HSAP No Longer Required for SC HS Diploma

South Carolina high school students are no longer required to pass HSAP (the "Exit Exam") to receive a high school diploma. Former Richland School District Two students from 1990-2014 graduating classes who met all other requirements for graduation may now petition the Richland Two School Board of Trustees to receive a South Carolina diploma. Act 155 (H.3919), which provided for the elimination of the exit exam as a requirement for a high school diploma, was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Nikki R. Haley on April 14, 2014. 

People eligible to receive a diploma under these conditions must:

• no longer be enrolled in a public school
• have been denied graduation solely for failing to meet the exit exam requirements
• review the Richland Two Guidelines for Petition of High School Diploma in Accordance with Act 155
• complete an Act 155 Petition Form by December 31, 2015

For more information about ACT 155, visit the SC Department of Education’s website.

Please allow 8-10 weeks for processing, printing and delivery. 

Printable form

SV Soccer Camp

Spring Valley will host our final summer soccer camp of the season July 7-10. The camp is a half-day format (9:00 - 12:00) designed for boys and girls pre-K through 8th grade. Goalkeeper training will also be provided. Our focus is on developing soccer skills while having FUN! Additional information can be found online.

Also note, July 7th and July 10th at 7:00 PM Spring Valley will host professional/developmental league games. July 7th the SCUFC Bantams (Professional Development League) will play the Charlotte Eagles of the USL (professional). July 10th the Bantams will play a regular PDL home match at Spring Valley.

Engineering Summer Camp Underway at SVHS

Thirty two Richland Two middle school students have been working hard at Spring Valley’s first Engineering Summer Camp. Funded by an EIA Perkins grant, the two week camp has given 20 girls and 12 boys the opportunity to work together in teams on different projects like building with VEX, programming with RobotC, and designing with Autodesk Inventor.  Students built a dream house with an elevator, a designer wheelbarrow, an autonomous car, and they cut out dog tags of their own design on the school’s plasma cutter. Working through various engineering challenges, the students developed their critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. They also had a lot of fun!

Proof-of-Residence Reminder

Richland School District Two schools are currently conducting the annual verification of addresses for all Richland School District Two students. In order to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted transition from the 2013-2014 school year to the 2014-2015 school year, we urge you to bring/send/scan in your proof-of-residence for your students now. Documents should be directed to the Guidance Office. Click here for more information.

Principals' Reception

Principals' Reception

Richard Chen Shows Math Talents in National Competition

The American Regions Mathematics League's annual competition, "the World Series of Mathematics Competitions," is a highly competitive and prestigious contest that brings together the nation's finest math students. Held since 1976, the competition involves approximately 2,000 students and teachers from almost every state. The 2014 edition of the ARML Competition was held May 30th and 31st at four different sites around the country.  Spring Valley's Richard Chen competed on South Carolina's Division A team, which placed 18th in the nation.  Richard won 14th place in the nation in the individual contest, and 1st place in the Southeast Region.  Way to go Richard! You make us proud.

RSD2 Summer School Starts Next Week

Richland Two is offering a six week virtual summer school that runs Mondays through Thursdays beginning on June 16th and ending on July 31st. Information is available on the Summer School website. Students may register through Wednesday, June 18th.

Magnet News

Check out the latest edition of Magnet Microscope for the latest news from the Discovery and Explorations programs. In this edition you will find highlights from the 2013-2014 school year, as well as information for the upcoming school year.

Proof-of-Residence Reminder

Richland School District Two schools are currently conducting the annual verification of addresses for all Richland School District Two students. In order to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted transition from the 2013-2014 school year to the 2014-2015 school year, we urge you to bring/send/scan in your proof-of-residence for your students now. Documents should be directed to the Guidance Office. Click here for more information.

Congratulations to Attendance Improvement Winners

L to R: Stephanie Finnell, Sara Brooks, Virginia Meetze, Hannah Forrest, Teresa Farell

Congratulations to Sara Brooks, Hannah Forrest, and Virginia Meetze on being named the winners of the attendance improvement incentive implemented by Ms. Finnell of the counseling department!  These three students were randomly selected out of a pool of improved attendance for second semester.  By improving their attendance, each of these ladies earned a $100 Target gift card!  Special thanks goes out to the Spring Valley Education Foundation for funding a grant that supported this incentive!

Avoid Fines for Late Books

Students who fail to return textbooks to the book room by the end of the day on Friday, June 6th will be assessed a late fee for each book that was not returned on time. Please return your textbooks to the book room as soon as you have finished with them in your classes. Students, please do not leave textbooks in your lockers or in classrooms expecting that someone will turn them in for you. It is your responsibility to return your textbooks to the bookroom to avoid fines for late books. Thank you for your cooperation.

