THE TIGER TIMES

Greetings, Tiger Families! 🖤💛

It's another exciting week in Tiger Territory! We have much to celebrate, including an outstanding academic achievement, our Golden Tigers advancing to the football playoffs, and several opportunities for students to get involved.

This week, we're also celebrating Red Ribbon Week, recognizing our students' first-quarter accomplishments, and continuing to build a school community where every Tiger has the opportunity to shine. As we celebrate the many accomplishments of our Golden Tigers, I also want to take a moment to reinforce an important schoolwide expectation regarding student safety, privacy, and responsible cell phone use.

📱 Important Reminder: Cell Phones, Recording & Student Safety

As we celebrate our students' accomplishments, I also want to reinforce an important expectation regarding cell phones and student safety. We have seen an increase in students using personal devices during the school day, including recording incidents and sharing videos. These behaviors raise serious concerns about student privacy, safety, and disruptions to learning.

Effective immediately, we will be strengthening enforcement of district cell phone expectations. Students must keep personal electronic devices turned off and stored away throughout the school day, in accordance with district policy. Photographing or recording others without authorization is prohibited, and violations will be addressed in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Families, we need your partnership! Please remind your student that if they witness a conflict or concerning situation, they should notify a staff member immediately rather than record or share it. Together, we can protect student privacy, maintain a safe school environment, and keep our focus on teaching and learning.

Thank you for your continued support!

Now, on to some exciting news! We have an outstanding academic achievement to celebrate this week!

🌟 Student Spotlight | A PERFECT SC READY Math Score!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Oliver McLean, a 7th Grade student in our Montessori program, who earned a PERFECT SCORE on the Spring 2026 SC READY Mathematics Assessment!

This is an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects Oliver's dedication, mathematical understanding, and commitment to academic excellence.

We also want to recognize Ms. Jones, Oliver's mathematics teacher, for her dedication to supporting student learning and achievement.

Oliver will be formally recognized at the Richland One Board of School Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, October 27, at Dreher High School.

Please join us in congratulating Oliver and Ms. Jones on this outstanding achievement!

Way to represent the Golden Tigers! 🐯🏆

Check out the photos below as we celebrate Oliver's success!

🏈 OUR GOLDEN TIGERS ARE PLAYOFF BOUND!

Our Golden Tigers football team has earned a spot in the playoffs! We are extremely proud of our student-athletes and coaches for their hard work, dedication, and determination throughout the season.

Playoff Game Details:

• Wednesday, October 28

• Crayton vs. Sanders

• Kickoff: 6:30 PM

• Location: A.C. Flora High School, 1 Falcon Drive

• Admission: $5 plus applicable fee (ages 5 and up)

• Digital payments only

The clear bag policy will be enforced, and no outside food or drinks are permitted. Concessions will be available.

All students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to attend the game.

Let's pack the stands, wear our Tiger colors, and cheer our Golden Tigers on to victory!

GO TIGERS! 🏈🐯

❤️ Red Ribbon Week | October 26–30

Be a Hero, Stay Drug Free!

This week, our students will participate in Red Ribbon Week, a national campaign encouraging healthy choices and drug-free lifestyles.

We're inviting all Tigers to participate in our themed dress-up days!

• Monday, October 26 – Superhero Day: Wear a shirt featuring your favorite superhero.

• Tuesday, October 27 – Team Day: Wear your favorite team's apparel to show we're stronger together!

• Wednesday, October 28 – Future Self Day: Dress as your future self and imagine a lifetime of healthy choices.

• Thursday, October 29 – Character Day: Dress as your favorite school-appropriate book, movie, television, or cartoon character.

• Friday, October 30 – Hat Day: Wear your favorite school-appropriate hat.

We encourage families to use this week as an opportunity to talk with their students about making positive choices, developing healthy habits, and surrounding themselves with positive influences.

Every Tiger has the power to be a hero!

🏆 Quarter 1 Honor Roll Awards Ceremony | Friday, October 30

We are excited to celebrate our students' academic achievements from the first quarter!

