Ware Shoals School District 51

During this time of closure it is our top priority to help you stay healthy. Knowing how COVID19 is affecting our community will help us do just that. In order to know the effects that may impact our school, if you are a student or staff member please let the district nurse know if you are sick. Also, if you have any question regarding symptoms or prevention methods our district nurse will available via: phone, text and email. Below are ways to contact her: Tonja Lindle, BSN, RN District Nurse Phone/Text: (864) 377-0587 Email: tlindle@gwd51.org

Please pick up personal items, computers, and learning packets at your school Wednesday from 8-12. Buses will deliver meals to students at regular bus stops between 8-9AM starting Thursday. Visit our website for info, access to eLearning and attendance requirements: www.gwd51.org

Today at 4PM, Gov. McMaster will close all SC schools until March 31st. Staff will be working tomorrow to get lessons prepared for students. We will be back in touch as soon as possible about how to access learning materials. All extracurricular activities are cancelled as well.

The Early Release Day, scheduled for March 25, has been moved to next Wednesday, March 18 to allow time for teachers to do emergency lesson plans. The State Dept. is requiring 2 weeks of plans in case DHEC orders schools closed due to the Coronavirus. We want to be prepared!

The LOCKOUT at WS Middle has been lifted. Ware Shoals Police, Greenwood County Sheriff, and WSSD District Security personnel conducted a perimeter search with nothing being found. Law enforcement advised that we were ALL CLEAR to return to normal activities.

Ware Shoals Middle School is on LOCKOUT (no one in, no one out). The School Resource Officer heard 6 gunshots OUTSIDE and law enforcement is investigating to determine the source. As soon as they clear us to lift the LOCKOUT, we will let you know.

School safety is our district’s first priority. There was an isolated incident last week at one of our schools that was handled swiftly and in a contained manner. However, public concerns about the incident now call for a public statement, which we are happy to provide: On March 6th, a parent made an unauthorized visit to a classroom at Ware Shoals Primary. The parent addressed the class about bullying in a threatening manner by saying if it did not stop he would come to their house. The district reported this to law enforcement and the parent was arrested and charged with disturbing school. All parents in the class received a call from the administration that day. This week Mr. Cox, Safety Coordinator, met with the staff of each school to review safety protocols for visitors. Additional measures are being taken to prevent further incidents of this type. Ware Shoals School District 51’s Board Policy KI clearly outlines the structure for public visits. We will continue to make efforts to ensure a safe learning environment for our students. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call Eric Cox, Safety Coordinator, or Dr. Fay Sprouse, Superintendent, at 864-456-7496.

Health officials are currently taking steps to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) into additional US communities. Schools are being asked to share information about the disease. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it. Stopping the spread of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy. More information on COVID-19 is available on our website (Menu>>Documents>>Forms and Links) and here: www.cdc.gov and www.scdhec.gov.

Four candidates have filed for two seats on our school board. They are: Genie McDill, Cody Quinn, Joey Ward, and Andy Wood. We thank these citizens for their interest in LEARNING, SERVING, and LEADING in our district as we educate our future leaders! The school board election will be held May 12.

The Ware Shoals Schools Hall of Fame serves as a means of recognizing, preserving, and honoring individuals who made significant contributions to the academic and athletic programs at our schools, as well as our distinguished alumni and others who have excelled through their community involvement or in the business world. The Hall of Fame program honors those whose deeds and character exemplify outstanding achievement in their life’s work and/or service to their communities. The categories for nominees are: Distinguished Alumni Distinguished Educator Benefactor/Contributor Nominations for the 2020 Hall of Fame are being accepted through April 1. Nominees may be deceased or living. The nomination form may be accessed from our district website: www.gwd51.org. If unable to complete an online form, a hard copy may be obtained from the district office. If you have any questions, call Dr. Sprouse at 864-456-7496.

