Falcon Community 26-27

As we move through October, I find myself thinking about what makes Sevier such a special place. We spend a great deal of time talking about data, instructional practices, student achievement, and the work ahead of us. Those conversations matter. But every now and then, I think we need to pause and remember that the numbers never tell the whole story.

I was not here last year to experience the daily work firsthand, but I know the results did not happen by accident. I know they reflect the efforts of teachers and staff who worked hard, made adjustments, solved problems, and found ways to help students succeed, even when circumstances were not always ideal. I recognize that there were challenges to navigate and, at times, workarounds needed to keep things moving in the right direction. That kind of effort deserves to be acknowledged and respected.

Sevier has been a solid Good-rated school for more than a decade, and the accomplishments of last year are part of that story. We should be proud of what was achieved. I want you to know that I recognize the work and dedication that have brought Sevier to where it is today. While I may not have been here to witness that work personally, I appreciate the foundation that has been established and the people who have contributed to our success.

We do not have to overlook our success to acknowledge that there is always room to grow.

Sevier is a strong school, and we have so much to be proud of. We know that continued learning and growth are part of our work, but we do not need to lose sight of what we have already accomplished. We can celebrate our successes, take pride in the work we do, and feel confident in the direction we are headed. Growth will come as we continue doing the important work of educating, supporting, and believing in our students.

And as we do that work, I hope we remember that some of our most important accomplishments will never appear on a school report card.

They are found in the student who begins to believe in himself because a teacher refuses to give up on him. They are found in the student who feels safe enough to ask for help, the colleague who steps in when another needs support, and the young person who discovers that something he once thought impossible is actually within reach.

Those moments matter. They shape students, strengthen relationships, and help define who we are as a school.

As I continue getting to know Sevier and the people who make it what it is, I want you to know that I value the history and success of this school. I am grateful to be part of a community with so much to celebrate, and I am proud to work alongside people who care deeply about their students and their profession.

We can take pride in what we have accomplished without pretending every day has been easy. We can recognize the challenges we have faced while still celebrating the difference we make. And we can hold high expectations for ourselves while remembering that our value as educators cannot be measured by a single number or rating.

I am proud to be a Falcon, and I look forward to all that lies ahead. We have a great deal to celebrate, a strong foundation to appreciate, and every reason to feel good about the work we do together.

Warmly,

Dr. G. Walles

We are committed to our students' success and we are proud of our Sevier family. Together, we will keep growing, improving, and helping every Falcon soar!

Please go to SC Report Cards for more information.

Families will use separate platforms to pay for lunch and school purchases.

• Use My School Bucks to make lunch account payments
• Use School Cash to make school purchases such as ID Badges, Field Trips, Beta Club memberships, etc.

This year, all Mastery View Predictive Assessments (MVPAs) will be comprehensive benchmark assessments. These assessments measure students' progress toward mastery of grade-level standards by including both previously taught and upcoming standards. This approach helps teachers identify unfinished learning, recognize students' prior knowledge, adjust instruction and monitor student mastery throughout the year. Link: 2026-27 Cumulative Formative Overview

For the 2026–2027 school year, the Security and Academic departments are co-hosting a four-part webinar series on student technology use and safety. Please view the Flyer for more details.

• Parent Academy workshops for families of students receiving special education services! English and Spanish flyers are attached. Links: English Flyer | Spanish Flyer

• The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) has launched middleschool.org - This site is full of resources to help families understand and support their middle schooler with patience, love, and a little humor along the way!

• Keep up with your student's grades through Backpack.
• Important Quarter 1 Grade Dates
• September 15 = Quarter 1 Progress Reports sent home.
• October 15 = Quarter 1 ends.
• October 22 = Quarter 1 Report Cards sent home.

Please find the attached Vacation Planner and plan any family travel during scheduled school breaks to maximize instructional time and support attendance.

Join Us in participating in Red Ribbon Week. Our Sevier Counseling Department & PTA will host Red Ribbon Week from October 26th - 30th. Red Ribbon Week's purpose is to educate students on drug prevention and the dangers of substance use, encouraging students to live drug free and make healthy choices. Students will participate in daily activities and are encouraged to participate in the daily dress themes. The dress code still applies. Please click on the Red Ribbon Week Flyer to see a PDF copy.

Sevier Families: Treat yourself to a look inside Enoree Career Center!

Join them Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Enoree Career Center. Students of all ages and their families are invited to enjoy candy stops in every lab while discovering what Enoree has to offer.

Explore classrooms, check out class exhibits, and try hands-on activities that show how our students learn real-world skills. If you’re considering Enoree for next school year, this is a great opportunity to explore programs and find what interests you. Families from Berea, Carolina, Travelers Rest, and Wade Hampton are all welcome!