Our Quarter 1 Honor Roll Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, October 30, during the school day.

Students receiving recognition in our Traditional and Career Magnet programs will receive individual invitations with ceremony details to share with their families.

We look forward to welcoming families and celebrating the hard work, dedication, and academic success of our Golden Tigers!

🏀 Basketball Tryouts | Updated Information!

Basketball season is right around the corner! Students interested in joining our 2026–2027 Golden Tigers basketball teams should review the updated tryout information.

Monday, November 2 — One-Day Tryouts

• Girls: 4:00–5:30 PM

• Boys: 5:30–7:00 PM

• Football players: May need to try out on Thursday, November 5.

Important eligibility requirements:

Students must have a sports physical dated after April 1, 2026, uploaded and approved in Arbiter Sports. Students may not remain after school for tryouts without an approved physical.

Students must also meet the district's academic eligibility requirement of a minimum 2.0 GPA in their courses from the preceding semester.

Please review the attached flyer for additional details and instructions.

Good luck to all of our future Golden Tigers basketball players!

🧠 Quiz Bowl Tryouts | Calling All Trivia Champions!

Do you enjoy trivia, academic challenges, and showing what you know?

Our Quiz Bowl team is looking for students who are ready to put their knowledge to the test!

Tryout Information:

• Tuesday, October 27

• Time: 4:00–5:00 PM

• Location: Mrs. Muller's Classroom, E-202

Students should arrive ready to demonstrate their knowledge across a variety of subjects, including history, science, literature, current events, and pop culture.

Interested in trying out? Please complete the interest form so our team knows who to expect:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/EJhAkKfDgE

Please remember that these are competitive tryouts, and participation does not guarantee a spot on the team.

📩 New! Easier Way to Submit Attendance Excuses

Tiger Families, we've made it easier to submit attendance documentation!

Whether you have a doctor's excuse or a parent note, you can now use our new attendance QR code to quickly email documentation to the school.

Simply scan the QR code on the flyer below, attach a photo of your documentation or type your note, and send!

You can also email attendance documentation directly to:

attendance.sanders@richlandone.org

Our attendance team will process submissions and update student attendance records as soon as possible.

Thank you for helping us maintain accurate attendance records and supporting consistent school attendance!

📱 Stay Connected with the Golden Tigers!

Want to see more of the exciting things happening at W.G. Sanders?

We invite all parents, guardians, family members, and community partners to follow our official social media accounts!

Facebook: W.G. Sanders Middle School

Instagram: @wgsandersmiddle

Follow along for school announcements, student celebrations, classroom highlights, athletic updates, upcoming events, and more!

Scan the QR codes or use the links on the flyer below to connect with us.

Help us spread the word and grow our Tiger Family online! 🐯🖤💛

🥫 MLK “Honor the Dream” Food Drive | Grade-Level Challenge!

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of service, W.G. Sanders Middle School is proudly participating in the City of Columbia's “Honor the Dream” Food Drive! We're turning this opportunity to give back into a friendly competition between our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to see which grade level can collect the most nonperishable food items! Families are encouraged to donate canned vegetables, fruits, soups, meats, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, rice, and other nonperishable items. Every donation, big or small, helps support families in need throughout our community. Let's show what it means to be a Golden Tiger by putting service into action and making a difference together. Small Cans. Big Impact. Together We Can! 🐯💛

📅 Important Dates & Reminders

• October 26–30: Red Ribbon Week

• October 27: Quiz Bowl Tryouts | 4:00–5:00 PM

• October 27: Richland One Board Recognition for Oliver McLean

• October 28: Football Playoff Game vs. Crayton | 6:30 PM

• October 29: School Dance | 2:45 PM

• October 30: Quarter 1 Honor Roll Awards Ceremony during morning Related Arts classes

• October 30: Tiger of the Month Lunch

• November 2: Basketball Tryouts

🖤💛 One School. One Team. One Roar.

