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LSC Family,
We've had a strong start to the new year at LSC! As an organization committed to “chasing love and excellence” through continual improvement, we're constantly collecting data to measure our effectiveness and action steps to improve.
The mid-year parent satisfaction survey data shows that:
- an overwhelming majority of the 190 families who participated agree that LSC exceeds their expectations,
- 100% say they made the right choice in choosing LSC,
- 100% indicate they're satisfied with the home-school relationship,
- and 100% would recommend LSC to a friend.
We again met the threshold required to become certified as a Great Place to Work for the third time, with 94% of 44 staff surveyed agreeing that LSC is a great place to work. Approximately 86.5% of our scholars have met the 500,000-word mark on our journey to read one million words this year. Our mid-year MAP assessment data is higher this year than last year and shows that nearly 80% of our scholars met their personal growth goals between the fall and winter, with nearly every grade level and subject area either meeting or exceeding the national growth targets we expect to see at the half-way point in the school year. Finally, our families continue to show a genuine commitment to being “all in,” logging in 1,510 hours to the school, with 77% of families completing at least one or more of their required 10 hours of volunteer service in the first half of the year. The year-end giving tree campaign was a phenomenal success in raising nearly $346,540.
We continue to work closely with our Board of Directors to bring the #LibertyForAll vision to life. Our Board of Directors recently recognized six Level 5 teachers (pictured below) at last month’s meeting and paid out $98,000 in performance bonuses for exceptional achievement in LSC’s founding year. LSC’s teacher salary scale for the 2023-24 year now reflects an average of the seven surrounding school districts to ensure that not only is LSC regionally competitive in attracting the best & brightest talent, but officially making it one of the top 5 highest paying schools/school districts in South Carolina. The Board has officially approved the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school year calendars, which mirror the SSD-modified calendar. The uniform policy has been revised to reflect expanded options to meet our families' further needs.
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Let's take a look at where we are at half way into the school year as some of our key metrics involving college & career readiness, operational excellence, & mission alignment.
LSC’s enrollment and facilities expansion is in full swing. All 270 open scholar seats for the 2023-24 school year have been confirmed, with 95% of families having fully engaged in the enrollment process. Demolition has officially begun for our Elementary Academy site at the former JC Penney. Our pre-school task force officially convened for the first time. Approximately 50% of the teaching staff needed to meet the needs of the enrollment expansion have already been hired for the 2023-24 school year. We have never been in a better position to make a difference in the lives of the children in Sumter County that we serve than we have at this moment. As you can see, we are continuing to pursue excellence with a sense of urgency to redefine public education in Sumter.
I appreciate all of you and the hard work and dedication you commit each day in and out as a valued Liberty stakeholder. Whether you are a parent, an employee, board member, or community supporter, please know that you are appreciated! Together, as one team, we will win one for the children of Sumter County. We are #LibertyForAll.
Dr. Trevor Ivey, NBCT
Interim Executive Director
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VOTE FOR US
Help us win the title of Sumter’s Best Elementary School for the second year in a row! We need your vote daily through February 6th! Spread the word and the link below.
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- Donuts with Directors - February 2nd from 4:00-5:00 pm Via Zoom
Join us for Donuts with Directors, where Ms. Chambers, Director of Campus Operations, and Mrs. Peckham, Primary Academy Director, will be available to answer any questions and listen to feedback and suggestions. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9521552287
- Invitational Tour - Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 6:00 - 7:30 pm @ LSC Primary Academy Campus
If you would like to attend and learn more about the story, mission, model, and future of LSC, please RSVP by contacting Sally Harris at SHarris@libertysteamcharter.org.
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The Classroom Spotlight for this month features The Mighty Marlins. They are known for “causing commotion in the ocean while believing and achieving!” This classroom is led by Lead Teacher Stephanie Hickmon and Teaching Fellow Kathie Cunningham, and it runs on relationships, routine, and rigor. Recently, The Mighty Marlins completed a unit of study on fossils that merged reading, writing, STEAM, and social studies. Thinking like paleontologists, scholars explored nonfiction texts, wrote compelling narratives, and created various types of fossil models. Scholars and teachers had the opportunity to chat virtually with paleontologist Mr. Tyler Bridges to culminate the unit. Mr. Bridges, a Sumter native and a 2008 Sumter High IB graduate, was thrilled to share his passion and experiences. He was able to review critical content while he connected it to his photos and stories. What a way to bring learning to life! He also answered a few questions and invited the class to send their additional burning questions to him.
