Virtual Instruction Extended through Week of January 18-22

Due to the record number of COVID-19 cases in Florence County, Florence 1 Schools will remain completely virtual for an additional week which includes the week of January 18th through January 22nd with schools closed on Monday the 18th in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday.

Meal Pickup Information January 11th and 15th

Updated times and location for meal pickup the week of January 11th.

This Week - January 8, 2021

News for and about People in Florence 1 Schools

Florence 1 Schools employees receive COVID-19 vaccine

Starting this week, more than forty Florence 1 Schools employees are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine through McLeod Health.

Florence County Adult Education staff to present virtually at national conference

For the second year in a row, two Florence County Adult Education staff members have been selected to present at the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) annual conference.

District Update - January 3rd

Find information about technology assistance and meal pick up times, dates and locations.

Virtual Instruction Beginning in January

Florence 1 Schools has announced that upon the end of the winter break, all schools will return to total virtual instruction for the next two weeks.

Florence 1 Schools Closed for Winter Break

Classes resume on January 4th.

Seven-day Box Meals Distributed December 21st

On Monday, December 21, each school will start the distribution of the 7-Day Box Meals between the hours of 2 to 5 pm.

Fresh Air Gallery- December 7th-29th

Check out the art in the windows at 135 South Dargan Street.

A Message from the Superintendent

December 21st, 22nd, and 23rd will be remote learning days for ALL students. All Florence One School buildings will be closed, and all students and staff will work virtually from home on these three days. There will be no childcare or extended day academy during this time.

Grants help create lending library for F1S Child Development Centers

Woods Road and R.N. Beck Child Development Centers will soon have a lending library thanks to grants from Sonoco and Pee Dee Ready Mix. A team of Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) in Florence 1 Schools put together the proposal that allowed them to secure the grants to create the library.

Florence 1 Schools offers incentive to fill bus driver gap

Some Florence 1 Schools employees could soon be filling a new role as the district continues to face a bus driver shortage.

Florence 1 Schools Quarter 1 Report Cards Released

Florence 1 Schools Quarter 1 Report Cards are being delivered using two methods.

See the STEM Bus in Action

The F1S STEM bus has been traveling all over the district. Check out pictures and video of the bus in action.

Florence 1 Schools employees present at national conferences

Two Florence 1 Schools employees will be making presentations during national Assistive Technology conferences, both held virtually due to COVID-19.

West Florence, Wilson High School achieve highest graduation rates in history

According to new data from the South Carolina Department of Education, the graduation rate for Florence 1 Schools increased by 2.3 percent in the 2019-2020 school year, with West Florence High School and Wilson High School achieving their highest gradation rates ever at 91.6 percent and 86.6 percent respectively.

National Physical Therapy Month: How Ashlee McLeod was drawn to PT & how COVID-19 changed the field

October is National Physical Therapy Month. Florence 1 Schools physical therapist Ashlee McLeod recently had the opportunity to reflect on what led her to the field and the creative way that district therapists had to evolve their sessions due to COVID-19.

Teacher of the Year 2020-2021

View the announcement of the 2020-2021 Teacher, Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year.

Therapy packets help virtual students meet therapy goals at home

Just as student learning environments have changed in the last year, therapy sessions have had to evolve as well. Therapists in Florence 1 Schools are using tele-therapy to meet with students, even creating at-home therapy packets for students who are enrolled in the district’s Virtual Academy.

The School Foundation secures donation for connectivity needs to benefit Florence 1 Schools students

The School Foundation recently secured a $44,000 donation from the Longleaf Fund, an anonymous donor-advised fund managed by Foundation For The Carolinas, to support remote learning in the district. These funds will help ensure that every child in F1S is afforded the opportunity to learn remotely when being in the classroom is not always a viable option.

School meals are now FREE for all students

Florence 1 Schools and Chartwells are working to ensure that school meals are one thing you don't need to worry about.

Friday Night Bytes: eSports joins Florence 1 Schools athletics roster

Competitive video gaming, called eSports, has grown in popularity across the nation and now has a home in F1S, complete with a state-of-the-art eSports facility, housed in the Poynor Education building.

