The Pulse

It was an exciting day for Marion County School District as we celebrated the dedication of the O6 Harvesting Futures Greenhouse at Creek Bridge STEM Academy. This special project represents the power of partnership and the impact of working together to create meaningful opportunities for students.

Students played an important role in bringing the project to life by painting pavers and refreshing the garden spaces, adding creativity and pride to a learning environment they will enjoy for years to come.

We extend sincere appreciation to the Original Six Foundation, SC State 1890 Research & Extension, and our generous sponsors—First Citizens Bank, ArborOne Farm Credit, Anderson Brothers Bank, South Carolina Department of Agriculture, Duke Energy, Nucor Vulcraft, and Marion County Healthcare Foundation—for helping turn this vision into reality.

The greenhouse will serve as a vibrant, hands-on learning space where students can explore STEM concepts, develop practical skills, and grow as future leaders. Projects like this cultivate more than plants—they cultivate opportunity.

Our school community came together in a powerful show of support by wearing blue in honor of World Autism Month. April serves as a time to raise awareness, foster understanding, and celebrate the unique strengths, talents, and contributions of individuals with autism.

We are proud to stand united in promoting inclusion, acceptance, and a culture where every learner is valued and celebrated.

Since 2001, the HTC REEL Kids Program—Recognizing Extraordinary Examples of Leadership—has celebrated students who demonstrate remarkable strength, resilience, and leadership while overcoming life’s challenges.

HTC proudly honored the REEL Kids Class of 2026 with a special celebration at Medieval Times, where each student was recognized for their extraordinary journey and unwavering determination. It was a well-earned moment in the spotlight for these inspiring young individuals.

Congratulations to all of our REEL Kids!
Your courage and leadership inspire us all—you make Marion County proud!

At the April 2026 meeting, the Marion County Board of Education proudly recognized a number of exceptional students and staff for their achievements in academics and the arts.

Academy of Early Learning

Congratulations to Kendi Lasane for earning the title of Schoolwide Sight Word Bee Champion at the Academy of Early Learning, and to Aubrey Ross for placing second in this outstanding competition. Their hard work, focus, and commitment to learning are worthy of celebration. We are proud of these young scholars for showcasing their literacy skills.

McCormick Elementary School

Congratulations to the students from McCormick Elementary School and Palmetto Middle School who proudly represented their schools at the South Carolina 4-H STEM Challenge. Their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills were on full display as they competed among talented students from across the state.

McCormick Elementary earned impressive 2nd and 3rd place overall honors in Visual Arts, while Palmetto Middle brought home 2nd place in the Agriculture Challenge—an outstanding accomplishment for both schools. We are proud of these students for showcasing excellence in STEM and representing Marion County School District so well.

Creek Bridge STEM Academy
Congratulations to the students of CBSA for participating in the South Carolina 4-H STEM Challenge! From coding and rocketry to robotics, bridge building, the mystery challenge, and visual arts, these students showcased creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving every step of the way. We are proud of your hard work and dedication!

Johnakin Middle School

Mr. Foxworth’s 8th-grade students recently had a remarkable opportunity to work with Artist-in-Residence Linda Dennis to bring history to life through the arts in their production, Swamp Fox: The Man Who Saved the American Revolution.

Through storytelling, performance, and collaboration, students explored the legacy of Francis Marion while showcasing confidence, creativity, and teamwork on stage. Their outstanding performance reflected both their hard work and a meaningful connection to history through the arts. We are incredibly proud of these students and the way they brought learning to life.

These students exemplify dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence. We celebrate their success and look forward to all they will achieve in the future!

Please join us in congratulating Amanda Smith, Marion County School District’s Bus Driver of the Year. This recognition honors her outstanding dedication, professionalism, and commitment to safely transporting students each day.

As one of the first smiles students see in the morning and one of the last waves they receive in the afternoon, Ms. Smith makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the students she serves. Her care, reliability, and positive spirit reflect the very best of MCSD.

We thank Ms. Smith for her exceptional service and for helping keep our students safe every day. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor.

We are proud to celebrate the success of this year’s 30-Day Reading Challenge, sponsored by the Parenting and Community Engagement Department. This year’s initiative engaged more than 650 readers across the district, encouraging students and families to build daily reading habits and strengthen a lifelong love of literacy.

We extend a special thank you to every participant whose dedication, consistency, and enthusiasm made this challenge so meaningful. The success of this initiative reflects the power of literacy, family engagement, and community support working together.

We are also proud to recognize this year’s winning schools for their outstanding achievement: Easterling Primary School, Johnakin Middle School, and Mullins High School. Their accomplishment highlights a strong commitment to reading and student success.

Through the leadership of the Parenting and Community Engagement Department and the dedication of participants across the district, the 30-Day Reading Challenge continues to strengthen literacy and foster a culture of reading throughout Marion County School District.

We are proud to recognize our School-Level Support Staff of the Year honorees—dedicated professionals who work each day behind the scenes and alongside students and staff to help our schools thrive. Their commitment, care, and service make a lasting difference in the success of our students and school communities.

From welcoming students each morning to supporting daily operations, these outstanding individuals represent excellence in service and the heart of MCSD. We congratulate each honoree on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for the vital role they play in making our schools stronger every day.

Each April, we proudly celebrate National Library Week—a time to recognize the vital role school libraries play in supporting student learning and fostering a love of reading. Our libraries are more than just places to check out books; they are hubs of creativity, curiosity, and discovery. We thank our dedicated librarians for inspiring students every day and helping build lifelong learners across our district.

Registration is OPEN for all students in grades 4K through 12!

Returning parents – Log in using your information from last year or check your email from Final Forms to begin. Don’t wait—secure your child’s spot today!

To register, visit www.marion.k12.sc.us or go directly to Final Forms at https://marion-sc.finalforms.com/