The Mighty Marlins just kicked off their new plant module with lots of hands-on learning! Their challenge is connected to our yummy Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Program. During Quarter 3, they will learn all about how we get the fruits and vegetables that we enjoy and share their knowledge with the kindergarten and first-grade scholars. In February, they will also be researching notable African Americans as the second grade prepares to host our first Wax Museum showcase. In math, scholars are expanding their knowledge of addition and subtraction strategies. Through activities such as collaborative work, math talk, and SeeSaw challenges, scholars show what they know in unique and exciting ways. They are working towards their end of the unit project, where they will be planning a field trip and creating a budget for the trip.
Morning Meeting and small group time are special parts of the day! Ms. Hickmon and Mrs. Cunningham cultivate classroom community and meet the needs of their scholars in a creative and nurturing environment. They instill a passion for growth by celebrating scholars’ daily victories and encouraging them to persist through challenges.
Ms. Stephanie Hickmon, lead teacher, is a native of Sumter and a proud product of this community. This is her ninth year in education. She graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a minor in dance. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instructional Technology from Coker University. In her spare time, Ms. Hickmon enjoys spending time with family, friends, reading, dancing and volunteering at her church and with her sorority.
Mrs. Kathie Cunningham, teaching fellow, is a proud military spouse and mother. She is originally from Missouri and is happy to represent the Shaw Air Force Base community. She is completing a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Western Governors University. This is her fourth year in education. When Mrs. Cunningham is not at LSC, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, friends, going to games, reading, baking, and hiking.
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Fresh Fruits & Veggies for Scholar Lunches
Scholars were so excited to receive their first delivery from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program on their first day back to school following winter break! They will be given either a fresh fruit or vegetable snack two days a week, thanks to the FFVP grant!
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Progress on LSC Elementary Academy
Demolition for the Elementary Academy campus has officially begun—and five days ahead of schedule!! We are so excited!
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LSC to Raise Funds for Book Vending Machine
We are proud to partner with our amazing PTO for their next fundraiser! Ending February 5, prizes will be awarded to scholars who meet the PTO challenge. The funds raised from this project will be used to bring a book vending machine to the school for scholars to enjoy!
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Shoot for the Moon Corporate donates $7,000 to LSC
We want to give a HUGE thank you to our newest community partner, Shoot for the Moon Corporate, for their donation of $7,000!
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LSC Wins ‘Champions of the Environment’ Award
“Liberty STEAM Charter School could add to its "scholar" tagline that it is "training the next generation of environmental stewards" after a state agency recognized the school for fostering environmental education.” Read the full article here at The Item.
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Scholar Wins City Council Poster Contest
We are so proud of Mason Miller, 2nd Grade, for winning the 2023 Love Where You Live poster contest! He was honored at the City Council meeting, was presented with a framed poster of his artwork, and received a $100 gift card. Copies of his posters, along with the other two winners, are available through our litter office and at the Sumter Visitors Center, located at Swan Lake.
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Families Fill All 270 Additional Seats in Sumter Liberty Steam Charter School’s Expansion Lottery with Nearly 400 Scholars still on the Waitlist
“Liberty STEAM Charter School seems to have ended last year and begun this year on a good note after all available seats in its biggest enrollment expansion to date have been filled. Interim Executive Director Trevor Ivey said Tuesday that all 270 new seats from the public charter school's fall enrollment lottery in early December have been filled by families of future students.” Read the full article here at The Item.
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Sumter Native and Author, Qwen Lewis, Visits LSC
We enjoyed having Sumter-native, Qwen Lewis visit each classroom to read her book, “The Snaggle Tooth Royalty Club.” Scholars also had the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of her book.
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Sumter County EMS Emergency Training
Thank you to Sumter County EMS for providing BLS Certification class to our Operations Team and Medical Emergency Response Team.
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The Thames/Thomas Family
LaTeshia Thames, parent of Malachi Thomas (8, 2nd Grade)
What attracted you to LSC?
Me wanting the best education for my child. He was behind on everything before he came here. When I heard of the school and read up on it, I said this is what I want.
Why do you believe LSC is the best fit for your children?
