools based upon where their parents or guardians live. If parents are divorced or legally separated, the student is assigned to a school based upon where the custodial parent lives. If the parents or guardians do not have a lease or utility bill in their names, they must complete the shared housing proof of residence process at their zoned school. If a student’s permanent home address changes after the first grading period, parents may request permission for the student to remain at the same school for the school year. This request must be made through the Registrar’s Office. If permission

Free Meals for All Students All Richland One students can eat breakfast, lunch and other school meals and snacks at no cost to them or their parents regardless of their household income, thanks to the district’s participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Eligibility Provision Program. For more information, contact Student Nutrition Services at 231-6953. is granted, the student must enroll in the zoned school at the beginning of the next school year. For more information about registration requirements or school assignments, contact the Registrar’s Office at 231-6944.

INTERNATIONAL WELCOME CENTER Richland One’s International Welcome Center is located on the lower level of the Richland One Education Center at 2612 Covenant Road, Columbia, SC 29204. Testing for potential new ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) students will begin August 1, 2018 and continue throughout the school year. The office is open for ESOL testing Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – noon. Parents should bring two proofs of residence as well as your child’s official proof of age (birth certificate, passport, etc.). For more information, call 212-1475.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS According to South Carolina state law, every student must present a valid South Carolina Certificate of Immunization showing that the student meets the minimum immunization requirements at the time of school entrance. If the student is entering from another South Carolina school, he/she must submit an immunization record at registration. Students from out of state have 30 days to comply. Failure to comply will result

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in disenrollment. Changes in immunization requirements for the 2018-2019 schedule include: • 4th grade has been added to the requirement for two doses of varicella. A child with a positive history of the disease is considered immune and is exempt from this requirement. •

6th grade has been added to the requirement for three doses of oral and/or inactivated polio vaccine with at least one dose received on or after the fourth birthday.

• 12th grade has been added to the requirement for one Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) booster. Tdap is routinely administered at 11-12 years of age; however, a dose administered on or after the seventh birthday will meet this requirement. Children enrolled in pre-K or 4K programs and younger must meet day care requirements, even if their attendance is in a school setting. Children enrolled in 5-year-old kindergarten through grade 12 must meet school requirements. Details regarding immunization requirements are outlined in the 2018-2019 schedules of required vaccines for school admittance and day care attendance which are posted on the Richland One web site (www.richlandone.org) and on the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s web site (www.scdhec.gov).

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

What Parents Need to Know about Student Attendance As Richland One continuously works to improve academic achievement, it is important that parents and guardians recognize that attending school daily and maintaining a strong attendance record is essential to their child’s success in school. As we begin the 2018-2019 school year, please note these important facts about student attendance: 1. The South Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law requires that a child attend school from the school year in which the child is 5 years old before September 1 until the child’s 17th birthday. 2. A child, at least 6 years old but not yet 17, who has three unexcused absences in a row or a total of five unexcused absences at any point in the school year, is truant and in violation of the South Carolina Compulsory School Attendance Law. The law also states that once a child is found to be truant, the parent/guardian must work with the school to develop a written attendance plan. 3. Anytime that a student is absent, the parent or guardian must provide a written note to the school explaining the absence within 48 hours of the child returning to school. Legal and excused absences include, but are not limited to illness, death in the immediate family, and recognized religious holidays of the student’s faith, emergency conditions as determined by the school administration, inclement weather and short-term suspensions. 4. Students may be referred to the school social worker or other support services staff at any time it is deemed appropriate for excessive excused/unexcused absences for full or partial day absences (i.e. late arrival, early dismissals). 5. Parents or guardians are encouraged to check their child’s attendance regularly and at any time by contacting their child’s school or by logging into the Parent Portal. 6. Parents/guardians also should disclose and discuss with school administrators if extenuating circumstances arise that prevent their child from attending school daily. Richland One has school social workers and school counselors in place to assist families with options related to student attendance.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES There may be times during the school year when inclement weather will prompt a late start, early dismissal or cancellation of school. Richland One has procedures in place to make decisions about whether school and work schedules will be modified and to notify students, parents, district employees and community members as quickly as possible. • Parents will receive an automated phone message from the district through the SchoolMessenger notification system. Announcements of school closings or delays also will be sent to local news media and posted on the district’s website (www.richlandone. org) and Richland One TV (Spectrum cable channel 1303), as well as Facebook (facebook. com/richlandone), Twitter (twitter.com/ richlandone) and the Richland One InfoPhone (231-7512). Parents are urged not to call the schools because doing so could hinder district emergency communications. • Other school emergencies, such as power and heating/air-conditioning outages, also may result in delayed school starts, early dismissals or cancellations. Similar notification procedures are followed at the district or school level, including notifying parents whether after-school programs, child-care programs and athletics activities will proceed as scheduled.

