SCWS News
A Monthly Newsletter - October 2023
Kim Dunbar Ed.S, M.S., CDF Executive Director, SCWS
"Happy November! We have some learning breaks coming up so make sure you continue to work hard and stay on pace. Make sure you reach out for help when needed. Remember to change your clocks on Sunday, November 2nd and enjoy the extra hour of sleep!"
Ebone' Adams, Ed.S Principal, SCWS
"As we enter the second quarter of the school year, I want to encourage students to stay focused, stay consistent, and stay motivated. Every assignment you complete and every effort you put in right now makes a difference. Whether you are working to boost your grades, catch up, maintain your momentum, or reach a personal goal, this is the time to push forward with purpose. Families, your support continues to be essential. Please continue to encourage your students to check their progress, communicate with their teachers, and make use of any available academic resources or support sessions."
Thank you to everyone who supported our Score Your Dough Fall Fundraiser — your help keeps our chapter growing, learning, and serving!
Close-Out Grade
Please pay attention to the Close-Out Grade shown on the Student Dashboard course tiles. Letter grades follow the 10 point scale.
A= 90-100 B= 80-89 C= 70-79 D= 60-69 F= 0-59(no credit)
Possip
Possip
Your voice matters! We need to hear what's working for you and what you need.
Thank you for sharing your ideas through Possip! In our most recent Pulse Check, 96% of you were happy or mostly happy with SC Whitmore School. Members of our community also shared the following:
- Praise for the staff and their amazing communication
- Appreciation for the structure and flexibility to meet the needs of students
- Praise for the awesome teachers for providing quality instruction for scholars
- Feedback regarding attendance and reporting issues
We will share your praise with our staff and are considering all your feedback. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Check out this video today!
Health and Human Service Cluster -
Interested in medicine, patient care, forensics, or working in a science lab? Then the Health and Human Service Cluster is for you! Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Cleary if you have any questions about the pathway or the courses at ccleary@scwhitmoreschool.org. You can also learn more today on our website.
Education Cluster -
Interested in the education field? Having a career in the education allows one to positively impact the lives of others. This might be through education and working with students, or through family and consumer science with various careers that improve the lives of individuals and the entire community. Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Cleary if you have any questions about the pathway or the courses at ccleary@scwhitmoreschool.org. You can also learn more today on our website.
Management and Entrepreneurship Cluster -
Interested in learning essential skills that align with a South Carolina graduate sign up for
Management and Entrepreneurship Cluster today! Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Holley if you have any questions about the pathway or the courses at bwilliamson-holley@scwhitmoreschool.org. You can also learn more today on our website.
Public Service and Safety Cluster -
Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Unlock the door to a career in law enforcement with our dynamic and engaging pathway! Whether you're interested in criminal justice, forensics, or public safety, we have something for you. Feel free to reach out to Mr. Crump if you have any questions about the pathway or the courses at tcrump@scwhitmoreschool.org. You can also learn more today on our website.
Questions about testing (SAT, ACT, EOC, WIN, PSAT)? Please contact the SC Whitmore School Testing Coordinator, Katie Coleman.
803-768-8313 or 803-216-5368
Email - kcoleman@scwhitmoreschool.org
ACT -
Attention students! Have you signed up for the ACT yet? The ACT is an important step in the college application process and can open doors to scholarships and financial aid. Plus, it's a chance to challenge yourself and see how much you've learned throughout your high school career. Sign up for the ACT today and take the first step towards your future success! #ACT #collegebound #educationmatters
SAT - Are you a student preparing for college? Don't miss your chance to take the SAT! This exam is a key component of the college application process. Sign up now and start preparing for success!
General Dual Enrollment Information Session Recording
Learn more about Dual Enrollment on the SCWS Website today!
- USC Union DE slides
- Dual Enrollment Information and Process Sheet
FAFSA help session recording
Winthrop University's Fine Arts Workshop on November 15. This will allow students to engage in hands-on workshops led by esteemed faculty and explore a variety of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, and photography. Register today! https://slate.to/FZJwrrA0https://slate.to/FZJwrrA0
Case Western Reserve University!
Theater Weekend at Case Western Reserve University will offer prospective performers, directors, playwrights, designers, technicians and stage managers a chance to compete for full- and partial-tuition scholarships by auditioning, presenting a design/management portfolio or submitting a play they have written.
Consider attending Case Western Reserve University Theater Department's Theater Weekends, which is being held in-person November 14-15.
The in-person weekend will kick off Friday evening with a meet-and-greet with CWRU faculty and students, followed by a workshop with theater faculty, as well as a tour of our state-of-the-art theater, The Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center. On Saturday, students will audition and interview for the scholarships in the morning and attend a CWRU Department of Theater production that evening.
Students register here
Each year, CWRU’s Theater Department awards four full-tuition scholarships to incoming students who wish to major in theater, and two $10,000 merit scholarships to students who wish to minor in theater. For more information, see CWRU theater scholarships.
Case Western Reserve offers an outstanding theater program for undergraduate students, including courses in acting, stagecraft, costume design, scene design, directing, playwriting and screenwriting, history, literature and criticism. Students perform on stage and serve on technical crews in mainstage theatrical productions each year. The high ratio of faculty to students ensures students work closely with highly skilled professionals.
For students interested in studying theater arts, CWRU Theater Weekend is not to be missed.
There’s still space for you to join us next week at Columbia College for a special screening of ROOTED and a behind-the-scenes campus tour!