Enoree will provide a free dinner for everyone attending, and Culinary Arts will be taking advance orders for their holiday pie sales. Bring the family, enjoy an evening together, and see where your student’s interests could lead!

Enoree Career Center
108 Scalybark Road, Greenville, SC 29617

Sevier 8th graders and families are invited to Wade Hampton High School's Insight Night on November 10, from 6pm - 7pm in the WHHS Auditorium. Learn what Wade Hampton HS and the Fine Arts Cneter have to offer! See attached Flyer.

Please join us for our 29th annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 13th, beginning at 10:00 a.m. We will honor all veterans and active military, beginning the day with speakers in each classroom starting at 8:30am. ALL members of the community are invited. We ask that our Falcon families spread the word to their family and friends who are veterans or active military to please join us as our honored guests, and to consider being a guest speaker in classrooms that morning before the ceremony. Special seating will be available for all our honored guests, and they are invited to convene in the Media Center following the ceremony for a luncheon hosted by our PTA.

Veterans who are interested in being guest speakers would arrive and check in to the front office by 8:30am where student ambassadors will escort them to our Media Center.

Help us with our Guest speaker planning. If you or someone you know is planning to attend as a guest speaker, please fill out the Guest Speaker Google form to help us prepare. Guest Speaker form or call the front office at 355-8200.
Guest Speaker Form

Volunteers and Items Needed: Our PTA will host a luncheon for our veterans after the ceremony. We will need volunteers to provide needed items and to help at the event. Please look over the Signup Genius and please consider helping if you can. Your time and contributions are very much appreciated. Veterans Day Volunteer Signup Genius

Wall of Honor Submissions: Our Wall of Honor banners will be on display in our main hallway. Sevier proudly displays a Wall of Honor that names people who have been identified by Sevier Middle School students, faculty, and friends as individuals who have served in any branch of the military at any time. The information has been accumulated since the first Return to Camp Sevier event, observed on November 11, 1996. We ask our Falcon families to submit their new Wall of Honor submissions by October 30th. An online submission form is available below, and paper copies are also available in the Media Center.

Wall of Honor Submission Form (preferred)

Paper Copy of Wall of Honor Submission Form (due to Media Center by Oct. 30)

In honor of America's 250th Birthday, students in grades Pre-K through 12 are invited to participate in this district wide celebration through poetry, speech, song, dance, artwork, photography and essay!

Deadline for students to enter is October 30, 2026.

Winners will be chosen in each category at every school! School-level winners will be entered into district-level contest.

DISTRICT-LEVEL PRIZES:

28 Districtwide Winners - $50 Prize

4 TOP GCS Winners - $100 Prize

America 250 Flyer

Student Directions

America 250 Student Celebration Site

Sevier Middle School is now accepting submissions for the SCPTA Reflections Program! This is your chance to share your creativity and showcase your talents.

Students can submit original work in these categories:

• Dance Choreography
• Film Production
• Literature
• Music Composition
• Visual Arts
• Photography

Ready to share your work? Submit your entry at https://bit.ly/sevierreflections27 or contact Kate Radford at kate.radford3@gmail.com for more information. Submissions must be received by January 6, 2027.

We can’t wait to see what you create!

There is still spots open for free after-school tutoring program for 8th grade students. This program is funded by the GEAR UP South Carolina Grant and is designed to provide additional academic support in Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA). Tutoring sessions will focus on both current classroom curriculum and foundational skills that are essential for academic success. Space is limited, and registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tutoring Schedule
Dates: September 21 – December 11
Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Cost: Free
Transportation: Families are responsible for picking up students at 5:00 PM in the front car line.

If you would like your child to participate, please print and complete the form linked on the school website. Completed forms may be:

• Returned by your child to their 1st period teacher, or

• Emailed to jfinley@greenville.k12.sc.us

Once the completed form is received and space is confirmed, your child will be officially registered for the tutoring program. You will receive an email confirming your child's registration.

Again, space is limited, so we encourage families to return the form as soon as possible.

Don't forget to order your yearbook! Yearbooks will start at $40.00.

Order at the Sevier Yearbook Store on Jostens.com

There are still spots available on the 8th Grade Washington trip. Payments for the 8th Grade Washington DC trip are now being accepted. All payments are completed online through Jean's Tours. There is no additional fee for this online payment. The 8th Grade Washington trip is scheduled for March 3 - 6, 2027!

Please review the attached Washington Payment flyer for details or go to our website to access payment links.

