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 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 e-Learning assignments during the school day today and additional information about District 7’s e-Learning guidelines can be found at 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 news feed and on our social media pages!
Congratulations to Ms. Myrella Samuels and our Music Department Staff at DMES!
Myrella Samuels, music teacher at Drayton Mills Elementary, joined the Spartanburg Philharmonic for the Hub City Holidays concert Saturday night at Twichell Auditorium. Ms. Samuels narrated the Clement Moore poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas while the orchestra accompanied her. She did a fine job and her rendition was met with much appreciation from the audience. Ms. Samuels serves on the Board of Directors for the Spartanburg Philharmonic. Other Drayton Mills' faculty performing during the Hub City Holiday Concert include Theresa Jenkins-Russ, Matt McDaniel and Adena McDaniel.
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
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
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!
Lunch and Learn! Parents, join us on 10/17 for a free lunch. We will be sharing ways to support your student at home with math and reading skills. Please be sure to register!
District 7 Helene Recovery Community Meal Distribution
Wednesday, October 2
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Spartanburg High School and Pine Street Elementary
To our Spartanburg Community,
As a way to help during this difficult time, District 7 is partnering with Chartwells to provide free, boxed hot meals on Wednesday, October 2. Pickup will be open from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm (or as long as supplies last) at Spartanburg High School and Pine Street Elementary, our only schools with both power and working traffic signals for safe access.
PICKUP LOCATIONS & INSTRUCTIONS
Spartanburg High – Enter via the student drive beside Lidl and follow the “Event” directional signage to the Fine Arts Center (located next to the home side of Viking Stadium). Park and walk to the pickup area near the Fine Arts Center.
Pine Street Elementary – Enter via the front campus entrance along Pine Street for drive-thru pickup in front of the school. There is NO ENTRANCE from Boyd Street into the campus.
District 7 Families,
As an update, all District 7 schools will remain closed through Friday, October 4 and there will be no eLearning during this time. There will be no athletics or other after-school activities until further notice, but conditions will be assessed daily to determine when these might resume. We will continue to share information as soon as it is available.
You are constantly on our hearts and minds as our community works to recover from Helene. District 7 is fortunate to have avoided major damage at our schools, although there is much cleanup to be done and we still await power to be restored at the majority of our facilities. Our teams have done tremendous work assessing conditions and making plans to reopen once we are able to do so.
Please continue to take great care as there are many hazards that remain across our community. We miss our students, teachers and staff as well as our broader District 7 Family!
UPDATE ON SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY:
Due to the impact and damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene, District 7 will be CLOSED on Monday and Tuesday. There will be NO after-school or evening activities on Monday and we will make a future announcement about whether after-school and evening activities can be held on Tuesday. During this time, our teams will be working to assess and repair any damages to our schools. We will continue to provide updates as necessary and notify you of any further changes as the week progresses.
We understand this is a challenging time for our community, as many are without power and mobile device service. There will be no e-Learning expectations for Monday or Tuesday. As always, our priority is the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and their families.
Our hearts and best wishes are with everyone who is impacted by the storm, and we are committed to working together to restore our community. Please stay safe!
Everyone loves a parade!
Today may be dreary, but the sun is right around the corner and our Vikings are preparing to celebrate Homecoming Week from September 30 - October 4! Spartanburg High School invites our entire District 7 family and the Spartanburg community to enjoy the Homecoming Parade next Wednesday, October 2 at 7 PM. Arrive early to stake out your spot and enjoy snacks and drinks sold by student council for $1 each! Let's cheer on our Vikings as they prepare to take on Wade Hampton High for the Homecoming game in Viking Stadium on Friday, October 4.
See the parade map for parking areas and the route. Go Vikings!
After-School Activities Canceled and eLearning Day Announced for Friday
In light of the potential impact from Hurricane Helene, we are taking proactive measures to prioritize the safety of our students, staff and families. District 7 will hold a regular school day on Thursday but has canceled all after-school and evening activities for Thursday. We will also hold an eLearning Day on Friday, September 27. Cherokee County will continue to monitor the storm's timing and impact in hopes that our Viking football team will still travel to compete in Gaffney Friday night. All other after-school programs and activities for District 7 are canceled for both Thursday and Friday.
Teachers will communicate with students on Thursday regarding any eLearning assignments for Friday. More information on District 7’s eLearning procedures is available at spartanburg7.org/elearning.
The National Weather Service is forecasting strong winds, flooding, and severe weather conditions as this storm moves through our area. As a reminder, SC Bus Safety Regulations restrict the operation of school buses if sustained winds reach 30 mph or gusts of 40 mph. We will continue to monitor this storm and communicate any updates. Thank you for your understanding, as safety is always our top priority!
Free Parent Lunch and Learn Workshop: Technology
Drayton Mills Elementary School
Thursday, September 19, 2024
On Thursday, September 19, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., there will be a free workshop for parents on how to use PowerSchool and iReady parent portals to access student progress, grades, and attendance. Lunch will be provided.
Please register for the event using this link - https://forms.office.com/r/NKpKm4DRdN
The DMES Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a school-based organization that is dedicated to making DMES the best possible place for our students, parents, and teachers. Volunteering parents work in conjunction with DMES faculty to host special events and to raise funds to support our school activities. The organization meets on a monthly basis as indicated by our school calendar.
If you would like to volunteer for Drayton Mills Elementary PTO, please email our PTO board officers at DMES PTO or join us on Facebook at Dalmatian PTO ! We would love to hear from you!
PTO meeting dates for the year
September 10
October 1
November 12
January 7
February 4
March 4
April 15
May 6
For more information, Visit us at https://www.spartanburg7.org/o/draytonmills/page/pto.
Today, D7 students and staff showcased their school spirit in style, rocking colors from every corner of the collegiate world! Whether they were representing the SoCon, Ivy League, SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12, or any other league, the vibrant display of school spirit truly made our schools shine! ✨
From classic crimson and orange to bold navy and gold, our halls were alive with a rainbow of collegiate pride. It was a joyous reminder of the diverse paths our students can take and the shared love of learning that unites us all.
Now it's your turn to join the celebration! Share your favorite college team in the comments or post a pic from your College Colors Day! 📸👇 We’d love to see how you showed your spirit!
And for those craving some thrilling football action, don’t miss out on tonight’s SHS game as they face off against Dutch Fork under the lights at Viking Stadium, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. 🏈🔥 https://www.spartanburgvikings.org/
We’ll see everyone back at school on Tuesday, September 6. Until then, have a fantastic and safe Labor Day weekend!
#d7isgoingforgreat
#ToInspireAndEquip
#CollegeColorsDay