Nomination Period Opens for Horizons and H2 Gifted and Talented Programs

On October 6th, Florence One Schools began accepting nominations for the Horizons and H2 gifted and talented programs.

School-based garden program expanding in Florence 1 Schools as a result of Duke Energy Foundation grant

Thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, three more schools in Florence 1 will be able to start a garden.

Wilson High School students excel on National German Exam

Nearly 20,000 students participated in the National German Exam, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), this year. Six Wilson High School students achieved scores in the 90th percentile or higher)

Wheels on the STEM Bus will Go ‘Round and ‘Round to Florence 1 Schools

On October 1st, school officials, along with some community partners, unveiled the new Florence 1 Schools STEM bus.

Finance Committee to Meet on Friday, October 2

The Finance Committee of the Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees will meet on Friday, October 2nd at 8:30 a.m.

Freedom Florence Fall 2020 Football Guidelines

What to expect when you attend a football game at Freedom Florence.

Florence One Schools Announces Innovative Programs for Visual and Performing Arts Students

Florence 1 Schools has been working on several community partnerships to enhance learning opportunities for visual and performing arts students across the district.

Sneed Stadium Fall 2020 Guidelines

What to expect when you attend a football game at Sneed Stadium.

Two Florence 1 schools Recognized by National Network of Partnership Schools

Delmae Elementary and Carver Elementary have been recently recognized for their exemplary practices by the Johns Hopkins University National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS). Delmae's Read to Lead Program and Carver's Reading Under the Big Top are included in the new book of Promising Partnership Practices 2020.

Fall 2020 Memorial Stadium Protocols

What to expect when you attend a football game at Memorial Stadium.

Statement from Dr. O'Malley

This morning district administrators were notified of an inexcusable public Facebook post made by a teacher.

Florence 1 Schools launches resource portal for parents

A brand-new eLearning Parent Portal has launched on the Florence 1 Schools website filled with resources from the four core curriculum areas.

New horticulture teacher looks forward to hands-on learning with students

Agriculture was once a way of life for many families. With the Farm to School movement growing in Florence 1 Schools, students are once again learning about where their food comes from. Robbie Myers, in his role as Horticulture Teacher at the Florence Career Center, said he is looking forward to sharing his passion for agriculture with students.

Teacher retention up in Florence 1 Schools as district starts new school year

Florence 1 Schools students started a new school year bright and early September 8th. In an unprecedented time for education, the district starts the year with zero certified position vacancies.

Sept. 3 Facebook Live: Culinary Services

Chartwells shares information on meal service for ALL Florence 1 students for the 2020-2021 school year

Free and reduced meals application

Applications for free and reduced meals are available now

Florence 1 Schools and MUSC Health Florence Medical Center partner to test students and staff for COVID-19

MUSC Health Florence Medical Center and Florence 1 Schools are teaming up to make COVID-19 testing easily available for school district students and staff.

IB scores released for 2019-2020 school year

Twenty-eight students in the Wilson class of 2020 graduated with an IB Diploma.

Facebook Live August 24th-- Programs for Exceptional Children

If you have a student in our Programs for Exceptional Children please watch this Facebook Live from August 24th!

Virtual Academy Related Service Clinic

As an option to virtual therapy for students enrolled in the Virtual Academy, we will offer a Related Service Clinic.

REMINDER: In-person registration and Chromebook distribution

Please take note of the change in dates for in-person registration/Chromebook distribution due to the re-opening of enrollment for the F1S Virtual Academy.

Facebook Live August 20-- F1S Virtual Academy

During the F1S Facebook Live Aug. 20th, Dr. O'Malley was joined by Assistant Superintendents Michelle McBride and Greg Hall to talk about the F1S Virtual Academy.

A Guide for Parents: Children and Face Masks

McLeod Health has provided a resource for parents which will help them prepare students to practice safely wearing masks during the school day.

Florence 1 Schools Releases A Series of Videos to Outline Preparations for School Re-Opening

Florence 1 Schools releases a series of educational videos designed to educate parents and students about the preparation, precautionary measures, and plans to prepare students for a safe return to school on September 8.

