Clover School District

Students in Carly Zukowski's and Grier Clarke's classes at Clover Middle School collaborated on a heartwarming project to stage a reader's theater for some of the special education classes . The reader's theater was called The Mixed-Up Christmas, and it showcased how creative activities can build critical skills. Students receiving speech-language therapy had an opportunity to practice essential speech and language skills, including articulation, fluency, vocabulary and expressive communication. The activity also fostered the development of soft skills, including teamwork, social interaction and self-confidence.

Congratulations to all the December graduates of Clover High School who will receive their diplomas tonight in a special ceremony at the Clover School District Auditorium. Best of luck, Blue Eagles! We are proud of you!

Gifted and Talented (GT) fifth graders at Larne Elementary got into the holiday spirit today by sharing Christmas traditions from around the world. Students worked in small groups to research how people in various parts of the world observe the holiday. They reported to one another about things like the weather at Christmas, foods, games and decorations. The students studied customs and traditions from China, the Bahamas, Canada, Japan, Australia, France, Mexico, Jamaica and Ethiopia. Once students delivered their presentations, they had a chance to sample the international cuisine, which included everything from steamed dumplings to Buche de Noel. They also played the games popular in each country. Betsy Heintz is the GT teacher at Larne Elementary.

The Oakridge Middle School (OMS) FFA took home two prizes from the South Carolina FFA Fall Fantastic Friday contest held at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood. More than 250 middle and high school students from 60 teams took part in the event, which was sponsored by the National FFA organization. The OMS Agronomy Team finished first in the state. The students were tested on their knowledge of crop and soil science, plant/weed identification, equipment identification, insect identification and problem solving. Team members include: Elim Leary, Peter Johnson, Nugent Moore and Lucas Arnott. The OMS Milk Quality and Products Team finished third in the state. These students were tested on all aspects of the dairy industry, including cheese identification, milk defects identification, fat content scoring and problem solving. Team members include: Dalton Osterberg, Isabella Seon, Ana Collin Torres and Lyra Work. The OMS FFA Advisor is Erica Wearing.

Small groups of CSD School Board members took tours of the Lake Wylie High School construction site earlier today. At this point, more than a million cubic feet of dirt have been moved as part of the construction process. In many areas, the walls of the first floor have been constructed. The next step will be the installation of steel reinforcements to support the construction of the second, and in some places, third floors. Lake Wylie High School is slated to open in August 2026. #GrowingTogether

Good attendance is important, especially as a quarter and semester come to a close. This month's attendance reminder is to schedule family trips during breaks to reduce the amount of class time a student may miss.

Bolin–Citizen of the Year Carrie Bolin, Principal of Clover’s Applied Technology Center (ATC), was named “Citizen of the Year” by the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce at their recent holiday celebration. Bolin was selected in recognition of the transformation she’s brought about for programming and student outcomes at the ATC. Bolin has served at the ATC for seven years. During her tenure, she increased the number of career and technical programs at the school to 22, ranging from diesel engine technology to cybersecurity. Students at the ATC have earned more than 2,000 industry certifications and served in more than 100 work-based internships. Last year, more than 300 students completed extensive, multi-year pathways to achieve the highest level of accomplishment in their respective areas of study. Superintendent Sheila Quinn said, “Carrie gets workforce development, and she always keeps student opportunities for leadership and growth as her primary mission. I am so proud of all that she has accomplished.” Bolin’s career has included serving as an agriculture teacher at Fort Mill High School and Clover High School. She served as an administrative assistant at the Ninth Grade Campus and as the Director of the Floyd D. Johnson Center in York prior to joining the Clover School District. Bolin holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education and a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision, both from Clemson University. Photo courtesy of Dana Sipper of Sipper Photography.

Two of Clover School District’s (CSD) athletic fields were named “Field of the Year” in their respective categories by the South Carolina Sport Field Managers Association (SCSFMA). The Clover Middle School (CMS) Baseball Field was honored, along with the Clover High School (CHS) Baseball Field. The SCSFMA presents the awards based on the following criteria: Playability and appearance of playing surface; Organization of maintenance program; Uses of facilities that impact playing surfaces; and Innovative solutions to playing surface problems. The CSD Maintenance Department submitted extensive applications for the awards, which included photos, narratives, an outline of the maintenance program, a budget and an organization chart. Maintenance staff members who worked on the CMS Baseball Field include: Andrew Love Marshall McCarter Scott Moses Lee Clinton Maintenance staff members who worked on the CHS Softball Field include: Lee Clinton Scott Moses Andrew Love Marshall McCarter Shea Hall, Coach Frank Falls, Special Assistant Banners designating the facilities as the "Field of the Year" will be displayed at the fields during the upcoming season.

