THE TIGER TIMES
Welcome Back to School Edition 1, Volume 1
A Message from the Principal
Greetings, Tiger Families! 🐯🖤💛
Welcome to Quarter 2! We hope our students and families enjoyed the extended weekend and are feeling refreshed and ready for another great quarter at W.G. Sanders Middle School!
As we begin a new grading period, I want to encourage every student to reflect on their progress from Quarter 1, celebrate their successes, and set new goals for the weeks ahead. Whether your student had an outstanding first quarter or faced some challenges, Quarter 2 represents a fresh opportunity to grow, improve, and achieve!
We have another exciting week ahead, including College Awareness Week, playoff volleyball, Tiger football, and our School Improvement Council elections. Let's make it a great week, Tigers!
📚 Quarter 2 Begins | Report Cards & Honor Roll
Quarter 2 officially begins Monday, October 12!
Quarter 1 grades are now closed, and we are preparing to celebrate our students' academic accomplishments.
Thursday, October 22: Quarter 1 report cards will be emailed to parents/guardians.
Friday, October 23: Quarter 1 Honor Roll Assembly (tentative).
Our Honor Roll Assembly will take place during the school day and will recognize the academic achievements of our Traditional and Career Magnet students. Students who have earned Honor Roll recognition will receive personal invitations to share with their parents and families.
Families are welcome and encouraged to attend! Additional information, including assembly times, will be shared soon.
As we begin Quarter 2, please continue monitoring PowerSchool, discussing academic progress with your student, and encouraging strong attendance, timely assignment completion, and positive learning habits.
🎓 College Awareness Week | October 12–16
Explore • Learn • Plan • Achieve
This week, W.G. Sanders Middle School is celebrating College Awareness Week!
Our goal is to help students begin thinking about their futures, exploring opportunities beyond high school, and understanding how the choices they make today can shape their tomorrow.
Throughout the week, students will participate in activities highlighting colleges, HBCUs, technical colleges, career pathways, study skills, and goal setting.
Here's what's happening each day:
Monday, October 12 – What Is College? Students explore college vocabulary and future possibilities.
Tuesday, October 13 – HBCUs & Technical Colleges: Students discover different postsecondary pathways and opportunities.
Wednesday, October 14 – College Spirit Day: Students are encouraged to wear their favorite college colors!
Thursday, October 15 – Learn & Build Skills: Students focus on study habits, learning strategies, and goal setting.
Friday, October 16 – College & Career Connections: Students explore how education connects to careers and future aspirations.
We will also have PSAT/NMSQT Testing on Wednesday, October 14, as part of our College Month activities.
Families, we encourage you to talk with your students about their dreams, interests, and future goals. It's never too early to begin those conversations!
Dream Big. Work Hard. Go Far! 🐾
🏐 Lady Golden Tigers Are Headed to the Playoffs!
Let's hear it for our Lady Golden Tigers Volleyball Team! 🐯🏐
Our girls have earned a spot in the Richland One Volleyball Playoffs, and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate their hard work, dedication, and teamwork!
Playoff Game Details:
Monday, October 12
Hand vs. Sanders
6:00 PM
2600 Wheat Street
Admission: $5 plus applicable fee
Digital tickets only
Clear bag policy in effect; no outside food or drinks.
Let's show up, cheer loudly, and support our Lady Golden Tigers as they compete in the postseason!
🏈 Tiger Football | Wednesday, October 14
Our Golden Tigers are back in action this Wednesday!
Game Details:
Wednesday, October 14
Gibbes vs. Sanders
6:30 PM
Eau Claire Stadium
4800 Monticello Road
Admission: $5 for ages 5 and up
Digital payments and exact cash accepted.
Please remember that the clear bag policy is in effect, and outside food and drinks are not permitted. Concessions will be available.
All students attending football games must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Let's pack the stands and show our Tigers some love!