7. There are 180 school days in the school year. High school students or middle school students taking courses for graduation credit can only have three unexcused absences during a 45-day course, five unexcused absences during a 90-day course and 10 unexcused absences during 180-day courses to earn course credit.

• Under a two-hour delay, buses will pick up students two hours later than normal and school will start two hours later than normal; any exceptions and any other pertinent information will be announced.

When it comes down to how absences affect a student’s on-time graduation or their failure to graduate, there’s no difference between excused and unexcused absences. A student is either present in class or not. It’s not about why a student is absent; rather, it’s that a student is absent and missing valuable instructional time.

Please note that state law requires students to receive 180 days of instruction. Days missed will have to be made up at some other time during the school year. Richland One has designated three dates in the 2018-2019 district calendar that would be used as student make-up days (in the following order) if necessary: February 18, March 8 and March 25.

Richland One welcomes our students back to school. We know that when we connect and partner with parents, we are positioning our students for greatness! For more information about school attendance laws and policies, contact the Office of School Social Work and Student Attendance at 231-6757. You also can access the full attendance brochure by visiting the Richland One Social Work website at https:// sc02209149.schoolwires.net/Domain/152

K-12 Student Accident Insurance To supplement any existing insurance policy(s), parents are able to purchase additional insurance coverage for their child/children while at or participating in any school-sponsored activity. Although it is not meant to be a primary policy, this will provide additional coverage for your child in the event that your child has an incident, accident or injury at school. Forms can be picked up from your child’s school at the beginning of each school year. Parents can enroll online by the use of a dedicated secure enrollment website: markel.sevencorners.com. On the website, parents can view all of the coverage and premium options; review a Frequently Asked Questions section; and purchase the insurance using a credit/debit card and receive an instant and printable confirmation of what they purchased. Parents also may call Customer Service at 1-877-444-5014 (beginning July 1).

The decision whether to cancel school, start late or dismiss early during inclement weather conditions is seldom an easy one, but the safety of our students and employees will continue to be our most important consideration. Parents are urged to make arrangements in advance and establish an emergency plan for their children in the event that schools are closed, start late or dismissed early.

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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: PROJECT SEARCH Nineteen-year-old Lorraine Porterfield can do almost everything in the kitchen at Embassy Suites, including operating the grill. “My favorite thing is the salad bar,” she said. “I enjoy working here. It means a lot. My family is very proud of me.” Eighteen-year-old Daniel DaSilvio loves washing dishes. “It’s pretty cool having a job, and I’m good at it,” he said. During the 2017-2018 school year, Richland One partnered with Embassy Suites, the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department and other agencies to train high school students with significant intellectual disabilities to work in the hotel industry. Ten students from high schools throughout the district were selected for the program, called Project SEARCH. Each student did a year-long internship at Embassy Suites in Columbia, learning various skills in housekeeping, laundry, food preparation and guest services. “These are important jobs in a hotel,” said Project SEARCH teacher Tori Vaeth. “We train transferrable skills and want them to be well-rounded, so they could work in a restaurant, hospital, convention center or nursing home. We give them skills they can take to several places.” All 10 of the students were offered jobs – five were hired by Embassy Suites and the other five work for Country Inn & Suites in West Columbia. Nineteen-year-old Mike King, who works in the hotel’s laundry department, was the first Project SEARCH student hired by Embassy Suites. Vaeth says “they did not want to let him go. They said they had to keep him.” Richland One’s Project SEARCH program, which is part of an international network of Project SEARCH sites, is the first program of its kind in South Carolina to partner with a hotel. In addition to learning hotel service skills, students were taught “soft” skills, like how to catch The COMET bus to get to work, how to keep a job, how to be a team player and how to get to work on time. Nineteen-year-old Vernon Johnson, whose job is in housekeeping at Embassy Suites, bought a new pair of shoes with his first paycheck. “It feels good to have my own money,” he said. Myriam Torres, mother of 21-year-old Sebastian Stewart, who handles banquet preparations at Country Inn & Suites, says the transition for her son was hard at times, but she would recommend the program to other parents. “I cannot find the words to say thank you to the district and Dreher (High School),” she said. “They trained him to be able to hold a job and have skills. I’m very proud of him. So far, he’s saving his paychecks. He hasn’t bought anything yet.” Vaeth said one of the keys to the success of the program is the collaboration with the various agencies that serve the students. “SC Vocational Rehab had a trainer here every day. Others provided counselors, funding, job coaches, advice, etc.,” she said. “And, after the students get the jobs, it doesn’t stop there. We have to have all the parts in place to make sure they’re successful years from now.” Vaeth also believes that input from the students’ families, as well as outstanding business partners like Embassy Suites, was vital.

