Pine Street Elementary -

🎵 🎻🪘🎷🎹 March is Music in Our Schools Month! 🎵 🎻🪘🎷🎹 For 40 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month. It is a time of year when schools and communities across the nation raise awareness about the importance of music education for all children, celebrate our music teachers and programs within the community, and demonstrate the value school music brings to students of all ages. In District 7, many of our annual school musicals take place during March and April. We invite our Spartanburg community to come enjoy these productions! The centerpiece of our musicals lineup is Spartanburg High School's production of Shrek The Musical, which takes place in our District 7 Fine Arts Center on April 24-27, 2025 and features students from our elementary, middle and high schools. Tickets are now on sale at https://our.show/D7Shrek! We also encourage you to explore the many other concerts and special music events presented by our schools. D7 students have an extra spring in their step as their dedication and hard work culminates in these opportunities to showcase the beautiful music they create! Together, they lift their voices and make their instruments soar - Going for Great in one symphony of sights and sounds! 🎵 District 7 School Musicals for 2024-2025 🎵 Jesse Boyd Elementary: Aristocats Kids March 11-13 – 9 am and 6pm Cleveland Academy: Finding Nemo Kids April 1 and 3 – 10 am, April 2 – 6 pm Mary H. Wright Elementary: Willy Wonka, Jr. April 1 – 10 am and 6 pm, April 3 – 6 pm Pine Street Elementary: Aladdin, Jr. December 4-6, 2024 E. P. Todd School: Into the Woods March 17-18 – 9 am and 6:30 pm Spartanburg High School: Shrek The Musical April 24-26 – 7 pm, April 27 – 3 pm

Friendly Reminder! Friday, March 14 is an eLearning day for students, serving as a make-up day for some of the six school days missed last fall during Hurricane Helene. We are continually inspired by the resilience of our students and the dedication of our families in supporting their success. Your partnership makes all the difference! Students will have two school days after each make-up day to complete and submit their eLearning assignments. For families in need of childcare and eLearning support, the City of Spartanburg is offering two FREE day camps: 🔹 Ages 5-12: CC Woodson Community Center (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.) 🔹 Ages 13-17: Dr. TK Gregg Center (12 p.m. – 5 p.m.) Snacks will be provided! While participation is free, advance registration is required—please scan the QR codes on the attached flyers for details. We are incredibly grateful for the City’s partnership in supporting our students and families. Thank you, parents and caregivers, for your unwavering support, flexibility, and commitment to your child’s education! 📚✨

Spartanburg School District 7 Closure Announcement – Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Due to the strong wind advisory in effect from 4 AM to 7 PM by the National Weather Service, Spartanburg District 7 schools will be closed on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Forecasts indicate sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph. In accordance with state safety regulations, school bus operations must be suspended when gusts exceed 45 mph, making travel unsafe for our students and staff. Unlike other weather-related closures earlier this year, this will not be an eLearning day, as we have exhausted our allotted eLearning days for the year. The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this weather-related closure. Please take all necessary precautions, stay safe, and look out for one another. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Thursday.

NOW OPEN: Applications for School Choice & Out-of-District Tuition March 1-31, 2025: Apply for rising 1st - 12th Grades July 15-31, 2025: Apply for rising 5K Families interested in School Choice (for those residing in District 7 who wish to request a school other than their zoned school) or Out-of-District Tuition (for those living outside District 7 who want to enroll their child in a District 7 school) can apply from March 1-31, 2025 for students entering 1st-12th grades for the 2025-2026 school year. For families with rising 5K students, the application window opens July 15, 2025. 🔹 Already enrolled through School Choice or Out-of-District Tuition? No need to reapply! Your child will remain at their current school. If transitioning to middle school, they will be enrolled in the middle school linked to their current elementary school. 📍 For full details and information, visit spartanburg7.org/schoolchoice.

