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OUR THEME “Elevate Your Impact” OUR GOALS • Provide world-class safety and a positive school culture. • Provide world-class, high-quality instruction to increase student achievement. • Provide world-class communication and family engagement. April 23, 2024 Dear LCSD 55 Family, As with most school years, we find ourselves asking where the months have gone since the opening of school in August. Students and teachers have worked hard to get ready for this last big push of the year that includes state testing and the culmination of information that make up school report cards. State testing takes up much of May as our students get to demonstrate how much they’ve learned and grown this year academically. In preparation for testing, teachers have focused intensely on standards, introduced and implemented more effective strategies in classrooms, and used data to drive and focus classroom learning on the demonstrated needs of students. We have seen intense focus from our principals, teaching staff, and district support staff aimed at moving our students forward in their learning. We thank everyone who has helped get us to where we are today and will continue to work tirelessly for the benefit of students until the school year is complete. Although a testing day or days will not completely define our school year, we anticipate that good reports will soon follow because of the work put in. So, let’s push on, and finish strong, and be proud of what has been and will be accomplished. Sincerely, Dr. Jody Penland & Dr. Rhett Harris

REMINDERS & CELEBRATIONS

LINKS • NewsELA Spotlight: Laura Cook • NewsELA Spotlight: Crystal Medlin • April 2024 Poetry Month Student Work • IMPACT: 55 Episode 32 Mya VanDyke • IMPACT: 55 Episode 33 Joshua Hughes • IMPACT: 55 Episode 34 Cydney Smith • IMPACT: 55 Episode 35 Katie Stone • IMPACT: 55 Episode 36 Daniel Ramos-Gamez • IMPACT: 55 Episode 37 Virginia Smith • Laurens 55 Spotlight: Parvathi Etha

ROBOTZ GARAGE CONTINUES TO EXCEL AT ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS FRC (First Robotics Competition)Team 4451, ROBOTZ Garage, is a robotics team composed of students from Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS) & Fountain Inn High School. The team is led by LDHS Robotics Coaches Michelle Gibbs & Jamie Childress, and Fountain Inn Robotics Coach Rob Sheffield. They had a successful season full of learning curves. The team changed its drive base style from tank drive to swerve drive. Swerve drive is a type of drive train in which each wheel can turn in any direction. This change led to many other changes on the team's robot that caused the team to be behind other teams that already used the swerve drive. Our students persevered and improved their robot throughout the season. They were playing their best at the end of the season. ROBOTZ Garage opened its season with the first competition, March 7-9, 2024, in Anderson, SC, to participate in the PCH (Peachtree) District Anderson Event, presented by MAGMA. The team was awarded The Innovation in Control Award. The Innovation in Control Award celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components - electrical, mechanical, or software - to provide unique machine functions. The team competed with Alliance 2 and made it to the semi-finals. FRC Team 4451 finished the Anderson event in third place. ROBOTZ Garage went on to participate in the PCH District Carrollton event, March 21-23, 2024, held at West Georgia University in Carrollton, GA. The team was awarded The Innovation Control Award for a second time. After multiple issues, the team found their place with Alliance 3 and competed in the semi-finals. The team ended in 3rd place. The team qualified to participate in the Peachtree District Championship in Macon, GA, held in the Hawkins Arena at Mercer University April 3-6, 2024. Only 50 teams in Georgia and South Carolina qualify for the District Championships. The team was picked to play on Alliance 5. They made it to finals and placed 2nd as the District Champion finalist. FRC Team 4451 ROBOTZ Garage qualified to participate in the World Championship in the Johnson Division. Nearly 600 teams from around the world were on hand to compete. The World Championship was held in Houston, TX, at the George R. Brown Convention Center from April 17-20, 2024. The team played on Alliance 5 and finished fifth in the Johnson Division. The team finished the 2024 season as the first-place robot for South Carolina, the 5th-place robot for Peachtree District, the 153rd place in the United States, and the 178th place in the world based on the statical information provided by Statbotics. ROBOTZ Garage has participated in WORLDS for the last eight years. The team is one of only 35 teams in the world to make the playoffs at the World Championships in each of the last eight years. FRC Team 4451 ROBOTZ Garage is thankful for their sponsors, BOSCH, Bosch Rexroth Corporation, Michelin Laurens Proving Grounds, Laurens County School District 55 & Fountain Inn High School, Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission, Palmetto Air Solutions, 3M, United States Navy, United States Air Force, Gene Haas Foundation, STUEKEN Precision Metal, ZF Transmissions, MAGNA Seating, and FIRST South Carolina. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for FRC Team 4451, ROBOTZ Garage, email Michelle Gibbs at mgibbs@laurens55.org.

