Spartanburg District 7 -

We’re beyond excited to welcome the incredible Chef Artina Lindsey to our D7 food service team! A proud Chicago native and a Johnson & Wales University grad, Chef Lindsey brings a world of flavor (and a ton of experience) to the table—from catering to universities, hospitals, and corporate dining. 🍳✨ Her love for sustainable, local cuisine and her knack for creative dishes have already wowed us in our Discovery Kitchen and Global Eats programs. Now, she's ready to make your school meals fresher, tastier, and oh-so-exciting! 🥗 We’re kicking off 2025 with a bang as Chef Lindsey brings her culinary magic to the Student Choice Program! High school students get to sample and vote on mouthwatering, restaurant-inspired dishes, with the winners earning a spot-on future menus. Who's ready to taste and vote like a foodie pro? With Chef Lindsey leading the charge, beloved programs returning, and a commitment to fun, nutritious meals, this year is all about culinary discovery! Here’s to spicing up school lunches and inspiring our students to explore the world of food one bite at a time! And don’t forget—breakfast and lunch are FREE for all students! You can check out what’s on the plate this week here: https://spartanburg7.nutrislice.com/ Welcome aboard, Chef Lindsey! Let’s make 2025 delicious! 🌟🍴

District 7 schools will operate on regular schedule on Tuesday, January 14. We hope our D7 Family is having a great to start to the week!

District 7 will operate on a two-hour delay on Monday, January 13. Our safety team spent the day assessing road conditions, and found many icy patches persist on back roads. These conditions could create a safety risk for our buses, student drivers, and staff traveling in those areas. A two-hour delay will allow daylight to improve visibility and temperatures time to rise.    Two-Hour Delay Times:   A two-hour delay means everything shifts back two hours from its normal time. For example, if your bus normally arrives at 6:30 AM, it should arrive at approximately 8:30 AM. The tardy bell for each school will be exactly two hours later than that school’s tardy bell on a regular school day.  Thank you for your patience and understanding, as safety is always our top priority.

District 7 Announces eLearning Day for Friday, January 10, 2025 For the safety of our students and staff, Spartanburg School District 7 will hold an eLearning day on Friday, January 10. Additionally, all Friday afterschool and weekend activities have been canceled. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch, with snow and sleet expected to impact our area beginning early Friday morning. Teachers will communicate details regarding eLearning assignments during the school day today and additional information about District 7’s eLearning guidelines can be found at spartanburg7.org/eLearning. Thank you for your understanding, as safety is always our top priority. We hope our D7 Family has the opportunity to enjoy some time in the snow. Stay safe and have fun!

During our January 7th Board of Trustees meeting, two Trustees were recognized by the South Carolina School Boards Association for 10 years of service on our Board. Thank you to chairman Clay Mahaffey and to Meg Clayton for their dedicated service over this past decade! Additionally, we thanked our entire Board with a moment to acknowledge the important work they do and present gifts of appreciation from the district in observance of National School Board Recognition Month. This year’s S.C. School Boards Association theme is “All In” - our Board, our faculty and staff, and our students and families are absolutely “All In” every day in D7!

2025: Growing, Glowing, and Going for Great! New year, new heights! In 2025, we’re not just starting strong — we’re GOING FOR GREAT! Students, the countdown is on — see you Tuesday, January 7, for a year of big dreams and bold moves!

Have you seen our district's holiday video greeting featuring student artwork from each of our schools? Check it out - the link is in our website news feed and on our social media pages!

7Headlines: Gratitude and Hope this Holiday Season Our FESTIVE Winter Issue of 7Headlines is here! This edition is packed with exciting updates, including our cool new cell phone policy and heartwarming stories of students spreading holiday cheer by giving back to the community. From winter wonder to acts of kindness, we’re celebrating the season with a spirit of gratitude and hope. Check out all the highlights in this festive issue - https://tinyurl.com/7HeadlinesWinter2024 We’re snow excited to Go for Great in D7!

