Saluda Trail students spend hours each day to learning a variety of subjects, but when it comes to breaks, many feel there’s simply not enough time.

Many students, however, complain that Team Time is too short limit of time.

“I feel it’s not long enough,” said 7th grader Alexis James.  Ja’laycia Foote, another 7th grader agrees.  “It’s fun, but I think we should have more stuff to do and it should last longer,” Foote said.

Some staff also would like to see Team Time be a little longer. 

Nnaemeka Hardy-Holmes Wilson, the 7th-grade school counselor, said she thinks Team Time shoud be 
“At least 30 minutes.”  She added, “Students need a solid amount of time and a brain break  – a time to not focus on academics.”

Studies show that recess is an essential time of day. The older students get, the more sitting students do in school and its becomes harder for them to do so. 

Dr. Marek Marshall, Saluda Trail’s principal, realizes this and agrees with Mrs. Hardy-Holmes Wilson.  “If we could have Team Time in a perfect world, I think Team Time should be 30 or longer,” Dr. Marshall said. 

Wildcats showed their giving spirit during the holiday season by holding a canned food drive for those in need and donating nearly $700 to two causes. 

The can food drive was also a contest  to see which grade level would collect the most food. 

According to M. Kenner, Saluda Trail’s Student Council Advisor, 372 cans were collected this year.

“Seventh grade won the competition with bringing in a total of 179 cans, 6^th grade followed behind with 100 cans and 8^th grade came in last with 93 cans,” Ms. Kenner said.

Kenner added, “It pleases my heart to see the love and support you all have shown.”

The drive was a joint effort between Student Council and Beta Club.

The Hydrocephalus Foundation-Team Ben and Keystone were presented with monetary donations to support their causes.  The Hydrocephalus Foundation-Team Ben received a check for $400.  Keystone received at check for $293.00.  According to Mrs. Johnson, the 7th grade counselor,  the money was collected during Red Ribbon Week when students participated in fundraising efforts.

  “We are so grateful for this donation to help students with substance disorder,” said Alison Hurayt, a prevention specialist with Keystone who came to receive the donation.  

According to Mrs. Hardy-Holmes Wilson, the 8th grade counselor, student ambassadors also was involved in brainstorming ideas on how to support our school and local communities.             

 Aaliayh Chiles contributed to this article.

Saluda Trail held Native American Day on Monday, November 20th, 2023.  Members of Catawba Indian Nation showcased their cultural heritage. There was some dancing and playing of musical instruments. The Catawba Indians also told the students about their rich culture and traditions. The presentation took place in the gym for all students and staff.   The day was apart of National American Indian Heritage Month which takes place each November.

As students sat in their seats in the auditorium, they quickly began writing, and counting out syllables.

Poet Angelo Geter Conducts Workshop with Wildcats

They wanted to make sure their lines added up to five, seven, and five. These students took part in a recent poetry workshop.

  Poet Angelo Geter visited Saluda Trail Middle School on October  23rd and conducted 2  sessions. During the workshop, about 30 students learned how to write Haiku poems and songs.

 “It was one of the best experiences I’ve had,”  said Casey Jones, a 7th grader. “It was pretty fun,”  she added. 

“It was the first poetry person I ever saw and it made me have a good day,” said Matthew Cuthbert, a 7th grader.  Amelia O’Sullivan, a 7th grader, said she enjoyed the experience. “I never experienced having somebody who makes poems come to a school,” she said. “I never thought it would be that fun.”
Geter currently serves as the Poet Laureate of Rock Hill, SC.  He is also the 2018 National Poetry Slam Champion. 

The workshops were Paid for by the Arts in Basic Curriculum Institute who receives funding from the South Carolina Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Below is a link to Poet Angelo Geter’s website. 

https://www.angelogeter.com/about

Typically Wildcats head to the media center to either check out books or for lessons. However, during the week of Oct. 23rd – Oct. 27th, they had an opportunity to purchase some good books.

According to Mrs. Ellison, Saluda Trail’s Media Specialist, there were lots of genres to choose from this time including Sci-fi, Fiction, Graphic Novels and Horror. There were other items for Wildcats to buy, there were School supplies, pens, pencils, calculators, erasers and posters.

Mrs. Hopper, an 8th grade Language arts teacher, made several purchases from the book fair.  The book lover bought several Graphic Novels for her classroom library.  She also said she bought copies of  Goosebumps,  The Diary of the Wimpy Kid, Bad Guy, and  The Last Kids on Earth. “I went to the book fair 3 times” she said.  Mrs. Hopper also bought some items that were not books. “I bought four things that weren’t books. I bought some magic ink pens to be given for prizes.”

Mrs. Hopper said she was very happy about her kids being appreciative about the books that she bought for their class library. “It also provides money for the library,” Mrs. Hopper stated.

The book fair serves as a yearly fundraiser.  According to Mrs. Ellison there was $3,259.99 in sales this year. The school will receive 40 percent of those funds – a total of $1,304.00 in Scholastic Dollars.