Good Morning everyone! The students of Ware Shoals High School will participate in a Black History Program starting at 2 pm today. If you would like to your students to view this program, please click the link below a few minutes before 2 pm to watch in real time. We hope everyone will be able to participate in this event. Thank you! https://livestream.com/accounts/11275489/events/9019164

Ware Shoals High School welcomes back Dr. Lawrence L. Sanders Jr., MD of the Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Sanders is a 1973 graduate of Ware Shoals High and a former member of The Million Dollar Band serving as Drum Major his senior year. Welcome Home Dr. Sanders! Lawrence Sanders Jr. serves as the Senior Vice President for Utilization and Care Management at Grady Health System. He serves as the physician leader for clinical documentation improvement, value analysis, utilization review and management, case management, social work and medical staff services. Participatory engagement and innovation are the cornerstones of his management and leadership approach. . Dr. Sanders brings more than 30 years of experience in health service delivery. He believes that good health is the result of individuals, groups, organizations, neighborhoods and communities working to create the conditions in every neighborhood and community to foster good health. As a physician leader, he strives to align clinical, financial and administrative imperatives. He background in epidemiology, management and organizational effectiveness, and clinical practice equips him to serve as a health service delivery subject matter expert and to communicate across clinical, financial and administrative organizational sectors. Following a residency in internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Sanders served in the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) at the Centers for Disease Control. As an EIS officer, he expanded his scope of understanding of patient care beyond individual patients and families to include groups and populations. Dr. Sanders holds an MBA degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania where he learned to integrate principles of economics, organizational behavior and marketing to create a unique and innovative perspective to solve problems and craft health service delivery strategies. Throughout his career, he has not only held a range of leadership roles but also pioneered innovative physician roles aimed to contribute to improved effectiveness and efficiency of health service delivery. Early in his career, he worked as a physician manager for Kaiser Permanente in Atlanta with responsibilities as the chief physician for a medical office and as the regional leader for the quality of services provided to patients and families. In this role as a public health leader, he oversaw activities to protect, promote and improve the health of all residents of DeKalb County. He facilitated an initiative to integrate total quality management principles into the operations of a local public health organization. At Morehouse School of Medicine, he served as the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs where he worked to align the clinical, educational and research missions of the medical school. As a teacher, he models patient care for residents and students. Also, he pioneered teaching the application of business principles to medical practice with a focus on patient safety and quality. Dr. Sanders has served as President of the Atlanta Medical Association and the Georgia State Medical Association. As member of the National Medical Association, he has served as the Speaker of the House of Delegates, Chair of the Committee on Financial and Administrative Affairs in the House of Delegates and President. Dr. Sanders strives for excellence in teaching, seeks to deliver top quality services for patients and their families and aims to address critical determinants linked to improved health for all people.

WSHS FFA Officers at the State House today.

I had great fun participating in the 1920s day with our 5th graders. This is a day they will remember as having fun with a purpose - LEARNING! Dr. Sprouse

Ware Shoals School District will be on a 2 hour delay tomorrow (Friday, February 21) due to a forecast of possible black ice on the roadways. Temperatures are predicted to drop below freezing around 4am and continue to hover at or below freezing for several hours. We will further assess weather conditions in the morning. If we need to delay further or cancel school we will be back in touch around 7am. Safety is our number one priority!

WSSD51 remains committed to early childhood education. We are proud to offer a rigorous 4k curriculum and have top tier teachers (and assistants) who are preparing our students for 5k! Registration for 4K and new 5K students will be held Feb 24-28 (9:00-2:00PM) at WSP.

WSHS parents and students: The LAST day to order a yearbook is February 21st. They are $65.00. Orders can be placed in the high school front office. Get them while they last!

First round of girls basketball playoffs start tomorrow (Monday 2/17) at McBee 6:00. Tickets are $6.

Very proud of all the students who came out to our SAT Prep session on Monday night! Research indicates that 20 hours of studying for the SAT typically increases scores 30 to 70 points. These students understand that extra efforts lead to great results!

WSHS parents and students: The LAST day to order a yearbook is February 21st. They are $65.00. Orders can be placed in the high school front office. Get them while they last!