New PSEMS mascot likely to spur plenty of school spirit!

Giddy up, Cainhoy Peninsula residents. Come August, there will be a new herd galloping into town at the Philip Simmons Elementary and Middle Schools off Clements Ferry Road.

In a special mascot “reveal” at the PSEMS Parent Teacher Association meeting last week at St. Paul Baptist Missionary Church, families got their first look at the schools’ new mascot – the Iron Horses. Two versions were created – one for the elementary school and one for the middle school.

“We’re really excited….to celebrate the unveiling of the mascot, because it’s so important to the branding of our schools,” said Anthony Dixon, Philip Simmons Middle School Principal.

“We just really appreciate the input from the community,” added Philip Simmons Elementary School Principal Karen Whitley.

The mascot, selected from suggestions submitted by future PSEMS families and other community members, was inspired by the schools’ namesake, the late Philip Simmons, a revered ironworks artisan. PTA members later learned that the horse also has another significance to the local area. The land on which the schools sit was once owned by Harry Frank Guggenheim, an avid horseman whose “Dark Star” won the Kentucky Derby in 1953.

Rising third grader Smith Killian gave the Iron Horse an enthusiastic double thumbs up.

“It’s good!” he exclaimed, after getting a closer look at a mascot display set up at the meeting.

“I’m very excited!” added Cainhoy area resident Sue Rothberg, who suggested the Iron Horse as a possible mascot.

Dixon and Whitley also took some time to update the more than 50 people in attendance at the meeting on the schools’ progress. Dixon noted that he had recently met with family members of Philip Simmons to get their feedback on plans for the new facility and its programs.

“It was an amazing opportunity to hear from them, and to get their vision for this school,” he said. “They offered their input on the iron horse. Just hearing how hard Philip Simmons worked and what he did for the community, and this country, in terms of his art work, it’s just going to be a wonderful connection to this school.”

Dixon also reported to the crowd that there will be a Middle School Pep Rally on May 20 for future PSMS students, including those currently enrolled at Daniel Island School and Cainhoy Elementary Middle School (CEMS). The event, to be held at CEMS, will include motivational talks, team building, a “meet and greet” with administration and teachers (those who are in place at that time), and hands-on engaging activities that focus on the school’s planned STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and match) curriculum.

“We want the students to be as confident and comfortable coming into this new school as possible,” said Dixon.

A large part of the focus now, reported both Dixon and Whitley, is getting all future students registered. According to Whitley, there is a great deal of interest being expressed by teachers who’d like to work at the new schools, but they have not started officially hiring instructional staff as of yet. Parents of all potential PSEMS students are encouraged to get registrations completed as soon as possible.

“One of the most important things, and I can’t say it enough, is registration,” said Whitley. “We’re allocated (teachers) based on those numbers.”

“Right now, they’re not giving us allocations based on probable numbers,” added Lisa Kerns, president of the PSMS PTA. “It’s only on the hard numbers we have. So we’d really like to get those numbers up so we can get more teachers, and the best teachers! The sooner the better.”

Dixon and Whitley are also focusing on preparing the curriculums for the new schools. A Clemson STEAM Night is planned for April 19 at CEMS to give all PSEMS families an opportunity to engage in some of the types of STEAM activities their schools will employ. Staff members will also take part in STEAM training sessions over the summer.

“Besides the allocations and managerial piece, we just want to make sure that instructionally the kids get a rigorous and engaging program,” added Dixon.

Both PTAs are also actively fundraising on behalf of the new schools. Community members are invited to purchase commemorative bricks that will be on permanent display on the campus. For additional information on fundraising opportunities, or to register students, visit www.philipsimmonsschools.com. The next registration event will on April 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church.

Philip Simmons Elementary and Middle Schools are slated to open in August of this year, followed by the opening of the new Philip Simmons High School in the fall of 2017.