School Board Connection: August 13 Board of Trustees Meeting

A Summary of the Action Taken at the August 13, 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting

Florence Darlington Technical College Dual Enrollment Information

Florence 1 Schools is partnering with Florence-Darlington Technical College to offer a Dual Enrollment Program for students at all three high schools.

Fall 2020 Re-Entry Plan

Florence 1 Schools has created a Re-Entry Plan document for our community with our plans for the 2020-2021 school year.

Florence 1 Schools announces executive appointments

Florence One Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard O’Malley announced a round of executive appointments on Monday. These individuals are current employees of the district who will transition to new roles.

Williams Middle School Students Excel on National German Exam

Students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme at Williams Middle School excelled on the National German Examination sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG).

West Florence Graduation Ceremony Postponed Due to Inclement Weather

Due to inclement weather, the West Florence graduation ceremony has been postponed.

Wilson High School Graduation Ceremony Postponed Due to Inclement Weather

Due to inclement weather, the Wilson High School graduation ceremony has been postponed.

Registration Open for F1S Extended Day Academy

Registration begins June 1 for Extended Day Academy.

Florence 1 Teacher of the Year Awarded Excellence in Teaching Scholarship

Nichole Scipio is one of two South Carolina teachers awarded a full-tuition Excellence in Teaching Scholarship from Coker University.

Graduation 2020 Rehearsal Video

Send a Smile to Someone!

Chartwells is participating in a wonderful campaign to spread a little joy to older adults who may be lonely during this time. Please see all of the details below.

Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees Meeting

Click to view the May 14th, 2020 Board Meeting recording

South Florence Choraliers Present Gift to the Community: A Virtual Performance of Hamilton (Highlights)

The South Florence Choraliers have produced a virtual performance for the community. Dr. Erick Figueras, Dual Enrollment Music Instructor at South Florence and Director of the South Florence Choraliers, has extended an invitation to the community to take a few moments to view a virtual display of talent featuring the students performing Hamilton (Highlights) by Lin-Manuel Miranda, arranged by Lisa DeSpain.

Details announced for Related Service Summer Clinic

We are pleased to announce the Related Services Clinic that will be provided June 1-July 15 (week of June 29 closed for July 4th holiday) for students with physical therapy, occupational therapy and/or speech language therapy on their IEPs.

Graduation plans set for Class of 2020

Click here to view Graduation information

Florence 1 Schools starts family support hotline

In continuing efforts to provide support for students and their families, F1S has launched a family support hotline.

Important End of Year Information

During the Facebook Live on April 28, Dr. O'Malley shared important information about the end of the year and upcoming student registration.

Horizons and H2 Canceled for June 2020

I regret to inform you that the Horizons and H2 Gifted and Talented Summer Program for June 2020 has been canceled due to COVID-19.

Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $340,000 to South Carolina K-12 education organizations during COVID-19 crisis

Florence 1 Schools received $20,000 for the Clean Energy Program at West Florence High School.“We are very excited about the grant from Duke Energy that will allow us to continue to have the Clean Energy class as part of the STEM Magnet Program at West Florence High School, said Florence 1 Schools STEM Director Chris Rogers.

Elizabeth Jackson Named Principal at Timrod Elementary School

Elizabeth Jackson, Assistant Principal at Timrod Elementary, has been named the school’s new principal. Jackson, who has 28 years of educational experience, all of which with the exception of one year, have been at Timrod.

DHEC Covid Awareness for Workplaces

In workplaces and other group settings, it can be difficult to determine who may have come into contact with a person infected with COVID-19. DHEC wants you to be aware of the possible symptoms and take the recommended actions to protect yourself and prevent spread of COVID-19 at work.

MiFi hotspot devices being distributed to Florence 1 Schools students

In the third phase of a plan to ensure digital equity, Florence 1 Schools is working to distribute mobile hotspot devices to students across the district who do not have internet access.

Florence 1 Schools Virtual Board Meeting

The Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be made available to the public via the school system’s social media sites, Facebook Live and YouTube channel only.