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“I give a lot of credit to the hotel and its associates,” she said. “The hotel was very welcoming into their work culture. Disabilities touch so many people’s lives. A lot of associates came to me and asked about resources for their families.” Embassy Suites General Manager Matthew Lew encourages other hotels to join programs like Project SEARCH. “This was a perfect match and mutually beneficial to work with students with disabilities. It felt right to give an opportunity to those that might not have the same luxuries as others. It helped our hotel team’s morale,” he said. “We need to thank Project SEARCH. I’m so proud of my staff’s willingness to embrace the program and get hands-on with the kids and see the opportunity we have in our industry to effect change. It’s a wonderful program and I’ve already reached out to others in the hospitality industry to let them know what we’re doing. We’re preparing them for the real world and real life. This is one of the best experiences you can have. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make a difference.”

Pictured are (clockwise from top left) Project SEARCH graduates Lorraine Porterfield, Daniel DaSilvio, Mike King and Vernon Johnson.

To learn more about Project SEARCH, contact teacher Tori Vaeth at victoria.vaeth@richlandone.org or the Richland One Office of Special Services at 231-6773.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: TELEHEALTH The Doctor Will See You Now …. While You’re Still at School! When 11-year-old Kameron Scott got a rash on his face and The service is billed like a regular office visit to the family’s red dots on his feet and hands, his mother, Kwan Scott, was medical insurance. ready to do what most parents do when they get a call from Ms. Scott believes telehealth will be a great help to families the school nurse – leave work, drive 45 minutes to pick him up in the Lower Richland community. “We live in rural areas and at school then take him to the pediatrician and wait for him to many families don’t have cars,” she said. “Parents wouldn’t be seen. have to worry about getting off from work. Your child can be But thanks to the telehealth program at Gadsden Elementary seen at school in the nurse’s office. The service is the same you School, Kameron was able to be diagnosed while in the school’s would get in a pediatrician’s office.” health room. With assistance from the school nurse, a Palmetto Kameron liked being diagnosed at school. “Telehealth Health nurse practitioner in Columbia was able to examine was new for me because I always had to go to the hospital Kameron using a TV monitor, video conferencing equipment or doctor’s office when I got sick. It was new and exciting. and medical equipment connected to a special telemedicine Other kids should try it. It’s fast. I would tell my friends that cart. The diagnosis was hand, telehealth is cool, quick and foot and mouth disease, saves money.” which is highly contagious. Shantoria Brown, school Kameron’s quick assessment nurse at Hopkins Elementary, at school gave his mom some loves the telehealth program peace of mind, while saving and encourages more her time and money. families to sign up for it. “It was really cool and “I love the equipment convenient and very helpful,” and working closely with said Ms. Scott. “I didn’t have the doctor to examine to take time off from work or the students and form a take him out of school or take diagnosis. It’s great for him to the emergency room parents because many work or pediatrician.” in other areas and may not School-based telehealth, be able to get off work when which started in 2017, is a their child needs to be seen,” joint project of Richland One said Nurse Brown. “Students and Palmetto Health aimed are able to stay in school at providing faster and better Hopkins Elementary School nurse Shantoria Brown demonstrates the while being examined by a health care to students in the telehealth equipment used to diagnose students like Kameron Scott of doctor or nurse practitioner. Lower Richland community. Gadsden Elementary School. It’s a great success story. The program is currently Everyone I spoke to about available at three elementary schools – Hopkins, Webber it absolutely loves it. Children love being able to speak to and Gadsden – but it is expected to expand to Horrell Hill someone through the computer. Parents, by the time you get Elementary and Southeast Middle schools in the fall of 2018. off from work, your child has been seen by the doctor and the Through the use of video conferencing equipment in the prescription is at the pharmacy.” school nurse’s office, students get a face-to-face visit with a licensed Palmetto Health doctor or nurse practitioner. It’s like a normal doctor’s office visit except it is conducted through Parents can sign up for telehealth by contacting the video conferencing. In addition to a monitor, the telehealth school nurse at their child’s school: cart contains a microphone that allows the school nurse and student to speak to the doctor. There’s a stethoscope attached Gadsden Elementary: 353-4029 so the doctor can hear sounds from the student’s heart and lungs. Other devices on the cart allow the doctor to look into Hopkins Elementary: 695-4057 a child’s ears, nose, eyes and mouth and to check the skin, Horrell Hill Elementary: 783-5682 just like a routine office visit. Students receive quick nonemergency medical treatment and prescriptions, if needed, are sent to a pharmacy of the family’s choice after the medical visit. Telehealth doesn’t replace the child’s pediatrician, but it offers a more convenient, faster way for children to get medical care.

