Anderson School District One - A Tradition of Excellence

Congratulations to our Valedictorians of the Class of 2023! 🎓 Palmetto High School - Emma Kate Austin Powdersville High School - Avi Patel Wren High School - Luke Palassis

Anderson School District One’s 44th Annual Retirement Lunch was held on May 17, 2023, at the Anderson School District 1 & 2 Career and Technology Conference Center. Retirees were honored and recognized for their years of dedicated service in Anderson One. Robbie Binnicker, Superintendent, presented each person with a plaque listing their total number of years. 37 retirees have devoted over 749 years of service to the students of Anderson School District One. Mr. Binnicker said, “It is a privilege and honor to recognize our long-serving employees that have provided academic and support services in Anderson One. We wish them the very best in their retirement.” LEEANN ALEWINE, WEST PELZER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAROL ALSUP, CONCRETE PRIMARY SCHOOL DEBORAH ARROWOOD, PALMETTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JANE AYERS, SPEARMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUE BAAB, WREN HIGH SCHOOL MASTER CHIEF CLIFF BAILEY, WREN HIGH SCHOOL KIM SHUEY BARKER, PALMETTO HIGH SCHOOL RENEE BROCK, CONCRETE PRIMARY SCHOOL TONI CARSON, POWDERSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL NATALYA CHERAPANOVA, SPEARMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MISSY COOPER, WREN MIDDLE SCHOOL TERRI CORTEZ, PALMETTO HIGH SCHOOL DENISE COTHRAN, WREN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PAMELA COUCH, PALMETTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MICKEY CROCKER, PALMETTO HIGH SCHOOL SHARI CURTI, PALMETTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SALLIE FAUST, WREN HIGH SCHOOL KRISTIE FINLEY, CEDAR GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GERALYN JELINEK, WREN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BETH KYLE, CEDAR GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JACKIE LINDLEY, HUNT MEADOWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DANA LIVINGSTON, SPEARMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JILL MCDONALD, PALMETTO HIGH SCHOOL BILLY MEEKS, PALMETTO MIDDLE SCHOOL DARLENE MEEKS, PALMETTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MICHAEL NELSON, POWDERSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL YVONNE NICHOLS, WEST PELZER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JOEY OWENS, WREN MIDDLE SCHOOL JULIE ROBINSON, WREN HIGH SCHOOL BILLY SMITH, MAINTENANCE SANDRA SMITH, WEST PELZER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KAREN SWEAT, PALMETTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JEFF TATE, WREN HIGH SCHOOL LARA TATE, WREN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TAMELA WARD, WREN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LISA WARDLAW, PALMETTO HIGH SCHOOL SHERRY WATERS, WREN HIGH SCHOOL Pictured Left to Right: Front Row - Karen Sweat, Missy Cooper, Tamela Ward, Denise Cothran, Dana Livingston, Sandra Smith, Carol Alsup, Terri Cortez Back Row - Kristie Finley, Yvonne Nichols, Pamela Couch, Shari Curti, Jill McDonald, Natalya Cherapanova, Jane Ayers, Geralyn Jelinek, Sue Baab, Toni Carson, Renee Brock, Beth Kyle

May 18th has been designated as National Speech Language Pathologist Day. Anderson School District One is blessed to have a wonderful team that works with our schools to meet the language needs of our ASD1 students. Thank you to these individuals for the work they do every day. The speech language pathology field began growth in the 1920’s as speech pathologists focused on treating soldiers returning from war. Today, throughout America, over 119,000 speech language pathologists work in a variety of fields. You’ll find speech language pathologists in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, schools, early intervention settings, universities and private practices. In 2010, the United States dedicated May 18th as ‘National Speech Pathologist’ day, a day to recognize these incredible individuals.