Florence 1 Schools’ Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for the 7th Year in a Row

For the seventh straight year, Florence 1 Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

Kindergarten Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for kindergarten.

First Reliance Bank Partners with Florence One Schools to Bring Affordable Housing to Eligible Teachers

First Reliance Bank is offering $100,000 in affordable housing grants to eligible teachers and educators who work for Florence One Schools. Up to 13 $7,500 awards will be granted during the program time frame through the Hometown Heroes program to assist in the revitalization and stabilization of local communities with a primary focus on encouraging home purchases by teachers.

Florence 1 Schools Announces COVID-19 Emergency Fund Donation

On Tuesday, March 24, Florence 1 Schools announced a donation of $10,000 to the COVID-19 Emergency Funds created at McLeod Health and MUSC-Health Florence. The donation, $5,000 each from BSN Sports and First Bank, will be made in the name of Florence 1 Schools by these two district partners.

All SC Schools Closed By Gov. McMaster

Beginning Monday, March 16, Florence 1 Schools will be closed

Florence 1 Schools Selected to Co-Create a Framework on Improving Inclusive School Technology Systems

Florence 1 Schools (F1S) was one of just seven school districts selected nationwide to participate as a Framework Development District in the newly created Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES), funded by the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs.

Winning Teams at Wilson

The Wilson High School Academic Challenge Team won the Pee Dee Regional Tournament at Francis Marion University this past weekend, and is heading to the state tournament on March 6 at Lander University. Congratulations to the Wilson High School Mock Trial Team for success at their Regional Competition Saturday. They will advance to the State Competition in Columbia on March 13-14.

Delmae Elementary Invites Parents to Learn More About Language Immersion Program

Delmae Elementary School will hold an interest meeting for parents who would like to receive information about the Language Immersion Program. The Language Immersion Program meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the media center.

Smart technology increases student safety, efficiency at Florence 1 high schools

All three Florence 1 high schools have new security equipment in place, increasing student safety while also making the student intake process quicker. As of the end of January, all three schools have them fully operational. Currently, there are two Evolv Express machines at each of the schools with plans to add a third.

New Sensory Rooms Open in Florence 1 Schools

Two Florence 1 Schools sensory rooms are complete and another one is on the way! Made up of several different stations and items, the rooms at Lester Elementary, the R.N. Beck Learning Center and, soon, the Child Development Center at Woods Road, provide students a place to work on motor skills as well as emotional self-regulation.

South Florence Hires New Head Football Coach

South Florence High School has a new head football coach after Drew Marlowe Jr. received approval during the Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees meeting held December 12.

North Vista holds Spanish Cultural Event

North Vista Elementary Kindergarten and First Grade Classes along with the school Spanish Club participated in a Spanish Cultural Event on December 10th.

John W. Moore Receives Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grant for the Environmental Center

The Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has awarded a $4,770.00 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education® grant to John W. Moore in Florence for creating an Environmental Center at Moore where students and staff can take their learning outside.

Primary Years IB program going strong at North Vista Elementary

North Vista Elementary School recently held a Principal’s Breakfast where an update was given on the school’s Primary Years International Baccalaureate Program (PYP).

Wilson Student to Compete in International German Olympics 2020

Sophie Watson, a junior at Wilson High School, has advanced to the National Final Round of the International German Olympics 2020.

Students Recognized for Perfect Scores on South Carolina Standardized Tests

At its November meeting, the Florence 1 Schools Trustees recognized students who earned perfect scores on standardized tests during the 2018-19 school year. Twenty- five students earned the maximum score on a portion of the SC READY, and 10 students earned a perfect score on a portion of the SC PASS.

USC President to Visit South Florence High School

The University of South Carolina President Dr. Robert L. Caslen will visit South Florence High School as a part of a special partnership program.

West Florence High School’s Nichole Scipio Named Florence 1 Schools 2019-20 Teacher of the Year

Nichole Scipio explains her path to becoming a classroom teacher began with an original desire to work in the medical field.

