The People Who Help Our Schools SHINE!
Great schools are built on great partnerships, and in District 7, we are fortunate to have some of the very best! At tonight's Board of Trustees meeting, we continued a special tradition, now in its fourth year, of recognizing the outstanding PTO presidents who give so generously of their time, talents, and hearts to support our schools.
From organizing special events and rallying volunteers to supporting teachers, encouraging students, and bringing families together, these dedicated leaders are among our schools' greatest champions. So much of what they do happens quietly behind the scenes, but the difference they make is felt throughout our school communities.
In this season of gratitude, we couldn't think of a more fitting time to celebrate them!
As a special token of appreciation, each president received a District 7 Maglite flashlight, a gift traditionally reserved for our employees and Board members. The symbolism couldn't be more fitting. These remarkable volunteers bring light to our schools every day, illuminating opportunities, inspiring others, and helping our students shine.
Please join us in celebrating our 2026–2027 PTO presidents. They are pictured with Superintendent Jeff Stevens, Board Member Vernon Beatty, and their school principals:
• Jesse Boyd Elementary: Megan Zuercher
• Cleveland Academy of Leadership: Angela Petty
• Drayton Mills Elementary: Brandy Simpson
• E.P. Todd School: Kristen Goudy
• Mary H. Wright Elementary: Rashida Davidson
• Pine Street Elementary: Jenni Smith
• Carver Middle School: Amanda Bennett
• McCracken Middle School: Beth Hray and Adrienne Solesbee
• Spartanburg High School: Sarah Zemp
To each of these extraordinary leaders, thank you for the countless hours you give, the relationships you build, and the love you pour into our schools. You are so much more than volunteers. You are valued partners and treasured members of our District 7 family.
Because of you, District 7 shines a little brighter!
Great schools are built on great partnerships, and in District 7, we are fortunate to have some of the very best! At tonight's Board of Trustees meeting, we continued a special tradition, now in its fourth year, of recognizing the outstanding PTO presidents who give so generously of their time, talents, and hearts to support our schools.
From organizing special events and rallying volunteers to supporting teachers, encouraging students, and bringing families together, these dedicated leaders are among our schools' greatest champions. So much of what they do happens quietly behind the scenes, but the difference they make is felt throughout our school communities.
In this season of gratitude, we couldn't think of a more fitting time to celebrate them!
As a special token of appreciation, each president received a District 7 Maglite flashlight, a gift traditionally reserved for our employees and Board members. The symbolism couldn't be more fitting. These remarkable volunteers bring light to our schools every day, illuminating opportunities, inspiring others, and helping our students shine.
Please join us in celebrating our 2026–2027 PTO presidents. They are pictured with Superintendent Jeff Stevens, Board Member Vernon Beatty, and their school principals:
• Jesse Boyd Elementary: Megan Zuercher
• Cleveland Academy of Leadership: Angela Petty
• Drayton Mills Elementary: Brandy Simpson
• E.P. Todd School: Kristen Goudy
• Mary H. Wright Elementary: Rashida Davidson
• Pine Street Elementary: Jenni Smith
• Carver Middle School: Amanda Bennett
• McCracken Middle School: Beth Hray and Adrienne Solesbee
• Spartanburg High School: Sarah Zemp
To each of these extraordinary leaders, thank you for the countless hours you give, the relationships you build, and the love you pour into our schools. You are so much more than volunteers. You are valued partners and treasured members of our District 7 family.
Because of you, District 7 shines a little brighter!
Thank you to Viking Early College for visiting McCracken and speaking with our 8th-grade young men about this excellent District 7 opportunity!
We are grateful for opportunities that help our Eagles explore their future and discover the many pathways available to them as they prepare for high school and beyond.
For more information about Viking Early College, be sure to check out this week’s News from the Nest. 🦅
Lost & Found: Please encourage your child to stop by and check for any missing jackets, hoodies, lunch boxes, water bottles, or other belongings.
You never know what might be waiting to find its way back home!