There are many reasons we may need to seek help. That's why CSD has partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff and their families. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs regardless of circumstance. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider: Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 in any language. Visit www.caresolace.com/cloversd and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

Congratulations to the Clover School District (CSD) teachers who were recognized in York Electric Cooperative’s (YEC) Bright Ideas Grant program. Three teachers received Bright Ideas Grants. Laura Falls of Bethany Elementary was awarded $1,000 for “Empowering Students with 3D Printing: Fostering Critical Thinking and Problem Solving.” Alexa Dollard of Bethel Elementary was awarded $1,000 for “Buzzing Through Books: One Page at a Time.” Sam Harper of Bethany Elementary was awarded $500 for “Iron Sharpens Iron.” Additionally, seven teachers were nominated by community members for their outstanding work in the classroom to receive $350 Amazon gift cards. Gift card recipients include: April Clinton, Bethany Elementary Elishia Bazzano, Bethel Elementary Jessica Quinn, Griggs Road Elementary Jill Christenberry, Bethany Elementary Kelly Nellums, Larne Elementary Lisa Jackson, Clover High School Ta’China Williams, Clover Middle School

"Santa! I know him!" More than 200 Bethany Elementary families visited "Candy Cane Lane" last night to celebrate the season. Families took part in a variety of holiday crafts and even had a chance to take a photo with the jolly, old elf.

Construction crews continue to make great progress on CSD projects across our community. Lake Wylie High School is taking shape as more foundations are poured and new walls rise each day. Next door at t Liberty Hill Elementary, site clearing is underway, along with stormwater work. Walls are going up on the Arts Wing at the future Roosevelt Middle School. This project is expected to be completed in April. The exterior of the Clover High School (CHS) Fitness Center is substantially complete, and work is now focused on the interior. The project is expected to be finished in January.

Nine Clover High School (CHS) Air Force JROTC cadets received full scholarships to attend an accredited aviation university participating in a private pilot license training program in the summer of 2025. These scholarships are valued at $22,500 each. Five additional students were named alternates to the program. For the eighth year in a row, Clover High School led the nation in the number of students selected to receive Flight Academy scholarships. Over the past eight years, 116 Clover cadets have been selected for this prestigious program. The nine students selected for the program include: Erech Anderson Clayton Broom James Gilkeson Matthew Jackson Samuel Martinez Caleb Place Hudson Santiago Colesen Williams Katelyn Yarmoluk The alternates are: Madison Fellows Evan Pitts Allison Rodriguez Ayden Wolf Van Zieverink Clover’s AFJROTC cadets make up nine of only 194 AFJROTC cadets from around the world to receive the flight scholarship from Headquarters AFJROTC, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama. More than 1,100 cadets applied for one of the 194 scholarships. Additionally, there are more than 125,000 eligible high school students enrolled in AFJROTC at over 870 high schools in the U.S and overseas. The scholarship covers transportation, room and board, academics and flight hours required to earn a private pilot license. The Flight Academy Scholarship Program is an Air Force-level initiative in collaboration with the commercial aviation industry to address the national civilian and military pilot shortage. AFJROTC has been charged by the Air Force Aircrew Crisis Task Force to bring back the “luster of aviation” to high school students and increase diversity in aviation fields.

The holiday spirit is on full display at the Ninth Grade Campus! Staff members are taking part in the school's annual door decorating contest. Judges are visiting classrooms throughout the day to select winners from the very creative crop of entries.

Congratulations to all the students and staff members recognized at last night's School Board meeting! You make us proud!

The Oakridge Middle School Best Buddies program is making a difference this holiday season by creating stuffed animals that will eventually brighten the day of children's hospital patients. The Unified Buddies received an unstuffed bear, along with the necessary materials: fluffy stuffing and a special heart to place inside the bear. The pairs worked to carefully stuff their bears. Once the bears were fully stuffed, each one was tagged with a label from the nonprofit organization, Hugaroo. Hugaroo ensures that these cuddly creations will be donated to children in hospitals, bringing comfort and smiles to those in need. The event was coordinated by the Beach Play Company. The event not only strengthened friendships but also instilled a sense of compassion, as students learned the importance of giving back to their community.

December 9-13 is Computer Science Education Week. This is a time to inspire students to learn important technology skills and consider a career in the tech industry.

Bethel Elementary hosted its first "House Night" yesterday for parents. Bethel uses the Ron Clark Academy House System in which new students spin a wheel to determine which house they will belong to during their time at Bethel. From that point forward, they engage in house activities that help build a sense of community and house pride. The four houses are Reveur, Isibindi, Amistad and Altruismo. Each house has a distinctive color as well. During House Night, parents had an opportunity to learn house songs and chants and to do fun activities alongside their child. The evening included a performance by the school choir and a pizza supper.

Thank you for supporting the Holiday Assistance Program! Five hundred CSD students from 249 families will enjoy a brighter holiday season this year, thanks to our community's generosity. Churches, businesses, clubs and families "adopted" CSD families to support with the donation of presents this holiday season. Bikes, skateboards, dolls, athletic equipment, clothing and board games were just some of the items donated to the Holiday Assistance Program. Today, presents were collected and delivered to the district's social work team. The social workers are organizing the donations and preparing them for delivery to families in need next weekend.

I love a parade! The Pride of Clover Marching Band spread holiday cheer early this year by taking a practice run around the Clover High School campus this afternoon. The band will appear in the 54th Annual Clover Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 8, at 3 p.m.