Newberry Middle School

08/29/2026

Getting to Know You: Chandler Watson

Newberry Middle School’s Choral Director | Third Year at NMS

Let’s get to know Chandler Watson, our Newberry Middle School Choral Director, who is beginning her third year at NMS! We are excited to continue celebrating Chandler and all that she brings to our students through her passion for music, creativity, and education.

🎓 College: Newberry College
Degree: B.A. in Music Education

🏆 Student-Athlete: Chandler is a former student-athlete who participated in athletics at both the high school and college levels. She also participated in band during high school and at the college level.

🚗 First Car: Red Honda Accord

😊 Childhood Nicknames: Chi, Chan, Chandelier, Chana, and Chandler B.

🎺 Clubs & Activities: Marching Band, Lacrosse, Science Club, Beta Club, Tri-M Society, and Astronomy Club

🎬 Favorite Movie: Coraline

🎵 Favorite Musicians: El Obama, Danny Elfman, and Ariana Grande

👩‍🏫 Previous Jobs: Infant Worker, Nanny, Daycare, Elementary Music Teacher, and Chorus & Band Director

🎨 Special Talents/Hobbies: Learning languages and painting

🔎 One Word to Describe Herself: Curious

📖 Favorite Quote:
“There is no exquisite beauty without some strangeness in the proportion.”
— Edgar Allan Poe

🐾 Pets: Nyla, Pepper, Bailey, Smudge, and Yuki

We are proud to have Chandler Watson as part of the Newberry Middle School family for her third year! Her love of music, athletics, creativity, and learning continues to make a positive impact on our students. We appreciate all she does for our Tiger family! 💜💛

08/29/2026

Getting to Know You: Sidney Clark

Newberry Middle School’s New 8th Grade Science Teacher

Help us welcome Sidney “Sid” Clark, our new 8th grade science teacher at Newberry Middle School! We are excited to have Sid join the NMS family and look forward to getting to know more about her.

🚙 First Car: Jeep Grand Cherokee

😊 Childhood Nickname: Sid

🎶 Middle School, High School, or College Activities: Band, Marching Band, Chorus, and SEAS (Students Engaged in Aquatic Sciences)

🎬 Favorite Movie: My Neighbor Totoro

🎵 Favorite Musicians: Noah Kahan and The Dip

☕ Previous Jobs: Barista and Patient Care Coordinator

🧶 Special Talents/Hobbies: Knitting, crocheting, and doing her own nails

⭐ One Word to Describe Herself: Dedicated

Please join us in welcoming Sidney Clark to Newberry Middle School! We are excited to have her dedication, talents, and passion for science become part of our Tiger family! 💜💛

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

Newberry Swim started up their regular season on Monday, and followed it up with a second meet last night against: Greer Middle College, Lexington, and Mid-Carolina. Even with a short lightning delay, we were able to complete all events.

The following are the team scores for each dual match from the 8/27/26 Meet.

Women's Division Scores
Greer Middle College 115 vs NEW 27
Lexington 153 vs NEW 25
NEW 50 vs Mid-Carolina 31

Men's Division Scores
Greer Middle College 133 vs NEW 17
Lexington 153 vs NEW 17
Mid-Carolina 65 vs NEW 31

Event Result Break Down (Odd events = Women's; Even Events = Men's)
Event 1 - 200 Medley Relay
4th Place - Peirce Reed, Julia White, Henley McDuffie, Amelia Wainwright

Event 2 - 200 Medley Relay
4th Place - Jack Edwards, Aarush Kumar, Tristan Chaplin, James Edwards STATE CONSIDERATION TIME 🏅

Event 7 - 50 Freestyle
6th Place - Julia White (↓0.69🎉)STATE CONSIDERATION TIME 🏅
12th Place - Henley McDuffie
16th Place - Amelia Wainwright
19th Place - Peirce Reed

Event 8 - 50 Freestyle
4th Place - Tristan Chaplin STATE CONSIDERATION TIME 🏅
9th Place - James Edwards STATE CONSIDERATION TIME 🏅
15th Place - Aarush Kumar (↓2.50🎉)