Any items left on Monday will be donated to a local charity. 🦅
The Glass Slipper Is Waiting! Cinderella Auditions Begin Next Week! 👑✨
The magic is about to begin, and we're looking for the talented students who will bring Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella to life on the District 7 stage!
Auditions for middle and high school students are NEXT WEEK! Students in grades 6–12 are invited to audition November 10 and 11 at the District 7 Fine Arts Center at Spartanburg High School.
This spring, students from across District 7 will come together for our districtwide musical, continuing a treasured tradition that brings students of all ages together to shine on stage and create something truly special.
And there's room for everyone in this fairy tale! From Cinderella and Prince Charming to the Fairy Godmother, stepsisters, townspeople, and members of the royal court, there are opportunities for singers and non-singers alike. Whether you love the spotlight or simply want to experience the excitement of a districtwide production, we'd love to see you audition!
Our youngest performers will have their chance to join the magic in December! Auditions for students in 5K–5th grade will take place December 7 at Pine Street School and December 8 at Mary H. Wright Elementary School.
Mark your calendars! Cinderella takes the District 7 Fine Arts Center stage April 22–25, 2027. All cast members must be available for every performance.
✨ Audition Information for Grades 6–12
✨ Audition Information for Grades 5K–5
So warm up those voices, dust off those dancing shoes, and get ready for a little magic!
District 7 is going to have a ball! 👑✨
We’ve had a great Red Ribbon week celebrating healthy choices, making positive decisions, and reminding our Eagles to be the BEST they can be!
As we head into Halloween weekend, remember to make safe choices, stay with a trusted adult or buddy, stick to well-lit areas, and check your treats before enjoying them! 🍬🎃
From our Eagle family to yours, have a spooktacular Halloween! 🕸️🦅
🏆📣 FIRST PLACE FOR OUR EAGLES! 📣🏆
Our McCracken Middle School Competitive Cheer Team brought home 1st Place at the River Riverside Rally Invitational this week. Way to soar!🦅
Hello, D7 Families!
A long weekend is just around the corner!
Quick reminder: District 7 schools will be CLOSED on Monday, November 2 (Staff Exchange Day), and Tuesday, November 3 (Election Day).
And speaking of reminders, don't forget to FALL BACK! Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 1, so be sure to turn your clocks back one hour and enjoy that extra hour of sleep!
Looking for something fun, free, and safe for your child or teen while school is out? Our friends at City of Spartanburg Parks, Recreation & Special Events have you covered! They're offering FREE out-of-school programs for children ages 5–12 and teens ages 13–17 at local community centers on November 2 and 3. From games and crafts to sports and other exciting activities, there's something for everyone! Check out the attached flyers for locations, times, and details.
And finally, don't forget to VOTE!
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and we encourage everyone in our community to make their voice heard. Want to know what's on your ballot? To preview your personalized ballot, visit: https://vrems.scvotes.sc.gov/Voter/Login?PageMode=Sampleballot
Your voice matters, and every vote counts!
Enjoy the long weekend, D7 families!
Great schools don’t happen by chance—they happen through intentional planning, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous growth.
This week our instructional coaches have dove into our MPA data with our teachers to identify strengths, pinpoint opportunities for growth, and make informed instructional decisions that move student learning forward.
Every data point represents a student, a need, and an opportunity to make a difference. Our goal is simple: use what we learn to strengthen instruction, close gaps, and ensure every Eagle has the opportunity to soar! 🦅
💙💛 BUILDING COMMUNITY. BUILDING CHARACTER. BUILDING THE FUTURE. 💛💙
Building a strong sense of community sometimes means looking beyond the walls of our own building and recognizing the bigger vision of who we are becoming. As we mold our Eagles into future Vikings, we know that character, leadership, and sportsmanship are just as important as the game itself.
True sportsmanship means celebrating others, even when they are excelling in the very moments we are not. Tonight, we were incredibly proud of our football team for embracing the Viking vision and traveling to Carver Middle School to cheer on our other D7 middle school as they competed in the playoffs! 🏈💙
To our football players and coaches, THANK YOU for showing what it means to be great gentlemen, supportive teammates, and outstanding representatives of our school community. You reminded us that building a stronger Viking community starts with respect, encouragement, and a willingness to celebrate the success of others.
