Ware Shoals School District 51

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is interested in piloting an initiative that could lessen the current school bus driver shortage. This pilot will provide a curriculum and pathway for 18-year-old high schoolers to acquire a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Students will acquire another employable skill—a Class B CDL with Passenger and School Bus Endorsements along with SCDE School Bus Driver Certification—and can potentially help relieve driver shortages before and after graduation. If you or someone you know is interested, contact Dr. Fay Sprouse, Superintendent, at 864-456-7496.

We are thankful for our business partners who step up to help our district's children! O'Dell Corporation again made a $5,000 donation to Student Council for "Christmas for Kids" and ASI donated $1,000. This program has positively impacted thousands of lives over the past 25+ years. Thanks so much to O'Dell, ASI, and all others who donated, in order to brighten a child's Christmas! LEARNING, SERVING, LEADING...GIVING!!

ATTENTION! This event is tomorrow evening, and is being hosted by United Way. We invite you to review local information about your community, discuss your concerns, and vote on what needs to change 11/29 Ware Shoals- Larry Traynham Center (79 S. Greenwood Ave.) from 6 pm - 8 pm https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:45f640e9-18d6-31d6-85c2-8ed258957092

VACANCY Custodian – Ware Shoals Elementary / Middle Qualifications High School Diploma or High School Equivalent (GED) Safe driving record / Ability to pass drug screening test Responsibilities - Keeps assigned areas clean and neat - Keeps inventory of supplies / requests replacements when needed - Conducts general maintenance, upkeep, and repairs - Uses mower, weed-eater, blower, weed killer, etc. to keep grounds neat and clean - Maintains neat appearance, courteous conduct, and works well with district and school personnel - Assists as needed with opening and/or closing of facilities each day - Alerts supervisor of safety concerns immediately - Reports repairs needed or damage to school property to supervisor - Moves boxes, furniture, etc. as requested - Safely uses motorized equipment and hand/power tools as needed to perform duties - Performs other duties as assigned Terms 210 days, 40 hours per week Applications available at the school district office and on the district’s website (www.gwd51.org) Contact Jeneen Webb, Principal / 864-456-7496 / jwebb@gwd51.org Ware Shoals District 51 is committed to equal opportunity. The policy of the district is not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, age, handicap or disability.

Ware Shoals High Alumni are the best! Recently, we received contributions to support two district initiatives that are very important to our community. Cameron Dorn, Class of 2006, shattered a world record for step-ups October 28th at Lou Brissie Field in Riegel Stadium. He received donations to support organizations that he values. The Ware Shoals Fitness Center was one of the organizations. So far, over $1,300 has been received to help purchase additional equipment. The center is a place for our citizens to exercise, and it's free! It's located on the high school campus. Dan Branyon, Class of 1972, presented a check from the Community Foundation for the Ware Shoals Schools Hall of Fame. The WSSHoF recognizes individuals who have placed service over self, making a significant difference in the lives of others. We thank all of you who support district programs that benefit our community!

Best of luck to the Ware Shoals Fighting Hornets as they travel to Wagener Salley for the first round of playoffs. GO HORNETS!

Don't forget! Parents-our survey for accreditation is still open. Please use the link to complete a survey for the school your child/children attend. You can complete surveys for multiple schools. We appreciate your help. https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/197138/p2918

WSSD51 is seeking a person to be our next Athletic Director and Head Football coach. The person should be a certified teacher and have at least 5 years' experience. Go to our website's Employment Opportunities page or the district Facebook page to learn more! Share with those who may be interested.