🌟 2025-2026 Kindergarten Registration Now Open! 🌟 As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to ensure all current and future D7 families are well-informed about key enrollment dates and processes. Here’s everything you need to know to help guide families through this exciting time: 🎒 New 3K, 4K, and 5K Student Enrollment (2025-2026) Now Open! This enrollment period is specifically for new 3K, 4K, and 5K students, as well as current D7 3K students. Current D7 4K students will register for 5K during the returning student registration period after Spring Break. For full details, please visit our Kindergarten Enrollment Page (https://www.spartanburg7.org/kindergarten) 📚 3K Program Details • Need-based 3K classes are offered at Cleveland Academy of Leadership (located at The Franklin School) and Mary H. Wright Elementary. • Supported by a Full-Service Community Schools grant in partnership with Spartanburg Academic Movement and D7. • Acceptance Criteria: Priority given to students with financial and/or developmental needs, and those living in the school’s attendance zones. 🌟 4K Program Details • Available at all D7 elementary schools, offering need-based 4K programs. • Similar to 3K, acceptance is based on financial and developmental need through a formal application and assessment. 📅 Important Note for Current 3K & 4K Students: • Families of students currently in the 3K program should apply for 4K now. • Families of 4K students will register for 5K after Spring Break—no new student registration required. 🍎 5K Program Details • Children who turn five years old on or before September 1 of this year must enroll in a public or private 5K program, unless the parent or legal guardian signs a waiver. • If a waiver is signed, state law requires the child to enroll in 1st grade at age 6 the following year. • Free 5K programs are available at all D7 schools! 📅 Enrollment Timeline & Process D7 elementary schools are currently accepting: • 3K Applications • 4K Applications • NEW 5K Student Enrollment Forms What Families Need: Parents can find the required forms and information online at our Kindergarten Enrollment Page (https://www.spartanburg7.org/kindergarten). After filling out the forms, parents will need to bring them to their zoned elementary school along with the necessary documentation to complete the enrollment process. Additional Resources: • Find Your School & Attendance Zone (https://www.spartanburg7.org/attendancezone) • 3K, 4K, and 5K Enrollment Info & Forms (https://www.spartanburg7.org/kindergarten) 📢 5K–12th Grade Returning Student Enrollment (2025-2026): Opening After Spring Break Returning student enrollment for grades 5K–12 will begin after Spring Break. Parents/guardians will receive an email prompting them to complete the online enrollment process through their FinalForms account. We’d love your help in spreading the word! We are excited to welcome new families and students to D7! We are so excited for the 2025-2026 school year and can't wait to welcome all of our new students and families to D7! Let’s make this an unforgettable year! 🎉

💛🚍 February is Love the Bus Month! 🚍💛 Every morning and afternoon, Spartanburg School District 7's incredible school bus drivers ensure that more than 7,200 students arrive safely to and from school. They are the first smiling faces students see at the start of the day and the last to wish them well on the way home. Their dedication, kindness, and commitment to safety do not go unnoticed! 💛👏 This week, let's take a moment to show our gratitude to the amazing men and women behind the wheel. A simple "Thank You" can mean the world to those who work tirelessly to keep our students safe—especially as schools face ongoing bus driver shortages. 🚌✨ 💛 Interested in making a difference? D7 is hiring bus drivers! If you're looking for a rewarding career where you can have a positive impact on students and families, visit D7 Drive a Bus (https://www.spartanburg7.org/driveabus) to learn more. 🚍 To all our bus drivers — THANK YOU! You are essential, and we appreciate all that you do! 👏💛 #D7isGoingForGreat #ToInspireAndEquip

🌟🎉 Happy School Resource Officer Day! 🎉🌟 Today, we celebrate our amazing School Resource Officers across Spartanburg School District 7! 🚔💙 These dedicated men and women are so much more than just safety personnel; they are invaluable members of our school family. From the moment they walk through our doors, our SROs engage with students and staff, building lasting relationships that foster trust and support within our school community. They are always present, in the hallways, at events, and on the playground, making sure everyone feels safe and valued. Their commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment allows our students to thrive, and their positive influence inspires our youth to be their best selves every day. 🌟 Here’s to our SROs – thank you for your service, your guidance, and for being an essential part of our school life! We appreciate all that you do to keep us safe and help shape our future leaders! 💪🛡️ #SRODay #D7isGoingForGreat #ToInspireAndEquip

