Bits and Pieces - FSD3 Happenings

After careful consideration, meetings with school and district staff, and consultation with law enforcement, Florence School District 3 has made the difficult decision to cancel or limit several homecoming events next week out of an abundance of caution after recent incidents of violence in our community.

The homecoming football game will be played as scheduled with the homecoming queen and king crowned at halftime.

We understand how much these traditions mean to our school community, the safety and well-being of everyone must remain our top priority.

The following changes will be in effect for this year's homecoming:

• Thursday's parade: The Lake City High School homecoming parade has been canceled.
• Friday and Saturday tailgating: Tailgating at Ward Memorial Stadium has been canceled. FSD3 will issue refunds to anyone who has paid for a tailgating spot.
• Friday's alumni breakfast: The alumni breakfast scheduled at Lake City High School has been canceled.
• Friday's pep rally: The pep rally will be closed to the public. Only students and staff will be allowed to attend.

We recognize that these changes are disappointing, especially for our alumni and community members who look forward to celebrating homecoming each year. These decisions were not made lightly. After careful review and consideration of the circumstances, we believe these precautions are in the best interest of our school community.

We appreciate your understanding, patience and continued support as we work to provide a safe environment for our students, staff and families. We look forward to bringing our community together for these special traditions again next year.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us put safety first.

Florence School District 3’s Board of Trustees recognized 26 students who earned perfect scores on End-of-Course (EOC) examinations during the 2025-2026 school year at the board’s regular monthly meeting Thursday.

The South Carolina End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) is a statewide assessment program that measures students’ mastery of academic standards in key high school courses.

Students were recognized for earning perfect scores on the Biology, English 2, U.S. History and Algebra 1 EOC examinations.

Biology EOC

Students earning perfect scores on the Biology EOC were Levi Hayes, Grace Lemmon, Bradley Vause and Lukas White of J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School and Cassidy Brown and Robert Mixon of Lake City High School.

English 2 EOC

Students earning perfect scores on the English 2 EOC were Mark Carraway, Gabriel Cason, Kamryn Collins, Giovani Garcia-Munoz, Kendra Gerken, Javier Goode, Cannlyn Matthews, Layla Matthews, McKenzie-Grace Tucker, Lukas White and Jasper Young of J. Paul Truluck Magnet and Cheyenne Gibson, Zion Hawkins, Tanisha Lane, Ashton Linen and Andrew Papel of Lake City High.

United States History & Constitution EOC

Students earning perfect scores on the United States History & Constitution EOC were Colt Carden and Mark Carraway of J. Paul Truluck Magnet and Joseph James of Lake City High.

Algebra 1 EOC

Students earning perfect scores on the Algebra 1 EOC were Wynter Bryant and Derrick Croker of Lake City High.

FSD3 congratulates these outstanding students on this remarkable academic achievement and commends them for their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence.

Literacy took center stage Wednesday night across FSD3 as Main Street Elementary School and J.C. Lynch Elementary School hosted literacy nights, welcoming families to celebrate learning and a love of reading.

MSE brought a football-inspired twist to its event with an NFL theme. The evening kicked off with an information session led by Principal Dr. Bridget Fleming, who shared data on student progress and testing. She also offered tips for how parents can support learning at home through reading and by incorporating simple math into everyday activities. Families then explored a variety of stations featuring educational and vocabulary games. The evening also included a book giveaway sponsored by the LC-Kingstree Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

At JCL, families gathered for an information session and a special visit from Mady Eaddy, a published author and student at J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School. Eaddy shared her book, Rough Waters, with students and encouraged them to pursue their goals, reminding them that effort and determination can help turn their dreams into reality.

Through creative activities, family engagement and opportunities to celebrate reading, both schools made literacy the focus of an enjoyable evening. These events highlighted the important role families play in supporting student learning, both in the classroom and at home.

Lake City High School’s JROTC program will host its third annual Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Veterans Day Breakfast on Friday, Nov. 6, from 9-11:20 a.m. in the Lake City High School gymnasium.

