Faculty Meeting At Jackson School

I was really energized by the faculty meeting I attended yesterday at Jackson School, where the faculty talked about all the strategies and programs they are implementing to raise student achievement.  I was most impressed by the “can do” attitude displayed by this group.  The students at Jackson made great strides last year.  I am [...]

Great Stuff At Bethune

I visited Bethune Elementary on Friday, where principal Theodore Jackson and members of the staff showed me how the school is using data charts to help students see their own progress and truly take ownership for their own learning.  I was really impressed with the focus the staff at Bethune has placed on the progress [...]

Homecoming at NCHS

In spite of the steady rain, a very spirited crowd came to Homecoming at North Central on Friday night.  Elementary students who came to the game had the opportunity to help bring the Knights onto the field before the game.  I thought the teacher cadets at NCHS did a great job of organizing everything.  I [...]

Grants From Target

I was pleased and privileged to attend a luncheon on Friday at the Target Distribution Center in Lugoff where Target awarded grants for two special projects at Camden Elementary School and for the African Drumming and the “Strings in the Afternoon” programs, which involve students across the district.  Target has taken a strong and visible [...]

Teacher Cabinet

I had my first meeting of the year with Teacher Cabinet.  This is a very important group for me because I use it for two-way communication with schools.  Last year, the feedback I received from this group greatly influenced the budget and a number of other areas.  I really appreciate that these folks are willing [...]

Diversity…..

I got to stop by the Junior Leadership Program session this morning, where the students were working with Ms. Alfred Mae Drakeford of Camden City Council and Mr. Sammie Tucker of County Council on the topic of diversity.  I was really impressed with how the students were responding to and participating in the exercise involved.  [...]

Wednesday…..

Liz Horton, who is the Executive Director of the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce, has been doing various jobs around the county to get a first hand idea of the work that folks do.  Today, I visited Doby’s Mill Elementary, where Liz was working with a 4-K class.  I really appreciate her initiative in doing [...]

SCASA Personnel Conference

I spent a really enjoyable hour this morning with my colleagues Dr. Connie Long and Dr. Cecil McClary talking with other personnel folks around the state about the challenges of teacher recruiting.  It was a wonderful opportunity for all of us to share ideas about this critical area to student achievement.  I really appreciated the invitation [...]

Gang Task Force

I’m really pleased that the Gang Task Force will be coming back together shortly to discuss the development of a grant proposal to the federal government to fund programs related to gang prevention.  Mr. George Jackson of the Department of Juvenile Justice and I will chair the task force.  The grant will take several months [...]

Camden – LE Football Game

The Camden – Lugoff-Elgin football game is always a great community event.  A capacity crowd of fans from both schools packed Lugoff-Elgin Stadium Friday night for this year’s game.  I was especially pleased with how well the crowd was managed in terms of having everyone go through the metal detectors.  I also really appreciate how [...]