“All the money will be used towards getting new things for the library,” Mrs. Ellison said.

This year’s Red Ribbon Week proved to be days filled with fun, as well as educational. Saluda Trail Middle School students and staff celebrated Red ribbon week October 23rd through Oct. 27th. This year’s national theme was “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.” The focus was on students making positive choices to be happy and healthy.

Mrs. McCoy, the 6th grade counselor, said Red Ribbon Week was designed to raise awareness to students about the danger of drugs, alcohol, and other illegal substances.  While she believes many students take the week to dress up and have fun, a portion of them do know the real meaning. “I want them to know the dangers of abusing drugs and using alcohol,” said Mrs. McCoy.

Mrs. Johnson, the 7th grade counselor, said she wanted students to not only learn about the effects of drugs and alcohol, but also know how to go about getting help if they or someone they knew ever got involved in drugs.

Mrs. Hardy Holmes Wilson, the 8th grade school counselor said while she believes many of the students look forward to dressing down, she really wants them to understand the seriousness of getting involved in illegal substances.  “I want them to know that drugs and alcohol use can significantly impact the trajectory of their lives,” she said.

Caylee Wilson and Bre Simpson, both 7^th graders, know the importance of staying drug free.  “Drugs kill people, so don’t do them,” warned Wilson. “I don’t do drugs because I want to get somewhere in life and do something with my life and drugs would stop that,” Simpson said. “I want to make my life have meaning and you should too,” added Simpson.

Saluda Trail’s Counselors worked together to prepare numerous fun and educational activities for students and staff to enjoy throughout the week, including a pep rally, games and dress down days.

“I really liked watching the student and teacher volleyball games, plus the cheerleaders,” said Aubree Hutchison, a 7^th grader.

Mrs. Durham, a 6th grade ELA teacher, recently published her first book  “Trade Places With Me.”

The book is based on the stories that her mother told her when she was a child. Mrs. Durham  said she wrote this book because she found  her mother’s childhood stories to be very interesting.  She named it Trade places with Me because she wished she had been able to experience some of the things her mother had experienced as a child. 

Mrs. Durham was excited to read her new book to her students in the media center. CN2 News was even on hand for the event.  

Mrs. Durham said she hopes that this book will inspire her students to write or illustrate their own book. The whole process of writing, illustrating, and publishing the book took about three years, she said. 

Mrs. Durham said she was “overwhelmed with emotion” when she saw her mom’s reaction. “I started to cry and so did she,” said Mrs. Durham.  Mrs. Durham’s mother, Margaret Sawyer, who was present for the reading, said the book  makes her emotional as well. “It feels wonderful,” Mrs.  Sawyer said. 

Mrs. Durham said her granddaughter is the book’s illustrator.  Her granddaughter was just 9 years old when she drew the illustrations for the book.  “The books illustrations are beautiful,” said Matthew Ditterhoefer one of Mrs. Durham’s students. 

Mrs. Durham, who has been self-promoting her book, said she is excited that everything she and her granddaughter did paid off, and that the work is now out in the world for everyone to read and buy. 

“The book, the wording, and the illustrations look great,” said Angy Chitty, one of Mrs. Durham’s language arts students.  

Hayden Jordan, another student said,” It’s cool having a teacher who has written a book.”   Hayden said it has inspired her to maybe write a book of her own one day.  Jackson Melzer, another student, said he also likes the book. Jackson Mrs. Durham has inspired him to write his own book one day, and thinks that a teacher writing a book is a cool idea.  Mrs. Durham said she sees herself writing more books in the future.

Mrs. Durham places her book on a shelf in the media center. –     

  Iyanna Tisdale contributed to this article.

Did you know bullying happens more in middle schools than high schools?

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Studies show that both kids who are bullied and  those who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

Dr. Marshall, Saluda Trail’s Principal, said bullying is taken seriously.  He said there is serious consequences for bullying.  “It could result in a couple of days of suspension,” he said.

Studies show bullying can cause physical injury, social and emotional distress, self-harm, and even death. It also increases the risk for depression, anxiety ,and sleep difficulties. At Saluda Trail, there are consequences for bullying. Students can receive B.I.C. suspension and even expulsion for bullying.

Counselors say students being bullied should report it to an adult. Students who witness bullying should also report it to an adult.

Ms. Johnson the 6th grade counselor at Saluda Trail Middle said when students comet to her about bullying she tries to comfort them by “building them up and talking to them about bullying.” She said 5 sixth grade students have been written up so far this year for bullying.  Ms. Johnson also said a total of 18 sixth graders have reported being bullied.

Mrs. Hardy Holmes-Wilson, the 7th grade counselo, said she tries to help the situation by working with both sides.   “I let them know that it’s not okay either way,” she said.  “I tell them it’s not okay to be rude and to be mindful of their words.”

Ashiya McClure, a 7th grader, said bullying is never ok. “Hurting others won’t fix your problems,” McClure said.

For more info on bullying check out StopBullying.gov

A Career Vehicle Day event took place November 18th at The Trail.

