McCormick County students back in school

MCCORMICK, S.C. (WJBF) – It’s a new school year and students in McCormick County are ready with new book bags, fresh notebooks, and freshly sharpened pencils. This year the McCormick County School District is focusing on expanding personalized learning programs and on the safety of their students.

“I’m so excited. I’m ready for my classes and I’m ready to meet my new teachers,” smiled Tamira McIntosh.

McIntosh is a senior at McCormick County High School. She is looking forward to all that her senior year holds.

“Cheerleading is when I stand out the most because I love the movement and the stomping and shaking. Senior Skip Day. That’s what I’m looking forward to this year.”

McIntosh added that she believes the school district works hard to set students up for success. She is taking a class that will help to prepare her for a future career as an occupational therapist.

“The EMS class just got started this year, so I’m really excited for that.”

Superintendent Dr. Jaime Hembree told NewsChannel 6 that this year, the school district is looking to expand its personalized learning, hoping to increase the successes of its students.

“But also looking at the standards and again looking at that standard and saying what does it look like if a student needs to go beyond that or whatever? What does it look like if a student needs a little more intervention?” said Dr. Hembree.

Another change this year is for the safety of students. This year, every exterior door and window has an impact and shatter resistant film over it. The goal is to stop a shooter or someone trying to smash the windows to get in.

“A guy shot this 30 times with an AR-15 223 caliber bullet, and he took a sledge hammer and beat on it for about 10 minutes, and he made a whole probably the size of a basketball. So it just gives you time. 10 minutes is a lot of time when it comes to a very stressful situation where seconds count,” explained Scott Holmes, a School Resource Officer at McCormick Middle School.

The McCormick County School District is a district of excellence. Dr. Hembree believes that a lot of it has to do with the community.

“It’s a community where everybody knows everyone, and everyone looks out for everyone, and everyone cares. The pride here in this district is unbelievable,” she said.

After graduation, Tamira McIntosh plans to attend the University of South Carolina to pursue that degree in occupational therapy.

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