🗳️ School Improvement Council (SIC) Elections | Vote This Week!
Tiger Families, your voice matters!
Last week, we opened nominations for parent representatives to serve on our W.G. Sanders School Improvement Council (SIC). This week, we are moving into the election process!
The SIC is an important partnership between parents, educators, and community members that helps support continuous school improvement and student success.
We are asking all parents and guardians to take a moment to cast their vote using the election form below.
Your participation helps ensure that our families have a voice in the decisions and conversations that shape the future of W.G. Sanders Middle School.
🐯 W.G. Sanders Middle School 2026–2027 School Improvement Council Parent Election – Fill out form
Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment to our school community!
🐯 Looking Ahead | Important Dates
October 12: Quarter 2 Begins
October 12–16: College Awareness Week
October 12: Volleyball Playoff Game vs. Hand
October 14: PSAT/NMSQT Testing
October 14: Football Game vs. Gibbes
October 23-30: Red Ribbon Week (flyer with spirit days coming soon!)
October 22: Quarter 1 Report Cards Emailed
October 23: Quarter 1 Honor Roll Assembly (Tentative)
October 30: Tiger of the Month Lunch
🖤💛 One School. One Team. One Roar.
Tiger Families, thank you for your continued partnership, support, and commitment to our students. We have so much to celebrate, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead as we begin this new quarter.
Let's continue working together to ensure every student feels supported, challenged, connected, and empowered to succeed.
One School. One Team. One Roar. GO TIGERS! 🐯
With Tiger Pride,
Miles Dhuey
Principal
Opportunity for All. Excellence for Each. Barriers for None.
Act 204
This year, it is especially important that families understand the impact of South Carolina's Act 204 on student grades. Under the new law, minimum grades or “grade floors” are no longer permitted—students receive the grades they actually earn. Additionally, eligibility for content or credit recovery requires students to demonstrate substantial participation by completing at least 80% of graded assignments in a timely manner.
The message for our Golden Tigers is simple: Every assignment matters. Every project matters. Every quiz and test matters. Every day matters.
Please encourage your student to complete and submit assignments on time, study for assessments, monitor grades, attend school consistently, and ask for help before they fall behind. Families should also regularly check PowerSchool, review missing assignments and zeros, and communicate with teachers early when concerns arise.
Did you know...? Why Daily Attendance Matters:
Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.
Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.
Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.
Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.
Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.
Who to contact if your child doesn't want to come to school:
Mr. Michael Alexander, SSW
Email: michael.alexander@richlandone.org
Office: 803-738-7575
Cell: 803-741-4484
Has your student missed a day? Submit your attendance excuses! 👇
If your student misses a day of school make sure to submit a parent note to our attendance email (see below):
School Phone Number:
📞 803-738-7575
Attendance Email:
📧 attendance.sanders@richlandone.org
Free to Focus! Cell Phone Policy
CELL PHONES, HEAD PHONES, EAR BUDS, OR ANY CELL PHONE ACCESSORIES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE VISIBLE AT ANY TIME ON CAMPUS!
CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES
(See Policy JICJ for Full Policy)
FREE TO FOCUS POLICY – Aims to provide a positive learning experience free from electronic
distractions, students are prohibited from using personal electronic devices during the school day.
Expectations:
· Electronic devices must be silenced and stored out of sight during the entire school day, from bell to bell (8:00 AM - End of Dismissal).
· Electronic devices are strictly prohibited in locker rooms and restrooms.
· Electronic devices may not be used or seen at any time during the school day.
Parent/Guardian support: Parents are asked to refrain from calling or texting students during the school day.
Contact the school office for emergencies or urgent messages. Office: 803-738-7575.
Enforcement: If a student violates the preceding rules during the school day, the student will be subject to progressive consequences in the Student Code of Conduct.
Consequences:
1st - Referral - Warning
2nd - Referral - Parent Conference
3rd - Referral - ISS
4th - Referral - 1 Day of OSS
Should violations continue, the Student Code of Conduct consequences will continue to progress.