Southeast Middle: 695-5708 Webber Elementary: 353-4013

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION Richland One Launching New Magnet School Programs From kindergarten through 12th grade, Richland One is on the fast track to preparing its students for careers in well-paying, in-demand jobs in engineering, tourism, government and entrepreneurship. Thanks to a $15 million federal magnet schools grant, the district will offer career readiness programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels, beginning in August 2018. The grant also will fund the expansion of the district’s language immersion program to include French, in addition to Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. The magnet programs, which will be based at Carver-Lyon Elementary, Bradley Elementary, W.G. Sanders Middle and W.J. Keenan High schools, are open to all Richland One students. Bus transportation also will be provided to all students enrolled in the programs. Project Director Dr. Teresa Turner, former principal of Carver-Lyon Elementary, is excited about the options these new programs will provide district students and their families. “Many times, children choose careers based on what they see on television or what their parents do for a living. If we help our career magnet students learn about a broad range of careers, they will have more information when it comes time to choose a career,” Turner said. “By teaching students the link between school and careers, we will help our students understand that school is important and that school success can open doors to his or her ideal career.” The magnet programs will incorporate leadership skills based on Stephen Covey’s popular 7 Habits book. Over the next few years, field studies at the magnet schools could include the Disney Leadership Institute, interactive trips to our State Capitol and tours of government buildings in Washington, D.C., as well as the United Nations. Elementary School Career Awareness Magnet In addition to an outstanding academic foundation, students enrolled in this program will learn about careers from local business leaders, through virtual tours, on-site tours of businesses and job shadowing. “The students in the career awareness magnet will be introduced to a unique learning experience with an emphasis on project-based learning, leadership development and career awareness,” said Bradley Elementary Principal Kezia Myers. For more information, contact Principal Myers at 738-7200 or kezia.myers@richlandone.org.