Memorial Day Holiday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ANDERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE RECOGNIZED AS THE FIRST MODEL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY AT WORK® IN SOUTH CAROLINA Anderson One is one of 34 districts in the United States to receive this honor and the first in South Carolina. (Williamston, SC) —Anderson One was recently recognized by Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. Anderson One’s successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work® process was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students. PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to: 1. Focus on learning. 2. Build a collaborative culture. 3. Create a results orientation. Responding to news of the recognition, Superintendent Robbie Binnicker said, “We believe that teachers working collaboratively, which is one of the main focuses of Professional Learning Communities, is the key to helping Anderson One reach the very top of performance in the State.” Districts are recognized based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the district must explain its practices, structures, and culture and submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee. Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Instruction Dr. Jeff Wilson said, “What a great accomplishment for Anderson School District One! Being one of only 34 nationwide Model PLC Districts is quite an honor. Our teachers and staff are committed to improving their instructional practice leading to increased student learning. We all believe PLCs are the path to continuous improvement. “ According to the Champions of PLC at Work®, educators in the schools and districts selected for this recognition have shown “a sustained commitment to helping all of their students achieve at high levels. They have been willing to alter the structure and culture of the organization to reflect their commitment. We applaud them and congratulate them for achieving this very significant milestone on the never-ending PLC journey.” Director of Elementary Education Brad Moore said “Being honored as the first Model PLC District in the state of South Carolina is evidence of the commitment our district has made to high levels of learning for all students. I am so proud of our teachers and their dedication to the right work." Director of Secondary Education, Dr. Chris Ferguson added, “We are committed to continuous improvement for our schools and our students. This award is reassurance that we are heading in the right direction.” Recognized model PLC schools and districts are listed on allthingsplc.info, where they share implementation strategies, structures, and performance with other educators interested in improving their schools. Tools for team collaboration, articles and research about PLCs, blog posts, and other related resources are also available on the site. The site was developed and is maintained by Solution Tree, a leading provider of educational strategies and tools that improve staff and student performance. For more than 20 years, Solution Tree resources have helped K–12 teachers and administrators create schools where all children succeed.

Come be a p"art" of our team!

Thank you school nurses again for the care you provide to our ASD1 family.

We are so very proud of this amazing accomplishment!

Now hiring...Elementary Teachers

May 10th has been designated as National School Nurse Day. Anderson School District One would like to share appreciation for our outstanding team of school nurses. They are a vital part of our district and the care they provide to each student, faculty, and staff is phenomenal. Thank you for being such an integral part of our Tradition of Excellence. National School Nurse Day is a day for people to show appreciation for nurses who are serving in a school setting. The National Education Association established a separate entity that looked after the interests of school nurses in the late 1960s. This association was called the Department of School Nurses, and its primary purpose was to improve the quality of school nursing. Throughout the 1970s, each state set standards that school nurses must meet. In 1974, President Ford proclaimed that National School Nurse Day would be celebrated each year in January. Since then, the date has been moved to coincide with National Nurse Week.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PALMETTO HIGH SCHOOL RECOGNIZED AS A PROMISING PRACTICES PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY AT WORK® Palmetto High School was recently recognized by Solution Tree as a Promising Practices Professional Learning Community at Work® for its initial success in raising student achievement. The school’s commitment to implementing the PLC at Work process has been a major contributing factor in making a visible, positive impact on student learning. PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize that the key to improved learning for students is ongoing, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to: 1. Focus on learning 2. Build a collaborative culture 3. Create a results orientation Responding to news of the recognition, Mr. Robert Roach said, “We are very pleased to receive this recognition of our staff's ongoing commitment to improving student learning focused on collaboration and data analysis.” Anderson One Superintendent Robbie Binnicker added, “We are very proud of the hard work and dedication of the Palmetto High School faculty and staff. Palmetto High School is truly committed to ALL students learning at high levels.” Promising Practices schools are recognized for building a strong foundation based on the PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least one to two years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture and submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee. Recognized Promising Practices schools are listed on AllThingsPLC.info, where they share implementation strategies, structures, and performance with other educators interested in improving their schools. Collaboration tools, articles, research, blog posts, and other related resources are also available on the site. The site was developed and is maintained by Solution Tree, a leading provider of educational strategies and tools that improve staff and student performance. For more than 20 years, Solution Tree resources have helped K–12 teachers and administrators create schools where all children succeed. For more information, please contact: Dr. Stacy Carlton Palmetto High School 804 N. Hamilton Street, Williamston SC 29697 864-847-7311 carltons@apps.anderson1.org

Congratulations to Natalie Gilmore for being selected as a U.S. Congressional Competition winner! Her winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capital next year.