Responsibility/Liability: Any student who chooses to bring a wireless electronic device as described shall do so at the student’s own risk and shall be personally responsible for the security of the device. Neither the school personnel nor the district will assume any responsibility or liability for loss, theft, damage, or vandalism to such devices as described above brought onto school property or the unauthorized use of any such device.
Golden Tigers are Rising Together!
Our Golden Tigers will earn their P.A.W.S. this year and be able to use them to get into incentives, events, and even purchase cool items from our PBIS store! Please encourage your Golden Tiger to "earn their Tiger P.A.W.S." every day at school by demonstrating our character values and behavioral expectations.
Review important procedures below to ensure a successful arrival & dismissal process
Arrival/Entry to Campus
- Arrive by 8:15 am, no later than 8:35 am. Do not drop students off and leave before 8:00 am unless there is a staff member outside to receive them.
- Traditional car riders, Career Magnet car riders, and walkers will enter at the front of the school between the A Building and D Building and enter the building through the car loop metal detectors. Adults are to remain in cars unless they need to go to the main office. No adults will be allowed beyond the main office without a visitor badge.
- Montessori car riders are to enter by the marquee and enter through the bus loop metal detectors.
Getting to Breakfast and First Period
- All Traditional 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders and Career Magnet 6th , 7th and 8th Graders: Report to the cafeteria if you are having breakfast. After 8:15, if you are not having breakfast, report to your hallway (Traditional 7th and 8th graders - D Building; Traditional 6th Graders bottom floor B, Career Magnet - top floor B).
- All Montessori Students: Report to the top floor of the E Building. Notify the Montessori staff if you wish to have breakfast before going to class.
Dismissal
- Dismissal is at 3:45 pm; however, Montessori students will be dismissed at 3:41 pm to the back of the school where parents will be lined up for pick up.
- Car riders will be dismissed to the front of the school.
- Students remain in class until their mode of transportation is called.
- Drivers, please stay off your phone and remain in your car while in the car rider loop. We need you focused on students who are crossing to the other side. Also, we need you focused on the lines of cars as they move forward. Do not pick up students from the center of the car rider loop.
- All students should be picked up by 4:15 pm. If you cannot arrive by that time, ensure you have made arrangements for school bus transportation.
📘 Student Code of Conduct
At W.G. Sanders Middle School, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and engaging learning environment where every student can thrive. We ask all students and families to review the Richland County School District One Student Code of Conduct, which outlines the expectations for student behavior, rights, responsibilities, and disciplinary procedures. Please pay special attention to Page 4, which is the acknowledgment signature page. Parents/guardians and students are asked to sign this page to confirm that they have received and reviewed the handbook together.
We encourage families to discuss these expectations with their children as we begin the school year. By working together, we can ensure that every Golden Tiger contributes to a positive school culture where Opportunity for All. Excellence for Each. Barriers for None.
➡️ Click here to view the Richland One Student Code of Conduct
Reminders and Procedures for the Main office:
- Front office hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- All visitors must sign in via the Raptor system when visiting the school. Visitors must wear a visitor identification badge at all times.
- If you want to visit your child's classroom, you are more than welcome! Please reach out to the teacher and administrator over the program to arrange a date and time to visit.
- No outside food will be accepted for students. Please do not Door Dash orders to the school. (Chick-Fil-A, Wendy's, McDonald's, etc.)
- No balloons, flowers, or large gifts are accepted at school because students cannot take these items on the school bus.
- Adult supervision begins at 8:00 a.m. Do not drop your students off before that time.
- Our goal is to ensure every Golden Tiger gets home safely each afternoon.
- Early dismissal ends at 3:15 p.m.
- School dismissal begins at 3:45 p.m.
- All students should be picked up by 4:15 p.m.