Florence 1 Schools IB Program receives commendations on five-year evaluation

Florence 1 Schools recently received the results of the five-year evaluation of their International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. In the results, the program received several commendations including one for increasing the number of classes offered as well as the recent expansion at both the MYP and the IB Diploma levels.

First Florence 1 student books job using drone certification

For Emily Barnett, the drone certification course at West Florence High School is really paying off. Barnett is the first Florence 1 Schools student to be paid to use their drone operating skills.

National Mental Illness Awareness Week Seeks To End Stigma

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 out of every 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year and 1 out of every 25 adults in the U.S. experience serious mental illness each year.

Florence 1 Schools receive Palmetto Gold and Silver awards

FLORENCE, SC--The State Department of Education today announced the winners of the 2018 and 2019 Palmetto Gold and Silver Schools. Florence 1 Schools had three schools chosen to receive these awards.

Florence 1 Schools more than doubles number of ‘Excellent’ schools on new SC Dept of Ed report cards

According to new school report card data released by the South Carolina Department of Education, four schools in Florence 1 Schools achieved the highest overall rating of Excellent, more than doubling the number from the previous school year.

Boeing visits STEM schools in Florence 1

Students at Carver Elementary Magnet School and West Florence High School had some very special guests Oct. 2 as Boeing Communications Specialist Libba Holland and Education Relations Specialist Frank Hatten visited their classes.

Students in Florence 1 Schools Named National Merit Semifinalists

Three Florence 1 high school seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. Rebecca Liu, Saloman Campos-Rice and Isabella Ouyang all of Wilson High School have been selected as semifinalists, an honor that less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors achieve.

Farm to School Month in Florence 1 Schools

What activities will you take part in for Farm to School Month?

Help 4 Kids partners with Florence 1 Schools for fresh fruit stands

Through a generous donation from the Florence Wine and Food Festival, Florence 1 and Help 4 Kids have partnered for another endeavor: fresh fruit stands in schools.

Sideline Stores Now Online For All Middle and High Schools

Time to stock up on all your favorite school’s apparel! The BSN SPORTS Sideline Stores for Sneed Middle, Southside Middle, Williams Middle, South Florence High, West Florence High and Wilson High Schools are now online.

Helle Heckmann to return to Florence in September

Heckmann to promote Florence 1 Schools and The School Foundation’s 5 Golden Keys early childhood initiative.

The ClassLink My Florence launchpad is here!

The ClassLink “My Florence” launchpad is here! Find the district’s most popular applications and your child’s instructional resources all in one place

McLeod Health and Florence 1 Schools Partner to Offer School-Based Telehealth Program

McLeod Health and Florence 1 Schools announced on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, a partnership to offer a School-Based Telehealth Program (SBTP) at four locations within Florence 1 Schools this school year.

Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees to Meet on Thursday, August 8

The Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, August 8th at 7:00 p.m. in the John T. Sullivan Board Meeting Room of the School Administration Building located at 319 South Dargan Street.

Florence 1 Schools offers free meals at seven schools for upcoming school year

Students at seven schools in Florence 1 will receive breakfast and lunch completely free starting in the 2019-2020 school year, thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.

New administrators named in Florence 1 Schools

At its most recent regular meeting, the Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees approved the administration’s recommendation to hire two new administrators.

Timrod kicks off 2019-2020 school year

School is officially back in session for Henry Timrod Elementary School. Timrod students are the first in Florence 1 Schools to kick off the 2019-2020 school year, heading back into the classroom Monday, July 29. Principal Michelle McBride said that students and staff were so excited for the new year to begin.

Florence 1 Schools Media Specialists Explain Library Role in 21st Century Learning

The job of a librarian, oftentimes now called a media specialist in the school setting, has changed a lot over the years. Several Florence 1 Schools libraries/media centers were recently on display

Wilson IB results show nearly 80 percent overall pass rate

Long–awaited International Baccalaureate scores have been released for the 2018-2019 school year. According to the results, Wilson High School students had a 77 percent subject pass rate overall.

Florence 1 Schools is Now Enrolling Four-Year-Old Children in Preschool Programs

Enroll for Free 4-year-old kindergarten! Starting in August 2019! Your child must be 4 before September 1, 2019. Call 843-758-6869 or 843-673-1129 to enroll!