Happy Thanksgiving, D7 Family! This has been quite a school year so far – while wonderful things are happening for our students every day, we have also had unexpected challenges from Hurricane Helene's impact on our school year. There is a silver lining in all things, however, and the good that came from the storm was how it brought our community together to care for and support one another. Our students, staff, and families played a big role in the effort, and that makes me especially proud and grateful for everyone this Thanksgiving. Over the past several days, our schools have been buzzing with holiday excitement and activities. From a Thanksgiving meal drive at our high school where students packed more than 200 grocery bags to help families in need celebrate a meal together, to creative learning assignments inspired by turkeys and holiday traditions, to special menus in our cafeterias and class parties with family members, they are all a reminder of what makes this community so special. From all of us in District 7, please know we are truly thankful for each of you and the support you give to our schools every day. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and joyful Thanksgiving! Superintendent Jeff Stevens

Viking Nation: Get ready for Round 3 of the playoffs! Join us Friday, November 29 as our Vikings take on JL Mann at home. Here’s what you need to know: Tickets: • General admission: $10 (plus $1 service fee) • Purchase online at hubcitylocker.com (https://www.hubcitylocker.com/events-1/vikingsvsjlmann)or at the gate. • Playoff Passes: Only South Carolina High School League Passes are accepted. District 7 School Passes, Senior Citizen/Retiree Passes, or District Employee Passes are not valid for playoff games. Game Day Reminders: • Clear Bag Policy: D7’s clear bag policy is in effect. • No Portable Heaters: Portable heaters are not allowed in the stadium. Watch the Broadcast: Can’t make it to the game? Catch all the action as Spartanburg High School takes on J.L. Mann High School from the comfort of your home. Subscribe and watch live on the NFHS Network: Watch Here (https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/spartanburg-high-school-spartanburg-sc/gamcc171c1026) Be There to Support the Vikings: Let’s fill the stands and bring the energy as we cheer our Vikings to victory! See you there!

It's only Fall, but the stage is already set for Spring Musical Season in District 7! Musicals have been part of the life of our schools for a long time. We are excited to bring everyone's favorite ogre to our Fine Arts Center stage this school year. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure that brings all the film's beloved characters to the stage and proves there's more to the story than meets the ears. Shrek offers a treasure trove of creative opportunities—think dazzling costumes, whimsical sets, and even a fire-breathing dragon! This irreverently fun show is perfect for the whole family and reminds us all that beauty is truly "in the eye of the ogre". Whether you’re a singer or a non-singer, there are roles for students of all ages. So, dust off your dancing shoes and join us for a magical journey that’s sure to delight and entertain...Let the countdown to Shrek The Musical begin! Auditions will be held in December for students in 5K -5th grades and grades 6-12. Click here for audition information for students in grades 5K-5 - https://files.constantcontact.com/3ef8bff8401/6e5804c6-2d78-437e-bd45-826f3f2428c4.pdf?rdr=true Click here for audition information for students in grades 6-12 - https://files.constantcontact.com/3ef8bff8401/977a9f75-9779-4d2f-ae55-bb223f3336c7.pdf?rdr=true

Our UN-FALL-GETTABLE Issue of 7Headlines is here! Dive into NEW websites and winning achievements in this edition - https://tinyurl.com/7HeadlinesFall2024 We’re “leafing” no stone unturned as we Go for Great in D7! #D7isgoingforgreat #toinspireandequip

District 7 Educator Recruitment Fair: Saturday, December 7 from 9 AM - Noon Know a great educator who may be interested in joining TEAM7? Please SHARE this recruitment fair opportunity on December 7 to help us connect with the very best educators so we can show them why D7 is a GREAT place to make a positive impact! All schools will be present to help roll out the red carpet as we share info about current and future certified positions across the district. Come meet our superintendent and teachers and administrators from each of our schools, speak with Human Resources about benefits and compensation, and apply for jobs on the spot. Thank you for helping us add to our team of professionals who love and support our students and families! Hiring for ALL New Certified Positions: Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 9 AM - Noon Viking Arena at Spartanburg High School Qualifications: 4-Year Degree and teaching certificate or plans to pursue an alternative route to certification Bring: Your resume and references Professional Attire Register here to attend: spartanburg7.org/RecruitmentFair