It’s a free opportunity for high school students to:
- Tour our beautiful campus and meet current students
- Hear from inspiring community leaders
- Enjoy a special screening of ROOTED — popcorn included!
ROOTED shares the true story of Germaine Jenkins, who transformed an empty city lot into an urban farm in North Charleston, bringing fresh produce and hope to her community.
Event Details:
Thursday, November 13
3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Columbia College Campus
There’s still time for them to register before spots fill up!
2025 National Poetry and Art Contest!
SCCDA is our state's host for the National Poetry and Art contest, and each year we boast the most entries in the contest!
Please consider submitting an entry to this year's contest. The deadline is December 20, 2025.
All details for the contest can be found here: SCCDA Poetry and Art Contest
Every entry must have this form completed: Poetry and Art Entry Form
If you are unable to access the Google form, please use this PDF form: SCCDA Poetry and Art 2025 contest.pdf
Please submit all entries and forms to oursccda@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing your inspiring poetry and art!
We’re excited to let you know about Going Merry’s 12 Months of Scholarships!
This opportunity gives students up to 12 chances to win, with a new $1,000 scholarship every month, adding up to $12,000 in possible awards throughout the year.
About the Scholarships
Each month, one student wins $1,000 they can use for tuition, books, or school supplies. There’s no essay, no GPA requirement, and the application only takes a few minutes. It’s open to all high school, college, and graduate students in the U.S.
How It Works
Each month, Going Merry launches a new Monthly Scholarship. Students can (and should!) apply every month. They just need to log in and submit their application for that month’s drawing.
Here’s where it gets fun: entries compound!
- If a student doesn’t win the first month but applies again, they’ll now have two entries the second month. Apply again the third month? Three entries.
- Skip a month? No problem. When they come back, they’ll get entries equal to the number of their previous non-winning valid entries plus one for the new month.
- Example: Apply in December (1), apply in January (2), skip February (0), apply in March (3)→ 3 entries in March.
Each monthly scholarship period runs from the 20th to the 19th (for example, the December 2025 Scholarship will run Nov 22 – Dec 21), so be sure to remind students each month to apply again!
Cara Mathis, English/Language Arts Teacher
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to needlepoint and get together with my friends. My dog, Hank and I enjoy taking walks on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Tell a little bit about your background.
I was born and raised in Greenville, which is where I live now. I have a younger sister. I have always been a baseball fan thanks to the Greenville Braves and I like going downtown to cheer for the Drive in the summer.
What do you do at SCWS and what do you enjoy most about your role?
I am one of the English teachers at SCWS. I enjoy getting to know my students. I always appreciate when students recommend an author or book that they think I will enjoy. It is so cool that we can get to know each other and we don't have to be in a traditional classroom. I also enjoy helping my students when they have questions about a text or an assignment.
What do you want the students to know about you?
I am here to help you and I want you to be successful. I'm always looking for a good book or a new musician so please give me your recommendations!
Hank and Ms. Mathis just hanging out on the back porch.
Ms. Mathis, her mom, sister, niece at Disney World. We were all wearing shirts with her nephews face on them because it was his birthday!
My family took a trip on the Rhine River this summer. This is my sister, my parents, and me in Amsterdam.
Katie Coleman, School Testing Coordinator
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I like to cook, read, and travel!
Tell a little bit about your background.
I am from Lexington, SC and my family and I still live in the Midlands.
What do you do at SCWS and what do you enjoy most about your role?
I am the testing coordinator. I enjoy seeing all the moving parts come together to create a comfortable, organized testing environment that helps our students succeed.
What do you want the students to know about you?
I am always available for questions and guidance regarding testing!
Family time at the beach
Disney in June 2025
ArtMore
Named by an SCWS student, ArtMore is a digital literary and art magazine where students can showcase their work with their peers. The magazine features items such as original poetry, short stories, photography, multi-media art and more.
Check out the ArtMore Spring 2025 Issue today!
Have a submission you would like to have the Club consider for the next issue? Use this entry form.
Lit Lunch! November 6th and November 20th - 1 PM - 2 PM
Join us to take a break from schoolwork, meet new friends, and share any creative projects you're working on. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/SCWSRSVPNov25 and join us here: bit.ly/LitLunch1920
November 12th - Join us for SC Whitmore's Got Talent! Will you attend?
Do you have an awesome talent? We would love to see it! Sign up to attend or participate in SC Whitmore's Got Talent! A virtual talent show! There will be some awesome prizes for the winners! Click here to register by November 7th, 2025. https://bit.ly/25SCWSTalent
Lit Lunch! December 4th and December 18th - 1 PM - 2 PM
Join us to take a break from schoolwork, meet new friends, and share any creative projects you're working on. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/SCWSRSVPDec25 and join us here: bit.ly/LitLunch1920
December 9th - Join us for the In-Person Greenville Trip! We are going to an adventure course! Will you attend?
Join us for an adventure course in Greenville, South Carolina! Students must be able to meet SCWS faculty and staff at the Flying Rabbit Adventures location - 821 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607. Transportation will not be provided. RSVP by December 1st. https://bit.ly/SCWSRSVPDec25
Attention, students! We are proud to announce the launch of the brand new SCWS library! This library is completely free and completely virtual and offers hundreds of e-books, audiobooks, graphic novels, and texts in Spanish.
See this flyer for information on how to download the Sora app and access the SCWS library titles.
Find out how you can get notifications when your on-hold book becomes available in the SCWS library via the Sora app! Click here to learn more!
