Many 7th students thought that they were done with vaccines until they found out they were required to get another before entering school this year. For some, this came as a big surprise.

“It scared me at first, but I knew, in the end, it would help me,” said  Lily Grace Huddeltson A 7th grader. “I am glad I got it.”

Saluda Trail’s Nurse Bailey said the Tdap Vaccine helps protects students from serious diseases.

In the state of South Carolina, all 7th graders are required to have a Tdap vaccine. Saluda Trail Middle School Nurse Chante Bailey said this vaccine protects students against three very serious diseases – tetanus, diphtheria and acelluar pertussis (whooping cough).  

“The Tdap shot was new to me, so I did not know whether it would help me or not,” said Tavion Grissitte. “I  am glad I got it because even if I did not know what it was it could help me not be sick,” he said.

Babies and little kids get aDTaP shot to protect them from diphtheria, tetanus, adn pertussis (whooping cough), but it wears off when they get older which causes pre-teens and teenagers to be at risk. Because of this, many states including South Carolina and North Carolina require this booster shot. According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the requirement for the vaccine began during the 2013-14 school year. This is the 6th school year that the requirement has been in effect. All students in public and private schools must have this vaccine.

Nurse Bailey said there are currently 271 7th graders at Saluda Trail this school year.

Although Nurse Bailey said she hasn’t seen anyone with any of these diseases as of yet, she said “I think that everyone should get the vaccine. The vaccine protects you from getting P.W.T.” Nurse Bailey said students could get the vaccine from their family doctor or health department.  

“Most insurance pays for the vaccine,” she added. The cost of the vaccine could be $110 to $120 without insurance.

Nurse Bailey said the diseases that the vaccine protects from are very serious. They can cause everything from muscle spasms to infections. For example, Tetanus is a disease that causes a serious bacterial infection that causes painful muscle spasms and can lead to death. Diphtheria is a disease that is a serious infection of the nose and throat. Pertussis (Whooping Cough)  is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. It can cause a bad cough that makes someone gasp for air after coughing fits.

Although some students find shots to be scary, the CDC and the American Academy of Family Physicians say the shot has been studied carefully and is safe.

One side effect from the shot can be soreness in the arm. However, health officials say the benefits outweigh the side effects.

There are, however, some side effects. Those are redness, soreness in the arm where the shot was given, headache, fever, or tiredness.

The benefits, health professionals say, outweigh the side effects. “All and all,  the Tdap vaccine is a very good vaccine and protects from very serious diseases,”  said Nurse Bailey.

Saluda Trail Middle Schoolers have discovered new ways to lace up their shoes. It’s called shoe braiding. Students say it saves you time.

“At first I  didn’t like the idea of braiding shoelaces,” said Summer Martin, a 7th-grade student. “But then when I tried it, it became easier.” Martin added, “Because my bus comes early,  it’s easier to put on my shoes,so it saves me time.”

Martin, who said she learned how to braid her laces from a friend and the internet,  said, “Sometimes I like to change the color of my shoelaces to switch up the look.”

Jessica Perkins, another 7th-grade student  said, “I learned from the internet, but I didn’t understand it so I asked a  friend that already had their shoes braided and she taught me how to braid my shoes.” Perkins said that her favorite style was the fishtail braid. 

There are many different styles of braiding, including the french braid.

Katelyn Armacovitch said she first started braiding her shoes in 6th grade. She said learned from watching a youtube video. Armacovitch said she searched life hacks. The first hack was somebody braiding shoes. The hack, she said, was for when you’re in a rush and it takes time to tie your shoe, just braid it the night before so all you have to do is slip your foot in it. Armacovitch said she told herself, “I need to do this!” 

Armacovitch added, “Sometimes I like to change my color; I like to be different.”

The December Teacher’s Spotlight shines brightly on one of the new teachers at STMS, Mr. Bey.   Mr. Bey,  who teaches 6th-grade math,  started teaching at Saluda Trail in August and said he has enjoyed being here thus far.

“The students seem to be happier and willing to work harder here than my previous schools, said Mr. Bey. “There are a lot more elective classes that the students can choose from.”

Mr. Bey helps one of his 6th grade students with math. He is one of the newest Wildcat teachers.

Learn more about Mr. Bey below.