10/15: $1 Spirit Day POSTPONED (New date will be shared soon)

10/15: End of 1st Quarter Grading Period

10/15: Math Predictive Assessment

10/16: Teacher Workday – Student Holiday

10/22: PTA Store

10/23: Fitness Challenge #2

10/23: Quarter 1 Incentive

10/23: Kona Ice Sold during Incentive

10:24: Robotics Competition @ Sevier

10/26-10/30: Red Ribbon Week

10/27: Enoree Career Center Open House 4pm - 6:30pm

10/30: Character Day (RRW)

11/6: 7th Grade Mixer (Volunteers & Donations Needed)

11/10: Wade Hampton High School Insight Night 6pm - 7pm

11/13: Veterans Day Ceremony 10am (Volunteers & Donations needed)

Darcy Storm- 6th grade Counselor (Department Chair)

Fallon Swafford- 7th grade Counselor

Megan Giordani August-Dec/Jami Loftin (Jan.-May)- 8th grade Counselor

Bethany Shirk- Counseling Clerk

Tonya Stewart- Mental Health Therapist

Career Conversations

We are looking for parents who would like to participate in our monthly Career Conversations! This is a wonderful opportunity to talk with our students about your career, share your experiences, and inspire them as they begin exploring future possibilities.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Fallon Swafford at 864-355-8377.

8th Grade IGP Meetings

8th Grade IGP (Individual Graduation Plan) Meetings are in progress. Thank you to all the parents who have participated.

Fine Art Center Tour

Eighth grade students who turned in an interest form for the Fine Arts Center will go on a tour on November 18th.

The Sevier Middle School Counseling Department is excited to provide 8th grade students with opportunities to explore future career pathways. On November 5th, students will tour the Enoree Career Center to learn about career and technical education programs and explore options that may align with their interests and goals. This experience is designed to encourage students to think about their future, explore their interests, and begin planning for high school course pathways to encourage future success.
Families are also invited to attend an Enoree Career Center Open House on October 27th. See the flyer in the "School Announcements & Updates" section.

On November 10th, students will enjoy a trip to a Swamp Rabbits hockey game and Mini Career Fair! This experience will combine the excitement of a hockey game with an opportunity to learn about different careers and connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities.

Basketball tryouts start November 4th!

Girls at 4:00pm

Boys at 5:30pm

Arbiter registration must be completed before trying out.

Welcome, Sevier families! We invite you to join us in making this a memorable and successful school year. PTA helps support our school by organizing volunteer opportunities, providing funds, and being an advocate for our students. Money raised by PTA goes directly back to our school to fund teacher grants, school supplies, student incentives, school events, and new technology. Please help our school by supporting Sevier PTA.

We look forward to meeting you! Email Sevierpta@gmail.com with questions.

The 2026-2027 Executive Board is

Matt Bates: President

Alex Souther: Vice President

Drake Davis: Treasurer

Samantha Thomas: Secretary

If you are interested in volunteer positions, please complete the PTA Parent Contact Form.

Upcoming PTA sponsored Events:

10/22: PTA Store

10/23: Fitness Challenge #2

10/23: Kona Ice on Sale during Incentive

10:24: Robotics Competition @ Sevier

10/26-10/30: Red Ribbon Week (RRW)

11/6: 7th Gr. Mixer (rescheduled)

11/13: Veterans Day Ceremony

7th Grade Mixer Volunteers Needed!

7th Grade Mixer Volunteer Signup Genius

Veterans Day Celebration Luncheon - Volunteers Needed!

Our PTA will host a luncheon for our veterans after the ceremony. We will need volunteers to provide needed items and to help at the event. Please look over the Signup Genius and please consider helping if you can. Your time and contributions are very much appreciated.

Veterans Day Luncheon Volunteer Signup Genius

Please join Sevier PTA! Make a difference for your child and our school community. Joining the PTA does not mean you have to volunteer for every event or attend every meeting. Help us in supporting our school. Memberships are $7 per person, or $25 for a family of 4.

Purchase online through Givebacks

(or) Print and turn in this form to the Sevier front office.

The PTA is hoping to eliminate traditional fundraising again this year by encouraging

each family to make a donation of $25.00 per family. Our school hopes to raise

$10,000 in PTA funds this year. These funds help provide programs for the students,

faculty, and staff. We appreciate any amount that your family can provide!

Purchase online through Givebacks

(or) Print and turn in this form to the Sevier front office.

Take advantage of our Sevier PTA Spirit Wear Store, open year round!

New sales promotions are offered frequently.

As of 10/14/26, a Flash Sale is offering $10 off hooded tees & Crewnecks.

Brand-new designs

New apparel and garment options

Personalized spirit wear on select designs

Orders are shipped to your house.

PTA Online Spirit Wear Store

We ask all Sevier families to help support our Sevier PTA by joining or purchasing PTA memberships and donating to our Fuss Free Fundraiser online at the PTA Givebacks Store. Parents who own a business are asked to consider becoming a Business Sponsor or to spread the word of our sponsorship program to family or friends who own businesses. We would like to thank our returning business sponsors Amy Stone Realtor, Chick-fil-A in Taylors, and The Poor Gamer.

Purchase a sponsorship online through Givebacks

or

Complete Sponsor form and return to front office