About Southside Middle School
- Welcome
- Administration
- Profile
- Contact Us
- Title I
- 2024-2025 SIC Report to Parents
- Reading Plan
- Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC)
Welcome
Southside Middle School: Grades 6-8
Southside Middle School was established in 1958 and is home to the Bruin Cubs. We have approximately 1150 students and are proud to be an Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) school.
Mission: The mission of Southside Middle School is to cultivate confident, compassionate, and innovative leaders by inspiring creativity, fostering academic excellence, and nurturing a lifelong passion for the arts through rigorous academics enriched with dynamic fine arts.
Vision: The vision of Southside Middle School is to empower growth, drive progress, & achieve success.
Motto: Every Cub, Every Day!
Administration
Administration
Ms. Beverly Greene - Principal
Mrs. Jessica Merritt - 6th Grade Assistant Principal
Mrs. Jessica Merritt joins SSMS as the new 6th Grade Assistant Principal. She is excited to be part of the dynamic and committed team at Southside. She believes in the power of collaboration, setting high expectations, and building strong relationships. Together, she is confident we can create meaningful opportunities and lasting success for every student.
Mrs. Merritt holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Francis Marion University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University. With over 22 years of experience in education, she has had the privilege of working in a variety of roles that have shaped her leadership journey, including instructional coach and school administrator. Her administrative experience spans elementary, middle, and high school levels, giving her a well-rounded perspective on student development and academic growth.
Mr. Travis Spears - 7th Grade Assistant Principal
We are excited to welcome Mr. Travis Spears to SSMS as our new 7th Grade Assistant Principal. With over a decade of experience in education, Mr. Spears has served in both instructional and leadership roles, including at Kingstree High School, West Florence High School, and the Darlington County Intervention School. He brings a strong commitment to mentorship, student achievement, and fostering a positive and supportive school culture.
Mr. Spears holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Mrs. Jonté Singletary - 8th Grade Assistant Principal
Mrs. Jonté Singletary brings over 20 years of educational experience to her role as the 8th Grade Assistant Principal. She began her career as a teacher in Florence 1 Schools and later served in various leadership roles within Florence School District 3, including instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. She has since returned to F1S, continuing her commitment to student success.
Mrs. Singletary is passionate about supporting students and helping them reach their full potential. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Francis Marion University, two Master of Education degrees—one in General Education from Cambridge College and another in Educational Technology from Webster University—and an Educational Specialist degree in School Administration from Cambridge College.
Profile
Southside Middle School Profile
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Contact Us
Southside Contacts
- LaWanza Ham-James - Attendance
- Bobby Jolley - Behavior Interventionist
- Wonza Johnson-Bookkeeper
- Brandi Clark - Executive School Secretary
- Rosalee Williamson - PowerSchool Operator
- Wanda Fuqua-White - Receptionist
- Records Clerk
- DeAnn Lesane - School Based Therapist
- Kim Osborne - School Counselor
- Christy James - School Counselor
- Wanda Smith - School Counselor
- Monique Chmielecki - School Nurse
- Theresa George - School Nurse
- Rachel Miller - Speech Therapist
LaWanza Ham-James - Attendance
Bobby Jolley - Behavior Interventionist
Wonza Johnson-Bookkeeper
Brandi Clark - Executive School Secretary
Rosalee Williamson - PowerSchool Operator
Wanda Fuqua-White - Receptionist
Records Clerk
DeAnn Lesane - School Based Therapist
Kim Osborne - School Counselor
Christy James - School Counselor
Wanda Smith - School Counselor
Monique Chmielecki - School Nurse
Theresa George - School Nurse
Rachel Miller - Speech Therapist
Title I
Southside Title I Information
Our Title I Funds Provide the Following Support:
- Academic Support (Content Recovery Program)
- Instructional Supplies (Paper, pencils, notebooks, etc.)
- Instructional Technology Site Licenses( Flocabulary, BrainPOP)
- Instructional Technology Hardware (Swivls, iPad Mini)
- Three Staff Members
- Parent Workshops
- Parents' Right to Know
- Fall 2025 Annual Title I Meeting Presentation
- Title I School-Parent-Student Compact
- SSMS Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy
- F1S Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy
Parents' Right to Know
FEDERAL & STATE PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT
Title I, Part A
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
Parents’ Right to Know
Title I, also known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), requires districts and schools to provide parents with relevant information and useful resources to support them as full partners in the education of their children and offering them important insight into their children’s education.