The vehicles on campus were  truck from Winters Electric Company, a fire truck,  an Army truck and  a command truck. Salute Chew Food Truck,  a hearse from Robinson’s Funeral Home,  as well as a helicopter was also on hand.

“The goal at Saluda Trail Middle School is to sour students for the future, and nothing brings this reality home more than hosting a college and career week and vehicle day,” said Mrs. Massey-Blanding, Saluda Trail’s  Career Counselor.

The entire 6th grade got to explore the different vehicles. Students had a chance to get up close to the vehicles that they often see in our community and speak to people who operate them.

“It was super fun because of going inside the helicopter,” said Kate, a 6th grader.

“It was fun and I had a good time,” said Tristin, also a 6th grader.

“Reading about colleges and careers in a textbook or researching careers on the internet is very different from learning about a career straight from someone in the field,” added Mrs. Massey-“Vehicle day provides an interactive and dynamic learning experience, where students can ask questions directly to professionals and presenters can invite students to tackle real-world problems.”

The day also provided  beginning photography students in Mrs. Dantzler’s class an opportunity for some real world photography experience.

Below are photos from taken by the beginning 8th grade photography students.

Wildcats got to expreice a bit of farm life with when they visited Cherry Place Farm.  The Fall Field trip included 6th graders who are a part of a mentoring program, along with student amabassadors and members of the TV News Crew, Yearbook and Paw Print Staff.  For many of the students, this was their first visit to a farm.

Cherry Place Farm is located at 1922 Oakdale Road in Rock Hill, SC, not far from Saluda Trail.  The farm, owned  and operated by the Westbrook family,  has been around since 1940, according to Bailey Westbook who showed the group around the farm.

The students were broken into several groups and got to participate in various activities. Wildcats got to pet and feed several  animals including goats, chickens and sheep. Bailey showed them the best way to do so. 

They  got to go through a two-acre corn maze.  While there was a QR code of the map of the maze, several students and staff still managed to get lost.  Student got see a lot more of the farm when took a hay ride around the 145 acre farm. They snacked on popcorn  and recieved a baby pumpkin from the pumpkin patch as they were leaving. 

Wildcats got to expreice a bit of farm life with when they visited Cherry Place Farm.  The Fall Field trip included 6th graders who are a part of a mentoring program, along with student amabassadors and members of the TV News Crew, Yearbook and Paw Print Staff.  For many of the students, this was their first visit to a farm.

Cherry Place Farm is located at 1922 Oakdale Road in Rock Hill, SC, not far from Saluda Trail.  The farm, owned  and operated by the Westbrook family,  has been around since 1940, according to Bailey Westbook who showed the group around the farm.

The students were broken into several groups and got to participate in various activities. Wildcats got to pet and feed several  animals including goats, chickens and sheep. Bailey showed them the best way to do so. 

They  got to go through a two-acre corn maze.  While there was a QR code of the map of the maze, several students and staff still managed to get lost.  Student got see a lot more of the farm when took a hay ride around the 145 acre farm. They snacked on popcorn  and recieved a baby pumpkin from the pumpkin patch as they were leaving. 

Contributing Writers: Savannah Cornwell, Rowan Sarver and Jamaya Taylor

Phogtographer: Naudia Chambers 

Can Teachers get a Woot Woot?  Yes, they can, thanks to STMS’ PTO. 

Mrs. Manning gathers items for the Woot Woot Cart as staff waits for a sweet treat.

The Whoot Whoot Cart, sponsored by the PTO (Parent-teacher organization), is out once a month. It has drinks and snacks on it, and it’s totally FREE for teachers to enjoy. 

Yummy Snacks Fill the Woot Woot Cart.

“The Woot Woot Cart is to help boost teacher morale,” said, Mrs. Manning, the STMS administrative assistant. “ It’s just a slight pick me up.”

Teachers get excited when they hear the cart is around. “I think it’s such a nice gesture and instead of interrupting classes they have it by the cafeteria and it allows me to go get things that make me feel appreciated,” said Mr. Rhodes, a photography, digital design, and animation-related arts teacher.

Mrs. Dantzler, another related art teacher, who teaches digital photography, creative writing, journalism, and digital media arts says she is a big fan of the Woot Woot Cart. “I love it,” said Mrs. Dantzler.  “Like who doesn’t love free food?” she added. 

Mrs. Dantzler shows off some of the snacks she’s received from the Woot Woot Cart.

Mrs. Dantzler said she usually gets two snacks from the cart. “I always get one for now and save one for later, ” Mrs. Dantzler said.   She said the goodies are especially appreciated since teachers have little access to snacks through long school days. 

Nadege Lockley, Co-President of STMS’ PTO said, “The Woot-Woot Cart is designed to be a monthly mini thank you to the teachers and staff from the PTO on behalf of STMS families, for all that they do for our kids.”  Lockley added, “It is our hope that when STMS teachers and staff see the cart roll out and enjoy a treat, that they are reminded of our appreciation of them. “