District 7 salutes all veterans who have served our country! Across our schools, our D7 Family is enjoying Veteran's Day programs that educate, celebrate, and connect our students, teachers, staff, and families. We are welcoming family members and community neighbors who serve or have served in the armed forces as we honor them during our school programs. Our students are lifting their voices, sharing their artwork, performing with their orchestras and bands, introducing guest speakers, and hosting receptions for honorees all around D7. Thank you to the many members of our D7 Family as well as to those in our community who give their time and talents in service to our great nation!

Our award-winning student newspaper, Norse News, is back with a combined September/October issue featuring double the stories AND contains two Homecoming photo galleries! Our student journalists have covered a wide range of news, opinion pieces, sports, and entertainment stories. Their voices are insightful and informative as they reflect the excellence of Spartanburg High School. Read the latest issue here: https://shsnorsenews.org/

Watch our NEW Student-Created SHS Newscast! Spartanburg High School’s all-new Viking News broadcast launched this year and is receiving rave reviews for its first two episodes. It was conceived by art and photography teacher Crissy Rennie, who is in her third year at SHS, as a way to boost school spirit and help students develop valuable skills. Ms. Rennie has fond memories of her own time as editor and executive producer of Wando High School’s news team, Tribe Talk. “We competed around the state and I remember students being super excited when our episode aired. When I came to SHS and noticed we didn't have a news show, I brought the idea to Mr. Adam Babcock and he was all for it.” The Viking News team started small with their first episode but attracted interest and grew to include more students for its second episode, released in October. The crew meets to plan each episode before school once per month, then heads out to capture the stories. They check in with Ms. Rennie throughout each week as the episodes are put together for publishing. In their October installment, several SHS students share facts about their native countries for Hispanic Heritage Month, they give athletic updates, provide tips to students for writing professional email messages, cover senior college day, ask a lot of Vikings about their favorite Halloween movies, and end with a poignant introduction to the beloved custodial team at SHS. As the news show grows, Ms. Rennie envisions the students’ honing their skills and eventually beginning to edit their own stories. She also envisions the possibility of a future Media Technology/Broadcast Journalism class that would expand the news team while preparing students for careers in the field. For now, the group is focusing on telling stories that create connections and deepen our Viking’s understanding of one another. Enjoy the show! Watch at https://youtu.be/tXxQJHBHLuc Fall 2024 Viking News Team: News Anchor: Marianna Saad Sports Anchor: Karsyn Painter Interviewer: Finely Sloan Executive Producer: Sam Foster Camera Crew : Brianna Drummond , Jeremiah Ross, Savannah Ferguson, Crissy Rennie Editor: Crissy Rennie