ATHLETICS COACH SPOTLIGHT: LAWSON JORDAN Lawson Jordan is a 6th-grade Social Studies teacher at Sanders Middle School. He is also the Head Wrestling Coach at Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS). Lawson Jordan holds a Bachelor's in Education from Coastal Carolina University. This is his first year in LCSD 55. Coach Jordan decided to teach and coach after he finished wrestling at Spartanburg Methodist College. He knew he wanted to help young people from rough backgrounds like his to find a path that works for them. Helping student-athletes turn the program around and make it something special while helping athletes reach new heights in this sport to open new doors in life brings him great joy. He said, “I believe wrestling is important in schools because our sport doesn't say no. You could be 90 lbs or 300 lbs, male or female, it doesn't matter. As long as you have discipline and put the work into this sport you can be successful.” Coach Jordan is making an impact on his athletes. Dakota McCall said, “Coach Jordan has a mindset like no other. He wants his wrestlers to go out there and do great things. He spends the majority of his time on the mat training us. He is the most dedicated coach I have ever had while playing sports & I am thankful for it. He can also connect with his students like no other, favorite coach of all time!” The strong trust among student-athletes and the strong support system contribute to Jordan's success. Jordan said, “I have a great support system with my wife, Victoria Jordan, and our weiner dog Boots! I am also lucky to have great coaches with me- Coach Jonny Martinez, Ryan Hughes, Shannon Parsons, Coach Chi Chi, and Coach Onasis Williams. I am blessed and excited. Go Raiders!” SPORTS TEAM SPOTLIGHT: LAURENS 55 WRESTLING TEAM The Laurens County School District 55 (LCSD 55) Wrestling Team had a fantastic first season with Coach Lawson Jordan as first-year Head Coach. The team aims to make a run for a 4A State Title next year. The captains returning for 2024-25 are Micheal Brown (State Qualifier/Region Champ), Dakota McCall (State Qualifier/ All-Region), Michael Aiken (State Qualifier), Leyden Gentry (All-Region), Gage Kemph, and Emily Riopel (Girls State Champ, 3x State Finalist, All-American). Returning studs for 2024-25 are Crisley Martin, who won 40 matches as a freshman at 106 lbs, Cayden Fiddie, Jordan Miles (35 wins), Kai McCall (35 wins), Jonathan Pagoada (37 wins), and Zi Anthony Priestley (28 wins). The team is excited about rising freshman and All-American Tairon Vincent to the lineup next season. Wrestler Michael Aiken said, “Wrestling is a great way to stay fit, build strength, and improve your overall physical health. Plus, wrestling teaches discipline and teamwork. It's also a lot of fun and a great way to make friends.” Students are encouraged to reach Coach Jordan at lmjordan@laurens55.org to learn more about the LCSD 55 Wrestling Program and to support or join the team.

ART TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: MRS. MARGARET DAVIS Margaret G. Davis is the Art Teacher at EB Morse(EBM) Elementary School. She is in her 6th year teaching at EBM, her 10th in Laurens County School District 55 (LCSD 55), and her 21st teaching art overall. Margaret Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Winthrop University. She has a Master of Arts in Teaching Art Education from Lander University and a Gifted & Talented (GT) certification from Furman University. The current LCSD 55 District Art Coordinator, Cynthia “Cindy” Wright, influenced Margaret to take the teaching path. Margaret volunteered and did substitute teaching at Ford Elementary with Cindy. Margaret started as a South Carolina Arts Commission Approved Artist-in-Residence in schools and did several residencies in photography and mural painting. Her residencies hooked her into teaching. Margaret believes art teaches the WHOLE CHILD and helps students grow as PEOPLE. She said, “The skills we learn as student artists, especially at the elementary level, will help these children lead successful lives, no matter what direction their future takes them. Creative problem-solving, perseverance, collaboration, abstract thinking, application, empathy, cultural awareness, accountability, and curiosity: art education encompasses all this and more.” Margaret builds students' confidence in themselves in their potential for all that they can achieve. She said, “It's fun to see kids getting to constructively play and imagine and dream and just be kids.” EBM 5th grade student Giuliana Cappelletti feels the joy in Margaret Davis’s class. She said, “Every time that we go to Art, Mrs. Davis is always in a good mood and she helps us with hard stuff. Mrs. Davis loves teaching, coffee, and art. That's why she is an amazing Art teacher. She draws very well and guides us on how to do it.” CAFETERIA STAFF SPOTLIGHT: MEGAN SIMMONS Megan Simmons has just been named the LCSD 55 Student Nutrition 2024-25 Support Staff of the Year. Megan is the Head Cashier at Sanders Middle School. She has been with LCSD 55 for three years. Before COVID-19 shut down schools, Megan was a stay-at-home mom and a parent volunteer at EB Morse (EBM) Elementary School. You could find her at the EBM book fair, Parent Teacher Association events, field day, or any other place needed. Megan loves children and knew in her heart the school setting was where she wanted to be. Megan loves cooking, and working in the cafeteria was ideal for her. “The greatest joy in my role is making connections with the students. In Laurens 55, we have students from all backgrounds. I do not know their stories, but I like to create bonds and connections with them so that whatever they may be facing, they can come to me,” added Megan. Megan’s role in the Student Nutrition Department is important. Their team feeds students nutritious meals. Statistics show that 1 in 5 children live in a food-insecure home. Meaning that roughly 20% of our student body may not know where their next meal is coming from. When students come to school, they can count on a hot breakfast and lunch. LCSD 55 looks forward to celebrating Megan and all LCSD 55 Student Nutrition staff members on May 3, 2024, for School Lunch Hero Day. Laurens County School District #55 is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. It is the policy of the district not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, age, national origin, immigrant status, English-speaking status, familial status, or disability with regard to students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment.