This week, we are celebrating our two very special administrative professionals who are the heartbeat of SMS and keep our school running successfully: Ms. Chiselle Bullock and Ms. Tricia Harper. These amazing ladies go above and beyond every day to support our staff, families, and, most importantly, our students. Please join us in giving them a huge round of applause for a job well done! We appreciate them so much!
Calling all future Tigers ready to hit the court! This is your chance to get involved, compete, and start building for the season ahead.
📅 When: Sunday, April 26
⏰ Time: 3:00–4:30 PM
📍 Where: Swansea High Freshman Academy Gym
👥 Who: Current 7th–11th grade Lex4 athletes
Make sure you come ready to work—and don’t forget you must have an updated physical and permission forms to participate!
📞 Questions? Reach out to Coach Amaker (damaker12@gmail.com
| 803-747-9994)
Let’s get after it, Tigers! 🏀🔥 #TigerPride #GoTigers
📅 When: Sunday, April 26
⏰ Time: 3:00–4:30 PM
📍 Where: Swansea High Freshman Academy Gym
👥 Who: Current 7th–11th grade Lex4 athletes
Make sure you come ready to work—and don’t forget you must have an updated physical and permission forms to participate!
📞 Questions? Reach out to Coach Amaker (damaker12@gmail.com
| 803-747-9994)
Let’s get after it, Tigers! 🏀🔥 #TigerPride #GoTigers
Congratulations to our SMS Band students who participated in SCBDA Solo & Ensemble Festival on Saturday at Dutch Fork High School!
These students performed solos, duets and quartets for judges to earn ratings. We earned 13 Superior ratings (highest rating) and 6 Excellent ratings (second highest rating).
Way to go, Tigers!
These students performed solos, duets and quartets for judges to earn ratings. We earned 13 Superior ratings (highest rating) and 6 Excellent ratings (second highest rating).
Way to go, Tigers!
National School Librarian Day is a time to celebrate our amazing school librarian!
Thank you, Mrs. Donovan, for all you do for us each day at SMS! We are so lucky to have you at Sandhills Middle School.
Today we’re celebrating two incredible leaders who help make Sandhills Middle School the amazing place it is - Ms. Jill Tulli and Ms. Christin Bishop!
From supporting teachers and students to keeping our school running smoothly each and every day, their dedication, leadership, and heart do not go unnoticed. They are always stepping in, problem-solving, encouraging others, and putting students first.
Thank you, Ms. Tulli and Ms. Bishop, for everything you do to support our Tigers. 🐾
#TigerPride #NationalAPWeek #SMSStrong
From supporting teachers and students to keeping our school running smoothly each and every day, their dedication, leadership, and heart do not go unnoticed. They are always stepping in, problem-solving, encouraging others, and putting students first.
Thank you, Ms. Tulli and Ms. Bishop, for everything you do to support our Tigers. 🐾
#TigerPride #NationalAPWeek #SMSStrong
We’re on the home stretch, Tiger families! 🐾
SC READY testing is right around the corner, and this is a great time to help your student finish strong. Please take a moment to mark your calendars for these important dates:
📚 Tuesday, May 5 – ELA Reading
✏️ Thursday, May 7 – ELA Writing
🧮 Tuesday, May 12 – Math (No Calculator/Calculator)
Let’s work together to set our students up for success—consistent attendance, a good night’s sleep, and encouragement at home make a big difference!
SC READY testing is right around the corner, and this is a great time to help your student finish strong. Please take a moment to mark your calendars for these important dates:
📚 Tuesday, May 5 – ELA Reading
✏️ Thursday, May 7 – ELA Writing
🧮 Tuesday, May 12 – Math (No Calculator/Calculator)
Let’s work together to set our students up for success—consistent attendance, a good night’s sleep, and encouragement at home make a big difference!
We had such a fun time celebrating our Spring Fling Spirit Week! 🎉💜 From creative outfits to school spirit, our students and staff showed up and made it a great week at Sandhills Middle!
Now it’s time for a well-deserved break! 🌸
Spring Break will be April 3–April 13, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on April 14.
Enjoy the break, rest up, and we’ll see you soon, Tigers! 🐾
Now it’s time for a well-deserved break! 🌸
Spring Break will be April 3–April 13, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on April 14.
Enjoy the break, rest up, and we’ll see you soon, Tigers! 🐾
Congratulations to the Sandhills Middle School Choir for earning a Superior with Distinction at last week's Choral Performance Assessment! 🎶💜💛
A huge shoutout to Mr. Chesnutt and all of the students for their hard work, dedication, and determination. Your commitment truly paid off—we are incredibly proud of you!
📘 Don’t Miss the Memories — Order Your Yearbook Today!
The school year is flying by, and the yearbook is the perfect way for your Tiger to remember the friendships, milestones, and moments that made this year special.