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Middle School Career Exploration Magnet At the middle school level, students will be able to connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world experiences through job shadowing, career fairs and college tours. This fall, sixth-graders will do a special project with the Historic Columbia Foundation to explore historical architecture. Students enrolled in the program will have their own designated classrooms on campus. W.G. Sanders Middle School Principal Andrenna Smith emphasizes the long-term benefits of the program. “Skills for career development, which will be introduced in the elementary grades and refined at each level, will serve as lifelong goals, preparing students for those skills needed beyond high school or their post-secondary plans.” For more information, contact Principal Smith at 738-7575 or andrenna.smith@richlandone.org. High School Career Academies W.J. Keenan High School, which has a long-standing tradition of excellence in science, math, engineering and robotics, will kick off the first year of the career readiness program by focusing on engineering. In partnership with the University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College, a rigorous curriculum based on high standards will include pre-engineering courses and an opportunity for students to take college-level courses while in high school. Career academies related to the fields of hospitality/ tourism, government and entrepreneurship will be added in 2019-2020. For more information, contact Keenan Principal Vondre’ Whaley at 714-2500 or vondre.whaley@richlandone.org. Language Immersion Magnet The Richland One Language Immersion Program, which offers students a bilingual education in English and Mandarin Chinese or Spanish, will expand to include French in the 2019-2020 school year. The language immersion program, which began in 2016, is based at Carver-Lyon Elementary School. In the current program, about half of the students’ instructional time is taught in English and the other half is taught in either Mandarin Chinese or Spanish. Educators believe being bilingual education has long-term advantages because it can make students more marketable and gives them a competitive edge in college and the workplace. For more about the Language Immersion Magnet, contact Carver-Lyon Principal Linda Pratt at 343-2900 or linda. pratt@richlandone.org.

Montessori Education in Richland One Since opening the first public Montessori school in South Carolina (Brockman Elementary School) in 2000, Montessori education has grown significantly in Richland One, in terms of the number of schools offering Montessori, as well as its popularity with students and parents. Richland One currently offers Montessori at four sites – Brockman, Caughman Road and Logan elementary schools, and W.G. Sanders Middle School. A new wing for Caughman Road’s Montessori program is under construction and will be completed later this school year. Building on the success of Montessori at the elementary and middle levels, the district is exploring expanding Montessori to the high school level. Schools with Montessori programs hold information sessions for parents and others who are interested in learning more about the Montessori philosophy and the enrollment process. The parent information session schedule for the 2018-2019 school year is below. If you have questions or need additional information about Montessori education in Richland One, go to www.richlandone.org or contact Montessori Services Coordinator Candi Wilson at 738-3548 or candice.wilson@ richlandone.org. NOTE: For information about the Middle School Montessori Program at W.G. Sanders, contact the school at 738-7575 or go to www.richlandone.org.

MONTESSORI INFORMATION SESSIONS Brockman Elementary School December 6 at 5:30 p.m. December 11 at 8:30 a.m. January 10 at 8:30 a.m. January 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Caughman Road Elementary School

Logan Elementary School

December 10 at 8:30 a.m. December 13 at 5:30 p.m. January 11 at 8:30 a.m. January 14 at 5:30 p.m.

January 8 at 8:30 a.m. January 15 at 12:00 p.m. January 22 at 5:30 p.m.

Evening High School Program The Richland One Evening High School Program is designed to serve students ages 16-20 who want to obtain a high school diploma but, due to life circumstances, they have dropped out of school, are considering dropping out of school or are unable to attend school during the day. The Evening High School Program, which is based at Olympia Learning Center, operates Monday through Thursday from 4:00-8:10 p.m., following the district’s academic calendar. The schedule enables students to hold a job, meet family obligations and, upon meeting the requirements, graduate from high school. The curriculum includes the standard courses required for graduation. To qualify for a high school diploma, students must earn 24 Carnegie units. Students must complete 120 hours per one whole credit or 60 hours per ½ credit. Students can earn up to three credits each semester. Direct instruction is provided by state-certified, highly

qualified teachers. Computer-based instruction is provided by Edgenuity, a web-based instructional program used for credit recovery. For more information about the Richland One Evening High School Program, contact Kerry Abel at 738-7574 or kerry. abel@richlandone.org.

Adult Education Are you in need of a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (GED)? Do you have a Career Readiness Certificate? Do you have employability skills? Do you need to improve your English as a second language? Now is the time to get your credentials to increase your potential earnings now and in the future! Richland One Adult Education offers classes to assist in these areas. For more information, call 3432935 or go to richlandone.org and click on Adult Education under the Departments tab.

