GCSD Magnet Connections

November 2025 Recap

Across all five magnet schools, site teams have been working hard to complete their first self-evaluation of AVID schoolwide implementation as part of this year’s progress monitoring efforts. This important step reflects our district’s commitment to using data, reflection, and collaboration to ensure that AVID strategies are truly taking root in classrooms and positively impacting student learning.

The AVID Continuous Improvement Cycle is more than a checklist, it is a structured, reflective process that empowers educators to examine where they are, celebrate what is working, and identify the next steps needed to strengthen AVID schoolwide. Through this cycle, teams analyze instructional practices, systems, leadership structures, and school culture to determine how well each component supports rigorous teaching, relational capacity, student organization, and college and career readiness.

By engaging collaboratively in this process, our schools are ensuring that decisions are grounded in evidence and aligned to student needs. This work directly supports AVID’s mission to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for success in a global society. As teams complete their self-evaluations, they will use their findings to refine goals, adjust action steps, and continue building a schoolwide system that equips every student to thrive academically, socially, and beyond the classroom.

We kicked off the month by celebrating the completion of our 3rd–5th grade novel study. Students traveled to the historic Dock Street Theatre to watch Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical. Seeing their reading come to life on stage was an unforgettable experience that combined literacy with the performing arts!

Our 5th graders took flight on an exciting STEM adventure during their visit to Boeing. Students explored the Dreamliner 737 production process and got a behind-the-scenes look at real-world engineering. They even learned how to build a paper airplane “the Boeing way”—an experience that sparked creativity, curiosity, and future aspirations!

This month we proudly hosted our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and our first-ever Disc Golf Tournament!
A huge thank you goes to Mr. Lorenzo for his leadership and dedication to our Disc Golf Club.

Our two-day tournament kicked off at BFESCPA and concluded at McDonald Elementary.
Congratulations to Verna and Joshua Nesmith, who placed 2nd and 4th respectively!
We are incredibly proud of all our Bengals who participated and represented our school so well. Check out the video recap here!

We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Streett to our lab for Tech Time!
She has already launched exciting projects with our 2nd–5th graders—projects that will make their debut in our next showcase. Our students are loving this hands-on integration of technology, creativity, and problem solving!

Our first Family Engagement Project, Balloons Over Broadway, was a huge success! Inspired by the beloved picture book, families worked together to design and create parade floats and balloons that showcased their creativity, collaboration, and Bengal pride. From colorful animals to imaginative designs, every project reflected the spirit of innovation we celebrate at The Ferry.

The event was very well received by our students, families, and staff — and we couldn’t be prouder of the excitement and engagement it inspired!

This week, students showed off their math skills by creating stop-motion videos in the iMotion app. One student demonstrated an impressive understanding of arrays by arranging objects into equal rows and columns and capturing each step through stop-motion frames. The video clearly illustrated how arrays represent repeated addition and multiplication, from building and labeling the rows and columns to calculating the total number of items. The final product highlighted both creativity and strong mathematical thinking, all brought to life through engaging technology integration.

Our 1st graders are using AVID strategies to support their learning as we begin our science unit on the parts of a plant. Students are practicing skills such as focused note-taking, labeling diagrams, and explaining their thinking in complete sentences. This week, they learned about the four main parts of a plant—roots, stem, leaves, and flower—and discussed how each part helps the plant grow and stay healthy. Through partner talks and simple writing tasks, students are applying AVID habits to deepen their understanding while enjoying hands-on science learning.

Our 5th graders have been exploring the planets in an exciting new way as they prepare for the upcoming Space Showcase. Using virtual reality glasses in the gymnasium, students are taking a “space tour” of the solar system, observing planets up close, and learning about their unique features such as size, atmosphere, and surface conditions. They are combining this immersive experience with research and AVID strategies to create creative presentations that will help them share their discoveries with others. We can’t wait for families to see their curiosity and learning come to life at the showcase!

The month of November has been overflowing with learning, leadership, and discovery at PHESA! Our students continue to shine as they engage in meaningful, standards based PBL projects that spark curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world around them. Classrooms are alive with STREAM connections, where science, technology, reading, engineering, the arts, and math come together to create powerful learning experiences for every child. From hands-on investigations to creative problem solving, students are collaborating, thinking critically, and proudly showcasing what makes PHESA a true model of innovation and excellence. At PHESA, learning never slows down, and the excitement only continues to grow!

Kindergarten students stepped into the shoes of real golfers as they explored force and motion during their exciting Putt Putt adventure! With every swing, they discovered how pushes and pulls can change a ball’s speed, direction, and distance. This playful, hands-on investigation brought science to life and made learning a hole in one!

First grade is moo-ving full STEAM ahead with their Adopt-a-Cow project! Their calf, Charlie, sends monthly updates and photos that help students learn about growth, care, and agriculture. Students record their observations and reflections in their journals, building literacy skills while connecting to real-world farming.

Second graders have become environmental explorers, uncovering fascinating facts about Earth’s landforms. They’re learning how mountains, valleys, plains, and coastlines can influence the way people live, work, and travel. Their teamwork and curiosity are helping them prepare for exciting hands-on projects ahead!

