Earned Scholarship Program – Springs CRO funds cumulative scholarships for cohorts of incoming 9th grade students assessed as “at risk” to complete high school. This year, Springs CRO funded a second cohort, the Class of 2026. The scholarships provide a near-term focus and incentive towards the longer-term goal of graduation. Students are identified by the R.C. Edwards administration and counseling team and discussed with D.W. Daniel cohorts. Placed in one homeroom under the supervision of a dedicated counselor or teacher, these roughly 20 students per cohort earn scholarship credits weekly for attendance, behavior, academic progress, etc. in $5 and $10 amounts. Credits accumulate for their eventual use upon graduation for post-secondary education and/or career certification and have the potential to represent as much as $2,000 for graduating seniors.
Graduate Scholarships –Springs CRO awarded $20,000 in scholarships to nine graduating seniors, enabling them to start post-secondary education/certifications. Most of the recipients were the first in their families to graduate from high school or to go to college.
Monthly Grief Group – CRO funds fast food lunches for roughly 15 students who have lost family members recently or faced other traumatic events. Meetings are organized and led by a teacher and attended by school Counselors, along with school district specialists and outside counselors.
College Application Day event – Pizzas provided by CRO enticed a record number of students to complete college applications. Counselors, teachers and volunteers were there to assist students with their applications.
Elementary After-School Program – Springs CRO provided funds for Six Mile Elementary students to attend an after-school program intended to produce a positive vision of D.W. Daniel High School, which they will eventually attend. This one week after-school program was provided by an administrator and a teacher at Daniel. Students rode a bus to the 90+ minute sessions, where they designed and raced Pinewood Derby style cars, designed and printed custom tee-shirts, designed and tested balsa wood bridges and other activities.
Career Cafe – Fueled by the belief that visions of possible careers should enhance students’ academic focus in the present, Springs CRO developed a new career program for DWD students. Working with the school Career Counselor, Keowee Springs volunteers developed and delivered lunch-time programs exposing students to different careers. Keowee Springs residents were the featured speakers at these events. Given its success, the school will expand the program from this year’s two sessions to eight sessions in 2023-2024.
Media Center – CRO purchased books and Maker Space boxes to upgrade the library offerings for specific class and teacher needs.
All Schools – Gift cards for use by Principals and school nurses, at their discretion, for an array of student needs, including personal hygiene and essential clothing items.