APOLOGIES FOR LEAVING THIS OFF MONDAY’S INFO, BUT TRISTAN CHAPLIN ALSO HAS A STATE CONSIDERATION TIME 🏅 FOR HIS 100 BUTTERFLY

Event 11 - 100 Freestyle
10th Place - Henley McDuffie (↓2.50🎉)
13th Place - Amelia Wainwright

Event 15 - 200 Freestyle Relay
6th Place - Henley McDuffie, Peirce Reed, Amelia Wainwright, and Julia White (↓0.22)

Event 16 - 200 Freestyle Relay
4th Place - Jack Edwards, James Edwards, Aarush Kumar, Tristan Chaplin (DQ - Early Take off on 3rd leg)

Event 17 - 100 Backstroke
7th Place - Peirce Reed (First non-Freestyle event 🎉)

Event 19 - 100 Breaststroke
3rd Place - Julia White (↓0.84🎉) STATE CONSIDERATION TIME 🏅

Event 20 - 100 Breaststroke
4th Place - Tristan Chaplin (↓0.26🎉)
7th Place - Aarush Kumar (↓6.28🎉)
7th Place - James Edwards

Our next regular season meet will be on the road NEXT Thursday, SEPTEMBER 3rd @ Quail Valley Racquet and Swim Club where we swim against Chapin and Mid-Carolina.

Our next and FINAL home meet will be Thursday, SEPTEMBER 10th at the Newberry YMCA against Belton Honea Path, Emerald, Mid-Carolina, Spring Valley, and Strom-Thurmond

And of course, none of this would even be possible without our FANTASTIC parents who volunteered who helped make sure we got started on time and that our meet ran efficiently. Know that we love and appreciate each of your commitment to our team!

Stroke and Turn Judges: Anne Edwards
Meet Manager/Time Entry: Jacinda White
Head Timer: Jason Edwards
Timers: Tiera Rollins, Cy Wainwright, and Rachel Reed

Thank you everyone!

With pride,

Coach Leslie McDuffie and McKensey Cantrell

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

ATHLETIC EVENT INFORMATION
Ticket Prices:
Varsity Football: $10
Varsity Basketball: $8
All other high school events: $7
Middle school events: $6
Combined MS/JV events: $7

Newberry County Senior Citizen Gold Card: $1
SDNC Employees: $3 with ID
Booster Club memberships may have separate pricing
*Pre-season, playoffs, tournaments, and jamborees are excluded
*No re-entry allowed without purchasing another ticket

Event Safety
The School District of Newberry County is committed to ensuring the safety of its students, staffs, and spectators at all extracurricular events.

CLEAR BAG REQUIREMENT:
APPROVED BAGS

CLEAR TOTE - PLASTIC, VINYL OR PVC
12" X 6" X 12"

SMALL CLUTCH PURSE APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A HAND WITH OR WITHOUT STRAPS. NO LARGER THAN 4.5" X 6.5"

PLASTIC ZIP-TOP BAG. CLEAR, ONE (1) GALLON, RESEALABLE

ADMISSION:
ADMISSION WILL BE CHARGED THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE EVENT

STUDENT SUPERVISION:
ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS AND YOUNGER MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN

NO PETS. AUTHORIZED SERVICE ANIMALS ARE WELCOME

NO WEAPONS

SAFETY OFFICIALS
SDNC PARTNERS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EVENT STAFF TO ENSURE SPECTATOR SAFETY FOR THE DURATION OF THE EVENT

NO SMOKING, VA**NG, OR ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES

08/29/2026

School District of Newberry County Emphasizes Balanced, Purposeful Use of Instructional Technology

The School District of Newberry County is reinforcing its commitment to providing students with meaningful learning experiences through a balanced approach that combines high-quality classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and the purposeful use of technology.

Technology continues to play an important role in today’s classrooms, but district leaders emphasize that devices are tools to support instruction, not replace effective teaching, student collaboration, or traditional learning experiences. Technology use throughout the district is structured, teacher-monitored, and aligned with specific instructional goals.