He's so loving and caring! He can be a little upbeat, as well, but the teachers and everyone at the school takes time with him. When his first year was done, he was up at the top of everything. He has grown soooooo much! That's how I know LSC is for my kid.
What have your children enjoyed the most since attending LSC?
He loves PE and GARDENING! The extra enrichment opportunities have been great for him.
What are you looking forward to the most about your children attending LSC?
I am looking forward to my child growing more mentally, physically, and emotionally. I know he has it in him to be reading and writing top tier, and with the help of LSC, I KNOW THAT he will make it there. I'm looking forward to my child graduating from LSC.
What would you share with those looking to become involved with LSC by donating time or resources?
If you want to donate to LSC, I say do it! They get the school and scholars exactly what they need. You will not be disappointed.
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Instructional Team Spotlight
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Shasta Smith, Lead Teacher and Leader Fellow
What's your role at LSC?
I am a proud founding first-grade teacher of the Counting Clownfish and a leader fellow!
What inspired you to be an educator?
Every teacher has a voice, a platform, and a personal story with their own life experiences that influenced their professional dreams, beliefs, and practices. In first grade, I was fortunate enough to be a student in Mrs. Kincaid’s class. To a first-grader, Mrs. Kincaid truly sparkled. She gave us our own nickname, gave the biggest hugs, had the best story voices, could hoop it like Mike, and wrote us the sweetest notes. My favorite memories of her class were when we would go read to the kindergarteners. I loved going on adventures with them, helping them sound out words, and creating songs to help with sight word recognition. But mostly, I loved making them feel safe, valued, and empowered. I knew then that I wanted to be a teacher just like Mrs. Kincaid. Mrs. Kincaid was my biggest cheerleader in helping to shape and nurture my purpose, passion, and perseverance. She believed that a little girl could do anything. She continues to be one of my greatest sources of inspiration throughout my professional journey.
What is most exciting about opening LSC's first Academy?
I believe our collective actions of our LSC team and family have created a cultural mind-shift within our community and state. We have branded ourselves as dreamers and doers, believers and thinkers. It is evident that families across our state are anxiously seeking high-quality public school options, and we have dared them to dream with us as we redefine what is possible for the historically underserved within our community. Because one day, our life’s work will become a legacy. And, to me, there is no greater legacy that I could leave than emboldening every scholar with the greatest gift of all–access to a high-quality K-12 educational experience.
What is one fun fact about you people wouldn't know?
I own a publishing company and have written two books!
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Upcoming Events in February
- Feb. 1: Report Cards/Test Score Reports Go Home
- Feb. 2: Bookmobile, Donuts w/ Directors via Zoom, Family STEAM Projects Due
- Feb. 3: CCC & WEAR RED for Deployed Service Members
- Feb. 5: PTO Pizza Fundraiser Ends
- Feb. 6: Author Visit to Individual Classrooms
- Feb. 6: Camp Cole Visits LSC
- Feb. 7: MTSS Meetings
- Feb. 7: Staff Paint Party
- Feb. 8: Kinder STEAM Guest Speaker
- Feb. 9 Black History Month Wax Museum Project Goes Home
- Feb. 10: CCC/Wear RED for Deployed Service Members/SCTOYs Visit LSC!
- Feb. 14: Candygrams delivered by PTO
- Feb. 16: "CAN you show a little KINDNESS?" Canned Food/Dress Down Day
- Feb. 16: Valentine's Day Dance! (6:00-7:30)
- Feb. 17: Professional Development Day (No Scholar Attendance)
- Feb. 20: Holiday/No School
- Feb. 22: Black History Wax Museum Visits with 2nd grade
- Feb. 23: Eagle Pride Day/Dress Down
- Feb. 23: Guest Speaker for All Grades: Black Folketelling
- Feb. 24: CCC/Jacket Day
- Feb. 24: Focus on You Friday!
- Feb. 27: Read Across America Week Begins!
For important school-related dates such as when school is in session or when report cards are released, please reference our academic calendar.
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During this time of year, our area can experience a wide range of weather conditions from severe thunderstorms to snowfall. Please know that the safety of students and staff is always our primary concern when making any weather-related decisions. To ensure you’re getting the latest information, parents should be subscribed to Class Dojo, Remind, and the school-wide email list. If you are not, email [info@libertysteamcharter.org] or text [803-316-7849]. Learn more about LSC’s weather-related closing procedures here: https://bit.ly/3GnZO88
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