Spotlight ONE • Fall 2018 Edition

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Dawn Duke Watkins-Nance Elementary School 2018-2019 Richland One Teacher of the Year

“

As an educator, we want the students that we teach to grow into productive adults. My proudest moments come every time I receive a graduation, wedding or baby shower invitation. They come when I run into a former student at the mall or at a community event. I beam with joy when they thank me for being their teacher and they tell me the impact that I had on their life. It does not get any better than that!”

“

Dawn Duke wanted to become a teacher to be a voice for at-risk students. She has been teaching for more than 26 years, with the last two as a third-grade teacher at Watkins-Nance Elementary School. This proud Eau Claire High School graduate realized during her junior year of college that she wanted to teach. Two years after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, she pursued her new dream and enrolled in a graduate program that allowed her to become a certified teacher in a year and a half. She believes every child has the right not only to attend school but also to be treated with respect. She has four passions outside of teaching: spending time with her family, reading, traveling and watching the South Carolina Gamecocks. What has been your proudest moment as a teacher? As an educator, we want the students that we teach to grow into productive adults. My proudest moments come every time I receive a graduation, wedding or baby shower invitation. They come when I run into a former student at the mall or at a community event. I beam with joy when they thank me for being their teacher and they tell me the impact that I had on their life. It does not get any better than that! What has been your greatest challenge as a teacher? The greatest challenge has been helping my students overcome personal challenges so that they are ready to learn. There are many times I have to help a student deal with a personal crisis before they are able to focus on academics. How are you making a difference in the lives of your students? My students know that I am here for them. I am a constant that they can ALWAYS count on. They know that I have their back and I am in their corner. What would people be surprised to learn about you? When I was in elementary school, I could speak fluent German.

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My father was stationed in Germany for three and a half years. What do you love most about Richland One? I love Richland One because it is home to me. I started my educational journey at E.E. Taylor (formerly Roosevelt Village Elementary School). I left in the middle of second grade because my father was military. I returned and attended Heyward Gibbes Middle School and I graduated from Eau Claire High School. As an educator, I love the resources that Richland One has for our students, and the professional development opportunities that they offer their teachers is awesome. What do you love most about teaching? The thing I love about teaching is the students that I get to teach. They are the reason that I come to work each day. They make each day a new adventure. Who is your hero and why? My students are my heroes because they persevere in spite of their circumstances. Students now have so much more to deal with than students in the past, and my students rise to the challenge.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Ronnie Nowlin Eau Claire High School 2018-2019 Richland One Classified Employee of the Year Don’t let the title of building supervisor fool you. Ronnie Nowlin is so much more than the person responsible for the upkeep of the buildings at Eau Claire High School. Ronnie Nowlin has a smile that lights up a room. Every morning when students and staff arrive at Eau Claire, he greets them with that smile and asks them how they’re doing. “I try to interact with all the students and tell them we are here to help. I remind them to not let anything get them down. Don’t let your past determine your future.” He remembers a time when he was a student at Eau Claire and the school’s media specialist went beyond her job duties and helped him. “She took me in like a mother. She talked to me. My past is still tied to Eau Claire and I don’t want to ever leave.” Ronnie has deep personal and professional roots at Eau Claire. He started working there in 1998 when he was only 16 years old. Back then, he would work in the school cafeteria half the day and then go to his classes. After he graduated, he wanted to be a teacher, but when his family needed him, he’d leave college for a while, go back to work and help them. “My mom and dad got sick. I put my dream to teach aside, but I’m still in education. I can still have an impact on someone’s child.” He has been a building supervisor for more than nine of his 18 years with Richland One. “I work with a team who has the same philosophy as I do: to maintain the building, for safety, cleanliness and full-time workability, and for ‘round-the clock service.’” In addition to his regular duties, Ronnie is a member of the school’s CATE (Career and Technical Education) Advisory Board and a supervisory member of Eau Claire’s chapter of the National Beta Club organization. He is also a minister for congregations in Georgetown and Columbia. What inspired you to be a building supervisor? I was inspired to work in some area of education, as far back as I can remember. I wanted to be an advocate for students, who, like me, once found myself needing a champion to help me live out my dreams and potential. I dreamed of being an elementary education teacher and a minister. Consequently, I found what I had been looking for all along, in the role of building supervisor at Eau Claire. In this capacity, I could serve others, on my job, with honor, and still be impacted by education. My dream to become a teacher is on hold, but I do plan to go back to college and get my degree. What has been your greatest challenge? My greatest challenge is that there is not enough time in the day, nor enough arms, to serve each person who has a genuine need for assistance in the areas of building maintenance, meeting preparations, etc.