✅ Order online: ybpay.lifetouch.com
📅 Deadline: April 3rd
Code: 15547426
Secure your copy now so your student can look back on an unforgettable year at Sandhills Middle School
Today, our 8th grade CAMP (College Admissions Made Possible) students visited Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College to experience a variety of college and career programs.
Students explored hands-on opportunities and gained a better understanding of pathways available after high school.
Thank you to USC GEAR UP for sponsoring this experience and continuing to invest in our students’ futures!
Congratulations to the Sandhills Middle School Gold Band on earning a Superior rating at SCBDA Concert Performance Assessment today! They represented our school and district in such a positive way on and off the stage. Congratulations to Ms. Randall and all of the students for their hard work, collaboration and determination! We are so proud of you! 💜🎶💛
We’re celebrating one of our very own today!
Ms. Julia Johnson, our incredible custodian, was honored by Representative Ryan McCabe for being named Support Staff of the Year for 2024-2025.
Ms. Johnson goes above and beyond every single day to take care of our school, our students, and our staff. This recognition is so well deserved, and we are grateful to have her as part of our Tiger family! 💜🐾
👏 Check out these students—our newest members of the Purple Shirt Club! 👏
They earned a spot on the Principal’s List through their grades, attendance, and positive behavior. We’re proud of the work they’ve put in to reach this goal.
Thank you to GEAR UP South Carolina in partnership with USC for providing the shirts and supporting our students!
📊 i-Ready Spring Testing is Coming!
Our students will soon take the Spring i-Ready Diagnostic, which helps us measure the growth they’ve made this year and identify the next steps for learning. This assessment gives teachers valuable information to support each student’s progress and celebrate how far they’ve come.
Testing Schedule
📚 Reading: March 18 & 19 (during ELA classes)
➗ Math: March 24 & 25 (during Math classes)
Students can help themselves succeed by:
✔ Getting a good night’s sleep
✔ Charging their devices
✔ Taking their time and doing their best
We are excited to see the growth our Tigers have made this year! 🐯
Our students will soon take the Spring i-Ready Diagnostic, which helps us measure the growth they’ve made this year and identify the next steps for learning. This assessment gives teachers valuable information to support each student’s progress and celebrate how far they’ve come.
Testing Schedule
📚 Reading: March 18 & 19 (during ELA classes)
➗ Math: March 24 & 25 (during Math classes)
Students can help themselves succeed by:
✔ Getting a good night’s sleep
✔ Charging their devices
✔ Taking their time and doing their best
We are excited to see the growth our Tigers have made this year! 🐯
Our 8th grade Tigers were thinking deeply in ELA this week! Students used Hexagonal Thinking to explore the concept of dystopia, working together to connect ideas and explain how different themes and concepts relate to one another.
This strategy pushes students to analyze, discuss, and justify their thinking—exactly the kind of work that helps build strong readers and thinkers. Great work, Tigers! 🐯
🐯 Congratulations to Our Teacher of the Year! 🐯
Sandhills Middle School is proud to recognize Mr. Marcus Barefield, our 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year!
Mr. Barefield is a dedicated 7th grade science teacher who leads, learns, serves and excels in his classroom every day. We are grateful for the impact he makes on our students and our school community.
Congratulations, Mr. Barefield, and thank you for all you do for our Tigers!
Sandhills Middle School is proud to recognize Mr. Marcus Barefield, our 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year!
Mr. Barefield is a dedicated 7th grade science teacher who leads, learns, serves and excels in his classroom every day. We are grateful for the impact he makes on our students and our school community.
Congratulations, Mr. Barefield, and thank you for all you do for our Tigers!
📷 Smile, Tigers! Spring Picture Day is Almost Here!
Spring Picture Day will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026!
Spring Picture Day will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026!
📣 Interested in cheerleading? This is a great opportunity to learn basic skills and get ready for May tryouts!
Don’t miss this chance to cheer, dance, and shine while building your skills and confidence!
For questions, email Coach Wilder at swilder@lexington4.net
Don’t miss this chance to cheer, dance, and shine while building your skills and confidence!
For questions, email Coach Wilder at swilder@lexington4.net
Lexington 4 is offering FREE sports physicals for all students in grades 6–11!
This is a great opportunity to get everything taken care of early and be ready for the upcoming athletic seasons!
If you have questions, please reach out to Molly Ryan at mollyryan@lexington4.net
February 15 was National SRO Appreciation Day! That means we had the opportunity to recognize someone who makes a difference in our halls every single day — Deputy Durco!
Deputy Durco serves the Sandhills Middle School community with dedication and professionalism. He plays an important role in keeping our school safe while also building positive relationships with our students and staff. His steady presence and commitment to our Tigers do not go unnoticed.
We are thankful for all he does to support Sandhills Middle School! 🐾💜💛