May 8 - 12 is designated as Teacher Appreciation Week. Anderson School District One is proud of our amazing educational professionals. Our district consistently ranks very high in the state of South Carolina for the education provided to our students. This is due to the compassion, dedication, care, and encouragement these teachers offer to our ASD1 students. Thank you for your commitment to the educational success of all our students.

Our schools have done a wonderful job showcasing appreciation to our district lunch heroes today and we are grateful for each student nutrition services employee that serves our students. Thank you!

PALMETTO MIDDLE SCHOOL RECOGNIZED AS A MODEL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY AT WORK® **On April 10, 2023, Palmetto Middle School was designated as a “Model PLC at Work” school by Solution Tree.** **Palmetto Middle School became the fourth middle school and the sixth overall school in the state to receive this designation.** Williamston, SC 5/1/23 — Palmetto Middle School in Anderson School District One was recently recognized by Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. The school’s successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work® process was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students. PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to: 1. Focus on learning. 2. Build a collaborative culture. 3. Create a results orientation. Responding to news of the recognition, Principal Jason McCauley said, “The PLC journey at Palmetto Middle School has been absolutely incredible! We truly believe that ALL of our students can and should be learning at high levels. The PLC process ensures this by keeping us at the very top of our game each and every day.” Anderson One Superintendent Robbie Binnicker added, “On behalf of our Board of Trustees and District Administration, we are very excited about Palmetto Middle being named only the fourth Model PLC middle school in the State. We are proud of the wonderful work that the staff is engaged in to ensure all students achieve at high levels.” Schools are recognized based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture and submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee. Eighth-grade ELA teachers Stephanie Bolt and Jennifer Anderson added, "The PLC process at Palmetto Middle School has opened many doors of collaboration. We have been able to coordinate experiences for students between related arts courses and also core classes. We have also been able to plan vertically with the High School teachers throughout the district, ultimately resulting in students being equipped with tools for success in college and beyond.” According to the Champions of PLC at Work®, educators in the schools and districts selected for this recognition have shown “a sustained commitment to helping all of their students achieve at high levels. They have been willing to alter the structure and culture of the organization to reflect their commitment. We applaud them and congratulate them for achieving this very significant milestone on the never-ending PLC journey.” Recognized model PLC schools are listed on allthingsplc.info, where they share implementation strategies, structures, and performance with other educators interested in improving their schools. Tools for team collaboration, articles, and research about PLCs, blog posts, and other related resources are also available on the site. The site was developed and is maintained by Solution Tree, a leading provider of educational strategies and tools that improve staff and student performance. For more than twenty years, Solution Tree resources have helped K–12 teachers and administrators create schools where all children succeed.

Congratulations to Powdersville High School Band on this prestigious award! "We are proud to announce that we have earned the Outstanding Performance Award for the 2022-2023 school year! We are honored to be on this prestigious list. To earn this award performers must represent our school in various events throughout the year; a true measure of a band’s comprehension and well-roundedness. Congratulations to all of our students!" https://www.bandlink.org/.../2023-outstanding.../ #greatbandbetterpeople #powdersvillepatriots

Not all heroes wear capes Between preparing delicious food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, Anderson School District One nutrition professionals have a lot on their plate. To celebrate their hard work and commitment, we will celebrate School Lunch Hero Day on May 5.

Congratulations to Powdersville Middle School! · From Powdersville Middle Facebook. "We are celebrating a big thing today! Powdersville Middle has been recognized as a PLTW Distinguished School for 2022-2023! This award highlights our commitment to empowering students through STEM education opportunities in our Gateway program. PVMS is just one of nine schools in SC to receive the award!"

Graduation Information Reminder

Great opportunity to be a Powdersville Patriot!