Girls Interested in Cross Country

Any girl interested in cross country for the 2014-15 school year should plan on being at practice on Monday, June 9 at 7 am at Clemson Extension. Girls should have their physical completed by that time. If students or parents have any questions contact Samantha Eastwood at saeastwood@richland2.org.

Seniors, Don't Be Late!

The Spring Valley High School graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 8:00 AM on Saturday, June 7th at the Carolina Coliseum. Doors will be open to the public at 7:30 AM.  Seniors should arrive at the Elephant Room entrance at 7:00 AM. This year the University of South Carolina has made significant changes to the parking around Coliseum. Several of the lots that have been open in past years will not be available for use due to construction of new facilities. Please review the map on Viking Update to ensure that you are familiar with where you can park. Please allow yourself adequate time to get parked and get in the building. See you at 7:00 AM.  Don't be late.

Top of Their Class

Congratulations to the top ten students in Spring Valley's class of 2014!  Pictured at right are:

Top: Aakash Shingala, Dr. Baron Davis, Thomas Purvis, Lance Murphy

Middle: Alexa Cotran, Himabindu Vinnakota, Habiba Fayyaz

Bottom: Linda Thomas, Meghan Franco

Not pictured are Philip Richardson and Gregory Rassolov.

Richland Two Graduation Information

Information about RSD2 graduation ceremonies can be found here on the district's website. You will find information about all ceremonies, parking around the Coliseum area, and live streaming of graduations for each school. Spring Valley's graduation will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. Doors open to the public at 7:30 AM. Please allow yourself adequate time to park and be in your seats for the 8:00 AM start time.

Graduation Parking Information

The Spring Valley High School graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 8:00 AM on Saturday, June 7th at the Carolina Coliseum. Doors will be open to the public at 7:30 AM.  This year the University of South Carolina has made significant changes to the parking around Coliseum. Several of the lots that have been open in past years will not be available for use due to construction of new facilities. Please review this map to ensure that you are familiar with where you can park. Please allow yourself adequate time to get to the ceremony and seated in the Coliseum by the 8:00 AM start time.

Viking Football Announcements

Make up football spring practices will be held Wednesday and Thursday after school in  the Main Gym .  These are the last two days.

Summer football weight lifting begins next week on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 8 am-9:45 am and 9:30 am-11:30 am in Bates Hall.

News From the Fee Office

All calculators are due June 6, 2014.  Those who do not return their calculators by the end of the day will be charged the full price of the calculator and a late fee.  The late fee of $20 and the replacement fee of $120 will be added to the students’ fees.  In order for your student to participate in graduation or extra-curricular activities, all fees and/or debts must be paid in full. The fees window is open to students before school, at lunch and after school.  

Please make arrangements to pay any outstanding charges immediately using cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Checks will not be accepted without street address or phone number. Contact Mrs. Satchell at (803) 699-3500 ext. 69054 if you have any questions or if you need a printed invoice.

Senior David Hodge Creates iPhone App

While most high school seniors are overwhelmed with college applications, SAT/ACT tests, scholarship applications, not to mention keeping up with their rigorous course load, David Hodge, a senior at Spring Valley, recently released an iPhone app that he developed called Meteor Pong. The iPhone game takes the traditional pong game from the 1970s and adds a twist. "It's pong -- with four paddles, meteors and neon." Try to keep the meteor in play as long as possible as it accelerates out of control.

Being part of the  Discovery Program at Spring Valley gave David the courage to start designing, coding, and putting his imagination into a tangible form. To learn programming, he watched online video lectures from Stanford University about iPhone application development. As with creating anything from the ground up, David hit a few snags along the way. Perseverance and determination enabled him to succeed. David is currently working on adding new features and gradually improving the game, which will become apparent in future updates.

"Though learning programming and creating Meteor Pong was very difficult, I am a firm advocate of the idea that if you can dream it, you can achieve it," David said. "As Henry Ford said, 'whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right.' It's simply a matter of going out and getting it."

In the Fall David will be pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science at the University of South Carolina. 

Check out David's website Genesis Apps or download Meteor Pong at the App Store.

Relay for Life of Richland 2 Schools

The Spring Valley Science National Honor Society participated in the Relay for Life of Richland 2 Schools on May 16th. We had around 70 participants that evening. We raised $2,650.00 and were the top fundraising team at the event! The Relay For Life of Richland 2 Schools is an incredible and inspiring opportunity to unite as a community to honor cancer survivors, raise awareness about what we can do to reduce our cancer risk, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease. Way to go Spring Valley Science National Honor Society!

