Allendale students showcased at school board meeting

The voice of Alicia Keys opens every community meeting at Allendale County School District to remind students, educators, and parents that “this district is on fire;” a message of empowerment to remind all that Superintendent Dr. Margaret Gilmore and the school board are determined to ‘Ignite The Vision’ at ACSD.

JROTC

The Allendale-Fairfax High School (AFHS) Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. (JROTC) welcomed guests to the district’s community meeting on Oct. 27 with a flag ceremony. Tiger Battalion Color Guard (L-R) C/1st LT Arianna Priester, C/MSG Lokeya Robinson, C/MSG Trinity Mikell, and C/SSG Ramona Magee conducted the ceremony.

Chief Jeffrey Gordon and Sgt. Major Norman Fisher of the JROTC program at Allendale County School District (ACSD) shared highlights of a recent drill competition at the meeting where Allendale students finished in first and second place.

GRANTS & DONATIONS

After the flag ceremony, Allendale Town Councilwoman Lottie Lewis presented the district with a $500 check to assist with student uniforms on behalf of Emma’s Helping Hands House.

The Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation recently awarded ACSD with a $30,000 grant toward supporting the district’s summer learning program.

STATE REPORT CARD

Required per federal and state law, SC School Report Cards by The SC Education Oversight Committee gather and record state-wide data on how students are doing in schools in effort to better their academic performance and better the district overall.

The SC Education Oversight Committee states, “This ratings system provides parents, teachers and stakeholders a simple way to evaluate overall whether a particular school or system is exceeding, meeting, or not meeting the criteria required.”

The SC Education Oversight Committee uses performance indicators in several areas to be used in the school’s accountability system. These performance indicators are preparing for success, college and career readiness, school quality, student safety and many more.

“We have a plan in place to get these scores up,” said Dr. Gilmore of the state report card results.

In AFES, the overall school report card for the 2021-2022 year totaled 40, identifying a below average score. This is a three-point increase from the 2018-2019 year, the last time these scores were published due to a change in the federal and state accountability systems.

AFMS scored a 50, meaning a ‘good’ score, and AFHS scored a 49, noting ‘below average,’ according to the state rubric.

Each level of school is scored by a different rubric with similar factors as the needs of students change with age. The cumulative scores were dragged down in one area at ACSD, according to Dr. Gilmore–school climate.

School climate was rated ‘below average’ in the elementary school. At AFMS, the school climate was rated ‘unsatisfactory.’ At AHFS, it was rated ‘average’ with previous years bringing in scores in the ‘excellent’ range.

A ‘good’ score means the school’s performance exceeds the criteria needed for all students to fit the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate–characteristics students ideally will develop in SC schools such as worldly knowledge and career characteristics.

An ‘average’ score means the criteria is met, and a ‘below average’ score means the school is in jeopardy of not meeting the criteria. An ‘unsatisfactory’ score means school performance fails to meet the criteria set for the Profile of the SC Graduate.

Data for state-wide report cards are housed at https://screportcards.com/ and more information on state report cards is available at https://expectmoresc.com/sc-report-card/.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

Students are given the opportunity to get one-on-one guidance from a teacher at one of the many Saturday learning dates set for ACSD scholars.

Saturday school is in addition to the twice weekly after school tutoring programs available to elementary, middle, and high school students on the following dates: Nov. 5 & 19, Dec. 3 & 10, Jan. 21 & 28, Feb. 4 & 11, Mar. 11 & 28, Apr. 22 & 29, and May 13 & 22.

On Nov. 30, Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School (AFES) students who scored in the top of fall TE21 testing will go on a field trip to the First Baptist Church of Allendale to enjoy popcorn, drinks, a movie, ping-pong, pool, air hockey, and a game room. On Dec. 1, Allendale-Fairfax Middle School (AFMS) and AFHS students will meet with Pastor Fleming to partake in a similar reward for high test scores.

SPOTLIGHT SCHOLARS

At 4-years-old, AFES Montessori student Sevyn Saunders read a book to the audience at a crowded community meeting.

Saunders was supported by his aunt and teacher, Debra Thomas, as he read ‘Mondays’ by Gee Johnson.

When he picked up the Bible at two-years-old, his aunt was shocked when he was sounding out the words. Now, Sevyn reads all pre-K through four-year-old words, can read most K-3 words, and tackle words with multiple syllables.

Thomas explained she frequently asks him questions about what he read to test his comprehension, which he readily answers correctly.

AHFS senior Arian Williams received a $100,000 scholarship from Presbyterian College. To honor this accomplishment, Williams was recognized by Dr. Gilmore at the meeting and filmed a video highlighting her qualities like leadership and individuality that earned her the scholarship.

ACSD students were involved in the Voices & Votes Essay Contest with each school naming a first place winner. Each winner read their essay aloud at the meeting and was awarded with a gift card and certificate from Lewis.

In AFES, third grader Zoe Bunch won first place for her essay on the importance of voting. At AFMS, sixth grader Aidan Isham came in first place for his essay on how to be a good citizen (which includes voting when of age).

Eleventh grader and JROTC member Trinity Mickell won first place at AFHS and read her essay on the history of voting laws and what she has identified as three crucial rights. Dr. Gilmore proudly described Mickell’s essay as “college level.”

At the meeting, Lewis also presented second and third place winners with a certificate and a gift card.

RECOGNITIONS

At ACSD, the hard work of educators, staff, and scholars is celebrated daily. However, once a month these individuals get a moment in the spotlight when awarded as teacher, student, or support staff of the month. October students of the month were awarded with a $25 gift card and a certificate of recognition.

Students of the Month

AFES: Fourth grader Jaese Moroy-Meija was awarded as Student of the Month as described as an “awesome student,” by his teacher, Ms. Lawson.

AFMS: Z’Quavian Myers is described as a positive leader who is quick to volunteer for both the school and community.

AFHS: Ni’Shiya Sabb was awarded as October Student of the Month for being an “exemplary student,” according to her teachers. Sabb is the leader of the varsity cheerleading squad and a member of both the National Honor Society and Beta Club. She is described as focused, self-disciplined, hardworking, and responsible.

Evening School: Donte Harvey is always ready to tackle his own assignments and help others complete theirs. He is “ready and willing to extend a helping hand to the staff any time of the day.”

Teachers/Staff of the Month:

AFES: Keneisha Porter

AFMS: Aston Haughton

AFHS: Francisco Torres

Support Person: Gloria Fields (known as the FBI of attendance)

Bus Driver: Lottie Aiken

Custodian: Loretta Hartzog

Food service: Pauline Badger

Teachers with perfect attendance in the first nine weeks of school were awarded with a $25 gift card and a certificate.

AFES:

Roxanne Griddle

Melvina Hudson

Linda Jenkins

Willie Johnson

Vonncina Kirkland

Melissa Lee

Keneisha Porter

AFMS:

Eddie Dixon

Gary Hewitt

Shernette Morgan

AFHS:

Rudolph Bell

Vanessa Robinson

Cammie Brenstel