Over 250 Teachers in Florence 1 Schools Recognized for Perfect Attendance

Two hundred sixty (262) certified teachers in Florence 1 Schools have received recognition for having perfect attendance during the 2018-19 school year. Each of these teachers will receive a monetary award of $2,000 each on June 14.

South Florence High School teachers chosen for fellowship program

It may be close to the end of the school year but several teachers from South Florence High School will soon be headed back into the classroom: Lennette Diggs, Clare Smith, and Hope Moyo, applied for and were accepted into the Hollyhock Fellowship Program at Stanford University.

Southside Middle to Hold a Ghost-Out on Friday

A ghost-out is an alcohol and drug awareness program aimed at students to raise awareness that traffic crashes are the number one killer of teens with over one-third of teen traffic deaths being alcohol-related nation wide. At 10:30 a.m. on Friday a medical helicopter will converge upon Southside Middle. At 1:30 p.m., an ambulance will go to the gym and role play a drunk driving accident involving a teen. The ambulance will begin its "Ghost Out" assembly.

Florence School 1 Offers Summer Feeding Program 2019

Florence School District 1 announces its Summer Feeding Program for youth ages 18 and younger, which will be served at the following sites. Sites will be closed July 4, 2019.

Shand Josey named principal at Southside Middle School

Southside Middle School will have a new principal at the start of the 2019-2020 school year, though her face will be a familiar one to many people in Florence 1 Schools.

Speech-Language Therapy Camp to be offered in conjunction with USC

Florence 1 Schools will be working with the University Of South Carolina Department Of Communication Disorders to offer a speech-language therapy camp this summer

West Florence students learn about STEM Careers

The Celebrate Freedom Foundation was at West Florence High School May 1 showing students first-hand a few of the STEM career options that they have after graduation.

Florence 1 Schools announces Exceptional Education Department restructuring

After a ribbon cutting for Carver Elementary Magnet School’s new inclusive playground equipment April 17, Florence 1 Schools (F1S) officials announced reorganization efforts in the Exceptional Education Department.

Capes For Kids to be held May 4

All proceeds will be donated to The Care House of the Pee Dee in memory of a Carver Elementary student who lost her life due to child abuse and will directly benefit abused children in our community.

Wilson High School student awarded summer study trip to Germany

Sophie Watson, a student at Wilson High School, has won an all‐expense‐paid summer study trip to Germany.

Wilson High School students excel on Spanish exam, Level 4

Fifteen students in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB/MYP) at Wilson High School attained national recognition for excellent performance on the 2019 National Spanish Exam, Level 4.

Carver Elementary School cuts ribbon on inclusive playground equipment

On April 17, school and Florence 1 Schools district officials cut the ribbon on new inclusive playground equipment at the school.

Taste of Briggs continues delicious tradition more than a decade old

The Taste of Briggs is back again, bringing together fundraising and fun. The annual event will take place April 11 at Briggs Elementary School, 1012 Congaree Drive in Florence, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Florence 1 Schools hosts Interview Day for teacher candidates

Florence 1 Schools will host a Spring Recruitment Interview Day on April 13. The event will take place at Sneed Middle School, 1102 South Ebenezer Road, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Florence 1 Middle School Students to Blend Voices in Concert

Choral students from Sneed Middle, Southside Middle and Williams Middle will blend their voices together for a musical concert of 100 voices strong.

Florence 1 Schools Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for 6th Consecutive Year

For the sixth consecutive year, Florence 1 Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

Wallace Gregg receives grant from FMU Center of Excellence

Wallace Gregg Elementary recently received the Community Outreach Research Project grant from the Francis Marion Center of Excellence.

Briggs Elementary School starts school-wide compositing initiative

What’s old will become new again at Briggs Elementary School as students undertake a school-wide composting initiative with school-related waste.

Florence 1 teacher chosen to participate in Nintendo Labo Classroom Program

STEM education takes many forms, from creating weight-bearing structures with straws to exploring the biology of a frog using virtual reality. In Brittany Smith’s REACH classroom at North Vista learning looks like a game, thanks to the Nintendo Labo Classroom Program.

SC STEM Educator of the Year Finalists Announced on Pi Day

On this Pi Day, SC Future Minds, S2TEM Centers SC, the STEM Development Foundation, and Comporium are delighted to announce the finalists for the inaugural SC STEM Educator of the Award. Selected by a panel of judges from leading STEM companies, including Dominion Energy, Michelin North America, BMW Manufacturing Co., Duke Energy, as well as STEM education specialists, the finalists hail from five regions of the state and represent the finest in STEM ingenuity and innovation.

South Florence holds Arts Magnet Information Meeting

I would like to invite you and your 8th graders to an informational meeting at South Florence High School, Tuesday, March 5th at 6:30 p.m. in the library.

Students Showcase Vocal Talents: Division Winners Chosen

On February 19, more than two dozen students participated in a vocal talent competition at Florence-Darlington Technical College's SiMT. The annual program known as Vocal Star is the culmination of a qualifying event in which almost 90 students competed for a spot in the competition.

Florence 1 Students Named National Merit Finalists

Two Florence 1 students named semifinalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program last fall have advanced to the next level of competition.

Florence One Students to Share Music with Magnolia Mall Shoppers During the Weekend of February 28, March 1 and March 2

The month of March has been designated Music in our Schools Month and in recognition, Florence 1 music students will celebrate with live performances at Magnolia Mall beginning Thursday, February 28 and culminating on Saturday March 2.

West Florence to become STEM Magnet School

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Magnet program at West Florence High School is an honors magnet program.

South Florence and Wilson High Schools ‘TEAM UP’ with Governor’s School for virtual courses

Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, students at Wilson and South Florence High Schools will have the chance to take classes through the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) without ever leaving their home school’s campus.

F1S Black History Activities

February is Black History Month and in recognition, schools have specific activities designed to celebrate during this month. Here is a listing of activities:

Pacing 4 Pieces

The 7th Annual Pacing 4 Pieces Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk will be held March 9, 2019. This event is the largest fundraiser for All 4 Autism, with over 500 registered runners in 2018. Money raised from the race stays LOCAL and funds the Autism Resource Center of the Pee Dee, the first and only in the region.

McLaurin Elementary School unveils inclusive playground equipment

Squeals and laughter were bountiful Friday morning, February 8, as children at McLaurin Elementary School played on a piece of newly installed inclusive playground equipment.

Florence 1 Schools implements online registration for 2019-2020 school year

Registration for the 2019-2020 school year will be a streamlined, parent-friendly process in Florence 1 Schools after district administration decided to implement online registration.

Local High School Student Selected for Journalism & Media Study at George Mason University

Karis Wymbs, a junior at West Florence High School, has been selected to represent Florence, South Carolina, as a National Youth Correspondent to the 2019 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University.

West Florence selected to be part of Amazon’s $50 million education investment

Students at West Florence will soon have the option of taking two Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Computer Science, introducing them to everything from the fundamentals of computer science principals to Java programming and app development.

Florence 1 Schools to Offer Remote Pilot’s License Program to High School Students

Through a partnership with a regional organization, Florence 1 Schools is providing a unique opportunity for its high school students to gain a remote pilot’s license. Students who are enrolled in engineering class at South Florence and West Florence, or computer coding class at Wilson High, will be offered the iFLY Drone Pilots certification course.

West Florence High School receives approval to implement Advanced Placement Capstone Program

West Florence High School continues to seek ways to raise the bar for academics for all students by adding the Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma Program to its offerings in 2019-2020. The school was recently notified that it had received the designation of AP Capstone School. West Florence joins a small select group of 30 high schools in South Carolina to offer this rigorous Capstone Diploma Program.

Florence 1 Schools Awarded $1.5 Million Dollar Mental Health Resiliency Grant

Florence 1 Schools was recently awarded a $1.5 million dollar grant by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE). SCDE was the recipient of a US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant; Florence 1 was awarded a sub-grant under SC Project AWARE: Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education.