What lessons have the students at your school taught you? Students have taught me, as a role model, to do the right thing in front of them and even when they are not looking. What are your interests outside of Richland One? I have many interests outside of school, including my own family businesses, which include catering, funeral home services, concessions and insurance. What is your favorite thing in the world to do? My favorite thing to do, in the world, is to help students, and my co-workers, family and friends, to set up programs and successful events that will please them and wow the audience. This year, I enjoyed helping the Beta Club decorate for the annual ceremony for inductees. I was also honored when asked to be the guest speaker of that event.

Spotlight ONE • Fall 2018 Edition

2018-2019 AFTERSCHOOL CHILDCARE PROGRAMS Richland One’s afterschool childcare programs are provided through agreements with schools and licensed childcare providers approved by the district. These programs provide a safe place for students to go after school where they receive services that enhance their social and educational growth and development. The afterschool childcare programs operate Monday through Friday from 2:30-6:00 p.m. The programs are site-based at all of the district’s elementary schools and one middle school. A fee is assessed to parents for these services. For more information, contact the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Extended-Day Programs at 231-6842 or go to www. r1extendday.org. To the right is a list of the approved providers and the schools they will serve for the 2018-2019 school year.

Afterschool Childcare Provider YMCA of Columbia 1447 Hampton Street Columbia, SC 29210 AJ Hernandez, vice president of youth development ahernandez@columbiaymca.com (Cell): 813-778-3618, (Office): 803-779-9187, ext. 415

Barron Academy 6941 N. Trenholm Road – Suite B2 Columbia, SC 29206 Director: Gretchen Barron gbarron@purposedvision.com Phone: (803) 708-4786

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands 500 Gracern Road – Suite 200 Columbia, SC 29210 Director: Ken Garner garnerkrc@bgcmidland.org Phone: (803) 231-3300, Fax: (803) 252-9413

Brockman Elementary School

Assigned School(s) Brennen Elementary Carver-Lyon Elementary South Kilbourne Elementary Webber Elementary Hopkins Elementary Logan Elementary

Burton-Pack Elementary John P. Thomas Elementary Arden Elementary Burnside Elementary

Mill Creek Elementary Watkins-Nance Elementary Edward E. Taylor Elementary

P.O. Box 1638 Columbia, SC 29202 Phone: (803) 779-3100 or (803) 400-1154, Fax: (803) 779-3144 Director: Robin McCants Cell: (803) 236-0547 Nikki Williams, vice president of education Phone: (803) 606-3940

Forest Heights Elementary School

Hyatt Park Elementary Horrell Hill Elementary Bradley Elementary A.C. Moore Elementary Rosewood Elementary Gadsden Elementary Lewis Greenview Elementary Caughman Road Elementary Sandel Elementary H.B. Rhame Elementary Pine Grove Elementary Southeast Middle School

5901 Satchel Ford Road Columbia, SC 29206 Director: Anne Draffin anne.draffin@richlandone.org Phone: (803) 738-7209, Fax: (803) 738-7218 After-hours number: (803) 738-7209, ext. 2001

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$45

Forest Heights Elementary

2500 Blue Ridge Terrace Columbia, SC 29203 Director: Lula Lee llee@richlandone.org Phone: (803) 691-3780, Fax: (803) 691-3782

Satchel Ford Elementary School

$25

Meadowfield Elementary

1111 Parkside Drive Columbia, SC 29203 Phone: (803) 545-3100, Fax: (803) 343-8744 Director: Carey Rich cdrich@columbiasc.net Phone: (803) 351-6946 Afterschool Program Director: Christie Wright ckwright@columbiasc.net Cell: (803) 543-5302 Office: (803) 545-3086