Q: What school did you teach at before you came to STMS?

A: “I taught at Lewisville Middle School for 13 years.’’

Q: What subject did you teach at your old school?

A:  I taught 8th-grade mathematics at Lewisville middle school.’’

Q: What are your favorite movie, foods, and music?

A: “My favorite movie is Lean on Me starring Morgan Freeman. My favorite food is pizza with olives and mushrooms.  I love 70s slow jams  – The O’jays, Otis Redding, and Earth Wind and Fire .’’

Q: Where did go to college”

A: “I did undergraduate at Center State University (OH) and Graduate school at Winthrop.”

Fun Facts About Mr. Bey:

• Mr. Bey has a 9-month-old daughter.
• He was an All city basketball player in Pittsburgh, PA  in 1996.
• Mr. Bey is a big time Pittsburg Steeler Fan.
• Mr. Bey likes to weight train and jog.
• Mr. Bey is a big fan of the AMC hit series The Walking Dead.
• Mr. Bey comes from a family of educators. “My mother, father, brother and sister are all current or retired teachers,” he said.

Did you know: Mr. Bey has an identical twin brother? “Being a twin is great,” he said. “It taught me how to share, and I had a companion to play sports with growing up.”

Wildcats are relieved that the creepy clown sightings have ended.

From August to the end of October there were numerous reports of clown sightings in the country, even in Rock Hill. Children and adults claimed to have spotted creepy clowns out and about.

The sightings brought about a lot of fears. Mrs. Madden, a 7-grade math teacher, did not like hearing about the clowns.  “I don’t like clowns, not a bit,” she said.  Mrs. Madden said she fears clowns “will come after her in her dreams.” Mrs. Madden thought people were trying to get attention and trying to scare people and had wished they would stop.

Officer Hammond, the STMS school resource officer, said he hasn’t heard of any sighting in months. “The last time I heard of one was back in October around Halloween,” Office Hammond said.

Although Ms. Tracy, A 7th-grade science teacher, said she isn’t scared of the clowns, she is also happy that the sightings have stopped.  Mrs. Tracy said at first she thought the clown sightings were real, but now she thinks people were just making it up.

Kimberly Vincent wasn’t worried about the clowns.  “They are ok,” she said. “I’m not scared of them.”

Jessica James wasn’t afraid of them either.  However, she was relieved the sighting have ended.  “I think that stuff is crazy,” James said. “Somethings I get concerned about people.”

Wildcats are excited about the new 10 point grading scale.

Now that the first nine weeks has ended, Wildcats are able to see the effects of the new grading scale. Every student in a South Carolina school is now being graded on a ten points scale instead of seven and most seem to be excited about their changes as well as their grades.

The scale was approved last school year by the South Carolina Department of Education, who says, “It was made reviewing the impact for all students across the state.”

The old scale was 7 points, which is at a higher standard than most colleges. With the new scale, an A is now from 90%-100%, and a B is from 80%-89%. You can make a C scoring as low as a 70% to a 79%. To score a D, just make a 60%- 69% and an F make a 0%-59%.

Many students believe the scale has allowed them to make better grades. Jakhari Webb, a 7^th grader, said when he heard we were getting a new grading scale, he thought, “It’s easier now to make A’s and B’s,” and he got, “excited.”

Mr. Kostecki, a 7^th grade teacher, said the new grading scale “simplifies things for the students.” He believes that it makes things easier for the students. He says that although the students have the new scale, he is not going to grade them any harder than years past.

Roggie Hinson, an eighth grader, believes that the new scale is, “less stressful,” since we now have, “three extra points.” However, he believes that being graded at higher standard than colleges “would’ve pushed us to be better.”

The state of South Carolina is catching up to the other states, when it comes grading scales. Neighboring states such as Georgia and North Carolina had already begun using the 10 point scale.  Ms. Johnson, the guidance counselor for sixth grade, thought it was a “wonderful decision.” She believes that, “We are getting there, once we pinpoint a better system for assessments, it will make the kids excited when they’re making better strives.”  Ms. Johnson added that she is expecting more students’ names on the honor roll boards, and getting wildcat cards, and that it will, “boost their self-esteem.”

Mr. Kostecki, a 7th grade teacher, said the new grading scale “simplifies things for the students.”