Tiger Families, whether we're celebrating a perfect state assessment score, cheering on our playoff-bound football team, or recognizing students for their academic accomplishments, each success is a reminder of the incredible potential within our school community.

Thank you for partnering with us to create an environment where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to achieve their very best.

Let's continue building on our momentum and making every day count!

Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger! GO TIGERS! 🐯

With Tiger Pride,

Miles Dhuey
Principal

Opportunity for All • Excellence for Each • Barriers for None

Your Voice. Your School. Our Future.

Thank you to our Tiger families for participating in the 2026–2027 School Improvement Council (SIC) election process!

We are pleased to announce that Stephanie Casana has been elected to serve as a Parent Representative on the W.G. Sanders Middle School Improvement Council!

Our SIC brings together parents, teachers, administrators, and community members to support student achievement, strengthen school climate and culture, and help guide our continuous school improvement efforts.

We appreciate Mrs. Casana's willingness to serve and look forward to the perspectives and contributions they will bring to our school community.

Our SIC will soon convene to organize for the school year, including the selection of council officers and the establishment of priorities for the year ahead.

Thank you, Tiger families, for your continued partnership and commitment to making W.G. Sanders a place where every student can thrive!

One School. One Team. One Tiger Family. 🐯🖤

This year, it is especially important that families understand the impact of South Carolina's Act 204 on student grades. Under the new law, minimum grades or “grade floors” are no longer permitted—students receive the grades they actually earn. Additionally, eligibility for content or credit recovery requires students to demonstrate substantial participation by completing at least 80% of graded assignments in a timely manner.
The message for our Golden Tigers is simple: Every assignment matters. Every project matters. Every quiz and test matters. Every day matters.

Please encourage your student to complete and submit assignments on time, study for assessments, monitor grades, attend school consistently, and ask for help before they fall behind. Families should also regularly check PowerSchool, review missing assignments and zeros, and communicate with teachers early when concerns arise.

1. Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.

2. Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.

3. Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.

4. Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.

5. Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.

Who to contact if your child doesn't want to come to school:

Mr. Michael Alexander, SSW

Email: michael.alexander@richlandone.org

Office: 803-738-7575

Cell: 803-741-4484

If your student misses a day of school make sure to submit a parent note to our attendance email (see below):

School Phone Number:

📞 803-738-7575

Attendance Email:
📧 attendance.sanders@richlandone.org

CELL PHONES, HEAD PHONES, EAR BUDS, OR ANY CELL PHONE ACCESSORIES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE VISIBLE AT ANY TIME ON CAMPUS!

CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES

(See Policy JICJ for Full Policy)

FREE TO FOCUS POLICY – Aims to provide a positive learning experience free from electronic

distractions, students are prohibited from using personal electronic devices during the school day.

Expectations:

· Electronic devices must be silenced and stored out of sight during the entire school day, from bell to bell (8:00 AM - End of Dismissal).

· Electronic devices are strictly prohibited in locker rooms and restrooms.

· Electronic devices may not be used or seen at any time during the school day.

Parent/Guardian support: Parents are asked to refrain from calling or texting students during the school day.

Contact the school office for emergencies or urgent messages. Office: 803-738-7575.

Enforcement: If a student violates the preceding rules during the school day, the student will be subject to progressive consequences in the Student Code of Conduct.

Consequences:

1st - Referral - Warning

2nd - Referral - Parent Conference

3rd - Referral - ISS

4th - Referral - 1 Day of OSS

Should violations continue, the Student Code of Conduct consequences will continue to progress.

Responsibility/Liability: Any student who chooses to bring a wireless electronic device as described shall do so at the student’s own risk and shall be personally responsible for the security of the device. Neither the school personnel nor the district will assume any responsibility or liability for loss, theft, damage, or vandalism to such devices as described above brought onto school property or the unauthorized use of any such device.

Our Golden Tigers will earn their P.A.W.S. this year and be able to use them to get into incentives, events, and even purchase cool items from our PBIS store! Please encourage your Golden Tiger to "earn their Tiger P.A.W.S." every day at school by demonstrating our character values and behavioral expectations.