Veterans and their family members are invited to attend and enjoy a hot breakfast as the program honors local veterans for their service and sacrifice. The annual event provides an opportunity to recognize the contributions of those who have served our country and celebrate their lasting impact on our community.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees are:

• PV2 Alex W. Atkinson Jr.
• SGT John D. Wilson
• SSG (Ret.) Richard T. Wilson
• SSGT (Ret.) Julia C. Edwards
• TSGT (Ret.) Alva L. Wilson
• MSG (Ret.) Healean C. Williams
• CSM (Ret.) Reginald Cooper
• MgySgt (Ret.) Lonnie C. Carson Jr.
• PFC Woodrow Wilson (World War II, posthumously)
• SPC Samuel M. McKenzie (Vietnam, posthumously)
• SSG (Ret.) Lonza Burgess (Vietnam, posthumously)
• SSG Aaron M. Arthur (posthumously)
• SP4 Williams J. McKenzie
• SSG (Ret.) Larry Robinson (Vietnam)
• S-FC Leavy H. Carter Jr. (World War II)

The breakfast will be served at Lake City High School, located at 652 N. Matthews Road.

Veterans and family members are encouraged to RSVP by emailing smitchell@fsd3.org or contacting the LCHS JROTC Department at 843-374-3321, extensions 94011, 94021 or 94031.

Four members for Florence School District 3’s Board of Trustees have earned recognition by the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for achievement in the association’s 2025-2026 Boardmanship Institute.

Dr. Julia Mims and Mattie Thomas were recognized for attaining Level 5. Steve Locklair and Gregory McKnight were recognized for reaching Level 2.

Board members can achieve up to six levels of recognition by earning points that are accrued annually from July through June for participation in statewide conferences and training provided onsite in their district.

SCSBA Boardmanship Institute, established in 1982, offers a year-round training curriculum to help board members develop skills and stay abreast of state and national education issues. Workshops focus on school law, advocacy and legislation, improving board operations, leadership for improving student achievement and other timely topics.

SCSBA is the statewide professional organization serving as a source of information, training and advocacy for the state’s 79 school district boards, county boards and state special schools.

Florence School District 3’s Office of Exceptional Children welcomed families to a special education parent event on October 21. The gathering brought parents and community partners together for an informative meeting focused on resources and support for students with disabilities and their families.

Guest speakers represented Vocational Rehabilitation, DDSN, the College Life Agency, Family Connections, Francis Marion University’s Autism Program, and the Autism Society. Presenters shared information about their organizations and the resources available to families.

Parents expressed appreciation for the information provided, describing the meeting as very informative. Attendees shared that they were glad they participated and looked forward to the next parent event.

The Office of Exceptional Children extends its sincere thanks to all participating speakers and agencies for their time, expertise, and willingness to connect with families. Their contributions helped make the event a valuable opportunity to strengthen connections between home, school, and community.

The district also thanks the parents who attended and shared their feedback. Through opportunities like this, Florence School District Three continues to build partnerships that support students and keep families informed and connected.

Credential students at Lake City High School are on the move again! Through a series of community-based learning trips, students in the Credential Program explore their community, learn about the local job market and discover opportunities available to them after graduation.

On their latest adventure, students visited Florence-Darlington Technical College to explore options for continuing their education. During the visit, they received information similar to what students would learn during a college orientation, including an overview of the enrollment process and the steps needed to get started.

By popular demand, the group also toured the college’s cosmetology program, where students learned about the different career paths available with a cosmetology license. From skincare and nail care to hairstyling, students got a closer look at the skills and opportunities the field has to offer.

Every opportunity to explore the community is a chance for students to learn, grow and imagine what their futures could hold. Through experiences like these, Lake City High School’s Credential Program is helping students discover new possibilities and take steps toward life after graduation.

Florence School District 3 is seeking input from parents and families to help evaluate the use of Title I parent and family engagement funds and the district’s parent and family engagement program.

If you are a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in FCSD3, please take a few moments to complete the 2026–2027 Title I Parent & Family Engagement Survey. Your feedback will provide valuable data to help assess the effectiveness of the district’s parent and family engagement efforts and inform the development and implementation of the Title I Schoolwide Improvement Plan.

Survey results will also help identify current parent and family engagement needs across the district and guide planning for the upcoming school year. Our goal is to ensure that parent and family engagement efforts are responsive to the needs of our families and support student achievement and success.

The survey should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. To access the survey, please use the following link:

English: https://forms.gle/bACdbcpQmNHeRvT7A

Spanish: https://forms.gle/mDJxWqL15quH6u5n9

Please submit your survey response by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 31.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for your continued partnership in supporting the success of our students.