Breakfast held to recognize school's accomplishments

Leavelle McCampbell Middle School held its quarterly community breakfast Thursday with new principal Dr. Lloydette Young discussing the latest school accomplishments.

For the second year in a row, the school met all 17 federal Adequate Yearly Progress requirements. As a result, Leavelle McCampbell is now a receiver school in conjunction with school choice guidelines, she said. Leavelle McCampbell added five new students earlier this week.

The guests included Sheriff Michael Hunt and S.C. Sen. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield. Both offered their support of the school with Hunt noting that his son attended the school. Also attending the breakfast were Area 3 advisory council members Gwen Hightower and Bobbie Dandy and Public Education Partners Director Natalie Fox.

Monica Key, a Bridgestone human resources executive, also joined the breakfast meeting. Bridgestone is located just a few miles from Leavelle McCampbell in Graniteville.

"We're supporting all the Aiken County schools, but we definitely try to partner with the schools in Graniteville," Key said. "We want to keep in touch with what's going on and stay engaged in the local community."

Susan James, office manager for the McDonald's franchises in Aiken, said she has attended the breakfasts for several years.

"I enjoy seeing what they're up to and their plans for the kids," James said. "I'm from Graniteville, and it's always nice to see people for the community. We do support the kids, giving out french fry coupons to those making the A/B honor roll."

The middle school is organizing Ladies' and Gentlemen's Clubs with about 25 members each. An induction ceremony is scheduled Nov. 9.

"We have a diverse group with some students at-risk and others who are not," Young said. "Some of the students themselves could become mentors. If our at-risk students see our school leaders involved, it could get them to move toward those behaviors."

The curriculum will focus on helping students get to know themselves and work on goal-setting and etiquette.

"We will need our business partners to help us with some of our activities," Young said. "We would like for them to go to a four-star restaurant."

Mary Morris and Candy Griffin are starting their second year as the PTO president and vice president. They're planning a fall harvest dance and other events. They also sell tacos at school each Wednesday to raise funds for the PTO.

"I enjoy being involved in what's going on at school," said Morris. "Every parent should be involved."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.