Arrival/Entry to Campus

• Arrive by 8:15 am, no later than 8:35 am. Do not drop students off and leave before 8:00 am unless there is a staff member outside to receive them.
• Traditional car riders, Career Magnet car riders, and walkers will enter at the front of the school between the A Building and D Building and enter the building through the car loop metal detectors. Adults are to remain in cars unless they need to go to the main office. No adults will be allowed beyond the main office without a visitor badge.
• Montessori car riders are to enter by the marquee and enter through the bus loop metal detectors.

Getting to Breakfast and First Period

• All Traditional 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders and Career Magnet 6th , 7th and 8th Graders: Report to the cafeteria if you are having breakfast. After 8:15, if you are not having breakfast, report to your hallway (Traditional 7th and 8th graders - D Building; Traditional 6th Graders bottom floor B, Career Magnet - top floor B).
• All Montessori Students: Report to the top floor of the E Building. Notify the Montessori staff if you wish to have breakfast before going to class.

Dismissal

• Dismissal is at 3:45 pm; however, Montessori students will be dismissed at 3:41 pm to the back of the school where parents will be lined up for pick up.
• Car riders will be dismissed to the front of the school.
• Students remain in class until their mode of transportation is called.
• Drivers, please stay off your phone and remain in your car while in the car rider loop. We need you focused on students who are crossing to the other side. Also, we need you focused on the lines of cars as they move forward. Do not pick up students from the center of the car rider loop.
• All students should be picked up by 4:15 pm. If you cannot arrive by that time, ensure you have made arrangements for school bus transportation.

At W.G. Sanders Middle School, we believe that appropriate school attire helps create a safe, respectful, and distraction-free learning environment where all students can focus on learning.

Please help your child arrive at school dressed according to Richland One Board Policy JICA. The following items are not permitted:

• Sleepwear or lounge pants
• Sunglasses or hats worn inside the building
• Sagging pants
• Cut-off shirts, half shirts, midriff-baring tops, tube tops, spaghetti-strap tops, or see-through clothing
• Biker shorts
• Leggings unless they are worn with a long shirt that fully covers the student's bottom
• Clothing displaying advertisements, symbols, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that promote or depict:
  • Alcohol
  • Drugs
  • Weapons
  • Profanity or inappropriate language
  • Hate or discriminatory messages

We appreciate your partnership in ensuring students come to school dressed appropriately each day. Following the dress code helps minimize classroom disruptions and allows us to maintain a positive learning environment focused on student success.

Thank you for your support in helping our Golden Tigers represent themselves and our school with pride!

At W.G. Sanders Middle School, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and engaging learning environment where every student can thrive. We ask all students and families to review the Richland County School District One Student Code of Conduct, which outlines the expectations for student behavior, rights, responsibilities, and disciplinary procedures. Please pay special attention to Page 4, which is the acknowledgment signature page. Parents/guardians and students are asked to sign this page to confirm that they have received and reviewed the handbook together.

We encourage families to discuss these expectations with their children as we begin the school year. By working together, we can ensure that every Golden Tiger contributes to a positive school culture where Opportunity for All. Excellence for Each. Barriers for None.

➡️ Click here to view the Richland One Student Code of Conduct

• Front office hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• All visitors must sign in via the Raptor system when visiting the school. Visitors must wear a visitor identification badge at all times.
• If you want to visit your child's classroom, you are more than welcome! Please reach out to the teacher and administrator over the program to arrange a date and time to visit.
• No outside food will be accepted for students. Please do not Door Dash orders to the school. (Chick-Fil-A, Wendy's, McDonald's, etc.)
• No balloons, flowers, or large gifts are accepted at school because students cannot take these items on the school bus.
• Adult supervision begins at 8:00 a.m. Do not drop your students off before that time.
• Our goal is to ensure every Golden Tiger gets home safely each afternoon.
  • Early dismissal ends at 3:15 p.m.
  • School dismissal begins at 3:45 p.m.
  • All students should be picked up by 4:15 p.m.
  • If an unexpected emergency will delay you, please contact the front office as soon as possible. We do not have staff supervision after 4:15 p.m.