Bring your family to experience DMTC like never before! DMTC’s first ever “Career Family Day” will be Thursday, November 7th from 3:30 to 6:30 PM. This “school carnival with a twist” features local food trucks and hands-on introductions to the diverse, modern-day world of career and technical education. Enjoy demonstrations and workshops, create and take home a wide variety of items as you explore the programs, hear from students and community partners about the benefits of career and technical education, and visit with nearly 40 local employers to learn about how DMTC programs prepare students for career opportunities. With 17 career programs that offer a wide variety of dual enrollment courses, industry certifications, and hands-on learning experiences, there is so much to explore at Daniel Morgan Technology Center. Technical skills are in high demand and this is your chance to explore hundreds of rewarding career paths. Come on November 7 to help prepare your child for a bright future! Just a few of the hands-on experiences will be: 🌟 Come Spark Your Interest in Electricity Dive into the world of circuits with a classroom tour and Q&A session 🧼 Health Science Hand Scrub & Vital Signs Check Make your own hand scrub or check your vital signs. Stay healthy, stay informed 🍽️ Balancing Flavors in Culinary Arts Explore the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and spicy in our interactive tasting demo 🔧 Weld Like a Pro with Augmented Reality Experience the Miller Mobile Arc Welding System firsthand. Ready to spark your creativity? 🎥 Media Tech Magic: News and Edit Demonstration Join us for an engaging demo and see yourself on camera by participating in a newscast 📚 3D Printing Wonders in Intro to Education Win cool prizes like a mushroom lamp, Mario box, or chess set while our 3D printers and drones showcase their magic ⚙️ Machine Tool Madness Watch our CNC Machining Center in action, creating aluminum fidget spinners and dice 🚗 Get Hands-On with Automotive Technology Build and test your own automotive electrical circuit. Put your skills to the test! 🎮 Gaming & Cyber Frenzy in IT Calling all gamers and tech enthusiasts! Compete for prizes and explore our exciting IT courses. 🏥 Health Science Quick CPR Training Participate in our CPR session and receive a certificate (and candy lifesavers) 🛠️ Carpentry Shop Tour See incredible build projects and take a tour of our carpentry shop. Get inspired! 🤖 Robotics Demo in Mechatronics Witness the future with our exciting robotics demonstration!

D7 families! There will be no school on Monday, November 4, and Tuesday, November 5. Monday is our exchange day for staff, and Tuesday is Election Day. And just a reminder, don’t forget to “fall back” one hour this Sunday as Daylight Saving Time wraps up. We wholeheartedly encourage you to VOTE and to check out vote411.org for your personalized ballot. Every vote counts, and we can't wait to see our community at the polls! Need a fun plan for your kids on Monday? The City of Spartanburg Parks, Recreation & Special Events has you covered! They’re offering an Out of School Day Camp for kids ages 5-12 at C.C. Woodson Community Center from 9 AM to 1 PM, and an Out of School Youth Activity Day for teens ages 12-18 at T.K. Gregg Community Center from 12 PM to 5 PM. Best part? It’s absolutely FREE! Just be sure to register in advance by scanning the QR codes. We’re thankful for our partnership with the City of Spartanburg in providing enriching experiences for our young people. Enjoy the long weekend!

Flu Clinics – Sign Up by TODAY, October 24 As the temperatures drop and flu season approaches, now is the perfect time to protect your family! District 7 is pleased to partner with DHEC each year to offer FREE flu vaccines – with both shot and nasal spray options - right at school. Convenient and Cost-Free Your child can receive their flu shot during the school day, without any out-of-pocket cost. This is a hassle-free opportunity to keep your child protected while minimizing time away from school and activities. Flu Clinic Dates: • November 6, 2024 Cleveland Academy Mary H Wright Elementary Carver Middle School • November 7, 2024 Jesse Boyd Elementary Drayton Mills Elementary Spartanburg High School Whitlock Flexible Learning Center • November 12, 2024 E.P. Todd School Pine Street School McCracken Middle School How to Sign Up: Each District 7 school has provided families with instructions containing a unique code to register online or on paper for their school. The deadline to sign up online is October 24, and the deadline to turn in paper forms is October 25. Taking this proactive step not only protects your child but also helps ensure a healthier school environment for everyone. Thank you for your support in keeping our community healthy!

Today marked a heartfelt return to the classroom for our students after seven days away due to Hurricane Helene. While some continue to face power outages, unreliable internet, and even displacement, they were greeted with uplifting music, encouraging signs, and open arms. It was a warm and welcoming start that truly set the tone for their comeback. In times of turmoil, it's truly inspiring to see how far kindness, empathy, and understanding can reach. In D7, we are dedicated to nurturing connections, offering flexibility, and acknowledging the emotional challenges that come with events like this storm. Our teachers and staff are here to support every student on their path, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive when they're ready. Though this storm has undoubtedly changed us, our students' resilience and eagerness to learn remain unwavering. We loved seeing their smiles today and are excited to continue this journey to greatness together! #D7isgoingforgreat #Toinspireandequip