- If an unexpected emergency will delay you, please contact the front office as soon as possible. We do not have staff supervision after 4:15 p.m.
Need Something? Don't Hesitate to reach out!
Chanda Robinson- 6th Grade Traditional Administrator chanda.robinson@richlandone.org
Barry Charley- 7th and 8th Grade Traditional Administrator, barry.charley@richlandone.org
Candice Parnell- Career Magnet and Montessori Administrator, candice.parnell@richlandone.org
Peggy Logan- Head Guidance Counselor, peggy.logan@richlandone.org
Keyonna McClurkin- Guidance Counselor, keyonna.mcclurkin@richlandone.org
Michael Alexander- School Social Worker, michael.alexander@richlandone.org
Shelby Stevens- Database Specialist (Parent Portal), shelby.stevens@richlandone.org
Shakera Simmons- Registrar/Guidance Secretary, shakera.simmons@richlandone.org
Cimber Gillam- Library Media Specialist, cimber.gillam@richlandone.org
Angela Scipio- School Nurse, angela.scipio@richlandone.org
Janet Argrow- Parent & Family Engagement Specialist, janet.argrow@richlandone.org
Information regarding athletics at W.G. Sanders:
🏈 Students who participate in athletics must have a C Average during the semester prior to the start of the athletic season.
🏀 If your child was selected as member of the football team, volleyball team, cheer squad, or any other athletic sport, your child will be removed if they did not have a C average during Semester 2 of the last school year. If removed, your child will be expected to attend the after school athletic tutoring program for support in increasing their academic average.
Reminders:
- Students attending any middle school athletic event or after-school performance must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. The parent/guardian must stay with the student for the entire event. Students will not be admitted without adult supervision.
- Students must have a ticket and show their school issued student ID to attend events.
- Spectators will not be allowed to stand, congregate, or "hang out" on the concourse or around the concessions stands or restrooms during the game.
- Entry gates will close at the end of halftime.
Concession stands will close at the end of the third quarter. - Tickets can be purchased through the home team's R1 Box Office on their website.
Let's have a great season and GO TIGERS! 🐅🏀🏈⚽🏐🤾🏻♂️
Football Schedule 🏈
Volleyball Schedule 🏐
R1 Clear Bag Policy 🎒
Parents & Guardians,
If your student has dietary restrictions, allergies or a documented medical condition that he/she is prescribed meds for please contact the Health Room for necessary forms prior to brining medication(s) in. Please be advised, these forms/medications have to be submitted each year. Your cooperation and prompt action helps facilitate a smooth process in initiating the individual health care needs of your student.
To attend school in South Carolina, all students must have a valid South Carolina Certificate of Immunization on file.
- 6th Grade: Students must meet all required childhood immunization requirements.
- 7th Grade: Students must receive a Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) on or after their 10th birthday.
- 8th Grade: No additional vaccines are required beyond those required for 7th grade.
Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments with their child's healthcare provider before the first day of school to ensure immunizations are current and avoid any delays in school attendance. Additional information is available through the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Contact Nurse Scipio with any questions or if you need support or resources.
Help Us Build the W.G. Sanders PTO!
We're looking for parents, guardians, grandparents, and community members who want to make a difference!
W.G. Sanders is excited to launch our NEW Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), and we'd love for you to be part of building something special from the ground up.
Whether you have a few hours each month or simply want to stay informed and support our students, there's a place for you. No previous PTO experience is needed—just a passion for helping our Golden Tigers thrive.
A strong PTO can help:
- 🐅 Support students and staff
- 🎉 Organize family events and school celebrations
- 🤝 Strengthen partnerships between home and school
- 💛 Enhance opportunities for all students
Interested? Please take a minute to complete our PTO Interest Form by clicking the link below.
Together, we can create a PTO that reflects the strength, spirit, and excellence of the W.G. Sanders community.
Opportunity for All. Excellence for Each. Barriers for None.
🐅 Golden Tigers Rise!