Chanda Robinson- 6th Grade Traditional Administrator chanda.robinson@richlandone.org

Barry Charley- 7th and 8th Grade Traditional Administrator, barry.charley@richlandone.org

Candice Parnell- Career Magnet and Montessori Administrator, candice.parnell@richlandone.org

Peggy Logan- Head Guidance Counselor, peggy.logan@richlandone.org

Keyonna McClurkin- Guidance Counselor, keyonna.mcclurkin@richlandone.org

Michael Alexander- School Social Worker, michael.alexander@richlandone.org

Shelby Stevens- Database Specialist (Parent Portal), shelby.stevens@richlandone.org

Shakera Simmons- Registrar/Guidance Secretary, shakera.simmons@richlandone.org

Cimber Gillam- Library Media Specialist, cimber.gillam@richlandone.org

Angela Scipio- School Nurse, angela.scipio@richlandone.org

Janet Argrow- Parent & Family Engagement Specialist, janet.argrow@richlandone.org

🏈 Students who participate in athletics must have a C Average during the semester prior to the start of the athletic season.

🏀 If your child was selected as member of the football team, volleyball team, cheer squad, or any other athletic sport, your child will be removed if they did not have a C average during Semester 2 of the last school year. If removed, your child will be expected to attend the after school athletic tutoring program for support in increasing their academic average.

Reminders:

• Students attending any middle school athletic event or after-school performance must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. The parent/guardian must stay with the student for the entire event. Students will not be admitted without adult supervision.
• Students must have a ticket and show their school issued student ID to attend events.
• Spectators will not be allowed to stand, congregate, or "hang out" on the concourse or around the concessions stands or restrooms during the game.
• Entry gates will close at the end of halftime.
  Concession stands will close at the end of the third quarter.
• Tickets can be purchased through the home team's R1 Box Office on their website.

Let's have a great season and GO TIGERS! 🐅🏀🏈⚽🏐🤾🏻‍♂️

Parents & Guardians,

If your student has dietary restrictions, allergies or a documented medical condition that he/she is prescribed meds for please contact the Health Room for necessary forms prior to brining medication(s) in. Please be advised, these forms/medications have to be submitted each year. Your cooperation and prompt action helps facilitate a smooth process in initiating the individual health care needs of your student.

To attend school in South Carolina, all students must have a valid South Carolina Certificate of Immunization on file.

• 6th Grade: Students must meet all required childhood immunization requirements.
• 7th Grade: Students must receive a Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) on or after their 10th birthday.
• 8th Grade: No additional vaccines are required beyond those required for 7th grade.

Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments with their child's healthcare provider before the first day of school to ensure immunizations are current and avoid any delays in school attendance. Additional information is available through the South Carolina Department of Public Health.

Contact Nurse Scipio with any questions or if you need support or resources.

Email: angela.scipio@richlandone.org

We're looking for parents, guardians, grandparents, and community members who want to make a difference!

W.G. Sanders is excited to launch our NEW Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), and we'd love for you to be part of building something special from the ground up.

Whether you have a few hours each month or simply want to stay informed and support our students, there's a place for you. No previous PTO experience is needed—just a passion for helping our Golden Tigers thrive.

A strong PTO can help:

• 🐅 Support students and staff
• 🎉 Organize family events and school celebrations
• 🤝 Strengthen partnerships between home and school
• 💛 Enhance opportunities for all students

Interested? Please take a minute to complete our PTO Interest Form by clicking the link below.

Together, we can create a PTO that reflects the strength, spirit, and excellence of the W.G. Sanders community.

Opportunity for All. Excellence for Each. Barriers for None.

🐅 Golden Tigers Rise!

We are W.G. Sanders Middle School, a leader in transforming lives through education, empowering all students to achieve their full potential and dreams.