Awards
and Accolades for Hand
Middle School
Read
about our many outstanding accomplishments!
Mission
Statement: The mission of Hand Middle
School is to ensure that all students are provided opportunities to become
productive, responsible citizens and lifelong learners in a safe and supportive
environment characterized by a demand for excellence and enriched by the
diversity of the community of learners.
Dywanna Smith, Richland One District Teacher of the Year
8 National Board Certified Teachers
Academic
Team-1st place in District
School
Awards
·
Distinguished Arts Program
·
Palmetto Silver by State Department of Education
·
Historically Underachieving Group Award by
Education Oversight Committee
State
Champions 2006 South Carolina Middle School Mock Trial
·
Nine
Hand Middle School students, along with Coaches Robert Lominack and Medina
Boggs proudly won the South Carolina Middle School Mock Trial
championship. These students were Priscilla, Kendall, Zach, Dayne,
Lizzie, Sarah, Madison, Allison, and Brandon.
National
History Day
·
Four
Hand Middle School students competed in the 2007 National History Day
competition in Washington, DC. These seventh grade students were Jackie,
Sarah, Aran, and Ginger. They had already won at the school, regional and
state level competitions.
Kennedy
Center Creative Ticket Schools of Distinction Award
·
Hand
received the prestigious Kennedy Center Creative Ticket School of
Distinction Award. Only five schools in the nation are given this
annual award. As a result, a collaborative group of our fine arts
students performed an original musical on the Kennedy Center's Community Stage.
2006-2007
Girls Basketball Regular Season Champions and Tournament Runners -Up - Coach
Jody Davidson
Arts
in Basic Curriculum
·
Hand
has been recognized as an Arts in Basic Curriculum School since 2000 by the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Partners
in Education Grant
- Congratulations
to Dywanna Smith, 7th grade Language Arts teacher, for being
awarded a $500 PIE (Partners in Education) grant! This grant will
give Ms. Smith an opportunity to implement innovative projects to enhance
her classroom instruction.
Flagship School of
Promise
·
The
South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) has recognized Hand
Middle School as a Flagship School of Promise.
SCASA is the professional organization for educational leaders in our
state.
·
A
Flagship School has signed the Schools of Promise pledge, has established its
school-community collaborative process, has a diverse community team in place,
has set specific measurable goals, and has a plan for developing unmet
resources.
·
As a School of Promise, Hand pledges
that every child will have
1.
an
ongoing relationship with a caring adult;
2.
a
safe place to learn and grow;
3.
a
healthy start and a healthy future;
4.
a
marketable skill through effective education;
5.
an
opportunity to give back through community service.
Red
Carpet School
·
Hand Middle School has been named a Red Carpet
School by the South Carolina State Department of Education in recognition of
our family-friendly environment. Our Red Carpet hangs proudly in our
front foyer.
Duke
Tip Scholars
·
The
Duke University Talent Identification Program identifies academically talented
students in seventh grade. These
students have scored in the 95th percentile on a standardized test. Candidates are identified and invited to take
the SAT Reasoning Test. Students are
provided with information regarding their academic abilities and provided
resources for unique educational opportunities.
·
Twenty-two
students from Hand were named 2006 Duke Tip Scholars. Duke Tip Scholars
at the State Recognition level must receive a score of 510 or higher in either
the verbal or the math section of the SAT.
Hand’s State Level students for 2006 were William, Abby, Jonathan,
Kristen, Samuel, Rickey, Breland, Mia, Faelan, William, Austin, Raven, Johnice,
Marion, Kathryn, Dillon, Mitchell, Aran, Virginia, Jad, Collin and Lilian.
·
2008
State Identified Duke TIP Scholars: Edgar, Joseph, James, Allen, Samantha,
Stephen, Lauren, Sarah, Madeline - Thirty-five nominated students participated
in Duke TIP by taking the SAT in January 2008.
·
For
more information please visit http://www.tip.duke.edu
Middle School Award
for Excellence for Family and Community Involvement
·
Hand
Middle School received the South Carolina Middle School Association’s Award for
Excellence for Family and Community Involvement.
Middle School Award
for Excellence for Volunteer Programs
·
Hand
Middle School also received the South Carolina Middle School Association’s
Award for Excellence for Volunteer Programs.
Time
Magazine’s Middle School of the Year
·
Hand
Middle School was named by Time Magazine as its Middle School of the
Year. The article applauded Hand for its
“devoted community of friends, neighbors, teachers and preachers” that sparked
a revival at the school.
2006
Principal of the Year
·
The
South Carolina Association of School Administrators named Marisa Vickers the
2006 State Middle Level Principal of the Year.
She was praised for assembling an outstanding faculty and staff.
2006 Assistant Principal of the Year
·
The
South Carolina Association of School Administrators named Elizabeth Williams
the 2006 State Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year.
Exemplary
Writing Hall of Fame
·
Since
2000, the Writing Improvement Network and State Department of Education have
recognized Hand Middle School by naming Hand to the Exemplary Writing Hall of
Fame.
Blue
Ribbon Special Emphasis Award for Family Involvement
·
In
September 2000, Hand Middle School was one of eight schools in the nation to
receive the Blue Ribbon School Special Emphasis Award for Family
Involvement. Hand Middle School was
recognized for including parents as valued partners in education, for
exchanging information with families about school policies and programs, and
for providing a welcoming climate for visitors.
Blue
Ribbon School of Excellence
·
The
US Department of Education has recognized Hand Middle School as a National Blue
Ribbon School of Excellence.
Palmetto’s Finest
·
The
South Carolina Association of School Administrators has recognized Hand Middle
School as a Carolina First Palmetto’s Finest Award winner for excellence in
public education in this state.