Parents at Title I funded schools must be informed about the professional qualifications of their children’s teachers and the quality of the schools their children attend. Title I recognizes that parents must share the responsibility for student achievement. Therefore, parents, you have a right to know the following:
1. The requirements of Title I and how Title I funds are being used;
2. Your child’s academic progress through frequent reports that are sent home, conferences and other communication with the teacher;
3. The qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals who provide instruction to your children; 4. If your child has been taught for four consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not properly certified; 5. The contents of the school’s and district’s Title I plans;
6. The ESEA (federal) letter grade assigned to the school or any changes to the school’s academic standing;
7. What is being done to improve the school’s academic standing if the school is identified as a School in Improvement Status;
8. Your child’s individual assessment results and an interpretation of the results;
9. You have reasonable access to school staff and opportunities to be involved at the school; 10. The opportunities that are available for classroom observations;
11. The procedure for submitting concerns, suggestions, complaints; and
12. The procedure for submitting comments on the Title I plan.
Parents' Right to Know printable spanish version
Parent's Right to Know printable english version
Fall 2025 Annual Title I Meeting Presentation
Title I School-Parent-Student Compact
Download Printable Copy for Signature - English
Download Printable Copy for Signature - Spanish
SSMS Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy
F1S Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy
Additional Title I Information
2024-2025 SIC Report to Parents
2024-2025 School Improvement Council Report to the Parents
Southside Middle is committed to developing responsible 21st century leaders through a variety of authentic earning experiences in a positive, safe, student-centered environment.
Academic Programs
Academic Programs
21st Century Learner Skills
We are striving to ensure that our students are provided engaging learning opportunities that allow them to develop 21st century skills as well as the skills included in the Profile of the SC Graduate.
Cubs News Network
As part of our Arts program, students get an opportunity to produce news segments for our school. They broadcast live each morning to our school community.
Arts Programs
Students who are a part of our Arts program have an opportunity to explore several potential career fields while also perfecting the specific crafts that they love. Students are offered an array of Arts concentrations that allow them to perform at school and in the community as well as create artwork that can be displayed proudly for others to enjoy. Our Arts program continues to grow every single year with students having the opportunity to share their talents with our school and community. Learn more about our Arts Programs here.
Download the PDF
Annual Goals
School Demographics
Community Outreach
Community Outreach
3 C’S: A service oriented club that has completed numerous service learning projects at school and throughout the community.
Athletics Giving Back
Several service projects such as Habitat for Humanity and school and community cleanup days.
Beta Club Giving Back
Our Beta Club has completed several service learning projects throughout the year.
Band Members Giving Back
Our band members have performed at the local retirement center for our seniors.
Honors
Honors
- Our band has received several awards and recognitions throughout the year at their competitions.
- Our chorus has received several awards and recognitions throughout the year.
- Many of our visual arts students have received recognitions as well as placed in competitions. We had a record number of students with artwork displayed at ArtFields this school year.
- There were 4 students with perfect scores on either SC Ready or SC PASS.
- We have received numerous Arts grants.
- Our very own Arts teacher Mr. Sarmiento’s artwork was featured in a local cafe.
- Our very own chorus teacher, Ms. Bittle performed in a play in Charlotte, NC.
- Our Girls basketball team were region and conference champions.
- Our baseball team went to the conference championship with an overall record of 9-2.
Members
Members
SSMS’s SIC is comprised of students, faculty & staff, and parents who constantly strive to improve our school.
Chairperson: Jacqueline Wiegel, Parent
Elizabeth O’Dell
Latonya Harley, Secretary
Natarsha Bivens, Teacher
Emilee Kirby, Teacher
Pam Little-McDaniel, Community
Association of Parents & Teachers (APT)
Bridget Gregg, President
Administrative Team:
Beverly Greene, Principal
Nicole McManus, Assistant Principal
Dennis Pate, Assistant Principal
Robert Dunkin, Assistant Principal
Jeffery Donor, Instructional Coach
Reading Plan
Southside Reading Plan
If you are having trouble viewing the document, you may download the document.
Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC)
Arts in Basic Curriculum Certified School
Arts in Basic Curriculum Certification is a program run by the ABC Institute in which schools can apply and submit a portfolio to go through the certification process. Southside Middle School has maintained Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Certification status for the past 10 years. This certification status allows us to apply for the ABC Advancement Grant which brings in funds each year we remain certified.
The goal of the ABC Advancement Grant is to strengthen arts programs, increase arts integration in core classrooms and provide opportunities for students to participate in arts-based activities. To ensure we are meeting the goals of the grant, SSMS has developed our strategic plan to show where we plan to use the funds in the upcoming school years.
The SSMS Strategic Plan for the ABC Advancement Grant is reviewed and updated every year by our ABC Steering Committee. The ABC Steering Committee is made up of the ABC Advancement Grants Manager for SSMS (Emily Viering), SSMS Administration (Beverly Greene), the Grade Level Chairs, Parents, and Community Members.
Below, you will find a copy of our current strategic plan. We try to meet as many goals on it as possible each year. Based on what we are able to accomplish we update the plan. Additionally, we collect documentation (called artifacts) that show how we have achieved these goals. Our ABC Steering Committee will also review these artifacts to reflect on how well we have achieved these goals or if improvements are possible. This information guides how we make adjustments to the goals on our strategic plan.