Spartanburg School District 7

08/13/2026

🍎✨ MISSION ACCEPTED and this one is GOLDEN! ✨🍎

First grade teacher Corinna Gibbs was all smiles and pure joy when the cameras rolled at Jesse Boyd Elementary and she learned she is the FIRST recipient of Ingles and WYFF News 4's Golden Apple Award this school year! 🎉

And the golden moment didn’t stop there! The WYFF News 4 team chose Jesse Boyd Elementary as the backdrop to film the lead promotional spot for this year’s Golden Apple series, putting JBE in the spotlight as the new award season gets underway. 🎥🍎 A special thanks to Destiny Chance WYFF News 4 for helping make the surprise and celebration so much fun!

Mrs. Gibbs was nominated by fellow educator and parent April Bryant, whose son was in her class last year. Her nomination tells the story of a teacher whose impact reaches far beyond academics. She credited Mrs. Gibbs with helping her son make tremendous growth in reading, build confidence and, perhaps most importantly, develop a genuine love for school.

April described a classroom where children feel “safe, valued, and excited to learn each day” and a teacher whose compassion, encouragement and dedication make a lasting difference.

The surprise was made even sweeter with Mrs. Gibbs’ husband and children there to celebrate with her, a family with deep D7 roots!

What a way to kick off the Golden Apple season with a teacher who accepts the mission every day to make learning meaningful, joyful and something her students can’t wait to come back to.

📺 Watch for Mrs. Gibbs’ Golden Apple story on WYFF News 4 Thursday, August 27!

Congratulations, Mrs. Gibbs! Mission Accepted. Golden Apple earned. 🍎🏆💙

08/07/2026

More great visibility for our new Little Vikings employee childcare, which opened its doors last week! It is exciting to see so much positive energy surrounding this initiative!

Spartanburg School District 7 recently unveiled its Little Vikings childcare center. The district hopes the program will benefit school employees. See link below ⬇️

📸 Alex C. Hicks Jr./For the USA Today Network

08/07/2026

So many smiling faces. 💙💛

We loved seeing your photos and celebrating the excitement of a brand-new school year across District 7! We are so proud to have each and every one of you as part of our D7 family.

Thank you for tagging us and sharing your first-day moments! See someone you know? Tag them in the comments!

And if we missed your photo, add it in the comments below so we can keep the celebration going! 📸

Here’s to an amazing 2026-2027 school year. Mission Accepted!

08/06/2026

Our LITTLE VIKINGS employee childcare center has made the opening of this school year so much easier for many D7 teachers and staff! We opened our doors to these precious little new members of our D7 family last Thursday, to coincide with our teachers’ first day of work for the 2026-2027 year. D7 is thrilled to have already attracted excellent new teachers to our schools thanks to this valuable resource for young families.

Thank you, Spartanburg, for making Little Vikings possible! Your investment in our educators reflects how much our community values them. It also reflects your longstanding commitment to providing educational excellence for every student who benefits from great D7 teachers!

08/06/2026

Scenes from the first day in D7! 💙💛

In and around our schools, is officially underway. 📸

08/05/2026

Mission Accepted.

Tomorrow, the adventure begins...Be sure to tag your first-day photos on social media with so we can include photos from our families in our district slideshow!

08/05/2026

Check out the energy of our faculty and staff in this highlights reel from our Opening Convocation on Monday! They brought their best creativity and spirit to start this new year, and we can't wait to spread it to our students and families on the first day of school tomorrow.

Get ready, D7 Family...

MISSION ACCEPTED!

08/04/2026

Save the Date: South Carolina's Tax Free Weekend is August 7–9!

Back-to-school shopping just got a little easier!

South Carolina's Tax Free Weekend begins Friday, August 7, and runs through Sunday, August 9. During this three-day event, you'll pay no state or local sales tax on a variety of eligible back-to-school purchases, including:
• 👕 Clothing and shoes
• 💻 Computers and printers
• ✏️ School supplies
• 🎒 And many other qualifying items

Whether you shop in-store or online, all retailers participate, making this the perfect time to stock up on school essentials while saving money.

Mark your calendars and start your shopping list!

Learn more and view the full list of eligible items on the South Carolina Department of Revenue website:
https://dor.sc.gov/communications/tax-free-weekend

08/03/2026

MISSION ACCEPTED. Today was more than a launch. It was a celebration. 💙💛

The mission is clear. The team is assembled. And District 7 is ready for an incredible 2026–2027 school year.

This morning, Viking Arena was filled with energy, excitement, and purpose as we officially welcomed back our faculty and staff. Although we gathered to celebrate the incredible educators and staff members who make District 7 extraordinary, students were at the heart of the morning. Student representatives from every school joined our Parade of Schools, while The Corporation show choir, the SHS drumline, cheerleaders, and the JROTC Color Guard reminded us of the purpose behind our work. They are why we accept the mission each day — to inspire and equip every student to succeed.

We also unveiled this year's theme: Mission Accepted.

Mission Accepted is more than a slogan—it's a commitment. Every member of Team 7 has accepted the mission to inspire and equip every student for success. Together, we'll meet challenges with courage, build meaningful relationships, celebrate growth, and create opportunities that help every child reach their fullest potential.

One of the morning's biggest celebrations was the announcement of Marissa Drake, a second-grade teacher at Jesse Boyd Elementary, as the 2026 District Teacher of the Year! Marissa creates a classroom where curiosity is encouraged, confidence takes root, and every child knows they belong. Her joyful spirit and unwavering dedication to her students make her an exceptional educator and a wonderful choice for District Teacher of the Year.

We also proudly recognized:
⭐ Our Teachers of the Year from every school
🍎 Our Crystal Apple Award recipients, honoring outstanding first-year teachers, with congratulations to District winner Emma Horner of E.P. Todd School
💙 Our Support Staff Members of the Year, whose dedication keeps our schools running each and every day

Our mission begins in full force when students return on Thursday, and we couldn't be more excited.

Join us in congratulating all of today's honorees by leaving them a message in the comments of their photo!

08/03/2026

In District 7, every school year begins with the reveal of a theme that inspires us to approach our work with renewed purpose. For 2026-2027, we're returning our focus to the core mission that defines everything we do. This year, our theme is:

🚀 MISSION ACCEPTED

"Mission Accepted" reflects our commitment to students, families, and one another. It reaffirms our promise "to inspire and equip students for lives of leadership and service as world citizens," and reminds us that every classroom, office, hallway, and school is connected by one shared purpose.

Our mission comes alive through the people who serve our students every day. Together, we'll provide hope, encouragement, and opportunity; celebrate successes; overcome challenges; and remain committed to helping every student achieve more than they imagined. Our mission is clear. Our purpose is shared.

District 7, MISSION ACCEPTED!