This was a “short”, 4-day week, but it was jam packed! SDS hosted the SCISA region basketball tournament on Monday and Tuesday. Our girls’ basketball team lost in a heartbreaker on Monday night and the boys advanced to the region final game on Tuesday. The boys’ team played hard on Tuesday night but came up a bit short. We are incredibly proud of both teams and their seasons and we wish them luck on Friday and Saturday as both teams travel to Sumter to compete in State Playoffs. Thank you to our loud student section that supported our teams both nights. Congratulations to Kaytlin McJimpsey, Payne Wood, Thomas Hyde, and Ron Rank who were recognized with SCISA awards at the conclusion of the games. 

Special Studies groups met during midmac this week to continue to prepare for all that is to come that week. For students going out of town for overnight trips, please make sure all required paperwork is turned in ASAP to the group leaders. This may include behavioral expectation forms, medical insurance information, prescription and non-prescription medication forms, or other required documents. Behavior expectation forms are to be turned in for all students.  Thank you for your attention to this.

In advisory on Tuesday, students had an opportunity to focus on catching up on any missing work they have, prepare in advance for assessments, or write thank you notes to our hard-working facilities department who work to keep our campus in tip top shape.

After this week, there are 3 weeks left in quarter 3, and one of those weeks is Special Studies. Students are reminded of this short timeline and to work to finish the quarter strong. We appreciate all of the support families give students to do so, as well.

A belated congratulations to 10th grader, Jane Manello and 11th grader, Sarah Halstead for their performance of Peter and the Wolf last week with Ballet Spartanburg. 

Ellie Baughman, 11th-grader, initiated a “Wall of Love” for Valentine’s Day. Students and teachers wrote kind notes to one another and posted them on the glass windows in Presnell. 

Finally, 10th-grader Christian Steiniger is participating in the 2025 Polar Plunge on February 22 to benefit Special Olympics. He is doing this on behalf of Interact. If you would like to donate to his fundraising page you can find it here. Christian has this to say about the Polar Plunge and Special Olympics, "The Polar Plunge is an event that brings people together to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics. The funds raised directly support athletes, helping them access training, competitions, and life-changing opportunities. In addition, we would love to see people come out to the Spartanburg Marriott dressed in your SDS spirt wear. Costume contest starts at 11:15 and the Polar Plunge starts at 11:30."  

Enjoy the long weekend!

Best,
Amanda & Jillian 

Upcoming Dates:
2/14 - No School
2/17 - No School
2/24 - 2/28 - Special Studies
3/7 - End of Quarter 3
3/11 - PSAT for 9th and 10th graders ONLY
3/17 - 3/21 - Spring Break