Florence 1 Schools to Send Students to All State Choral Events

Six local high school students have made the South Carolina Music Education Association’s (SCMEA) 2019 All-State Chorus. South Florence High School’s all-state chorus members are Antonio Brown, Joryll Robinson and Jah’Reon Robinson. West Florence High School’s all-state choir members are Dontex Haggins, Joshua Barrett and Kendal Harvey.

Applications for MYP at Williams Middle School

Applications for MYP at Williams Middle School are now being accepted. The deadline for the online application is January 31st, 2019 at 5:00pm.

Patti Nunnally Named a Top Inspiring Teacher in South Carolina And Honored With $10,000 from the National University System - Sanford Teacher Award

The National University System-Sanford Teacher Award recognizes one PreK-12 teacher in each state, following a nomination and application process based on criteria of inspiring teaching; The awards, supported by philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, reflect the mission of the Sanford Harmony and Sanford Inspire programs

Access Online Textbooks

Parents, did you know that if your child forgets their textbook at school they can access it through the Florence 1 Schools website? Follow the instructions below according to your child’s grade.

Blended Voices of High School Choral Students Come Together for Annual Concert

Florence 1 Schools will present the All-City Choral Concert on Monday, November 19th at 7:00 p.m. at Wilson High School. The All-City Chorus is the school district’s largest concert choir made up of student voices from South Florence, West Florence, and Wilson high schools.

Florence 1 International Baccalaureate Program Ranks Second in State Exam Pass Rates

According to data recently released by the South Carolina Department of Education, the Wilson High School International Baccalaureate (IB) program has the second highest pass rate on subject exams in the state. Wilson has an 84.4 percent pass rate; Travelers Rest has the highest pass rate but only has twelve students in the program.

Parent Teacher Conference Day Slated for November 5th

Parent-teacher conference day in Florence One Schools is scheduled for Monday, November 5th. Parent-teacher conferences will be held between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at all local schools.

Florence 1 Schools Imagine Forward - Parent Training Schedule

In the first phase of a district-wide technology initiative, Florence 1 Schools will hand out Chromebooks to students in third, fourth and fifth grade on November 12. The Chromebooks will be available for students to use in their classrooms and at home.

Florence School District One 2017-18 Teacher of the Year Announced

John W. Moore Intermediate School Art Instructor Sharri Duncan has been selected Florence 1 Schools 2018-19 Teacher of the Year. Duncan was selected from over 20 applicants in Florence 1 Schools.

Florence 1 Schools Introduces New College and Career-ready Interface

Students in Florence 1 Schools have a new way to track their progress in high school and lay out their college and career goals. SchooLinks is a college and career readiness platform built for the 21st Century student.

School Make up Days Announced

The Florence 1 Schools Board of Trustees voted to approve make-up days for those missed during Hurricane Florence.

Students Recognized for Perfect Scores on South Carolina Standardized Tests

At its October meeting, the Florence One Board of Trustees recognized 29 students who earned perfect scores on standardized tests during the 2017-18 school year. Twenty- one students earned the maximum score on a portion of the SC READY, and eight students earned a perfect score on a portion of the SC PASS.

Florence 1 Schools announces multi-million dollar investment in the arts

At the Oct. 18 Board of Trustees meeting, Florence 1 Schools announced a multi-million dollar investment in arts education. Superintendent Dr. Richard O’Malley said that over the next year, $3 million dollars will be spent to improve current programs across the district and implement additional programming.

Florence 1 Schools Implementing National Best Practices in Special Education

Under the new leadership of Dr. Richard O’Malley, Florence 1 Schools is moving special education to the forefront of the district’s agenda, moving toward creating more learning opportunities in creative ways and fostering inclusive learning environments in all of their schools.

Local Leaders to Get a Close Look at Day-to-Day School Operations through Chamber, Florence One, School Foundation Partnership

Through a three-way partnership among Florence One, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and The School Foundation, a program designed for business and community leaders to spend time getting a unique, behind-the-scenes look into schools in Florence One continues in its fourth year. The program, known as the Fellows in Education Program, began with an orientation today for its members.