This is what it means to live the Eagle Way—to SOAR beyond ourselves and lift others along the way! 🦅💙💛
Congratulations to our McCracken Eagles on their victory over DR Hill tonight!
We are proud of the hard work, dedication, and teamwork our players continue to demonstrate. Thank you to our coaches for their leadership and to everyone who supports our Eagles.
A great night to be an Eagle! 🦅
🍎 HELP US SPREAD THE WORD: DISTRICT 7 IS HIRING! 🍎
Do you know someone who would make an amazing teacher? Or someone who has considered a career in education but isn't yet certified? Help us connect great people with great opportunities in District 7.
Our 2026 Educator Recruitment Fair is coming up on Thursday, November 12!
Whether you're an experienced educator or exploring an alternative pathway to teaching, this is your chance to discover what makes District 7 a special place to work. Meet our superintendent, teachers and administrators, learn about benefits and career opportunities, connect with alternative certification programs (for those not yet certified), and even apply for jobs and interview on the spot!
💙 Competitive salaries and benefits
💛 Employee childcare
💙 Commitment to small class sizes
💛 Support and mentoring for new teachers
💙 Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
💛 Master's degree cohorts with paid tuition
💙 A team committed to helping every student and employee thrive
📅 Thursday, November 12, 2026
⏰ 5–7 p.m.
📍 Fine Arts Center at Spartanburg High School
👉 Register to attend: Spartanburg7.org/RecruitmentFair
📣 D7 Family, help us spread the word! Share this post, tag someone who might be interested, or send it to a friend who would be a great addition to our team. You never know who might be ready to make a difference in the lives of students!
Do you know someone who would make an amazing teacher? Or someone who has considered a career in education but isn't yet certified? Help us connect great people with great opportunities in District 7.
Our 2026 Educator Recruitment Fair is coming up on Thursday, November 12!
Whether you're an experienced educator or exploring an alternative pathway to teaching, this is your chance to discover what makes District 7 a special place to work. Meet our superintendent, teachers and administrators, learn about benefits and career opportunities, connect with alternative certification programs (for those not yet certified), and even apply for jobs and interview on the spot!
💙 Competitive salaries and benefits
💛 Employee childcare
💙 Commitment to small class sizes
💛 Support and mentoring for new teachers
💙 Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
💛 Master's degree cohorts with paid tuition
💙 A team committed to helping every student and employee thrive
📅 Thursday, November 12, 2026
⏰ 5–7 p.m.
📍 Fine Arts Center at Spartanburg High School
👉 Register to attend: Spartanburg7.org/RecruitmentFair
📣 D7 Family, help us spread the word! Share this post, tag someone who might be interested, or send it to a friend who would be a great addition to our team. You never know who might be ready to make a difference in the lives of students!
🎉Celebrating Excellence, Eagle Style! 🎉
Our SC READY Max score achievers and the teacher of their choice, traded the classroom for a special celebration at Olive Garden, complete with an exciting limo ride and all-you-can-eat goodness! 🚘✨
We are so proud of these Eagles and their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. They worked hard, achieved big, and earned this special treat! We love celebrating their success and reminding them that their hard work truly pays off!
Excellence looks good on you! 🦅
📣Congratulations to our McCracken Competitive Cheer Squads for taking 1st place last week in the Middle School Division with zero falls, deductions, or violations! What an amazing accomplishment!
A huge shoutout to our cheerleaders, Coach Whitaker and Coach Curry for a job well done! 👏
📣 Come cheer on our Eagles this Saturday as they compete at Dorman.🦅
🎃🎶What a wonderful night at the Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee! 🎶 🎃
We are so proud of our amazing students for sharing their talents and making tonight so special! A huge thank-you to our incredible directors, Mrs. Diehn and Mrs. Rex, for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to our students. We are also so grateful for our supportive parents who continually show up and help make these experiences possible.🦅
☀️🍫 Science + S’mores = Sweet Learning!
