This report on the Newberry County School Board meeting from last night is courtesy of Andrew Wigger of The Newberry Observer:

• The School Board heard a presentation from a representative from they Boys and Girls Club, for which they serve 650 students in Newberry county, at seven elementary schools and two middle schools.

• The School District heard a presentation on Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation, which is an alternative certification process .

• The District heard a presentation for PTC Partnership Middle College Initiative. This initiative will be offered for rising juniors, and will allow students to graduate with their HS diploma but their two year associates degree in general education upon graduating. This will be tuition free.

The School Board recognized Ahmorae Wilmore from Newberry High School. Ahmorae was selected to play in the North/South Football All-Star football game in December. The South Carolina Football Coaches Association selects the best players throughout the state to participate in this game. Ray has had an outstanding season this year, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. He averages 6.5 yards per carry and also plays on defense. The game will be held on December 14 at 1:00 pm in Myrtle Beach.

The Board also recognized Morgan Shealy from Mid-Carolina High School. Morgan has been selected to the South Carolina Coaches of Women’s Sports All-State Volleyball team. This recognizes her as one of the top 18 volleyball players in class 3A. SCCAWS all-state volleyball players are chosen from nominations sent in from high school coaches from each region and 87 ladies are selected state-wide. Morgan will receive her all-state plaque on November 23 at Erskine College during the North/South All-Star match held that day.

The following members of the MCMS Bully Prevention Team were recognized for finishing 3rd place in the poster contest at the South Carolina Bullying Summit. Eliza Dixon, Brayden Brooks, Ryan Conder, Brayden Banks, and Ashton Hobby travelled to Columbia for the 2019 Youth Anti-Bullying Summit. The team participated in a rally for bully prevention and designed a plan for MCMS to help with bully prevention. They entered the poster contest and won 3rd place in the junior division. Congratulations to this team.

The South Carolina Department of Education has released the Palmetto Gold and Silver winners for 2018 and 2019. From the state department of education’s press release, Molly Spearman states “The Palmetto Gold and Silver awards demonstrate a school’s commitment to excellence and ensuring every student meets the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. This achievement is testament to the hard work of the students, teachers, and principals in each school community.”

For elementary and middle schools, the criteria focus on two report card indicators: Academic Achievement and Student Progress.
Palmetto Silver:
1) Average Academic Achievement and Excellent Student Progress, or
2) Good Academic Achievement and Good Student Progress, or
3) Excellent Academic Achievement and Average Student Progress.

The following schools met the criteria for Palmetto Silver in 2018. Boundary Street Elementary, Pomaria-Garmany Elementary, and Mid-Carolina Middle School.

For 2019, Reuben Elementary and Mid-Carolina Middle School met the criteria for Palmetto Silver Awards. This marks two years in a row for MCMS.