Friday, May 7th, will be a regular school day for all. All high school staff and students are asked to park in the back of the school because of the Farmers to Families food box distribution in front of the school.
Shortly after 8 o’clock this morning, the high school was placed on lockdown due to an isolated incident in the parking lot. EMS and law enforcement were contacted and are currently investigating. We have remained in frequent communication with parents regarding this situation, and we remain focused on maintaining a safe learning environment the rest of the school day. The Ware Shoals Police Chief has reported that a student has suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and is in critical condition. The incident is under investigation by SLED.
This information was just shared at a media briefing. Our next briefing and a press release will occur at 11:30AM.
Current COVID cases in our schools: WSP: 6, WSM: 1, WSH: 1. Many have been quarantined as close contacts out of an abundance of caution. All precautions remain in place at schools: masks, plexiglass, hand washing, social distancing, and regular surface cleaning. We shared our numbers and procedures with DHEC today, and they said we're doing a great job. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call us.
The Athletic Awards Ceremony will held be on Tuesday, May 11th at 6:00 PM. The ceremony will take place in the baseball stadium. All athletes and their families are invited to attend. Masks must be worn and the district COVID policy should be strictly adhered to during this event. Athletes receiving awards will be notified and are invited to sit on the baseball field. If there are any questions please contact your team's Coach. (In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held inside with a limited number of attendees.)
We have been asked to share the following from "New Foundations Connections Foster Care Program." Contact information is provided.
Have you ever thought about becoming a Foster Parent? Did you know New Foundations Connections Foster Care Program in Anderson is always looking for families to provide temporary care to children in surrounding communities? Beyond just Anderson! Did you know just a caring heart and an open door may be the beginning of a life of love and support to a child in need? Did you know that Foster Parenting can be another income stream? Curious? Interested? Check us out at:
www.ConnectionsFosterCare.com
Call Nirmala Bruce at Connections: Cell 864-581-9966
Email: nbruce@newfoundationschildren.com
Farmers to Families food distribution will be at Ware Shoals High School this FRIDAY, April 23, from 9:30-11:30 or until the food is gone. No proof of income or identification is required, limit 2 boxes per family. We will distribute about 1,100 boxes, packed with poultry, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. We are excited about this opportunity to provide food for our employees, students, and community! This is a USDA program in partnership with farmers, ranchers, and other food producers and distributors. This program helps businesses, prevents waste, and helps families have access to fresh, healthy food. Officers and employees will assist with traffic control, showing you where to enter to get in line. Share this message - help us spread the word. We don't want any leftover food! https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/farmers-to-families-food-box https://www.usda.gov/media/press-
Sports Physicals are to be given April 29th at 1:00 at WSHS. Please click on the link AND image (if necessary) Please call Nurse Lindle or Coach Johnston for further information @ 456-7923.
http://schsl.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020-Physical-Form.pdf
The top 80 High School teams will qualify based on points. The top 20 Middle School teams will qualify based on points. There is one qualifying match left this season at Clarks Hill on 4-24-21. May 7-8 is the Classic at Lake Murray for those who qualified. The middle school team is in 15th place right now.
Getting ready for Relay for Life, held at WSHS in honor of Ms. Brown and Mackenzie! We hope to see you there today from 7-9, rain or shine! If rain, we will be in the gym and baseball stands, if shine, we will be in front of the high school.
These are some of the luminaria bags IHO and IMO staff, students, and alumni of WSSD51.
You're invited to : "LIGHT the NIGHT" at Riegel Stadium and Lou Brissie Field. Come out to enjoy baseball and the great REVEALING of the "new" light towers and LED lights....TODAY! The JV team plays Whitmire at 5PM. At 7PM we will have the ceremonial lighting of the towers for all to behold! LIGHT the NIGHT...POWER the TOWERS! The varsity team will then face off against Whitmire. Go Hornets!
You're invited to : "LIGHT the NIGHT" at Riegel Stadium and Lou Brissie Field. Come out to enjoy baseball and the great REVEALING of the "new" light towers and LED lights....TODAY! The JV team plays at 5PM. At 7PM we will have the ceremonial lighting of the towers for all to behold! LIGHT the NIGHT...POWER the TOWERS!