Avoid Fines for Late Textbooks

Students who fail to return textbooks to the book room by the end of the day on Friday, June 6th will be assessed a late fee for each book that was not returned on time. Please return your textbooks to the book room as soon as you have finished with them in your classes. Students, please do not leave textbooks in your lockers or in classrooms expecting that someone will turn them in for you. It is your responsibility to return your textbooks to the bookroom to avoid fines for late books. Thank you for your cooperation.

Spring Valley SNHS Raised $2000 for the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation

The Spring Valley Science National Honor Society raised $2,000 for the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation! Sanfilippo Syndrome (or MPSIII) is a terminal genetic disease. Funding goes directly to research in an effort to bring life-saving treatments for children with Sanfilippo Syndrome. Click here to read more about the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation. Thank you for all your hard work!

Principal's Reception

Take Your Google Docs, Etc with You When You Go

Students, Faculty, and Staff:

If you won't be with us in Richland Two next year because you're graduating, retiring, or moving, make sure to make a copy of anything in your Google Drive that you want to take with you. Check out Google Takeout before you leave us and your Google account is deactivated. If you have a Google Site that you want to continue to use after you leave, check out this simple how-to video showing you how to copy the site to your private Google account.  Again, make sure you do this before you go.  Once your account is deactivated you'll lose everything associated with it. Don't let that hard work go down the drain. Make a copy soon.

Richland County Sheriff Dept. Summer Camps

The Richland County Sheriff's Department will be hosting a number of  "Summer Camps." These summer programs offer children a positive structured environment that will give them support and guidance in hopes of keeping them on the right path while parents are working. This effort also lends the opportunity for the students to interact with deputies in a different environment - building an additional mentor and support system for our children. The youth that attend the Leadership Camp will have guest speakers, go on field trips, and learn life skills. 

Parents should visit the website at http://www.rcsd.net/summer_camps.html  for an application to the camp that is appropriate for their child.

No Late Start Tomorrow

There will be no Late Start Wednesday tomorrow, June 4th.  Please make a note of it. First period begins at 8:40 AM.

Avoid Fines for Returning Textbooks Late

Students who fail to return textbooks to the book room by the end of the day on Friday, June 6th will be assessed a late fee for each book that was not returned on time. Please return your textbooks to the book room as soon as you have finished with them in your classes. Students, please do not leave textbooks in your lockers or in classrooms expecting that someone will turn them in for you. It is your responsibility to return your textbooks to the bookroom to avoid fines for late books. Thank you for your cooperation.

Clean Out Lockers by Thursday, June 5th

Students need to clean out their lockers by Thursday, June 5, 2014. Any items left inside lockers after Friday, June 6th will be donated. 

Congratulations Jordan Byrne

Jordan Anthony Byrne earned the South Carolina Academic Honors Distinction. Please accept this apology for leaving Jordan Byrne off the Academic Honors List.

Proof-of-Residence Reminder

Richland School District Two schools are currently conducting the annual verification of addresses for all Richland School District Two students. In order to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted transition from the 2013-2014 school year to the 2014-2015 school year, we urge you to bring/send/scan in your proof-of-residence for your students now. Documents should be directed to the Guidance Office. Click here for more information.

Congratulations to Ishmael Brown

Mr. Ishmael Brown received the National Tutoring Association (NTA) Member of the Year Award.  He was selected by the Board of Directors for his commitment and dedication to the NTA and his determination to complete all phases of certification:  Advanced Level Tutor, Academic Coach, and Tutor Trainer. 

Class of 2015 Senior Portraits

Class of 2015 senior portraits will take place on the Spring Valley campus on June 23rd thru June 26th. Click here for more information.

From the School Counseling Office

NEW THIS YEAR: in order to allow school counselors sufficient time to ensure that all student schedules are conflict free and fulfill graduation requirements, no schedule changes will be made this summer outside of rescheduling a failed course.  Students should see or email their school counselor to make final changes to course requests prior to the last day of school.  Any changes desired after this time will be postponed until orientation in August.

Additionally, students are expected to keep up with their credits earned.  Counselors/administrators do not notify parents if a student has not completed requirements to move on to the next grade level.

Requirements are as follows: 

Freshman- promotion from eighth grade

Sophomore- five credits (including one math credit and one English credit)

Junior- twelve credits (including two math credits and two English credits)

Senior- eighteen credits (including three math credits and three English credits)

Top Scholars Join UofSC Freshman Class

Habiba Fayyaz                                            Philip Richardson                                        Himabindu Vinnakota

Congratulations to Habiba Fayyaz, Philip Richradson and Himabindu Vinnakota, recipients of USC Scholar Awards.  The University of South Carolina will welcome some of the nation’s and the state’s top students for the university’s most valuable and prestigious scholarship program. Recipients of the Carolina Scholar Awards for in-state students and the McNair Scholar Awards for out-of-state students will join the Carolina community in August.