Scranton Elementary Named Finalist for Palmetto’s Finest

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The staff and students at Scranton Elementary School got a surprise Wednesday as they finished a fire drill. As the drill was concluding, a South Lynches Fire Department truck, with emergency lights and siren blaring, pulled into the parking lot and Laura Hickson, Florence County School District Three superintendent, used the trucks intercom to announce that the school was named a finalist for Palmetto’s Finest.

Palmetto’s Finest, awarded by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, recognizes schools which offer excellent instruction and outstanding leaders, augmented by strong family and community involvement and a supportive business community.

“We are all so excited to be selected as a finalist,” said Principal Allana Prosser. “The application process is rigorous, but I think it was beneficial for us regardless of the outcome. The process looks closely at all parts of the school, from the physical appearance to the academic programs to how we engage our parents and the community as a whole.”

The school was one of 21 schools in the state that submitted its application for the award in September. Independent readers reviewed all applications and recommended semifinalist schools to receive initial site visits in October. Scranton Elementary and eight other schools will now have a second site visit in February.

“Our motto this year is ‘Full Steam Ahead’ and we feel a lot like The Little Engine That Could,” Prosser said. “We don’t have the money that some schools in larger districts have, but this shows we can use the resources we have to create engaging academic programs, provide relevant professional development for our staff and an inviting atmosphere for parents and our community.”

The Palmetto's Finest announcement will be made remotely from SC ETV on March 21. Finalists will watch the announcement from their schools via live streaming. All finalists receive statewide recognition and a plaque. The four or five winners also receive a "Palmetto's Finest School" banner, bumper stickers for all their staff members, and a Palmetto's Finest lapel pin for the principal.