EdVenture Children’s Museum

Weekly Fee

Brockman Elementary

2245 Montclair Drive Columbia, SC 29206 Director: Arleita Hufstetler Arleita.hufstetler@richlandone.org Phone: (803) 790-6743, Fax: (803) 790-6745

City of Columbia Parks and Recreation

Registration Fee

Satchel Ford Elementary

2 9 16 23

1 8 15 22

2 9 16 23

1 8 15 22

7 14 21

1 8 15 22

7 14 21 28

6 13 20

7 14 21

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

3 10 17 24 31

2 9 16 23 30

1 8 15 22 29

4 11 18 25

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27 26

5 12 19 27

6 13 20

3 10 17

5 12 19 26

4 11 18

5 12 19

7 14 21

5 12 19

6 13 20

7 14 21

6 13 20

4 11 18

5 12 19 26

April 2019

4 11 18 25

January 2019

October 2018

7 14 21 28

6 13 20 27

July 2018

1 8 15 22

6 13 20

7 14 21

1 8 15 22

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

2 9 16 23 30

7 14 21

2 9 16 23

3 10 17 24

2 9 16 23

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

May 2019

1 8 15 22

February 2019

1 8 15 22

November 2018

2 9 16 23

August 2018

23 30

9 16

24 31

3 10 17

2 9 16 23 30

23 30

9 16

3 10 17

4 11 18

24 31

3 10 17

11 18

5 12 19

4 11 18

5 12 19

6 13 20

5 12 19

2018-2019 District Calendar

Richland County School District One

7 14 21

1 8 15 22

6 13 20

7 14 21

6 13 20

1 8 15 22

2 9 16 23

7 14 21

1 8 15 22

June 2019

1 8 15 22

March 2019

7 14 21

December 2018

6 13 20

September 2018

July 4 August 13 - 15 August 16 - 17 August 20 September 3 September 26 October 12 October 23 October 31 November 1 November 6 November 21 - 23 December 5 Dec. 21 - Jan. 3 January 4 January 15 January 21 January 23 February 18 February 20 March 8 March 22 March 25 April 3 April 4 April 15 - 19 May 1 May 27 June 4 June 5

180-day employees 182-day employees 184-day employees 186-day employees 190-day employees 200-day employees 220-day employees 240-day employees

First Workday August 20, 2018 August 17, 2018 August 15, 2018 August 13, 2018 August 13, 2018 August 6, 2018 July 23, 2018 July 2, 2018

Last Workday June 4, 2019 June 5, 2019 June 5, 2019 June 5, 2019 June 5, 2019 June 12, 2019 June 26, 2019 June 28, 2019

Richland One Employee Work Schedule

First/last day of school for students Professional Development (No school for students) Student/Teacher Holiday (Schools/Offices Closed) Teacher Workday (No school for students)

240-day employees work or take leave on Dec 21, 2018, Jan 3, 2019, Mar 8, 2019 and May 27, 2019.

Note: 182, 184 and 186 day employees do not work on Oct 12, 2018, Jan 4, 2019, Feb 18, 2019 or Mar 25, 2019

Teacher make-up days: March 8, May 27, June 6

Student make-up days: February 18, March 8, March 25 (Early Release)

CALENDAR NOTES

Independence Day Holiday Professional Development Teacher Workdays First day of school for students Labor Day Interim Reports Professional Development End of First Marking Period (45 days) Report Cards Issued Parent/Teacher Conferences (Student Early Release) Election Day Thanksgiving Break Interim Reports Winter Break Teacher Workday End of First Semester Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Report Cards Issued Professional Development Interim Reports Student/Staff Holiday End of Third Marking Period Teacher Workday Report Cards Issued Parent/Teacher Conferences (Student Early Release) Spring Break Interim Reports Memorial Day Last Day for Students (Early Release) Report Cards Teacher Workday

Non-Profit Org. US Postage

1616 Richland Street Columbia, SC 29201

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PAID

Columbia, SC Permit 611