“We recognize the importance of blending hands-on activities with age-appropriate technology use to help students reach their instructional goals,” said Superintendent Dr. Chan Anderson. “Quality teaching is our top priority, and technology is one of many tools our teachers can use to engage students, reinforce learning, and provide additional opportunities for success. We want every student to have the resources, support, and experiences they need to be successful.”

The district’s approach focuses on intentional and instructional use of devices while maintaining opportunities for students to learn through discussion, collaboration, printed materials, writing, and other hands-on experiences. Technology may be used to access high-quality instructional materials, support student engagement and creativity, build digital and artificial intelligence literacy, and provide teachers with data to help guide instruction.

The district also recognizes that appropriate technology use looks different depending on a student’s age and grade level. Devices for students in grades K-7 remain at school each night, while students in grades 8-12 keep their devices with them for use at school and at home.

Safety and responsible use remain central to the district’s technology practices. Students use district-approved applications and websites. Technology use is monitored by staff, and students are expected to follow the district’s acceptable use expectations. For students who take district-issued devices home, internet access is automatically disabled each evening at 8 p.m. for elementary students, 10 p.m. for middle school students, and midnight for high school students.

“Our goal is not simply to put technology in the hands of students,” Anderson added. “Our goal is to make sure every resource we provide has a purpose and contributes to meaningful learning.”

The School District of Newberry County remains committed to working alongside families to prepare students with the knowledge, skills and character they need for success in school and beyond. Hands-on experiences, classroom interaction, and strong teacher-led instruction will continue to be essential components of that work.

08/29/2026

Technology Fee FAQ
Due by Friday, September 4
Required Fee $25

This yearly fee is required of all students in K–12th grade and is used to cover costs of using 1:1 devices as well as shared technology resources on each campus.
The fee must be paid prior to September 4, unless arrangements have been made and documented in writing.

Why Pay?
The $25 required fee also covers accidental damage for the year:
1st accident – no cost to repair
2nd accident – $50 cost (or less if repair is less than $50)
3rd+ accidents – students/parents may be required to cover all or part of damage cost.

Intentional Damage
Any damages deemed by school and district administrators to be intentional will incur disciplinary actions based on the Behavior Matrix in addition to covering the full cost of repair, regardless of if the fee was paid.

Accidental Damage
Any damages deemed by school and district administrators to be accidental will be covered based on the outline above. Any accidental damage must be reported to the school’s administration as soon as possible after the damage occurs.

Payment Hardships
Families wishing to be considered for hardships for covering the $25 required fee should make a written request to their school’s principal, so arrangements can be made to assist the student and family.

Required?
Yes, the fee is required of all students in grades K–12 and must be paid in full by Friday, September 4.

Free to Focus prevents students from access their own personal devices while at school.

How to Protect My Device
The best way to avoid damages to your device is to carry it in a protective case.
Use it only as needed for school assignments.
Keep it away from food and drinks.
Do not allow anyone else to use your device.
Do not place anything on the keyboard when closing.
Do not leave it unattended or in an unlocked car.
Treat the device as you would your own property.

Consistent Access
The District will follow the below device schedule:
K – Issued iPad for one year
1st Grade – Issued laptop to keep through 5th Grade
6th Grade – Issued laptop to keep through 8th Grade
9th Grade – Issued laptop to keep through 12th Grade
It is imperative to care for the device as the same device will follow the student for several years.

Students in K–7th Grade leave devices at school each day unless specifically required by the school or teacher to be taken home.

How to Pay
Cash or check payable to the school’s bookkeeper. Pay digitally via eFunds.

Questions?
Contact your school’s administration.

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

Interim Reports & Parent Portal: The School District of Newberry County is transitioning away from printed interim reports. Parents and guardians may monitor their child’s academic progress throughout the grading period through Parent Portal, which provides real-time access to grades and attendance. The first nine weeks ends October 8, at which time Quarter 1 grades will be stored. Families who need assistance setting up or accessing a Parent Portal account may contact their child’s school. Printed report cards for elementary students will continue to be sent home every quarter. A printed copy of middle and high school report cards can be requested by reaching out to your child's school.

Directions: https://aptg.co/s6b0pL