Celebrate National School Lunch Week! October 31 - November 4, 2022 Peace, Love, and School Lunch Please Click the Link Below for more info: https://5il.co/1jrvf

We are excited to join several local districts in a partnership with DHEC to implement a grant called Comprehensive Community Approaches to Preventing Substance Misuse (CCAPS). The overall goal of this grant’s programs and training is to decrease generational cycles of trauma, violence, and substance abuse. There are two parts of the grant that will benefit our students and staff: 1. “Handle with Care” (HWC) - a component of the grant that helps children exposed to trauma to heal. If a student is exposed to a traumatic situation in which law enforcement is involved, the school counselor or principal is notified to “Handle (child’s name) with care.” The school counselor or principal then notifies the student’s teacher(s). Teachers who know a student needs to be handled with care can assist by providing time for the student to rest, re-teaching lessons, delaying tests, allowing the student to go for counseling, etc. 2. ACEs Training - Savannah Campbell and Melisa Gunter will become district trainers for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), helping us acquire the skillsets needed to recognize and respond to ACEs.

Congratulations to Ware Shoals High School for placing 5th in the state's Tractor Skills Competition held at the State Fair on Tuesday. Students were able to showcase the skills learned in our agricultural program. Way to go students!

Creating a Pathway of Opportunity You may already know that some students are eligible to take the ACT or SAT for free through fee waivers. But did you know that third- and fourth-year high school students have the opportunity to take ACT or SAT for free during a school day? The funding for one assessment is provided by the State. This is an incredible opportunity to empower students as they prepare for postsecondary education. Students, with input from their parents, can choose one assessment. ACT on March 21, 2023 SAT on March 22, 2023 Use this link to register your child: https://forms.gle/AUXsafNKHsQWw9Jh6 Contact Ware Shoals High’s main office for more information.

Congratulations to Ware Shoals Middle School for ranking as one of the top performing middle schools in South Carolina! Newly released Report Card data shows WSM receiving the State's highest ranking of "Excellent". As a community we can celebrate that our children are receiving top tier instruction each and every day! Ware Shoals Primary and Ware Shoals High both met overall state expectations and received rankings of Average. We're so proud of our hard-working students and staff.

Good afternoon from WSSD51. Parents, we need your help. As part of our district accreditation process we are seeking your feedback. Please use the link to complete a survey for the school your child/children attend. You can complete surveys for multiple schools. Thank you! https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/197138/p2918

Shout out to the WSH Cross Country team for a fantastic season! Many personal bests were set and the future is bright for these runners! Best of luck to our athletes who have qualified for State! Special thanks to Coach Parada and Coach Gillispie for investing their time and talents into our runners!

We're so proud of Mrs. Carla Owens who has been selected as the 2022-23 Ware Shoals School District's Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Owens' accomplishments were recognized at Monday's Board meeting and we appreciate her continued service to our community.

We are thrilled to have E.A. Sween company as neighbors and partners! Today the company officially received the keys to their new home on Highway 25 in Hodges. The third-generation family business makes it a priority to give back in areas where they are located. They will be donating sandwiches to all three Greenwood County districts for the backpack program for children, which serves those in need of food over the weekend. The company will employ 300 people, and they hope to be producing sandwiches by June of 2023. WELCOME , E. A. Sween, and thank you for your commitment to serving others!

Ware Shoals School District 51 is excited about our Varsity Football Team squaring off under the lights at Tommy Davis Field on Friday nights. Gates open at 6:30pm. Our goal is to create a memorable experience for our student athletes and spectators attending the game. Here are the safety procedures: Guests ages 4 and up must have a ticket. Middle school aged students and younger must be accompanied by an adult while in the stadium and parking lot. A clear bag & clear baby bag policy will be strictly enforced. Metal detectors will be used. No weapons allowed including pocket knives. Attendees must stay on their side of the stadium unless visiting the restroom or concession stand. No congregating in any area of the stadium. If you choose to congregate you will be asked to leave the stadium. Attendees should leave the stadium in an orderly manner immediately after the game.

There will be NO school for students on Friday August 12th due to a regularly scheduled Teacher Workday. Thank you and enjoy the weekend!

Rep. John McCravy visited our district to issue resolutions honoring our 2021-22 Teachers of the Year. Alicia Atherton from Ware Shoals Middle is pictured here. He also honored Coach Chris Johnston for being State Athletic Director of the Year for the 1A Division.