The weather for tomorrow is “iffy,” so we have come up with a plan for having our Relay for Life event - come rain or shine (praying for shine)! By 5PM we will decide if the event will be held on the front lawn of the high school (if "shine") or if it will be held in the gym and baseball stands (if "rain"). Public parking will be in the back parking lot of the high school, regardless of the weather. The luminiarias will be placed around the horseshoe drive (if "shine") or in the covered baseball stands (if "rain"). The event is from 7-9PM. See you there!
We had a great time at WSMS today when Scaly Adventures spoke to each grade! We learned about certain reptiles, their habits, and their habitats. We also learned valuable character lessons such as caring for each other and respecting others. Being resilient, overcoming fears, and following our dreams were other themes of the event.
Our district will host a Relay for Life event this Saturday, April 10, from 7-9PM at WS High School. Social distancing/sanitizing practices will be in place. Funds raised through Relay For Life directly support breakthrough research, 24/7 support for cancer patients, access to lifesaving screenings, and much more. Our event is being held in honor of WS Middle School principal, Nancy Brown, who is currently battling cancer. Events that evening include Silent Auction Baskets to bid on, musical entertainment, photo booth, and snacks. One of the highlights will be a Luminaria Walk around the horseshoe, to view luminaries placed in honor or memory of a loved one who has been affected by cancer or COVID-19. Luminarias are $5 each, and may be purchased at any school or the district office. Be sure to get yours by Friday! Decorate it with your loved one's name and a message of inspiration! Here are some ideas for decorating a luminaria bag: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/179932947589317610/
https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/relay-for-life.html
REMINDER: DSS will issue Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) cards by April 16 for families of students at WSPS and WSMS. The benefit amount is $6.82 for each eLearning day from 9/1/20-12/31/20.Parents/guardians are asked to validate their address in the DSS P-EBT Address Portal by tomorrow, March 19th. You have to enter your child's PowerSchool ID number, as well as name, DOB, and school name. Go to : https://benefitsportal.dss.sc.gov/#/pebt/addressverification
Farmers to Families food distribution will be at Ware Shoals High School FRIDAY from 9:30-11:30 or until the food is gone. No proof of income or identification is required. We will distribute about 1,100 boxes, packed with poultry, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. We are excited about this opportunity to provide food for our employees, students, and community! This is a USDA program in partnership with farmers, ranchers, and other food producers and distributors. This program helps businesses, prevents waste, and helps families have access to fresh, healthy food. Officers and employees will assist with traffic control, showing you where to enter to get in line. Share this message - help us spread the word. We don't want any leftover food! https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/farmers-to-families-food-box https://www.usda.gov/media/press-
The WS Fitness Center, located between the high school and the gym, is open to citizens of our district, 18 years and over, from 7AM to 8PM, 7 days a week. Citizens must sign up to receive a key card for access. It is well-equipped with treadmills, steppers, and weight machines. There is no charge to use the Fitness Center. Call 864-456-7496 if you wish to join!
WSSD51 students will start five day face-to-face instruction Monday, February 22. When students return, they can expect to see continued use of masks, plexiglass shields, frequent hand washing, portable water stations, electrostatic disinfectant spraying, and social distancing as in the A/B model. The biggest difference will be larger class sizes.
More students will also be riding buses, where social distancing will be done to the extent possible. Expect buses to arrive 15 to 20 minutes earlier in the AM and later in the PM due to the increased number of riders.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back. Purple and Gold belong together!
At their meeting today, board members voted unanimously for all students to return to school February 22, five days face-to-face. It will be great to have everyone together for the first time this year! Please be diligent with personal protective measures while in school and in the community so we can finish the year strong!
LEARNING, SERVING, LEADING…TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN!
FREE food boxes tomorrow from 9:30-11:30 at Ware Shoals High School! Farmers to Families food boxes have meat, fruit, and dairy products and weigh about 30 pounds. One box per family...first come, first served...while supplies last. No proof of income or identification needed. Come see us and take your box of food home to enjoy!