As a Reminder! Tomorrow, Friday, February 14 is an eLearning days for students, serving as a make-up day for some of the six school days missed last fall during Hurricane Helene. Legislators are still discussing whether to grant school boards flexibility to waive additional days. Students will have two school days after each make-up day to complete and submit their eLearning assignments. If you need childcare, the City of Spartanburg is offering two day camps for students – one for ages 5-12 at CC Woodson Community Center from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and one for ages 13-17 at the Dr. TK Gregg Center from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Snacks will be served and there is NO COST to participate, but advance registration is required. We are thankful for the City’s partnership in supporting our students!

🎉A Grandparents Day to Remember at Pine Street Elementary! 🎉 Grandparents Day is a beloved tradition at Pine Street Elementary, where we celebrate the love, wisdom, and legacy that grandparents bring into our students’ lives. This year’s 5th-grade celebration was even more special as we welcomed back Pine Street alumna and First Lady of South Carolina, Peggy McMaster! Returning to her childhood school, First Lady McMaster made the day unforgettable by visiting classrooms, spending time with students and staff, and sharing in the joy of this cherished tradition. Her visit was especially meaningful as she celebrated alongside her great-niece, Beth Rain, in Ms. April Volks’ classroom. There, students honored their grandparents in a touching way — writing and reciting original poems filled with love and gratitude. 💙 Here’s one beautiful poem by Mae Cutler that captures the spirit of the day: I’m from the smell of the burning curlers, From Lindor chocolate and Brewster’s ice cream. I’m from the colorful playroom where we played pretend teacher And made-up songs and stories. Cozy, warm, safe house, that is Mimi’s. I’m from “Oo, look, there's a bird” and “These deer always get my flowers.” You would tell me about all the different nets that keep the deer out And the different birds that visited your house. I’m from getting Christmas ornaments every Thanksgiving, And always being greeted at the front door with a warm hug. I’m from “Let’s go get another thing from Target and Starbucks,” From slipping me dollar bills and candy when Mom said, “No.” I’m from watching church services online every Sunday. I’m from Spartanburg, from spaghetti and chili, From the plane ride on the day you would rather watch the NFL playoffs. From the time we sang Taylor Swift at the top of our lungs On the lake house deck Thanksgiving week. The songs, the made-up stories, And all the times you spoiled me rotten Will always have an incredibly special place in my heart and memories. 💙 A huge thank you to all the grandparents who joined us today! Your love and support mean the world to our students, and we are so grateful for the memories made. 📸 We’d love to hear from you! Share your favorite Grandparents Day moment in the comments below!

Hot off the press! The February issue of 7Headlines is here! This edition is packed with celebrations—Jesse Boyd’s 60th anniversary, a kindergarten enrollment overview, all the fun Scene in 7 moments, and details on how to secure free tickets to see the U.S. Navy Concert Band live at Spartanburg High on March 13. This special performance honors 100 years of service by the U.S. Navy Band—don’t miss it! Check out all the highlights in this festive issue: https://tinyurl.com/7HeadlinesFeb2025 We’re feeling the love as we Go for Great in D7!

Honoring Our Incredible PTO Presidents! At this month’s School Board meeting, we had the privilege of celebrating the dedicated parents who lead our schools’ Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs). Two years ago, we began a tradition of recognizing these outstanding leaders, and what better time than February — the month of love — to show our appreciation for their hard work and heart? Our PTO presidents are the backbone of parent involvement in our schools. They are organizers, planners, decision-makers, fundraisers, and community builders. But most of all, they are champions for our students, families, and staff. Their tireless dedication strengthens the bridge between home and school, creating a culture of collaboration that benefits everyone. To officially welcome them as “insiders” in our D7 family, we presented them with a special gift — the exclusive District 7 golf umbrella. This coveted item is typically reserved for faculty, staff, and board members, making it a fitting symbol of the invaluable role these leaders play in our district. Join us in celebrating our 2023-2024 PTO presidents: 🎉 Cleveland Academy – Shaqual McMillian 🎉 Drayton Mills – Brandy Simpson 🎉 EP Todd – Christel Schweizer 🎉 Jesse Boyd – Kinsey Blackwell 🎉 Mary H. Wright – Rashida Davidson 🎉 Pine Street – Jessica Virgadamo 🎉 Carver – Regina Kershaw (not pictured) 🎉 McCracken – Erica McCarthy 🎉 Spartanburg High – Sarah Zemp These leaders embody the true spirit of service, and we are beyond grateful for their passion, energy, and commitment. Thank you for everything you do to make our schools stronger!

