Flora Update

Friday, October 16- Richland One Pink Out Day for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Tuesday, October 20- PSAT (10/11) and Pre-ACT (9) more info below

Tuesday, November 3- Election Day Holiday

26-27 Richland One Calendar

All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will participate in the Pre-ACT (9th) or PSAT (10th/11th) at AC Flora Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Students will test in the morning, and they should be prepared to arrive at school on time and ready to test.

Students taking the PSAT should bring a fully-charged laptop and charger.

Pre-ACT parent letter

PSAT parent letter

Seniors Only!

On this day, seniors will have the opportunity to participate in activities that will directly relate to their post-secondary futures. All seniors will be required to participate in one of the activities below to be counted present at school on that day. Please see flyer below. If paperwork is not returned by the deadline, your student will be marked absent. IB seniors will take IB practice tests in the Media Center. Check email for more info from Mr. Keller.

Senior Job Shadow Form

Senior Service Form

Please complete this form to let us know your plans.

The D4 Rally provided a valuable opportunity for AC Flora Student Council to connect with other schools, exchange ideas, and learn how student councils positively influence their school environments. Through a variety of workshops, members collaborated with students from different schools and gained insight into the programs and initiatives they have implemented. By applying what we learned at the D4 Rally, AC Flora Student Council will continue working together to make our school a more engaging, welcoming, and exciting place for everyone.

Fifteen AC Flora students visited two elementary schools this week to deliver books and read with children in their aftercare programs. Students were volunteering as part of the Leader Academy sponsored by Chick-fil-A. See photos below.

Upcoming college and career visits:

College room in guidance (Flight Time)

Friday, October 16: Sewanee: University of the South

Wednesday, October 21: Army National Guard (Atrium)

Thursday, October 22: College of Charleston

Please see the latest Scholarship Update.

Please see this useful list of Scholarship Websites for the 26-27 school year.

Major Knowledge Pilot Program

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education is offering the Major Knowledge Pilot Program, a virtual initiative designed to help high school students explore college majors, learn about different fields of study, and gain insight into programs offered at participating institutions.

Register for the upcoming sessions:

October 21: Plumbing/HVAC and Industrial Engineering
October 22: Plumbing/HVAC and Industrial Engineering

Time: 5 - 5:45 PM

Students can learn more and register here:
Major Knowledge Registration

FREE SCHOLARSHIP SUMMIT – “ALL ABOUT THE MONEY”

• Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
• Time: 9 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
• Sponsor: VIBE@Brookland Youth Department
• Location: Brookland Baptist Church - Christian Learning Center Building, 1066 Sunset BLVD, West Columbia, S.C. 29169
• REGISTRATION: 2026 Scholarship Summit-VIBEatBROOKLAND

A reduced-cost or debt-free degree is possible. Come learn how and start preparing now!

Students, parents, and guardians will learn how to find, apply for, secure, and maintain college scholarships. They will engage directly with college and organizational representatives who review scholarship applications and award scholarships. Meet our scholarship coaching team, who helped four of their own young adults attend college DEBT-FREE. Also meet other students and families who we help to secure $6.4 million in scholarships from classes 2024-2026, including full-ride awards, and hear inspiring testimonies and their experiences firsthand. For questions, please contact vibeatbrookland@gmail.com or careercollegeplan@gmail.com.

We were so excited to have so many of you attend the FAFSA Information Night. Please click here for the presentation on our Scholarships page. FAFSA completion night will be on Wednesday, October 21, at 6 p.m. in the library. See flyer below.

The South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program supports high-achieving high school seniors with up to $24,000 ($6,000 per year for four years) at one of 14 participating colleges and universities. In return, Fellows commit to teaching in a South Carolina public school for one year per Fellowship year. Eligible South Carolina residents can apply October 1–December 1; start your application today at CERRA.org!

This is for any senior who may want to teach - you do not have to major in Education to be a Teaching Fellow.

Teaching Fellows Info Sheet

An info session is available for students and parents interested in applying for the Teaching Fellows program.

This is only available to students graduating this spring (2027).

Zoom session:

November 17, 2026 - 7 p.m.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93619670892

Monday, October 19 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in front lobby

Jostens will be here for seniors to pick up early order items that are part of their cap and gown package. Remember that orders can still be placed online at www.RhodesGraduation.com.

ABC: 11 until 11:15

DEF: 11:15 until 11:30

GHI: 11:30 until 11:45

JKL: 11:45 until 12:00

MNO: noon until 12:15

PQR: 12:15 until 12:30

STUV: 12:30 until 12:45

WXYZ: 12:45 until 1

Heyward students can go when they are on campus as needed.

Go to jostens.com/ybbuy to place your order for the 2026-2027 yearbook! Prices increase on November 20, so order yours today!

Yearbook ads are a great way to show your recognition and pride for your senior! To create and purchase your ad, go to jostensadservice.com/student and place your order. Time and space is limited, so be sure to place your order today!

Flora Athletics

To buy Falcon gear, see My Team Shop.

Halloween Candy Giveaway!

The PTSO is looking forward to trick or treating with AC Flora’s students, teachers and staff during lunch on Thursday, October 29! For those who would like to help, please deliver individually wrapped candy to the front office by Tuesday, October 27, or sign up to distribute the candy during lunch on October 29. To sign up for available slots, please click on the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48A9AA2BABFF2-66589807-halloween#/ Thank you from the PTSO!

Lunch for Flora Teachers and Staff!

The Flora PTSO planned and served lunch for Flora teachers and staff on October 6. The PTSO extends a special thank you to Home Team BBQ for donating a delicious meal. Please be sure to visit Home Team BBQ, at 700 Harden Street in Five Points, to try their amazing barbecue and much more! See photos below.

