Nine local schools have reason to celebrate after winning Red Carpet awards Monday for their success at creating family-friendly school environments and providing excellent customer service.
Clarendon School District 1's St. Paul Elementary was highlighted in the state Department of Education's press release.
"St. Paul Elementary School in Summerton makes its library available to parents and others in the community who do not have access to computers or the Internet," the release states. "The school also makes its facilities available for community meetings, family reunions and other functions."
Along with St. Paul, Clarendon 1's Summerton Early Childhood Center and Scott's Branch Middle School were named winners.
"We were thrilled to receive notice that three schools in Clarendon 1 received the Red Carpet award," said Superintendent Rose Wilder. "When a person visits our schools, they realize that people in the lead roles are customer service friendly. This is something we've been really working hard toward for the past five years, and we're just thrilled that we've finally earned it in three out of our four schools. Our goal for the coming year is to have all four schools as Red Carpet schools."
Manning Early Childhood Center and Manning Primary were two winners for Clarendon School District 2.
Superintendent John Tindal said in a statement: "... we are pleased to see these two schools get this recognition because we knew all along that they are special and they've done a great job in making sure that parents and other visitors to the school feel welcome and are excited to be in these schools. I commend all of the staff people at these schools for a job well done, and challenge all of our other schools to seek this recognition in the future."
Clarendon School District 3 did not have any Red Carpet recipients.
Sumter School District 2's sole winner, Shaw Heights Elementary, has been applying for the award for five years. Principal Stella S. Hall was shocked and thrilled when Superintendent Frank Baker delivered red balloons to her Monday morning.
"I'll never forget that feeling," Hall said. "It was unreal."
She insists the application process was a team effort of Joan Tye, assistant principal; Christine Carnes, curriculum coordinator; Debra Wilkinson, math and science coach; and herself.
"I couldn't be more tickled," Tye said. "We are really friendly, and we really deserve it."
Carnes said she remembers a few phone calls about curriculum at the school, and Hall recalled a parent visit in January that she had an inkling might be with one of the award judges because it was halfway through the year. Although the Shaw Heights' staff was "very cognizant" of a possible phone call or visit from the judges, Hall said, they try to be customer friendly all the time. She said staff is used to visitors with questions since they are located on the base and often work with families moving and transferring to the area.
Baker was also pleased with Shaw Heights' win.
"I am very proud," Baker said. "Congratulations to all who worked on the application here at Shaw Heights."
With red roses and congratulatory balloons in hand, Sumter School District 17 Superintendent Zona W. Jefferson made the personal announcement to Alice Drive Middle and Lemira Elementary schools that they had won the Red Carpet award.
"This is another shining moment for our super stars in Sumter School District 17," Jefferson said. "Our schools are a learning community, and a key element is ensuring parents feel comfortable in the school setting. The faculty and staff at Alice Drive Middle and Lemira Elementary have worked hard, and we are proud of them for coming together as a team to achieve this honor."
Alice Drive Middle Principal Rick Avins said he was "quite surprised" and excited when he learned the news.
"We try to be family-friendly," he said. "(This award) just goes to show the school is accomplishing that. We try to make everyone feel welcome, and (winning Red Carpet) says a lot about our staff."
This is the middle school's second time winning.
Lemira won for the second time this year as well. Principal Delcia Harper-Baxter said she was "prayerfully wishing" for the award and was "ecstatic" when she learned her school had won the Red Carpet.
"We take seriously the communication we have with parents and the community," she said. "We do everything we can to make our school an inviting environment. I was quite pleased to learn our work was not in vain."
West Lee Elementary was the sole winner for Lee County School District. Principal Robert Ervin said the school works hard to provide a safe, clean and friendly atmosphere for students and parents.
"Our goal is to improve the culture of our school," Ervin said. "We have been working collaboratively with our business partners, the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) and parents to create a friendly school environment. It takes everybody - custodians, teachers, parents and students."
The 124 winning schools receive red carpets with the state seal to display in their lobbies, and they maintain their recognition status for a three-year period.
A total of 262 schools began the Red Carpet award application process last fall.
Annabelle Robertson and Randy Burns contributed to this report.
Reach Jade Anderson at (803) 774-1250.