🌟 Happy National School Counseling Week! 🌟 Our exceptional counseling teams in Spartanburg School District 7 are in the spotlight this week! Their dedication to nurturing the minds and hearts of our students makes a world of difference. 💖 From the compassion they show in helping our youngest elementary learners navigate social skills and develop resilience, to the guidance they provide middle schoolers during crucial transitional years both academically and personally, to the mentorship they offer in helping high school students explore college and career paths—their roles are vital in shaping all students’ futures. 🎓 Thank you to these heroes for being our students’ champions, believing in their potential, offering a safe space to talk, providing essential resources, and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. We appreciate the countless ways they inspire and equip students to reach their full potential! Lisa Kerns - Career Specialist for all middle schools; Jesse Boyd - Patricia (Tricia) Pressley; Cleveland Academy - Karen Meadow-Rogers; Drayton Mills - Bettina Johnson, Courtney Huffman; Mary H. Wright - Kenneth Smith, Le'Jeta Proctor; Pine Street - Natalie Mullen, Jodi Stepp; EP Todd - Brandon Jones, Dr. Shani Fischer; Carver - Ebony Smith-Salters, Andrea Little, Erica Smith; McCracken - Daniel O'Brien, Naila Ray, Anthony Brothers; Spartanburg High - Erin Lyerly, Terri Roberson, Shara Jones, O'Shay Davenport, Denise Foster, Dr. Matt Love, Lauren Hicklin, Piper Holmes, Addie Jones; Daniel Morgan Technology - Teleisha Fields, Delilah Goode; Whitlock Flexible Learning - Alison Wight, Fred Ford; MCarthy-Teszler - Carmelita Byrd

🌟 Happy National School Counseling Week! 🌟 Our exceptional counseling teams in Spartanburg School District 7 are in the spotlight this week! Their dedication to nurturing the minds and hearts of our students makes a world of difference. 💖 From the compassion they show in helping our youngest elementary learners navigate social skills and develop resilience, to the guidance they provide middle schoolers during crucial transitional years both academically and personally, to the mentorship they offer in helping high school students explore college and career paths—their roles are vital in shaping all students’ futures. 🎓 Thank you to these heroes for being our students’ champions, believing in their potential, offering a safe space to talk, providing essential resources, and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. We appreciate the countless ways they inspire and equip students to reach their full potential! #D7isGoingForGreat #ToInspireAndEquip #NSCW25

Across District 7, our schools are celebrating Black History Month throughout February. Studying important historical and modern-day Black figures and their contributions inspires a wide variety of learning opportunities, such as hosting a wax museum, hearing from guest speakers, creating new inventions, making artwork, school-wide assemblies and spirit days, creating book-inspired quilts, decorating classroom doors, and much more. Check out our schools’ social media pages for individual lists of events and photos of our students in action throughout the month!

District 7 will hold an eLearning day on Wednesday, January 22 due to winter weather conditions. The National Weather Service has issued both a "Winter Weather Advisory" and a "Severe Weather Advisory" for Spartanburg County, calling for wind chill as low as -7 for tomorrow morning and the possibility of continued snowfall. Unsafe road conditions are expected, as temperatures are projected to remain below freezing throughout tomorrow.   Teachers will communicate details regarding eLearning assignments 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 highest priority.

The wait is over! Our 2025-2026 academic school calendar is here, ready to help you map out the school year ahead. From planning family trips to marking key milestones, this essential tool has you covered. Need an easy-to-access version? Simply click here to download it: https://www.spartanburg7.org/d7academiccalendar

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 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!