Join the AC Flora PTSO

To join and support the PTSO’s ongoing efforts in the AC Flora community, please click on the following links:

Friends and Family Memberships

https://www.acfptso.org/membership

Business Partners

As a Business Partner, you can promote your business to the large AC Flora community throughout the whole school year. All donations are tax deductible.

https://www.acfptso.org/business-partners

Stay in the know about your student’s grade level.

For each grade level at AC Flora, the PTSO hosts a GroupMe in which the PTSO’s grade representatives will post and circulate information about events and activities for that grade.

To get added to your student’s grade level GroupMe, please click here.

2026-2027 PTSO Donors:

Falcon’s Pride ($500 or more)

Josh and Martha McCain

Kenzie and Ryan Newton

Sarah and Harrison Penn

Falcon’s Flight ($250)

Stephan and Rachael Ardis

Aaron and Katie Barthel

Nicholas and Elizabeth Beasley

Shaun and Courtney Blake

Tommy and Missy Boggs

Nick and Heyward Bonyata

Tushar and Blakely Chikhliker

Susan Childs

Edward and Molley Clarkson

Stephen and Lindsay Creech

Shaun and Allison Cranford

Brian and Lauren Cunningham

Stephen and Townes Denemark

Alex and Sarah Dillard

Jay and Jackie Edwards

Ryan and Kelly Foster

Ryan and Melissa Gentry

Patrick and Leslie Gibbons

Shelton and Elizabeth Haile

Kyle and Meredeth Hewett

Sara Svedberg Homewood

Scott and Ashley Jaillette

Carter and Elizabeth Jeffords

Andrew and Jennifer MacLeod

Jonathan and Cydney Milling

Preston and Louisa Sabalis

Stephen and Liza Sansbury

Kevin and Anna Shalkham

Zac and Carmen Thomas

Bill and Rebecca Warren

Benefactors ($100)

Matt and Rebecca Agee

Tom and Kim Andrews

Blair and Erin Baldwin

Jonathan and Kelly Barbrey

Wendy Bauman

Ed and Elizabeth Black

Matt and Rhoda Jane Bowers

Rob and Danielle Boysen

Tim and Courtney Brooks

Blake and Ashlee Buchanan

Jason and Talyse Burkett

Travis and Elizabeth Burt

Gary and Celeste Carnaggio

Walt and Marianna Cartin

Erik and Nicole Crook

Eric and Laura Curbo

Dan and Mandy D’Alberto

Andrew and Christin Daniel

Brunson and Emily DePass

LJ and Kat Dragner

Antione and Kalenia Frederick

Scott and Raven Gambrell

Michael and Mundi George

Will and Lauren Gillespie

John and Megan Harrison

Ian and Emily Hancock

Mike and Suzy Hanes

Michael and Jessica Haught

Dave and Kristin Heydt

Todd and Amanda Hicks

Shannon and Gretchen Hope

Harry and Kelly Hoppman

Rocky and Eveleigh Hughey

George and Elizabeth Hutton

Oz and Elise Ince

Kenn and Ginny Jameson

Tom and Victoria Juran

Richard and Kalen Kloskey

Kent and Nan Krieg

Spann and Elizabeth Laffitte

JP and Clark Lee

John and Kim Leighton

Jim and Angie Lichty

Deonne and Kristen Long

Jon and Erica Ludovina

Glenn and Elisa Lumpkin

Denny and Elizabeth Major

Marwan Marzagao

Phil Muhlenkamp and Laura Nolting

Michael Mareska and Tara Powell

Mark and Lori Mauldin

Keith and Kelly McCook

Jamie and Monica McCutcheon

Reaves and Colleen McLeod

Terry and Kristy Moore

Blake and Anna Montgomery

Dale and Kerri Ness

Chris and Jenny O’Neill

Drew and Adriane Radeker

Hal and Melissa Ray

Wes and Brandi Rikard

Ricky and Kristie Rowe

Austin and Caroline Scott

Stephen and Amy Scott

Mary Catherine Scouten

Andy and Christy Slaughter

Jamie and Oakley Smyth

Bart and Rachel Snyder

Will and Ashley Thomas

Patrick and Shawn Toole

Justin and Kate Vaughan

Laura and Chad Voyles
Aaron Jasnow and Kristy Welshhans

John Lavigne and Sheryl Wiskur

Michael and Mandy Wren

Falcon Platinum

Forest Acres Needlepoint

forestacresneedlepoint.com

Falcon Gold

Brabham Griffin Insurance
brabhamgriffin.com

Sumter Utilities, Inc.

sumter-utilities.com

Falcon Silver

Andrews Law Office

thomasandrewslaw.com

Border States

borderstates.com

Bryan Eye Clinic

bryaneyes.com

HLJ Creative

hljcreative.com

JHV Travel

Bookyourjollyholiday.com

Johnson & Lesley

johnsonandlesley.com

McKenzie & Lybrand

mckenzielybrand.com

Milliken Properties

millikenproperties.com

Milling Law Firm
millinglaw.net

Peace of Mind

sodacitypeaceofmind.com

Purpose Equity Group

www.purposeequitygroup.com

Tara A. Leaphart, Attorney at Law, LLC
taraleaphartlaw.com

Falcon Bronze

Ace Glass

aceglasssc.com

Brabham Fence

brabhamfence.com

Brandon Davidson Interiors

brandondavidsoninteriors.com

Camp, Moring & Brendle, LLC

cmccpas.net

Lipscomb Auto Sales
lipscombautosales.com

Lipscomb Stump Grinding
lipscombstumpgrinding.com

Sandhills Pediatrics
www.sandhillsped.com

Email: jennifer.collins@richlandone.org
Website: https://www.richlandone.org/Domain/45
Location: 1 Falcon Drive, Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: 803-738-7300
Instagram: @acflorahigh