Third graders are diving into biome research as they imagine what it would be like to actually live in their chosen environment. Like young ecologists, they’re exploring what plants, animals, and resources they would need to survive and thrive in each unique biome. Using Book Creator, students are turning their research into informative digital books that showcase their learning and creativity!

Fourth graders are stepping into the world of 3D design as they explore one of their choices for their current PBL journey. Using Tinkercad, they created their own custom key ring designs and learned how digital models become real objects. Their excitement grew as they watched their creations come to life on the 3D printers!

Fifth graders are continuing to deepen their understanding of how energy is transferred through a food web. Their learning came to life during a hands-on field study aboard the Discovery Vessel, where they explored marine food chains with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. This real-world experience helped students make powerful connections between classroom learning and the ecosystems in Winyah Bay.

PHESA is proud of our 4-H Club members, who shined at the Eastern Carolina Agriculture Fair in Florence, SC through their creative entries and hands-on agricultural learning experiences. These students demonstrated outstanding commitment, curiosity, and hard work as they showcased what “learning by doing” truly looks like. We are grateful to sponsors Ms. Allison Skidmore and Mr. Lee Glover for guiding and supporting our students on their 4-H journey!

The PHESA Beta Club had an exciting opportunity to travel to the College of Charleston and participate in the STEM Day Exhibition. Students were amazed by the robotics demonstrations and hands-on engineering activities they explored throughout the event. This experience inspired curiosity, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation for STEM learning!

Families enjoyed an exciting evening of hands-on discovery as they explored the meaning and importance of each letter in STREAM. Parents and students engaged in activities that highlighted science, technology, reading, engineering, the arts, and mathematics, seeing firsthand how these areas connect to real-world learning. The night was filled with curiosity, collaboration, and celebration as PHESA proudly showcased what makes our STREAM program truly exceptional!

A huge shout-out to our newest community partners, Phil and Phyllis Roberts! Their generous sponsorship of our off-site learning experiences is helping PHESA students grow through real-world exploration and discovery. We are deeply grateful for their support and commitment to our STREAM mission!

From classrooms to field studies to community presentations, PHESA continues to Discover the Difference through meaningful learning, creativity, and collaboration. Our Cubs are shining and the STREAM journey never slows down!

Carvers Bay Middle STEAM Academy Proteam and Men of Cohesion recently welcomed Mr. Dashawn Drayton, author of the "Maurice Leadership Chronicles," for a special event. Mr. Drayton shared insights on how character development fosters leadership skills.

His book, centered around a fictional character named Maurice, explores themes of responsibility and service. Known for being playful, Maurice decides to plan a surprise for his mother, involving cleaning, wrapping, and thoughtful actions. This illustrated story from the L.D.R.S.H.I.P. Chronicles teaches young readers that true service means dedicating time and effort for others without expecting anything in return.

The book emphasizes the importance of teaching children to prioritize others, fostering empathy, teamwork, and lasting leadership qualities. It serves as a valuable resource for parents and educators aiming to instill social-emotional skills early on.

BETA CLUB: Proud moment to share: Our Junior Beta Club partnered with Ms. Jolla Powell and Operation Christmas Child to assemble shoebox gifts for children in need worldwide. This initiative provided students with a hands-on opportunity to practice leadership, collaboration, and community service—skills that translate directly to future academic and professional success. We commend our Betas for demonstrating empathy, organization, and dedication.

4-H CLUB: CBMSA 4-H Club did an amazing job supporting our community! We donated 164 pounds of canned goods to Caring and Sharing of Hemingway. Mr. Durant visited our students and shared all the meaningful ways Caring and Sharing serves families in our community. This was such a fun and impactful service project, and our students stepped up in a big way.

Great work, CBMSA 4-H Club!

November has been an exciting month at Carvers Bay Early College and Career High School as our students continue to grow as college- and career-ready leaders and meet Melissa Jefferson-Wooden an alumni. From academic achievements to community engagement, our Bears have embraced opportunities to showcase their skills and dedication.

Carvers Bay Early College and Career High School held a College Application and FAFSA Night to support seniors and their families in completing key steps in the college admissions process. Representatives from Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) and the Upward Bound program partnered with school staff to provide hands-on guidance with college applications, FAFSA completion, scholarship resources, and financial aid requirements. Families received individualized assistance and had the opportunity to ask questions in real time. The event strengthened family and community engagement by equipping families with the knowledge, support, and resources needed to help students successfully prepare for postsecondary opportunities.

Mr. Dinkel and his students created pottery mugs, giving learners the opportunity to develop hands-on artistic skills, express their creativity, and experience the beauty that comes from dedication and hard work.

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics visited to support students as they explore meaningful pathways after high school. During the presentation, students were introduced to Aviation Maintenance Technology, one of the world’s highest-paying and most in-demand career fields. This experience allowed students to learn firsthand about career readiness, training opportunities, and the skills needed to succeed in the aviation industry.

November at Carvers Bay Early College and Career High School has truly reflected our mission of preparing students for success in college, careers, and life.