Our 6th-grade scientists put their creativity and STEM skills to work by designing and building their own solar ovens to make delicious s’mores! 🔬 Students explored how solar energy, heat absorption, and insulation work together to harness the power of the sun.
A special thank-you to our amazing PTO volunteers for giving their time and helping make this hands-on science lab a success! We are so grateful for your support of our Eagles!
Who knew learning science could be so SWEET? 🦅
🍂 Fall Break Reminder! 🍁
District 7 students and teachers will enjoy Fall Break this Thursday and Friday, October 15–16!
Looking for something fun for the kids? Our community partners at the City of Spartanburg Parks, Recreation & Special Events have planned FREE activities for children ages 5–12 and teens ages 13–17, including games, crafts, recreation, and more!
Check out the flyers for details on locations, times, and activities.
Wishing all of our students, teachers, and families a wonderful Fall Break!
District 7 students and teachers will enjoy Fall Break this Thursday and Friday, October 15–16!
Looking for something fun for the kids? Our community partners at the City of Spartanburg Parks, Recreation & Special Events have planned FREE activities for children ages 5–12 and teens ages 13–17, including games, crafts, recreation, and more!
Check out the flyers for details on locations, times, and activities.
Wishing all of our students, teachers, and families a wonderful Fall Break!
Its HOMECOMING in District 7 and our SHS VIkings are ready to take on Fort Mill for the homecoming game TONIGHT (Friday, Oct. 9)! Kickoff is at 7:30 PM in Viking Stadium.
Get your tickets here: tinyurl.com/SHSHomecoming2026
Get your tickets here: tinyurl.com/SHSHomecoming2026
🏐 BATTLE FOR THE BRAG VOLLEYBALL ! 🏐
Tonight, our Eagles fought hard and came home with the WIN! What a night!
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who showed up, cheered loudly, and supported our Eagles! Your energy makes a difference!
And we’re not done yet! 👀
🏈 TOMORROW NIGHT: Our Eagles take on Carver again in FOOTBALL at Viking Stadium!
We’re going for the win! 🏈🔥
Let’s pack the stands, wear your green and gold, and show everyone what Eagle Pride is all about!
LET’S GO, EAGLES! 🦅
Great schools need great leaders and in District 7, we are fortunate to have principals who show up every day ready to lead, serve and make a difference.
Their mission is a big one.
They set the tone for their schools. They champion great teaching and learning. They celebrate successes, navigate challenges, build relationships with families, and make countless decisions, both seen and unseen, with students at the center.
Most importantly, they bring people together around a shared belief in what is possible for every child.
During National Principals Month, we are proud to celebrate the leaders who have accepted that mission across District 7:
Victoria Bradley, E.P. Todd School
Dr. Marquice Clark, Cleveland Academy of Leadership
Jonathan Duvall, Jesse Boyd Elementary
Carla Cato, Drayton Mills Elementary
Tammy Jordan, Mary H. Wright Elementary
Dennis Regnier, Pine Street Elementary
Randy Edwards, Carver Middle School
Dr. Telena Woody, McCracken Middle School
Dr. Andrew McMillan, Spartanburg High School
Erin Black, Spartanburg County Adult Education
Cameron Collier, Whitlock Flexible Learning Center
Rene Ford, McCarthy Teszler School
Shawna Bynum, The Franklin School
Their schools may look different and the needs they meet each day may vary, but their mission is shared: creating places where students can learn, grow, belong and become their very best.
To our D7 principals, thank you for answering the call, embracing the challenge and leading with purpose.
Mission Accepted. Every school. Every student. Every day.
Help us celebrate these incredible leaders by leaving a word of thanks or encouragement below!
#ThankAPrincipal
#D7MissionAccepted
Happy National Custodians Day!
Today, we celebrate the incredible people who work behind the scenes to keep our school clean, safe, welcoming, and ready for our Eagles every single day